Maybelline cousin, Caitlin Hewes, signs contract to play professional Ice Hockey overseas in Europe

Berisoff, Hewes Continue Careers in Europe. UConn graduates commit to Planegg Penguins in Munich, Germany

STORRS, Conn. – Two former members of the UConn women’s ice hockey team signed contracts to play professionally in the Elite Women’s Hockey League overseas in Europe. Forward Brittany Berisoff (Kelowna, B.C.) and defenseman Caitlin Hewes (Stillwater, Minn.) both committed to the Planegg Penguins and will be living and training in Munich, Germany.
“We are proud of Brittany and Caitlin signing professional contracts.  They deserve this opportunity and will follow in the footsteps of other alumni who have played in Europe,” head coach Chris MacKenzie said.
The Europe-bound duo, who helped UConn to its first winning record since 2009 last season, both say this will be a one-of-a-kind learning experience.
“I’m most excited about how much I am going to learn throughout the year. I have already learned so much living in the U.S. these past four years so I can’t wait to see what Germany has in store for me,” Berisoff said, “I’m also very excited to start this next chapter with Caitlin because we played together at UConn for four years, so to be able to continue our careers and play professionally together is pretty special.”
Hewes, who captained the Huskies in the 2015-16 season, says she is most excited to not really experience life in another country,
 “I think living day to day life in another culture will be a really enlightening experience,” she said.  “We also get one weekend off a month from games, which we will then have the opportunity to travel to different countries throughout Europe.  I'm really excited by the prospect of seeing all these places, especially since I've never been outside of North America.

While both former Huskies are excited for this next chapter, Berisoff and Hewes both agreed that professional careers were not in their sights until recently.
“I didn't really consider playing professionally, especially abroad,” said Hewes, “to be honest, I wasn't really aware it was an option until later in my college career.  I had heard of a few players who made the decision and they seemed like they had incredible experiences so I decided to consider it more seriously.”
Growing up, Berisoff noticed that opportunities to play professionally for women are not as common as they are for men and did not even consider the option until later in her UConn career.
“I started to realize that my hockey career was slowly coming to an end,” she said, “I decided to take this next step because I know multiple people who have played professionally abroad and they had an unreal experience, so I knew that it was the right decision to make for me.”
The recent UConn graduates stated how their experiences as student-athletes at UConn have really helped them become independent and prepared them to take this next step.
“I think that my career at Uconn prepared me for this by making me really independent and comfortable with living further away from home,” said Hewes, “the high intensity of hockey I've been playing and work ethic that Uconn has instilled in me has prepared me for any challenges I may face.”
“I went to prep-school away from home and went to University across the continent. I know that there will be hard times but they are worth it because there will also be many great times. I’m confident that UConn has prepared me for this next step because I have had to become very diligent, hardworking, and independent on and off the ice,” Berisoff said.  
Berisoff and Hewes will report for a two week training camp in Northern Italy scheduled to begin on August 27, 2016.

Caitlin Hewes, Great grandmother, on her father's side, was Maybelline's namesake Mabel Williams. Mabel, inspired her brother Tom Lyle Williams to concoct and market a simple formula called Lash-Brow-Ine, in 1915, under "Maybel Laboratories." 

In 1917, Tom Lyle renamed Lash-Brow-Ine,  Maybelline, in honor of his sister Mabel, who gave him the idea.

 Mabel Williams 1915

Mabel Williams-Hewes holding baby Joyce, along side her husband Chet Hewes with their children Shirley and Tommy.  1934

 (Tommy Hewes son,) David and his wife Karen

(Caitlin's parents.)

Congratulations Caitlin, on your great accomplishment. You honor the entire Maybelline family.  All your cousins are cheering for you to keep up the good work. I'm sure your Great grandparents and grandparents and smiling down on you from Heaven. Just remember, you come from a long line of Champions, it's in your DNA!!!

Maybelline a pioneer in Advertising, the first to use "Before and After" imegery

Armed with market savvy, an eye for beauty and a penchant for perfection, Tom Lyle continued to experiment boldly, introducing what would become one of the most familiar and effective ploys in advertising: “before and after” imagery. This captured the imagination of women everywhere, creating a need that he filled by placing striking cosmetic displays in dime and drug stores across America. Soon the name Maybelline came to represent more than just mascara—it meant beauty, sex appeal and self-confidence, indispensable tools for every woman’s success—however she defined it.

Read more about Tom Lyle Williams and The Maybelline Company in my book, The Maybelline Story.

MGM Studio founded in 1924 in Culver City Californa. Here's a bit of Hollywood History from my family archives

Newly formed MGM, 1924. From my grandfather's archives. 
Buster Keaton, Hardy Rapst, Irving Thalberg, (Head of Production,) Nick Schende, Natale Talmadge, (Mrs. Buster Keaton.) Louie B. Mayer, Eddie Mannix, (general manager and head of publicity,) Hunt Stomberg, (Producer.)

