Makeover with Katey Denno
I met the lovely and insightful Katey Denno through my friend Victoria who is the creator of the skin care line La Bella Figura. We had a sweet afternoon where we experimented with La Bella Figura’s new face oil, and then I learned tips for quick beauty make over. Katey is a Pre-Raphaelite beauty who usually works with New York fashion beauties and Hollywood movie stars. She advocates using natural non toxic brands and was able to give me a few incredible tips (like how curling your lashes can make all the difference)! A webisode on our afternoon is below.
1. How did you start leaning towards using more natural make up on your clients?
About 3+ years ago my best girlfriend was diagnosed with cancer. We felt hopeless. I needed to help in some way, so I turned to the world of makeup and skincare to give me some direction and ability to offer some relief and education. I focused on researching the best products for her to use, keeping in mind that the skin absorbs everything, funneling it into the bloodstream pretty immediately. I’ve learned a whole lot since then, and I’ve swung to a middle ground at this point – I don’t insist on making myself (or others) crazy insisting that everything that I come in contact with be 100% natural all the time. I follow more of an 80/20 rule: 80% of the time I try to use only products with ingredients I know are safe. However, if there’s a lipstick I have my eye on that doesn’t exist in the natural world yet – I’m gonna wear it on a special occasion, and not feel badly about it!
2. What are your top three favorite products? I have such a hard time picking my favorite products. I try new things constantly so what I love today may get pushed out of the top 3 list tomorrow when I try something new. I can say that consistently I love a. Balmy Days lip balm from Ilia (smoothest coconut oil-based lip balm), b. a delicious face oil – tied right now are Lina Hanson, Amala, and La Bella Figueroa, and c. an awesome creamy cheek color, again tied: Vapour organic beauty, and W3LL People.
3.Your skin is so dewey what is your secret? Thank you! I love the look of glowing skin and I use straight up oil on my face day and night. Plus I give myself a little face massage when I apply it which helps to drain any fluid I may have been retaining (No!!).
4. Are you a mermaid or forest fairy? Can I be both?
5. What to where is your favorite meal? I just came from having a pretty incredible meal – a group of friends, all sitting around laughing and sharing stories, eating a variety of incredibly fresh, vegetarian dishes, made with love. We ate slowly and took breaks to share bottles of wine. I’m also a sucker for a big breakfast. I wake up ravenous and excited for oatmeal every morning.
6. Is there one supplement or food item that you think helps us with having glowing skin?
My number one recommendation for what you can put in your mouth that will help your skin is coconut oil. I’ve been recommending it to folks for years now and have heard back – and seen- great things.
7. Who is your beauty inspiration? My mom is my beauty inspiration.
8. What book is on your nightstand? Art Of Attention: My friend Elena Brower (and her co-auther Erica Jago) just published this great yoga workbook that, in her words, inspires your practice, contemplation, and creativity. In my words – it’s a great reminder of what to do with my body, my mind, and my heart, each day.
Besides using coconut oil in food, cooling and/or on toast, do you suggest to eat a spoonful each day as a sort of supplement?
Thanks for the lovely interview and quick video!
Shiva, loved the sweet video and the rosey, youthful flush Katey gave to your already naturally beautiful face! I am excited to try out some of the Vapour products, though I am not sure if anything can outdo my RMS beauty favorites 🙂
oh my goodness! I absolutely adore katey! so happy you two got on 🙂
W3LL PEOPLE IS SO HAPPY TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THIS BEAUTY IN THE MAKING! OUR PREMIUM NATURAL AND ORGANIC MAKEUP, IN PARTICULAR THE UNIVERSALIST COLORSTICK SERIES, MAKES LOOKING GOOD…GOOD. 🙂