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Assunta Napoleone - Make-Up Artist

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Eye liners

How many of you wanted to create perfectly lined eyes? That task gets harder as we get older, but it can be made easy…read on..

Knowing how to apply the eyeliner is one of the basics of makeup, so if you love makeup, you eventually learn how to do it. I am no exception! When I feel lazy and don’t feel like doing myself up too much, I like going all out on my eyeliner. We’ve broken this potentially scary tasks into steps so that it’s easy to understand.

  • Eyeliner (with an eyeliner brush if required)
  • Primer
  • Concealer

Before we talk about how to apply the eyeliner, we must go through the basics of the types of eyeliners out there that you can use.

Types Of Eyeliners

Gel Eyeliner:

Although this may seem intimidating at first, this is probably going to become your best friend if you love those cat eyes. I, for one, swear by it. They usually come in pots, so you’ll need to use a brush for it.

Liquid Eyeliner:

A liquid eyeliner is best for precise application. These liners come in two types of packaging, a tiny vial-like bottle with an extremely fine and precise dipping brush, and a marker type pen with a felt tip. If you’re a beginner, then I suggest you go for the latter one. I for one do not care for this type and suggest it only if you have no lines around the eyes.

Pencil Eyeliner:

This type of eyeliner is usually the first one we all started out with. It’s best used to line the water line and also to create a smokey look.

How to create an even line;

Start with an angle brush, pretty much like a brow brush. Pick up some pigment from your eyeliner putty, gel, pencil, or eye shadow, start from the corner of the eye right above the top lashes, tap, tap, tap, all the way to the part next to the nose, adding more pigment as needed, then, again, from the outer corner to the inside corner of the eye, follow that tapping line with a long line of pigment, blending the tapping line together…Voila’…THE perfect line! Now if you are free of wrinkles around the eyes then anything will do, any technique will work, if you are not as fortunate like I am…well…where there is a will…the above step will work wonders.

This is a step that is quite overlooked, but is, in fact, the most important step. After cleansing your face, apply a moisturizer for the face and an eye cream around the eyes. The eye cream helps with premature wrinkles and evens out any redness or discoloration near the area.

To achieve an even and clean base, apply a small amount of eye primer on the eyelid, under your eyes, and around the general eye region where any kind of eye makeup would go. The primer’s main job is to make the skin smoother so that it becomes easier to apply makeup. This will give you a flawless finish and also keep the makeup in place for a long time. Apply a concealer on top of the eyelid and the under eyes. Blend it well, and make sure to set it with a setting powder.

Now comes the main part – the eyeliner. You can either use the brush that comes with it or buy one. Start with a line above your lashes. Make sure you use small lines and strokes. It’s always better to build it up. If you make it too thick, you might create a mess out of it, so keep the strokes small. Once you are satisfied with one eye, do the same with the other one. Try to keep it as symmetrical as possible.

Now you have your basic eyeliner done!

 

Glo Mineral Make up

I am in awe of the makeup line I am working with at Bella Soul SPA, I want to introduce you to it…hoping you will give it a try by coming in and have me show you it’s “amazingness”. A good makeup line is an extension of your skin care routine, it is the last step to your daily skin regiment, it will not clog your pores, you can sleep in it safely and gives you the coverage needed.

Glo is award winning, skin nourishing, mineral makeup formulations that enhance and protect even the most sensitive skin. Glo Skin Beauty delivers customized complexion perfection.

Coverage that lasts

Glo uses only ultra-fine minerals in a triple-milled process to ensure that every application provides even, continuous coverage that lasts.

Powerful antioxidant blend

Glo Skin Beauty’s makeup bases contain a proprietary blend of Vitamins A, C, E and Green Tea Extract for nourishing antioxidant protection.

Talc free

All Glo Skin Beauty products are talc free allowing silky, even coverage that enhances skin’s beauty rather than emphasizing imperfections.

Cruelty free

Glo Skin Beauty products are never tested on animals and our award-winning mineral makeup line is PETA approved.

There you have it…THE perfect makeup line in every sense….Hope you come in and see it for yourself!