MGM and its legendary roaring lion logo was formed in April 1924, by theater magnate Marcus Loew, who orchestrated the merger of Metro Pictures Corp., Goldwyn Pictures and Louis B. Mayer Productions

Metro Pictures had the look, the style and the stars needed to attract a growing audience, but the little studio on Gower Street in Hollywood became too limited to meet it's growing needs.  In 1924 Goldwyn Pictures with its valuable studio property in Culver City was purchased and MGM was born.  Mayer and my grandfather, Andy Mac Donald, moved Metro's sets together in Andy's truck, to the new lot in Culver City.

 Mayer now the head of M.G.M. gave my grandfather the position of head of construction and eventually head of 7 MGM departments.  Metro Goldwyn Mayer's magnificent entrance on Washington Blvd.,  looked like a turret of a Castle.   The offices, shops, and main stages were up front on the main lot and the

other two back lots held street scenes, college malls, quaint village

squares, meadow, forest and even a jungle with a  man-made pool for the Tarzan.  The outlying studio ranches used for Westerns

were located in the San Fernando Valley and the nearby convenience of ocean, wild country and desert afforded a variety of natural settings.

M.G.M.'s now celebrated and polished films required only the

best in every department.  The Studio's level of expertise excelled over any other studio and became the quintessential glamour and star factory in Hollywood.

Louie B. Mayer ran the Studio like a boot camp.  If there were any slackers on a job, they were quickly fired. He demanded excellence and loyalty and under his rule, M.G.M. became the most authoritarian studio  in the industry.   He instituted an important break with the early movie tradition of allowing directors to serve as a overseers of the art... "Griffith style." 

 At M.G.M.  film making became an assembly line of departments each answerable to a producer,  each producer answerable to the head of production and the head of production answerable to Mayer.  M.G.M's. stars became nothing like the merry old player of the old days, insisting on their favorite directors, idea men and supporting players and actors were never allowed to choose their own properties.

Mayer's directors  directed,  his writers wrote and his actors acted. All separately.   Free spirits were no longer tolerated. Team

players and company men were the only people allowed to play ball with Mayer. 

My grandfather, Andy Mac Donald on the left with his men, on a set they constructed

As head of construction,  Andy was expected to respect Mayer's style rather than rely on his own.  Authority started at the top and worked down.  Andy's men took direction from him, he took direction from an art director and the art director took direction from the Mayer.

Economics ruled under Mayer's reign and there was no waste. Andy figured out a way to construct detachable sets that could be used over and over again. Walls, bookshelves, staircases etc. could be taken apart and put back together in different ways.  When they weren't in use they could be stored for future projects. Elaborate sets, especially exteriors were kept standing on the back lots and when a scene called for it, a whole town could be constructed quickly, or be reassembled to look like a new town.

 A facade of a Mediterranean Villa nestled in a grove of fake palm trees created the feeling of the Italian Renaissance and when the film was over it could be repainted and redecorated to give the impression of an entirely different part of the world.

Andy's innovative ways of constructing difficult sets and props

for "Ben Hur,"  M.G.M. 's first major picture after the merger, was

legendary and Mayer increased his salary to an all time high.

Natalie Talmadge and Buster Keaton

The 1920's were prosperous for most people in America, but for those with big positions at a major studio, it was unimaginable. Money was worth much more, because income tax and unions  were still a long way off and the price of homes and fancy cars was still reasonable.

Read more about Louie B. Mayer, MGM and my grandfather's 55 year career at the Studio in my book, The Maybelline Story. I know you'll find it hard to put down. 

My mother Pauline Mac Donald, was born in 1924, the year MGM moved to Culver City.  She grew up watching her father, Andy oversee every set built for every picture made at the Studio, including Gone with the With Wind and the Wizard of Oz in 1939.  You're going to love this memoir....

Culver City Celebrates it's 100 year Anniversary Sept 26 - Oct 1
Here's the details   http://culvercity100.org/

Great Granddaughters of Maybelline's first African American Model, Je'Taun M. Taylor, review The Maybelline Story

Je'Taun M. Taylor, Maybelline's first African American model, 1959, read more about this amazing woman, click link.

http://www.maybellinebook.com/2016/02/jetuan-m-taylor-maybellnes-first.html



Review by Chane' Haynes,
Je'Taun M. Taylor's Great Granddaughter

Hi Sharrie️ how are you? Prayerfully better than ever! I have just closed your beautifully written book on its last chapter....and might I say that is one hell of a story!!!!!!! I loved and enjoyed every minute of it....up until that last part....with Nana....I can't stop crying.....who would be that sick and heartless....I despise Danie....my heart aches and goes out to you and your family....on the contrary this story inspired me....you and I have dealt with tremendously the same pain it's crazy....the weight thing I'm still trying to conquer, kudos to you....and my grandmother Cherie was just like your Nana....personality wise always seemingly judgmental yet only wanting the best for us......your story ignited a fire in me that I thought died long ago....it inspires me to to go full head on unapologetically with my dreams and to keep fighting the good fight no matter what life throws at me....your whole family were fighters not only verbally but physically and emotionally....it made me feel as though I was reading about my family without the money lol....I felt indulged in the story as if it were happening in front of my eyes....this book definitely deserves airtime for a movie and 5 amazing stars....I'm not saying that just to be saying that, you definitely can change the route in someone's life just by inspiration and this book was just that! It gave me life, hope, and sadness took me through so many emotions but I loved every bit of it....I would love to write a book just don't know where to start....you know your blessed if you can inspire and change someone through text who has never met you, and that you are! Thank you for this special gift....it will remain with me forever and all the lessons it has taught me.....I will continue to read this book lol I could never get tired of it. Thank you for your story.

