To be a mother or wife of a Wounded Warrior takes more strength and courage than anything I have seen! This weekend was fantastic! Bethesda, MD MWR hosted a huge Wounded Warrior Project Beauty Day to surprise pre-selected Mother’s and Wives nominated by their loving Wounded Warriors.
Photo by Piratical Photography
Jeanie Jones aka Kitty of the City, brought along an amazingly talented crew to help kick this glamour filled event into gear. The event started with our friends from Chevrolet who had test rides of some of their hottest cars and singer, harpist and song writer Rashida Jolley hit a note in our hearts with her melodies. All while the women filtered through the INK Cosmetics Beauty Lounge for a complete hair and make-up treat for Mother’s Day! The fabulous reporter & video journalist for WUSA-TV (CBS), Kristin Fisher interviewed the families and each women was gifted a portrait from one of DC’s amazing photographer’s Tom Turk of Piratical Photography.
Photo by Piratical Photography
For those who do not know, www.inkcosmetics.com has operated as a Mobile INK… Beauty Lounge for years. I am so happy to have Jenny McGee on our Mobile INK… Team! We had an awesome time! I have done make-up on brides, NFL cheerleaders, Celebrities in the music, fashion, movies and TV industries for over 15 years and nothing felt better than the laughter, tears, hugs and happiness we felt from these empowering women!
Photo by Piratical Photography
Jenny and I did hair and make-up on 23 deserving women that day. My heart went out to each of these spouses and mothers! I was so surprised my lashes did not fall off from tearing up at the genuine gratitude these women expressed after seeing themselves in the mirror.
Photo by Piratical Photography
While they sat in my beauty chair, I was told stories of a team of Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) soldiers who both lost their legs while trying to disarm an explosive in Afghanistan. I also had the privilege of doing make-up on a young lady who lost her vision while she was deployed. I met one husband who was sick with internal medical issues who came to me and said…”Ms. please make her feel beautiful. She is my Queen!” Okay, I about died! Then his lovely wife began to talk about the fact she had not done her make-up in years due to her husband’s illness. She was so thankful he put her name in to receive this gift and explained she was in a routine of getting up and making sure he got to his medical appointments. Then she began to cry and tears flowed like Niagara Falls. I just held her as she selfishly expressed sorrow for ruining the make-up I did. I could not help but make her laugh by expressing how upset I would be if she made me cry and caused my lashes for fall off. She laughed then said, “Thank you…thank you for making me feel pretty again!” The power of beauty is AMAZING!
Photo by Piratical Photography
Photo by Piratical Photography
Photo by Piratical Photography
Photo by Piratical Photography
Photo by Piratical Photography
Photo by Piratical Photography
Photo by Piratical Photography
I hope each one of you had a blessed Mother’s Day! THANK YOU for being so good to us!
I cannot wait to do this again next year!
XOXO Besos,
ANNA CASTILLO
Celebrity Make-up Artista/Owner
Beauty editor for DC on Heels. Anna is a celebrity makeup artist/stylist, active duty air force member and owner of Ink Cosmetics. That’s right, she can karate kick chop you and apply your lashes at the same time. Follow her @inkcosmetics
