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With family originally from the islands, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, West Indies (mother) and San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago (father) and living in Canarsie, Brooklyn her whole life, it’s no wonder Angelena Als’ palette is usually full of colour and bold designs. One would think she is an emerging makeup artist but she’s actually using makeup as her “golden ticket into acting”.

The artist continues, “Makeup really isn’t my dream. It’s my bread and butter. It’s also how I express myself as an artist. Since I was 4-years-old, I’ve dreamed of being in theatre, film and television.”

“If you meet the right people, your chances of achieving such a dream is possible. I intend on knowing everyone and everything,” she believes.

Via experiences from the film and theatre worlds, she really enjoys creating characters and becoming a character. When it comes to personal style, Als claims to be a “Jane of all lanes” who has a deep love for thrifting: modern and vintage clothes. She’s heavily inspired by what she sees through everyday life as a native New Yorker.

How hard is it to get into the Health & Beauty industry?

It isn’t easy, if it’s not something you enjoy. Health & Beauty starts with you and if you don’t know your stuff then, why would anyone else want to invest in you or your vision?

If you could share two things with a younger you, who didn’t know all that she knows now, what would you advise her?

If I could share anything with a younger me, my two greatest pieces of advice would be to always be on time, and live your life to the fullest — even if the rest of the world doesn’t agree with your vision. As long as you’re not putting yourself or anyone else in danger… Fuck it!

When did you first learn about GrungeCake? What did you think of it? What do you think of it now? Is there any advice you can give to us, to help us grow?

When I was introduced to GrungeCake, I was immediately intrigued. The name alone is not only a pun on words, but the belly of the beast. GrungeCake captures everything from art to sex to fashion and religion, which are the things that interest me the most and everyone else in today’s society, as a magazine. It has grown and expanded all over the world. In fact, that’s the most amazing things to me that no matter where you are or where you’re originally from. There is something in every issues that you can relate to or understand even if it doesn’t pertain to you. My only advice I have for you, in terms of growth, is to keep working as hard as you have and everything else will fall right into place.

Tell us a little about your experience during shooting for the article. Tell us about the fit of the clothing. Do you like any of it? If so, what did you like about it?

The beginning of my shoot started in a porn store on Jackson Avenue and ended in a cabby station (Master Cabbie Taxi Academy), need I say more? Not only was the location perfect but the clothing was awesome. I loved the way the dresses fit. They fit me like a glove and I was so sad taking that neon K-WAY jacket off. I wanted it to come home with me so bad.

When asked “How important is image?” She replied, “Image is everything and yet nothing. If your inner[self] doesn’t match the outer[self] then, what are you really worth?”

The skies the limit for this young entrepreneur as she lives everyday like it’s her last.

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Richardine Bartee (Editorial Photographer)
K-WAY (Clothing Sponsors)
Tees by Tina (Clothing Sponsors)

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For more Angelena Als, just click here.