 

Inflammation/Rosacea

Today I want to address a situation I have encountered in the esthetic room…I was assessing a client’s skin and told her she had rosacea. And true to what I believe…Thank you Rick Simcock for instilling in me “Don’t come to me with a problem if you don’t have a solution”, I gave her a solution…watch her diet and use the Carrot Seed and Evening Primrose oil we have at the SPA. No I am not trying to sell a product, I am trying to give her a solution as there are other more expensive products I could have directed her to. Her answer was “I don’t know why people always want to fix my red cheeks…I like my red cheeks”…Great, glad you do…however…do you know what happens when you have inflammations anywhere in the body, in this case your face?? You age…Here is the breakdown of what happens…Ill get a little geecky here so bare with me…

What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is the body’s response to an injury, infection, or irritation.

The purpose of inflammation is to contain an injury and clear out the infection. It prevents the spread of infection and prepares the tissue for wound repair.

Inflammation occurs when tissue has been injured or abnormally stimulated. There are two kinds of inflammation: local and chronic. We are talking about rosacea so we will be focusing on chronic. Local has to do more with temporary irritations caused by say…burns or insect bites.

What Causes Inflammation?

Inflammation can be caused by a variety of stimulants that are physical, chemical, or biological in nature.

  • burns
  • sunlight (UV)
  • heat
  • smoke
  • pollution
  • cosmetic ingredients
  • perfumes
  • chemical irritants
  • toxins
  • physical trauma
  • stress
  • bacteria and viruses
  • diet (foods that elevate blood sugar)
  • alcohol
  • adverse weather

The stimulant triggers free radicals, which in turn starts an extremely destructive chain of events, called the inflammation cascade.

In the first part of this cascade, the free radicals activate the release of arachidonic acid, which starts the chain. After a series of steps, white blood cells (leukocytes) are transported to the site of injury.

At the end of this cascade, a group of enzymes called Matrix Metallo Proteinases (MMP’s) are released.

Matrix Metallo Proteinases (MMP’s) are enzymes that break down tissue. After an injury or ‘insult’ to skin, the body’s natural response is to destroy the injured tissue and create new tissue. MMP’s are needed for remodeling skin in wound healing.

This make sense if there is a real wound, such as a cut from a knife. But it is not a good thing if ‘normal’ skin with low-level, chronic inflammation is broken down.

And how exactly do MMP’s affect skin with chronic inflammation? MMP’s break down healthy collagen and elastin fibers as well as GAG’s (Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) Glycosaminoglycans, known as GAGs, are polysaccharides that exist naturally in the dermis of the skin as natural moisture factors that bind nearly 1000 times their weight in water. The most commonly known GAGs are hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulphate.and other connective tissue).

These MMP enzymes literally chew them up, leading to disorganized and clumping fibers. And you can guess what happens next. Collagen, elastin, and GAG’s that have been degraded lead to a thin, flattened dermis. Skin ages. MMP’s are also responsible for the acne scar pitting that is caused by acute inflammation.

Beginning in our third decade, MMP’s begin to degrade collagen and elastin. This is accompanied by a decline in new collagen production. The net effect of the two trends is an increase in wrinkles and sagging.

Skin is ALWAYS subject to inflammation, because free radicals are unavoidable. But we can control it.

Immediate Effects of Inflammation On Skin:

  • Redness
  • Cracked skin
  • Dry patches
  • Flaking
  • Roughness
  • Tightness
  • Spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)

MMP Inhibitors:

  • Retinol
  • Resveratrol
  • Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs)
  • Vitamin C
  • EGCG (in white and green tea)
  • Chlorella vulgaris (upregulates all four TIMP’s)
  • Boswellia serrata (suppresses the effects of elastase)
  • Lupine (suppresses the effects of collagenase)
  • Ginger
  • Mango
  • Apple
  • Evening primrose
  • Carrot seed oil

Anyway, I hope I have scared you enough to think next time you look in the mirror and say “I like my red cheeks”. Although they might look cute…they are anything but…As always though…I do have a solution. Just call me…You know where to find me. It takes me two seconds to assess your skin and suggest some amazing products and who wants to age faster than we have to??

Thanks for reading this and for your commitment to better your life!

 

Skin Facts – What to expect after a facial

Hello,

Have you ever had a facial? Ever had a facial from me? If you have, I am hoping that it felt wonderful and that you will be in awe of the glowing skin it left behind.

However, although it felt wonderful and you look 10 years younger, the magic created in the treatment room will only last a day or two, unless you are committed to a daily regimen of taking care of your skin and yourself.

