Businesses unite to create beauty makeover

Imagine you are getting married in a matter of months and your wedding dress begins to bind and bunch in all the wrong places.

What do you do?

You turn to three Agoura businesses and trust them to make you over into the beautiful bride you always dreamed you would be.

When Rebecca Albitre-Smith walked out of Illuminari Aesthetics Medi-Spa after completing two-days of Beauty Boot Camp, her transformation into a silver screen queen was complete. Having lost more than 40 pounds, this was the final stop on AlbitreSmith's path to becoming fit and fabulous.

Albitre-Smith's royal treatment at Illuminari Aesthetics began after sipping cappuccino and touring the collection of avantgarde paintings on the walls. After settling into one of the spa's spotless, contemporary rooms, Albitre-Smith received her first beauty treatment, an Epicuren Mineral facial tailored to her skin's needs.

"We wanted to reduce the surface tension in her pores, and gently detoxify her skin to leave it flawless, balanced and hydrated," said aesthetician Jennifer Christy.

When asked what AlbitreSmith liked best about the facial, she said, "All of it. I felt pampered from start to finish and my skin has never felt this good."

Next, an Illuminari beauty specialist enhanced AlbitreSmith's winter white skin with an airbrushed California tan.

"I can't believe how good my skin looks," Albitre-Smith said. "The tan is not orange or streaky; it looks real."

Glowing and bronzed to perfection, Albitre-Smith received the finishing touches of her new look on Day 2 from Tamara Gold, a well-known makeup artist. Gold has been making celebrities shimmer and shine for more than 23 years.

Before lifting her brushes, Gold assessed Albitre-Smith's coloring, face shape and features

to choose just the right products for her new look. "Becky has beautiful eyes, smooth shiny skin and a lovely smile. We wanted to give her a natural daytime look that best accents all of her assets."

"I usually only wear mascara, and that's only when I'm feeling a little spunky," Albitre-Smith said. "But that might be changing, and clearly change can be good."

After Gold styled AlbitreSmith's hair, adding body and bounce to her shoulder-length locks, Albitre-Smith's smile was bright enough to light up the room.

"This is a moment I will never forget," Albitre-Smith said.

The Illuminari Beauty Boot Camp graduate-who grew up in Agoura Hills and now works as a special education teacher at an elementary school in Tujunga-began her transformation when she grabbed a yoga mat and headed for Bikram Yoga. Dissatisfied with the tootight bridal gown and her lackluster appearance, Albitre-Smith decided it was time to tone up and slim down.

Owner of Agoura's Bikram Yoga Studio of California, Clara Chan, certified sports nutritionist, personal trainer and yoga instructor, took Albitre-Smith under her wing, encouraging her to take five yoga classes each week.

The 90-minute classes take place in a heated room to accelerate the rate of change within the body, aid in weight loss, improve circulation while eliminating toxins, and reduce the risk of injury during deep stretching.

"Typically, students in our Bikram classes will burn 800 to 1,200 calories, and students in our PowerChi classes will burn 800 to 1,500 calories," Chan said.

In under a year, AlbitreSmith went from a size 16 to a size 10. Through yoga, she says she gained a positive self-image, has more energy and feels less highstrung.

The complementary beauty transformation was offered by Rebecca Palmieri, R.N., owner of Illuminari Aesthetics MediSpa. Illuminari is a full-service medi-spa, featuring medical aesthetic services and spa remedies to help clients relax and renew according to their individual needs.

Medi-services offered include Botox, Restylane, Radiesse, IPL photo facials, laser vein therapy, Clearlight acne, laser hair removal and Thermage. Spa treatments offered include Epicuren facials, dermaculture facials, microderm, endermologie, body wraps, massage, California tan, eyelash extensions, waxing, permanent makeup and professional makeup application.

Illuminairi Aesthetics Medi Spa is at 28632-A Roadside Drive, Ste. 105, Agoura Hills. For an appointment or consultation, call (818) 707-7240.