CoverGirl for Essence Magazine

by Karen Blanchard
9 March 2012

Essence-Pg2

Playing two Karen’s in the April issue! 
Behind the scene shots of playing a famous actress and a fan.

A stand in was used for placement

Extensions added in to play the actress

The aim was to play completely different characters. It worked because I didn’t recognize myself!!

About to walk on set (you should have seen the gold heels I was wobbling in)

The shoot was to promote CoverGirl Lip Color Blast Flipstick Colour (try saying that 3 x fast).

Blogger Claire Sulmers from The Fashion Bomb also had an alter ego shoot.  Here’s us checking out the shots so far

Playing around (Claire the office worker, me the fan of an actress)

My colour was ‘Minx’

We arrived at 8am and left the studio well after 7pm. Took this shot out the window before we walked out

In December I did a photo shoot for CoverGirl!  I still can’t believe I got to work with the brand again – this time for Essence (my last CoverGirl shoot post is here).

The brief for the shoot was to show two different characters. I was an actress, the other ‘person’ is their fan. Well it worked because good God I didn’t recognize myself.  The photos were taken by celebrity photographer Derek Blanks who’s known for creating ‘doubles.’  (I remember the work he did one year for America’s Next Top Model).

Thank you Essence, CoverGirl,  Saisha Beecham (make up artist magician), Derek Blanks and last but not least Michael for taking the behind the scene pics!  What I wore arriving at the studio.

ps. Mum your mag copy is on it’s way!

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68 comments

  1. Dree says:

    The pics turned out so lovely! cant wait to see them in the issue. 🙂

    Dree xx

    style-on-blogspot.com

    • Karen says:

      The mag is out! Whitney Houston is on the cover which makes me feel even more proud.

  2. Sing says:

    Wow you sure do look like a different person. Love the lipstick on you.

  7. ASH says:

    Looks fun!

  9. Dee Emerald says:

    beautiful! very well done on ur part. I can just picture Tyra saying u “smized” just right! lol.

    I’ve been a lurker on ur blog but had to write my first comment today.

    • Karen says:

      Hello 🙂 always good to see a lurker come out.

  10. Erica B. says:

    Fabulous! I’ve always wanted a Derek Blanks photo session.

  11. Theresa says:

    The CoverGirl ad turned out so freaking cool! What an unique idea – you look fab! Looking forward to getting my next copy of Essence 😉

    xoTheresa

    The Habit

  13. Taylor B. says:

    I didn’t recognize you either! That’s so cool!

  14. Mari says:

    You looked so amazing in the photos. Congratulations once again. Can’t wait to see what other projects you land.

  15. Mari says:

    You looked so amazing in the photos!!! So lovely…

  16. Serendipity Max says:

    This is amazing. I actually thought it was two different people on first look!

    xx

  17. BougieHippie says:

    oMG!!!!! look at you all glam up!!!!!!!!

  18. ONE ON ONE WITH SCHOLASTIC says:

    Keep up the good work. I love Saisha Beecham, she is so sweet and nice. I had the pleasure of working w/ her here in Atlanta. Derek Blanks is a very down to earth person. He really makes you feel at ease when you work w/ him, which you can tell by the final pictures.

    • Karen says:

      Yes both are great and clearly work together well as a team. Derek is one of the nicest photographers I’ve met so far. Sooo

  19. WearAbouts says:

    Karen….you look SO FANTASTIC! you need to smile more often!!!! That first shot is fantastic….the “move star” doesn’t look anything like the “fan”! Can’t tell their both you at all! You are so stunning it’s blowing me away!!!!! 🙂
    congrats on another covergirl feat! <3
    Rory
    http://www.WearAboutsBlog.com
    Follow me on CHICTOPIA

    • Karen says:

      Ah thank you. A friend asked who’s that girl with you and when I said its me she was shocked. Agreed they def created a very diff me. good fun though.

