With over 30 years in Film/T.V. as a Hair/Makeup stylist and one of few who specialize in Paramedical Corrective Makeup and Tattooing. Sweet LeiLani Cosmetics evolved from LeiLani’s pro bono work with Cancer/Trauma Surgeons.
Since the age of twelve, I dreamt of becoming a special effects Makeup Artist for film and TV. Becoming a Hairstylist right out of high school allowed me to save money, and at the age of nineteen, my journey started, and I moved to LA for FX/Makeup school in Hollywood. I was very fortunate to do work experience in some film studios and met a lot of famous actors early in my career. My first real job, I was hired by a Cosmetic Company to go to Zsa Zsa Gabor’s house to demonstrate their Joe Blasco Film Makeup. It was at Christmas, and I remember walking into her home, and there was a tree in the foyer that went up three levels. At my young age, I’m not sure if I was more impressed by Zsa Zsa, or her home up in Beverly Hills.
Upon returning home to Vancouver, my grandma passed away, and sitting with my mom at the funeral home, I blurted out that I would be doing her hair and makeup. My mom almost fell off her chair, but hey, I was always the one that did her hair, why would I have anyone else do it. Crazy, how this led to me teaching embalmers how to do makeup at funeral homes.
I did go on to living my dream and was fortunate to have such a great career in film/TV working on Jump Street, MacGyver, Wise Guys (aging myself) as well as dozens of Hallmark movies and tons of commercials. I was even fortunate to do FX Makeup, which ironically now, I volunteer with plastic surgeons to teach patients how to cover injuries I once created, which led to creating Sweet LeiLani Cosmetics.
As one of few who specialize in paramedical makeup/tattooing, I founded Face The Future/Healing with Makeup. My pro bono work of 30 years with burn/cancer/trauma surgeons aiding survivors with, wig styling, corrective makeup techniques, and areola/nipple tattooing after breast reconstruction.
A pioneer of clean beauty for 30 years. Sweet LeiLani Beauty was built around my volunteer work and the desire to help people. Volunteering from a bedroom, I was constantly told by Surgeons, this is just Makeup, they need to get on with their lives. But I knew better. I had husbands hug me saying their wives would go out in public again. I was literally able to change lives by sharing my skills. I had kit loads of makeup from Film, but I couldn’t use any of it on these post-op sensitive skin types. These patients inspired me to vigilantly tread forward with a scientific approach to create plant-derived creations of beauty products that incorporate the medicinal value, not usually found in Cosmetics.
Face The Future is committed to educating women about skin health, wellness, and result-oriented clean beauty. Inspired by these patients, Sweet LeiLani supports, inspires, while elevating and empowering women who are just starting to wear makeup or are discouraged by the aging process. As a lifestyle brand, we have you covered no matter what stage of life you are in.
From a bedroom to retail outlets across Canada and the US, we have weaved a social mission into our business. Holistic wellness meets sustainability in Drug and Grocery. We are a purpose-driven company whose core value is volunteering. I have always known how makeup transforms us on the outside, however over the years I have come to realize how it transforms us on the inside. It’s more than Makeup… it’s therapy
I never set out to have a Company; I wasn’t book smart; I couldn’t pass a math test if I tried. I always told my kids grades aren’t everything. My advice was to stay focused, stay in your own lane. If you don’t have the answer, find it! It’s about reaching, striving, dreaming, and using your talents to help others. We are all given a unique set of skills. Embrace, utilize and share them. When you hear me swearing because something went wrong, I stop and thank the universe, because it’s just a detour pushing you in a better direction. So, when those obstacles arise, change direction to reach your goal, but don’t change your goal. My mom’s advice is to enjoy the journey and reminds me that success is not always about business. My success is my incredible husband of 32 years and my two beautifully kind adult children. She gave me a mug when I left for LA that says those who reach, touch the stars. I still have the mug, and I’m still reaching!
We exist to create spirit, of body/mind, integrity, ethics, and creativity in this Industry.
Better Beauty for your Health and the Planet! Pure Natural Beauty!