Let’s talk briefly about skin:

  • Your skin is an organ, the largest organ in your body weighing an average of 9 lbs. holding 11 miles of blood vessels…Impressive isn’t it?
  • It protects the body from the environment, the sun. Controls body temperature. Create Vit.D
  • Prevents excess water loss
  • Protects the body from infections
  • It continuously sheds cells (40,000 dead cells per minute). The dust you see in your home is mainly dead skin!
  • It renews itself every 28 days. That is why it is a good idea to have a facial every 4 weeks.
  • It provides us with Sensations; contains a variety of nerve endings that react to touch, pressure, heat, cold, vibration, and tissue injury
  • It absorbs anything on it that is what we can use patches and lotions
  • It acts as a water-resistant barrier so essential nutrients are not washed out of the body.

In the facial room and at home with good products, we actually help the skin do its job. Does our skin need help? I wish I could say no!, but when it is bombarded by harsh chemicals, environmental pollutants, drying agents, stressors, depleted ozone layer…and the list goes on, yes, our skin, like a good diet we give our body, does need help.

So now you might say: I wash my face and moisturize it; is that enough?

Yes and no; much of the products out there do nothing but irritate the skin…remember, the cosmetic industry is huge and the more they can keep you dependent on this and that product, the better. The key is to educate yourself on what is good and what is harmful so let’s look at some common “Bad guys”

  • Parabens (preservative)
  • Propylene Glycol (cosmetic base)
  • Diazolidinyl Urea (preservative)
  • Synthetic fragrances
  • Lanolin (cosmetic base)
  • Quaternium 15 (preservative)
  • Cinnamic Aldehyde (perfume)
  • Phenoxyethanol (preservative)
  • Formaldehyde (preservative)
  • Benzophenone (sunscreen)

These are just a few, most common allergens and skin irritating ingredients found in most all, skin and hair care products. Please read labels, research the ingredients, it’s YOUR skin that is being jeopardized!

 

Okay so now, you have received a facial from me, bought some amazing, natural, clean and good for you products. You go home, excitedly open that jar, tube, bottle, start your skin care routine the next day and after a few hours, your skin breaks out, you get red blotches and a rash!!…What’s going on???…You have done everything perfect, spent some good money, agreed to wake up early to spend some time doing what you are supposed to do with your skin and you have a reaction….Lets go on…The “education” is not over yet:

The body detoxifies with awesome products applied to your skin, taken internally and with a massage received during a facial, in which the lymph nodes are stimulated and encouraged to release toxins. The result, sometime, is a skin break out as all that was lurking under the skin comes to the surface. This, of course, is a temporary condition and of no concern as the skin clears within a few days.

Some vitamins you take can cause skin irritation when taken in larger quantities, listed below are a few:

Niacin or Vit. B3 can cause itchy rash on face and neck.

Vitamin A/Beta carotene in excessive doses can cause side effects including dry peeling skin, itching and loss of skin elasticity

B complex, Iron, may cause skin rashes as well as Magnesium.

I am sure I am leaving out some, but you get the idea…So, when you take these supplements and purchase skin care products that contain the above vitamins and minerals, your skin might react to the “extra dose” its been fed. Now our products will not contain huge amounts of vitamin and minerals so there is nothing to worry if there is a skin reaction after a facial. Now IF that rash or break out doesn’t stop, doesn’t get better, then, by all means, see a doctor, but do give your skin a few days to get adjusted. Another suggestion would be for you to stop the products and start introducing them to your skin one by one. So day one, use only a cleanser for a couple of days, day four add the toner, day seven the serum and day 10 the moisturizer. 99.9% of the people who have had a reaction to a new skin care and have introduced it slowly, were free of symptoms within two weeks!

 

So there you have it…I am sure you have more questions. I am here to help you take care of yourself, so feel free to call me, my care does not end when you leave my treatment room. I want to be your skin care adviser and specialist and together we can create a healthier, more confident, beautiful YOU!

 

Assunta……………..360-707-2300/ 360-202-0981

 

Aging…My 2 cents worth

“What the HECK is going on?”

That Question goes on in all of our minds, when, after 30, one day we look in the mirror…

Although we consider ourselves fairly healthy, practice yoga regularly, drink plenty of water, and consume a balanced diet… And, although we never truly bought in to the luxury skin care craze, we all have tried a number of products from brands like Olay and Estee Lauder.

Still, around 30, we stare at signs of aging that we had never noticed before: visibly deeper wrinkles, puffy saggy eyes and skin that seemed to look dull and lifeless. What is the real surprise, is that these signs came quickly almost as if they appeared overnight.

Why don’t we see that picture in the mirror until the lines are deep and the skin lifeless?

