< PreviousMEET the Beautifi erstheea fiersfiers By Melissa Larsen Few things are as subjective as beauty. However, everyone can agree that beauty is difficult to achieve without feeling your best, and sometimes that feeling comes with a bit of help. From titans of the skincare industry to health-enhancing wellness experts to save-the-day hair and makeup artists, meet 30 of the Valley’s beautifiers who are using their time and talent to make locals look —and, most importantly, feel —their absolute best. Creative Direction Concept and Styling: Melody Sanchez, Design De Amore. Photography: Lauren Schumacher, The Lauren Style. Hair and Makeup: Allison Pynn. Model: Erica Honing, Ford RBA, Industry Models NY, Next Models Miami. Location: Blok Studio. Dress: Vida Moulin. Hair Clip: The Lifestyled Company. March.indd 48March.indd 482/24/20 2:55 PM2/24/20 2:55 PMs March.indd 49March.indd 492/24/20 2:55 PM2/24/20 2:55 PMHAIR & MAKEUP March.indd 50March.indd 502/24/20 2:55 PM2/24/20 2:55 PMBeautifiers 2020 Hair & Makeup Because we all know what a good hair day or a fresh set of lashes can do for our self-esteem. &Ma pke pup March.indd 51March.indd 512/24/20 2:55 PM2/24/20 2:55 PMBrittney Capis Hair Artist with Brittney Capis Hair @brittneycapis_hair How far would you travel for the hair of your dreams? For one of Brittney Capis’ clients, the answer would be about 500 miles. “I had a client recently travel from New Mexico to Gilbert so I could give her a total hair makeover,” says Capis. “She explained to me that during [nursing school] her self-confi dence took a total nose dive, and she was hoping this would help her gain some of that confi dence back. Aft er I gave her long blonde gorgeous hair, she felt so incredible walking across the stage at her graduation and her confi dence was through the roof.” Th e client continues to make the eight-hour drive every few months to visit Capis, who specializes in natural beaded row extensions and blonding. Capis has been in the hair industry for six years, even being the fi rst student to fi nish Avalon School of Cosmetology with perfect attendance—and fi ve month early. HAIR & MAKEUP March.indd 52March.indd 522/24/20 2:55 PM2/24/20 2:55 PMBeautifiers 2020 Beate Assmuth-Ong Owner and Stylist at Mane Attraction Salon @masphx Not only has Beate Assmuth-Ong been making her clients look and feel their very best as the owner of Phoenix’s Mane Attraction Salon since 1998, but her 20-year-old Beauty to the Rescue fundraising event has earned her the reputation as a philanthropist as well. “With this annual event, by making people look and feel better through our services, we impacted the lives of thousands of homeless cats and dogs in Maricopa County and have given them a second chance in life,” says Assmuth-Ong. “We have raised over $360,000 over the years!” This year, Assmuth-Ong aims to continue to qualify more protégées through Mane Attraction Salon’s internal training program as well as focus on aiding her husband and salon co- owner, Kendall Ong, recover from the two strokes he had in 2019. “[My main goal is] that he will regain his voice and learn to eat again.” March.indd 53March.indd 532/24/20 2:55 PM2/24/20 2:55 PMLisa Graziosi Founder of Extension Bar @extensionbar_official For 10 years, Lisa Graziosi (previously Lisa Fresa Palacios) has been an in-demand hair stylist, specializing in hair extensions for the past decade. “I love to serve and making people look and feel their best!” she says. “Everyone deserves to have beautiful hair.” Now, Graziosi is making an even bigger mark on the beauty industry with the opening of Extension Bar in Scottsdale. “It’s the world’s first hair extension bar,” she says. “[It’s] a place where ladies can be confident that they will walk out with beautiful hair extensions tailored to their exact needs. We customize the whole experience giving you options and doing the best method for you based on your natural hair and your hair desires.” In 2020, Graziosi is excited to see clients stepping outside of their comfort zones when it comes to their locks—whether a drastic cut or a fresh color. “Just last week my client came in not knowing extensions were something in her reach,” she says. “When I was done, she was smiling from ear to ear and told me her husband called her sexy that night, and she hadn't felt sexy since before her kiddos.” HAIR & MAKEUP March.indd 54March.indd 542/24/20 2:55 PM2/24/20 2:55 PMBeautifiers 2020 Lo Kyle Artist and Owner of HEYLO @oohheyylo Never fear: Lo Kyle is here! Th e revered makeup artist and owner of HEYLO doesn’t just make a bride look and feel her most beautiful on her wedding day, but she has also been known to save the day. Kyle recalls a bride who had gotten a very blotchy spray tan the day of her wedding. In an attempt to remove the tan, her skin became tomato-red. “She was beyond hysterical. Luckily, one of us ended up having self-tanner in our bags. In my sweetest voice, I told her, ‘Th is is the moment you’ve been talking about forever. So you’re going to stop right now, and you’re going bride up so we can get through this. Cool?’” Kyle was able to keep her client calm while also repairing her tan—and the bride was only 10 minutes late, to boot. Th e pro has been at it for the past decade, fi nding her love of makeup by playing with her mom’s beauty stash. “Over time, I just started to think to myself that I could make this a career. But now that I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s so much more than that. It’s a true passion.” Megan M. Shank Makeup Artist and Owner of Makeup by Megan Marie @makeupbymegan_marie “I always looked up to my grandma so she most likely was the inspiration behind my passion for makeup,” says makeup artist Megan M. Shank, recalling her grandma’s slick of pink lipstick and frosty blue eyeshadow. Shank has been doing makeup for about 20 years; though she specializes in a more editorial style that enhances natural features, she is excited to challenge herself and start training in special eff ects makeup this summer. “Hopefully, one day, I’ll make it to the movies,” she says. Whether she is working on a photoshoot or perhaps on the big screen down the road, Shank brings the same passion and integrity to each role. “With makeup, it’s my creative outlet. I still get excited and a little nervous with every job I do. I don’t think makeup can change who we are or how we feel, but when you look and feel your best, it’s easy to have confi dence.” Photo cr edit: keziahsphotgraphy March.indd 55March.indd 552/24/20 2:55 PM2/24/20 2:55 PMNUTRITION & WELLNESS NUTRITION & Wellness Taking care of one’s mental and physical health means beautifying from the inside out. &slessWel March.indd 56March.indd 562/24/20 2:55 PM2/24/20 2:55 PMBeautifiers 2020 March.indd 57March.indd 572/24/20 2:55 PM2/24/20 2:55 PMNext >