Review by Mami-Melay Tati Taylor

Je'Taun M. Taylor's Great Granddaughter

One of the ‪#‎Best‬ books I've read in my 23 years of living hands down!! ‪#‎TheMaybellineStory‬ by Sharrie Williams ....a memorabilia that seeps drama, laughter, pain, pleasure, wealth, wisdom, inspiration and hope all in one....also gives very knowledgeable tactics on advertising, marketing and entrepreneurship for the business mind as well as inquires inside scoop on how the beauty industry operates....Definitely is going to make a great movie and I can't wait to watch! 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A ‪#‎MustRead‬ go get your copy!! click the ‪#‎link‬ to show this amazing story support...and if not this show will still move forward. Y'all be blessed✌🏽️👌🏽

Maybelline turned sweet mother into a Pin Up Girl

Evelyn remarked to Pauline that she needed a little make-over.  She took her by the hand into the bedroom and closed the door.  Bill screamed at his mother to stop, "I like like the way she looks," he said, "She's only 15 for darn sakes." but his mother proceeded to the lock the door.

 Pauline emerged from Evelyn's silk covered bedroom, which held an enormous dressing table filled with Maybelline products and an enormous round mirror lit up like a Movie Star's dressing room.

Eyelyn had transformed her son's girlfriend from a simple little high school girl into a gorgeous woman with Judy Garland eyes and a Vavoom figure. Bill stood there gawking with his mouth open.  Pauline had morphed into a knock out, a pin up girl, as beautiful as any of his uncle's Maybelline models..... 

Read more about my parents, Bill and Pauline and my grandmother Evelyn in my book, The Maybelline Story, now on audible.

  Listen to a free sample on Amazon now.

My makeover at Jean Seo's Evolue Beauty in Beverly Hills with Celebrity Makeup artist Etienne Ortega and Celebrity hair stylist Jin Bang

It doesn't get much better than spending the afternoon with Jean Seo, owner of the celebrity skin care salon, Evolue and her staff. Including Celebrity makeup artist, Etienne Ortega and celebrity hair styling, Jin Bang. This is what I call FUN...especially growing up with everything Maybelline.

 

Signing a copy of my book The Maybelline Story for Jean Soe, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, where Movie Stars and Hollywood celebrities hobnob,is my cup of tea.  Growing up in Culver City, close to the old MGM Studio's, I hoped to be discovered by a talent scout.  Now I'm content soaking up the Stardust and and be pampered like a Mogul, while waiting for some good news about my TV series, being pitched by my agent Italia Gandolfo and my producer, Marie D. Jones.

 It's not everyday I get a new "do" by Celebrity Stylist, Jin Bang, who has taught cutting edge styling techniques in over 75 cities across North America, New York to Los Angeles, and in European cities such as London and Barcelona. His clients include Demi Lovato, Chris Humpries (NBA) and Kim Kardashian. Jin is a master at creating original looks. I was going for Old Hollywood!

 

broadcast with my publicist Michelle Arbeau

 and Jin Bang.

My sister Donna Williams and I had our makeup done by One of the top 5 makeup artists in the world, Etienne Ortega, best known for creating Christina Arguilera's makeup on "The Voice," and Kim Kardashian and her family on "Keeping up with the Kardashians." 

Etienne Ortega, my friend Tama Wali and I after my makeover. Etienne is working on a new lipstick brand and writing a beauty book. He asked me if I'd be interested in being included in the book..."Yes Please."  Tama Wali is an international Bikram Yoga Teacher, dress and bag designer and finishing her Therapist Private Practice license. 

 

Photo shoot with my sister Donna and our new makeup artist Etienne Ortega and hair stylist, Jin Bang at the Evolue Studio

Etienne Ortega, Jean Soe, Jin Bang and Sharrie Williams

After the photo shoot, we grabbed an Uber van and headed around the corner to the Beverly Wilshire.

 

 The Lobby of the Beverly Wilshire, Etienne Ortega

 in the background.

Our A-Team of creative like minded people enjoyed wine,  hor d oeuvres and a couple hours of lively conversation. 

Etienne Ortega holding up, Publicist, Michelle Arbeau's best selling book, "Soul Numbers." Michelle is sought after, Celebrity Numerologist, broadcaster and professional speaker. 

Busy signing copies of The Maybelline Story at the table with Jean Seo.

Signing Etienne's book, while giving my two cent on his new cosmetic line.  After all I was "Born with It."

                     Eva Longoria Makeup Tutorial with Etienne Ortega

                      Makeup contouring with Etienne Ortega 

Check out the skin products by Jean Seo at her Beverly Hills Studio. I have most of it, but my favorite's are... resurfacing grains... reverse time serum... hydrating serum and exotic oil for the face.  Jean's clients include Hollywood's most beautiful Stars...