“Look, I understand that getting older is inevitable and I’m not willing to fill my face with botox….yet. I just don’t understand why I show 10 years of aging in only the last few weeks? It just doesn’t make sense to me.” Many say.

So what are the three aspects of aging?

The three facts of aging

1) The aging process accelerates with time. For example starting at the age of 18, the average person loses 1% of collagen & elastin each and every year. By the time we reach mid thirties, the loss rate of collagen & elastin doubles to 2%. By the time we reach our 50s, that rate has doubled again to around 4%.

2) Much like the tip of an iceberg, our body and our skin ages every day but you may not notice these signs until they build up to a point when they suddenly become visible. It’s called the “tipping point”. What we notice all of the sudden, is the result of a degradation process that started at the age of 18.

3) The truth is that vast majority of skin creams don’t deliver what they promise and in fact studies show that over time, they can actually age your skin faster. For example, products like Nivea contain nothing but petroleum by-products that make your skin feel temporarily hydrated because they coat the outside layer of your skin, but they do nothing to support the crucial collagen & elastin matrix in the dermis layer that support healthy skin. Over time these synthetic ingredients degrade healthy cell activity essentially degrading your skin faster. The fact is most big brands are aware of this, but as long as consumers continue to purchase, there is no incentive to change the status quo.

“So then what are my option? How do I know who and what to trust?”  You might ask

Some beauty gurus have an opinion or two..

“Why is it that some people will show the visible signs of aging faster than others? People ask all the time. As you can imagine, the answer is not that simple. Genetics will account for about 40%. Lifestyle choices like smoking, not enough water and lack of exercise account for another 30%. The other 30% depends on the products and regimen that many people choose.” . That’s my opinion and what I have seen in the past years of my life and career.

“The science of anti-aging has improved so much in the last 20 years but many stick to what they know. For example, take a skin cream that you can buy from your local drug store. Have you read some of the ingredients? They are basically petroleum derivatives. It simply coats the outer layer of your skin and makes you feel hydrated but it does nothing to actually address the root causes of skin damage and skin aging. In the meantime free radicals are wreaking havoc on your collagen matrix. So it shouldn’t be a surprise then that after 10 – 20 years of using that sort of skin cream your skin shows that damage.”

“Thankfully consumers are more knowledge now and the trend is changing for the better. The new and most effective approach is to protect the cells responsible for regeneration, to repair the damaged structures and to maintain the right levels of activity for the self-repairing enzymes.” –

So bottom line, invest in what is good…if its inexpensive, there is a reason. Unfortunately. Does it mean that you have to spend a fortune on your skin? Well…go in your cabinet, see how many products you have, $10., $5. Products. Add up the cost. I guarantee that you HAVE already spent a fortune on awful products. What you need is simple…Cleanser, Toner, Serum and moisturizer. A good line, an organic, free of bad stuff line. Forget the magazine and general adds…they are not after your health, they are after your money. If you want me to help you, come to see me. Skin care is my passion and a beautiful face, my masterpiece!

 

Beast of the Beauty – Natural and DIY Alternatives

In this issue I will continue to focus on the Beast of the Beauty, but this time, I will talk more about the Beauty than the Beast…

Hello again beautiful people!

Hope the rays of sunshine in between the clouds and rain drops have been enough to bring promises for a soon to come spring and summer…Lets think positive..

In this issue I will continue to focus on the Beast of the Beauty, but this time, I will talk more about the Beauty than the Beast…

We already know how toxic most all cosmetic ingredients out on the market are, we already know that things will not get better as long as we, the consumer, stays uneducated and trusts the system to create good for us products. Been as to complain about it does nothing, why don’t we take manners in our own hands and forget about expensive, already made lotions? Why don’t we make our own beauty products? Not enough time? Not enough patience? Let’s see how I can entice you to create your own skin care eliminating long drawn out recipes…

Lets start with a cleanser…I personally use Castile Soap; you can use as is or add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. If you have sensitive skin, stay away from Peppermint oil, Lemon, Melissa, Wintergreen and Lemongrass. Focus instead on Rose, Lavender, Geranium, Chamomile and Neroli.

For toner my old time favorite is Rose water. Now for a moisturizer; Here is a very simple recite that I recommend for every skin type. What is awesome about this recipe is that it only uses three ingredients, thus eliminating the need for a lot of time and patience and yes, money too…

Coconut Oil

Anti Aging. Again very, very moisturizing but also contains anti fungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Has similar effects on the skin to an antioxidant.

