Drop Dead Gorgeous

 

Hello Gorgeous!

Yes,  I mean you! I've decided to blog because I want women to know just how beautiful they really are. I've titled it Drop Dead Gorgeous because I believe any woman can feel that way.  You don't have to be a supermodel or beauty queen to be Drop Dead Gorgeous. It's more about putting yourself together in a stylish way and radiating a goodness and positive attitude to all that you meet. I feel that all women struggle at one time or another with our confidence and self-esteem. I myself have experienced this, especially when I was younger. I have been blessed to learn some techniques that have helped enhance both my inner and outer beauty and I would love to share them with you. I feel that when we have both inner and outer beauty we have the confidence to take on the world. As a Makeup Artist, I have been fortunate to travel all over the country. On one trip to Los Angeles I was at the Beverly Center when a man came up to me and said "You look like Heather Locklear." At first I thought "Wow! what a nice compliment." but then he added "but she's a lot smaller than you." I went from wanting to hug him to wanting to punch him! His words stung for a moment, but fortunately I had confidence in myself and I didn't let his words hurt me.  In the past a comment like that would have made me feel bad and I would have cried all day, but I have worked hard on my inner and outer beauty and I have developed confidence about who I am. I set goals for myself and I am always trying to get better.  I'd have to diet like crazy and become a walking skeleton to be as small as Heather. Everyone is different. What works for her may not be right for me. Today I prefer to focus on what I have instead of wasting time and energy playing comparison games, and I am happy with the girl I've become. Often we compare ourselves to other women and it is not realistic because we all come in different shapes and sizes. We all have something uniquely beautiful about us, we just have to discover what it is. In this blog I hope to encourage you to find out what makes you feel Drop Dead Gorgeous both inside and out.

Art Vs Reality

It is so easy to get caught up in comparisons with the models and celebrities we see on the cover of magazines but it is important to remember that every cover look has been carefully photoshopped to make the models and celebrities look flawless. Justin Grant, an amazing photographer I have worked with, shot this video to show his own daughter and other women that there is a difference between Art and Reality. This is what Justin had to say about it:  

 I love making art, and making people appear "perfect." I've always been asked to show before and afters, but I never have for a reason... I've never wanted somebody to be the "before and after" girl!! Shona is an absolutely stunning girl, and a successful actress. I personally called her to ask for her permission for this project. I didn't have to do this. I have a full model release. I made the call, not only to get her permission, but more importantly to tell her that I'm using her because she's gorgeous enough that I wont feel bad for using her! I also explained that even pretty people have "flaws" and that the difference from beginning to end will be dramatic. She agreed. On a personal note, It's always been important to me to show my daughter, and her friends, the before and afters throughout the years. She now knows that everything she sees in a magazine is art...not real. I'm making this video for a few reasons - Self promotion. To answer back all that have asked for something like this. And so that other 14-year old girls can see this process and know the difference between art and reality. That being said... Enjoy. And please stay tuned for the finished version in a week or so. Justin

I am so appreciative of Justin for being willing to share his work and this information!