Open three and a half months in Herndon, Beautiful Faces, owned by Ann Bonacci, is already making an impact on people's looks outside the town limits.
"This was my first time," said McLean resident and retired occupational therapist Jane Malawer. "I had a fear that it would be glommed on, but it's very natural. I like it. I would do it again," said Malawer, with her daughter to get hair stylings at P.K. International Hair Salon & Spa, where Bonacci operates her business.
"I usually don't wear make-up, but she asked if I wanted to try it. I was concerned about it not having a natural look, but it does. I'm satisfied and I would recommend her," said Alison Holmes, formerly of McLean, currently a Durham, N.C. resident, but is returning to McLean this summer.
Bonacci, a professional cosmetic artist and Middletown, Md. resident, opened her shop Oct. 28 where she performs make-up applications, teaches make-up lessons and does special occasion make-up either at the shop or on location of a special event. She was trained by the Elizabeth Arden Company.
Bonacci has taken classes at conventions sponsored by The Esthetics Institute and is a licensed make-up artist. She is licensed in Maryland where she resides; Virginia has no licensing requirements for make-up artists.
<mh>Great Location
<bt>A former retail business manager and make-up artist for the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon & Spa in Tysons, Bonacci chose Herndon to open her business because "it's a great location. It's pretty central for my Maryland and Virginia clients; and it's not a bad commute," she said of the 44-mile trip she takes Tuesdays through Saturdays.
"I live out in the boonies. Unless I'm going to put make-up on cows, I have to travel for work. It's a given. Herndon is a nice growing community with a wonderful clientele," said Bonacci.
"I'm very pleased with the work," said Herndon resident Linda Cooney, a client of Bonacci's from her Arden days. "Ann is very good at what she does. She really knows her clients and their personalities. She has a new line of make-up and I'm very happy with it," said Cooney.
"It doesn't feel or look like you're wearing make-up. It just enhances a woman's features. It doesn't overpower them," said Bonacci, describing the make-up she uses as hypoallergenic.
"She makes you feel like a new person," said Karen Cobb of Potomac Falls, who's the executive director of the Council for the Arts of Herndon "Now people will know I wear make-up."
<mh>Arts Fundraiser
<bt>Bonacci's Beautiful Faces and P.K. International are sponsoring "A Day at the Spa," to support the Council for the Arts of Herndon on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 150 Elden Street, Suite 165 in Herndon. Both Beautiful Faces and P.K. International are offering their services and products at a 15 percent discount and 30 percent of the day's proceeds are being donated to the Council for the Arts of Herndon. Appointments are available between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. that day, said Bonacci, adding that all customers that day will receive a 20 percent discount coupon for dinner at Cantina D'Italia.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 703-689-0909.
Bonacci's regular business hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.