Vitamin E oil

Scar healing. Vitamin E is known to really good at reducing scar tissue, acne and skin blemishes. It’s why it’s in popular scar and acne ‘over the counter’ treatments. Additionally, the oil helps hold this solution together.

Lavender Oil

Relaxing. Lavender oil is a well known antioxidant, helping to rid skin of free radicals. It’s a great overall muscle relaxer. Add as many drops as you like, I would start with a few, smell the lotion and add more if you feel the scent is too light.

 

Voila’ there you have it…mix it all together and store in a glass container, with a tight lid and away from lights. What’s so great about this recipe is that it can be used on the face and all over your body as well….

That is all for now…in the next issue I will focus on what I call “Food for the face”…we will go in the fruit and produce dept and select a few yummy ingredients to slather on our skins. My cat doesn’t leave me alone when I lay on the couch with my face full of mashed bananas and avocado…LOL…

Ciao, ciao 4 now.

Beast of the Beauty – A Discussion of Make-up, Cosmetics and Toxic Ingredients

Assunta Napoleone working with a client during a session.

Beast of the Beauty – Darkroom Chronicles

Ciao again, Assunta here with the second of a few articles entitled The Beast of the Beauty. I will expose a few of the super toxic ingredients present in our daily personal care products. Yeah, I know, I’m the party-pooper, but I believe in having our eyes open and risk nothing to make someone rich. Remember, big corporations (food industries, medical, beauty industries, etc…) are not here to make us healthy, they are here to make money. A healthy person is not a money making person. If you want to follow this thread, it started with our last newsletter. Might be good for you to read that one first.

I will list below just a few common ingredients for you to be aware of. READ labels, please! Your health is at stake.

  • Parabens (Methy,Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl): Used as preservatives. Not always labeled. Used in deodorants and other skin care products, have been found in breast cancer tumors. May contribute to male sterility, hormonal imbalance and early puberty
  • Benzoyl Peroxide: Widely use in acne products, the MSDS states: Possible tumor promoter. May act as a mutagen: produces DNA damage in human and other mammals. Also toxic by inhalation. Eye, skin and respiratory irritant
  • Sunscreen chemicals: Avobenzone, Benzphenone, Ethoxycinnamate, PABA and commonly used ingredients that are known free radical generators and are believed to damage DNA and lead to cancer
  • Tridosan: Synthetic antibacterial ingredient. EPA registers it as a pesticide, posing risks to human health and environment. Classified as a chlorophenol, chemicals suspected of causing cancer in humans.

I will stop at four ingredients…will write about more in the next newsletter. These above are a few to get you going and to start to look for them in products. Once a doctor I worked with said to me: “Do not come to me with a problem if you don’t have a solution”. So we have a problem…listed above; what is the solution? I am going to suggest Jody, a beautiful lady, owner of Triple Goddess. 360-540-0185. Jody makes and sells her own skin care line made mainly with honey. I will talk about this wonderful super food that is amazing for everything, in a future post. Alaffia is another awesome skin care line that I recommend, found at the Co-Op and health food stores. Dr. Harushka is another super awesome line, a little spendier than the others but, we can all afford the things we really want, right? Aveda is good but they do sneak a few no-no ingredients, if however, you are more inclined to see faster results, then Dr. Harushka and Aveda is it. Remember, however, that the major multinational beauty companies face a lot of pressure to keep costs low, and use a lot of cheap synthetic petrochemical ingredients.

And that is all for this issue…Be safe…Read labels and ciao ciao for now!

Beast and the Beauty – Photography and Cosmetics

Cosmetics

Beast and the Beauty – Photography and Cosmetics

Hello everyone, Assunta here, some of you know that I am a licensed esthetician and a lover of lotions and potions therefore, this time around I want to focus on the Beast of the Beauty, on what lurks in cosmetic/skin care products we put on our face and bodies everyday. Well, I’m not going to list product names, rather a few ingredients that are, pretty much, present in every beauty product. This will be a long process and therefore, split between a few newsletters.

Can you believe that the average person uses up to 15 different cosmetic products a day? Why can we just drink plenty of water, get a good night rest, go for walks and embrace the natural look we were born with? Put, maybe, some coconut oil on our skin and press organic beets on our lips? I know your answer…no time, quick fixes, and the euphoric feel we get when we spend money. I am at fault on this as well, right now I am wearing moisturizer, foundation, concealer, eyeliner, blush, mascara and lipstick, and that’s on my face alone. On my body I have a luscious Sephora body cream scented of marshmallow sweetness. Hair: Shampoo, conditioner, thickener, root boost and hairspray…Yaeeek!! That’s a lot of stuff, but still under what the average person uses; girls that is, guys are different…you are lucky if they shower everyday even, right?