  21. Shayne Renee says:

    This is amazing! You look unbelievable! Congrats!

  22. Shandrese/Natalia says:

    yay!!!!!!!!!! you look gorgeous!!!! i purchased some of these items a while ago and i must say they are pretty cool 🙂 congrats girl 🙂
    ~Natalia
    sincerelyrenay.blogspot.com

  23. Goody says:

    This is way cool and i must have that lip color!

  27. Jess says:

    Another one who didn’t realise “the actress” was you. You look amazing!

    Jess xx
    Styladelica

  28. Jess says:

    Another one who had no idea “the actress” was you. You look amazing!

    Jess xx
    Styladelica

  29. madzia says:

    nice post 🙂

  30. Anonymous says:

    This is an amazing photo. Your smile is gorgeous and makes me realize that you rarely smile in your blog posts. You should smile more, girl. You light up the room. What a fun opportunity.

    • Karen says:

      noted : )

  31. David Diaz says:

    In the beginning I seriously thought it was two different people…. They did an amazing job! & Congrats on the ad! You definitely WERQ IT! Girl! *snaps fingers*

    xo

  32. Borjana says:

    Oh my!How exciting is this?!Wow!Great job hun,you really look amazing!
    xx
    B.

  33. Jasmine Sinclair says:

    I saw this morning!!!! I am so happy for you!!!! Your alter ego photos look amazing!!!

  34. Sia says:

    You look amazing x

  35. Theblondesquad says:

    Stunning! I’m off to buy the Minx shade STAT if it makes me look as gorgeous as you…(runs out the door…)!!

  36. Anonymous says:

    Karen where did you get that long skirt?

  39. Anonymous says:

    Yay! You look stunning! Oh, and great job with the Marni score btw..

    Lindsey

    • Karen says:

      heh heh thx it was every man (or woman) for himself when the doors were open

  40. leesicam says:

    You look ah-mazing! Congrats!

  41. vain319 says:

    That is so cool.You look so awesome,I love the idea of the doubles..you worked it out!killing them 🙂 love the clothes and accessories.I am still selling off vintage clothes,so come and check me out.

  43. KeyKey says:

    OMG lovely pics!!!

  44. Sinead says:

    You look absolutely amazing as both the “actress” and the “fan.” But of course, I think the most beautiful version of you is the real one. So happy to see all of your success — and to see that it doesn’t seem to have gone to your head. That is so refreshing. You remain my favorite fashion blogger.

    • Karen says:

      ahh thx Sinead – it’s an honour to me to work with big brands like this.

  46. Dee says:

    Oh my god. It looks FAB girl! Congrats! We need to meet up! 😉

  47. MerelyMarie says:

    Beautiful! Go Karen!!! I like & agree with Sinead’s comment:)

  48. Ria says:

    Amazing opportunity. I love CG flipstick. I broke one half of mine, ugh.

  50. Anonymous says:

    you look great. i love, love, love the gold outfit.

  51. NAKUMBA says:

    wow, this is really lovely. It looks like u have a twin sister :-)) Love the lipstick. Wish we had them out here in Germany.

    http://afromeetseuro.com/

  52. NAKUMBA says:

    wow, lovely cover girl photo. It looks like you have a twin sister:-)) cool. I also luv the lipsticks…wish we had them over here in Germany.

    http://afromeetseuro.com/

  53. browngirlfriendly says:

    Beautiful!!! Shooting this looks like an absolute dream! That skyline pic is lovely. Where was the shoot?

  54. Anonymous says:

    When I received my Essence mag, I was so thrilled to see two of my most favorite bloggers working together. You looked awesome. I hope Minx looks as good on me.

  55. Iubire says:

    Wooooowwwww you are so diva…
    congratulations hermosa,,,,,

  58. DelbaMé says:

    This is so awesome, Congratulations! Your skin is so flawless, you look gorgeous girl!
    Delaney
    xx

  60. Mika says:

    YAAS Work! this is awesome

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