I got to sit down with BET.com’s beauty editor, Kimberly Walker and ask her everything from how to get your dream job to what makes her happy.



Mattie James: WHY WRITING?



Kimberly Walker: Well I love writing. I’ve always to be a writer. I knew that I wanted to write in the fourth grade. We had these assignments and we had to write these stories. I wrote it about a zebra who didn’t like his stripes. Every other animal had a solid color and he went to the turtle like why are you green and questioned the other animals. The moral of the story was to embrace your stripes; be okay with who you are. Writers are always angry about something in a good way. I think God has given us this talent to burst something inside of us. Anything that I’m going through, I get through with writing.



MJ: WHO WAS YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE COMING UP?
KW: My biggest influences were in film. I love the storytelling aspect of film. My mother took me the Five Heartbeats. I got to go because I made the honor roll. I know it sounds cliché, but my life was changed after I saw that film. The way everything unfolded, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I started following Robert Townsend’s work, who I believe is very underrated. I saw all his movies. I saw Meteor Man and all his classics. I also love Langston Hughes.



MJ: WORST BEAUTY TREND?
KW: You know what I can’t stand, black or brown lipstick. There was a girl who found me on Facebook, from high school. She used to wear brown lip liner with cherry roll on with lip gloss. I hated it. The only one who can pull off dark lipstick is Nia Long. Other than that, everyone else should stop it if they’re still wearing it.



MJ: WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
KW: There’s a couple of things. They usually start with a C. I love anything that’s cherry flavored. I love cinnamon. I burn cinnamon candles in my house regularly. Love cold stone, especially cake batter. I don’t think I need to explain why. I really enjoy Cami Cakes. Everyone should try them. Lastly, I love making people laugh. I get enjoyment out of uplifting people.



MJ: WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE FOR GOING AFTER YOUR DREAM JOB?
KW: First of all, it’s gonna sound crazy, but I would say you can’t necessarily be all the way realistic. Maybe a little. You need to know what you want to do and the path you need to take. Really cultivate great relationships with people. Doesn’t matter what industry you’re in. If people like you, they will continue to use you and continue to pay you. You can be the most talented person but if no one likes you, no will want to work with you.



You absolutely must be willing to do some professional stalking. *laughs* You need to be aggressive – find a phone number or find that email. If you send an email or call and you get no reply, follow up after a week or so. I know for my job with BET the person I corresponded with didn’t reply after a month, but I kept following up and he later said, “Thank you for being consistent. That made me remember you.”



Also, formulate a plan. Join organizations that have to do what you want to do. Have short term goals as well as long goals. Having just long term goals will frustrate you. I want to be a film maker so I’ve joined WIFTA (Women in Film & Television Atlanta.) I’ll also be shooting my short this summer.



MJ: DO YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL?
KW: Yes, I absolutely believe that we can have it all because God says we can. I think people get this misconstrued with a perfect life. It’s not about that. It’s about fulfilling the purpose of your life and being rich in every aspect of life. In family, in career…I think that there are people who do have it all and don’t even realize it. Make time for the things that matter.



MJ: IF YOU WERE A SEX AND THE CITY CHARACTER WHO WOULD YOU BE & WHY?
KW: I am Carrie. I have always been Carrie, because we’re writers. But also because of the way she asks questions and questions things. I try to dress well, I think I have my own individual style, but I’m not a label whore by any means so I’m probably Carrie circa season 1 & 2. I can’t afford Carrie’s wardrobe season 3 and on. I also have some Miranda tendencies as well.



MJ: I’LL SAY A WORD, YOU TELL ME THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND.
KW: Okay.



MJ: CHOCOLATE.
KW: Good. Morris Chestnut came to mind second.
MJ: WORK.
KW: Life. A lot.
MJ: SHOES.
KW: Platforms.
MJ: SUMMER.
KW: Ice cream!
MJ: LOVE.
KW: Question mark.
MJ: CITY.
KW: Philadelphia.
MJ: MONEY.
KW: Need.
MJ: LIFE.
KW: Good.
MJ: MEN.
KW: *laughs* Chaos.
MJ: WOMEN.
KW: Sisters.
MJ: DREAM.
KW: Revealed.



MJ: IF YOUR LIFE WAS ONE QUOTE WHAT WOULD IT BE & WHY?
KW: “Tact is for people who aren’t witty enough to be sarcastic.” But my own personal quote? Rebelling against the norm since 1983.