This is why I thought it would be interesting to tackle the issue of whether or not all these different lotions, potions and snake oils are bad for us and the environment.

  • According to the Environmental Working Group, 89 percent of 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the FDA
  • In fact, the US federal government doesn’t require any health studies or pre-market testing on personal care products
  • As a result, many cosmetics are thought to contain carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and other chemicals that may pose health risks
  • Up to 60% of what we put on our skin gets absorbed into the bloodstream

It gets worse: the list of toxic additives present in many cosmetics is jaw-droppingly huge. U.S. researchers report that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals. Harmful ingredients in your make up drawer. Some that should be avoided at all costs include (but are certainly not limited to): Butyl acetate, Butylated hydroxytoluene, Coal tar, Cocamide DEA/lauramide DEA, Diazolidinyl urea, Ethyl acetate, Formaldehyde, Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl), Petrolatum, Phthalates, Propylene glycol, Siloxanes, Sodium laureth/sodium laurel sulfate, Talc, Toluene, Triclosan, and Triethanolamine.

And on that not so happy note, I will sign off.

In the next newsletter we will tackle each one of these ingredients and discover the real Beast of the Beauty. Until then…check your products and see if any have some or all of the above listed “demons”. Remember; we have to compromise nothing to enhance our beauty…

Ciao for now  

What is beauty? – It’s not all glamor, make up and size one.

Native American Woman Portrait

What is beauty? – It’s not all glamor, make up and size one.

According to the Webster dictionary, Beauty is described, defined as: The quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit.

To me beauty is a state of mind, an inner sense, it’s what you train your eye to see. Case in point; I own two lovely Native American drums, I have bought and gifted three others, the place I go to buy them is Ralph Acers in Everson, WA. Ralph is a taxidermy, he has Natives working for him and the instruments, things he sells have soul, they are different in feel and look than the sterile looking stuff you buy on line or at a county fair. As you walk in his shop, the smell is overwhelming, honestly, it stinks…for just a minute or two though, after that, what I see, is an amazing macabre beauty everywhere…On walls, on tables, on the floor…It feels like another world, death everywhere, big jaws bones stripped clean and made into rattles, stuffed black bears quietly holding a corner space; you get the idea. Yet, even among death, there is beauty and I will go there again and again V/S the retail stores everywhere.
From an artist eye, beauty is not seen by the eye, but rather by the soul; There is beauty in a dried up flower, in a child crying for not having his way, in a homeless person sitting on a street corner…Real life has beauty to capture, to share, to celebrate. Real beauty carries a message. It’s not all glamor, make up and size 1. Beauty is the soul of a person that shines through that you want to capture and hold on forever. True beauty is deep, way deeper than any cosmetic companies can reproduce.
When we photograph people, in a…say wedding, portrait, boudoir…the first thing we do is size the person, what is she/he really like? Shy? Outgoing? Sensuous…What is she/he really like…inside? Forget the make-up, the cool clothes and hair do. Who are these people inside? From that first interview we know who we are dealing with. From that point on, we decide where and how we can pose these people, how can we make their inner beauty shine through the lenses and be captured in a photograph. How can we have a total stranger look at that photograph and stare at it for 15 minutes because he sees something worth staring at and not just a pretty face or pretty body. True beauty is captivating, it remains ingrained in the soul of those who see it. That is why art is immortal.  We, as artist are not after your superficiality, anyone can capture that, we are after immortalizing your soul. So next time you think of a photo session and are shopping around for the best photographer for you, see how they approach you.  Do you just show up in a mall and have your photo taken, against a cookie cutter back ground, are you just quick buck?, another body? Or do you have soul, an inner beauty that, once captured by a true professional, will make passerby stop in awe? Or yourself, loved ones or strangers go fuzzy inside for years to come? Next time you feel down, not pretty enough, or you feel on top of the world, know that out there are artists like ourselves that can bring something hidden inside you that make you feel you are THE most awesome, sexy, beautiful, captivating star in this big amazing universe…because YOU ARE!!!….Let us show you!…
Keep smiling you gorgeousness,
Assunta