Beauty: An Interview with Model Stacey J

Meet Stacey...the girl every guy loves, and every woman wants to be

Photo: Mike Newcomer

Dani: Stacey! It’s been FOREVER since we’ve seen each other. A whole day, right?

Stacey: I know!! One day away from you seems like an eternity though!! Ha!

Dani: I know! Get yourself back to town, soon!!!

Thanks for taking some time for this interview. I think it’s only fair that my readers should get to experience your fabulousness for themselves!

Stacey: Aww! You are more than welcome!! I don’t ever claim to know it all, but when I believe in something, I like to shout it from the rooftops! Word of mouth IS the best form of marketing, right??

Photo: Jay Hooker

Dani: That it is! Let’s begin with the healthy side of beauty. You are all about fitness, eating clean…when did you get started and how has it changed you?

Stacey: I’ve been working out for years, but decided about 2 years ago to take it to the next level. I wanted to see what my body was capable of! I started meal prepping, drinking a gallon of water a day, and immediately noticed my body changing! I also started lifting heavy in the gym. A pretty common misconception is that women will start to look “manly” if they lift something heavier than a 10-pound weight. First, we don’t produce enough testosterone to have that happen. Second, do I look manly? No. I squat so I can do a double take when I walk a past a mirror! I always encourage people to remember that regardless of how much they work out, just know that you are what you eat!

Dani: No, you are definitely super girly...I can attest to that. Now about that hair of yours – every girl I know with curly hair bemoans the labor of keeping it frizz free. How do you whip that long hair into shape?

Stacey: My hair is easier to manage than it looks! But it did take a while to find the right balance. It starts with my great stylist, Jeannine. It took me a long time to find someone that understands how to cut curly hair. I trust her every time I’m in her chair, knowing I’ll feel as glam as Beyonce when she’s done and nowhere near a Chia pet! Aside from that, I only shampoo my hair once, maybe twice a week. That’s about how often I comb it too, as funny as that may sound! I find if I comb it too much, it just gets fluffy! Product is key too! I am in love with the whole Moroccan oil line, and I swear by the curl cream. If I have that, plus my diffuser, I’m destined for a fabulous hair day.

Photo: Sheila Carroll / Makeup: Dani Lazaro

Dani: What about makeup? What are your favorite products?

Stacey: I’m nowhere near the guru like you, Dani, but I’ll always try something new! (Especially if it’s sparkly!) Also, I just started getting the Ipsy bag, so that’s a great way to try new products without a huge investment! If I was stranded on a desert island and could only have one item with me, I would have to say the eyelash curler! I know it is technically a makeup tool, but it instantly transforms me into someone that is awake and alert! And now that I think about it, fake lashes are pretty amazeballs too (am I allowed to say that? J). But I usually save them for photo shoots and special occasions! Other than that, I seem to notice my collection of eyeliner is growing, typically with different colors of liquid liner!

Photo: Andy Gonzalez / Makeup: Dani Lazaro

Dani: Yes, of course you can say that! It IS a big part of your vocab after all!!! Any beauty trends you could kick yourself for following?

Stacey: Hmmm. You know I’ve never been one to leap before I look. I’m not hugely into trends, I just go with what works for me! My style genre has changed over the years, and sometimes day to day, but I’ve always felt pretty comfortable it whatever it happened to be. And I must add that confidence plays a huge part in that!

Photo: Mike Newcomer

Dani: I agree. Confidence is key.

You are well versed in teenage girls, having one yourself. What would you tell teens these days about how to survive in our beauty obsessed culture?

Stacey: Isn’t that the million dollar question?!?! My first piece of advice would be to always be confident! (It’s what obviously has worked for me!) That is the key to success in anything. Even if you’re not quite sure of an outfit, a situation or even a class in school, make sure to hold your head high and show them who is boss! The trick is, though, to have enough modesty and kindness to be approachable and still be sincere. Embrace your uniqueness, knowing that you are perfect the way God made you. Also, never compare yourself to anyone else. There is no use! What you see in magazines is hardly ever reality, and the person in your class that you wish that you had their [fill in the blank], they are probably sitting there thinking that they wish they had your [fill in the blank]! Be comfortable in your skin; don’t forget to compliment others; the “thigh gap” shouldn’t even be a thing; how long is this interview… I could go on and on!

Dani: Is there anything trending lately that you look at and just think…. “No.”?

Stacey: High waisted pants. I just can’t dig it! It takes a tall woman with a flawless figure and legs that won’t quit to even begin to pull those off. Kudos to those who do manage to make it look right, though!

Dani: Oh my gosh yes. I so don't get those pants. At All!

Finally, what one thing makes you feel the most beautiful?

Stacey: There are a lot of things that make me feel beautiful!! But if I had to pick one, it would be the way I feel when I know I have made a difference in someone’s life. There is nothing more rewarding than helping others, in whatever facet it happens to be. Knowing that I can positively influence someone else’s world is what keeps my ambition and determination alive!