Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Casciano.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been an artist since childhood and I’ve loved to paint and draw for as long as I can remember. I majored in Advertising Design in high school and then moved from upstate New York to New York City to study at The Fashion Institute of Technology. At the time, my dream was to be an art director or graphic designer working in the music, fashion or beauty industry. That started to change when I realized that this would require me to design on a computer screen, versus the tactile, hands-on approach that I knew and loved.
After college, I moved to my first apartment in Brooklyn and worked in retail to pay the bills while I embarked on a journey of self-discovery. Thanks to the support of friends and family, I realized that makeup artistry was one of my gifts and the career path I wanted to pursue. In 2000, with no formal training, I made business cards, created a makeup kit and began my career as a makeup artist! Over the years, I’ve worked as a freelance makeup artist on weddings, photoshoots, fashion shows, television, live performances and more.
The start of my makeup career, however, coincided with my own beauty concerns. I had been suffering with cystic acne for several years and found little relief from conventional treatments. Rather than settling for medications with possible side effects, I decided to take a holistic approach. I transitioned to a whole-foods, plant-based diet and embraced natural healing modalities such as acupuncture, herbs, yoga and meditation. I gradually found that not only did my skin begin heal, but I improved my overall wellness and adopted a conscious, healthy lifestyle that was more aligned with nature and spirituality.
After several years of sharing my story with as many people as I could, I realized a deep, genuine desire to help empower others to make healthy choices in their diet and lifestyle. In 2009, I decided to attend the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and became a Certified Wellness Coach. My time at IIN deepened my commitment to help women achieve radiant health and beauty from the inside out. I recognized that I couldn’t talk to women about wellness without looking at the cosmetics that we use on our skin each day.
In this phase of my transformation, I began to closely examine the ingredients in beauty products. I was surprised to find that most commercial skincare and makeup brands contained chemicals that are toxic to our bodies, as well as the environment. Yet, I was not convinced that we have to sacrifice our health to achieve beauty, so I set out researching and testing cosmetics that are plant-based and free of harmful ingredients. I was thrilled to find safe, natural products that still deliver the beautiful results we all desire.
I became passionate about educating women about the importance of clean beauty and introducing them to the amazing alternatives I had discovered. While I knew that this was an integral part of my coaching practice, I also felt called to bring women together and share the tools, practices and rituals that had been so beneficial in healing my own beauty narrative. In 2015, I founded The Sacred Beauty Movement, a series of events and programs that explore deeper notions of beauty through self-love, spirituality and sisterhood.
Today, the mantra “Your Beauty is Sacred” is the guiding force for my work as a clean beauty makeup artist, wellness coach, educator and speaker. I offer makeup artistry for weddings and photo sessions, personal makeup lessons, group events and programs. I recently moved from New York City to Pasadena and I’m so excited to serve the Los Angeles community!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In many ways, it has been a smooth road with many blessings along the way. I’m so grateful for all the wonderful people I’ve worked with and the many successes I’ve had. It’s been a joy to pursue work that I love and that also helps others. The obstacles and struggles are also very much a part of my journey, as I think they are for all artists and entrepreneurs. It can be so challenging to figure out what your life’s work is and then, how to execute, maintain and grow it. When you have your own business, you have to wear all the hats, which can be really hard to balance and do well. I’ve had to get out of my comfort zone to learn some of the aspects that don’t come as naturally to me. I strive to be gentle with myself and see the challenges as a work in progress rather than a struggle.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a clean beauty makeup artist, which means I use only clean beauty products in my work. I define clean beauty as skincare and makeup that’s mostly plant-based and free of chemical ingredients that can be toxic to the body and environment. I believe I was one of the first professional makeup artists to adopt and promote this philosophy. Over the past nine years, I’ve researched and tested hundreds of products to find those whose ingredients and performance meet my standards for personal and professional use. Most of the products I use contain some organic ingredients, some are vegan and all of them are cruelty-free and safe.
The clients who are most drawn to my work are women who lead a conscious lifestyle, have sensitive skin or even health issues that inspire them to want to use better beauty products. My makeup artistry style is always about enhancing a woman’s natural beauty, rather than creating a whole new look. This really resonates with most women seeking makeup services, as they want to feel comfortable and look like themselves with a little extra something.
I’m definitely proud of my commitment to clean beauty, as it benefits the well-being of people and the planet, plus supports many independent, women-owned business. But most of all, I’m proud to be known as someone who helps women transform their relationship to beauty and embrace a more holistic, accepting and loving approach.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
So many! Being authentic, passionate, generous and creative to name a few.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rebeccacasciano.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @rebeccacasciano
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/casciano.rebecca
- Twitter: @rebeccacasciano
Image Credit:
Photo by Amanda Luisa, Photo by Shikha NYC
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