Luz del Carmen Bautista

Hello everyone!  I would like to share a very special story with you.  I remember when I first met Ana Medina at our Shecky’s debut for a Girls Night Out event located at 82 Mercer Street in Soho, NY.  This was over two years ago, Ana was one of our first customers that purchased a Custom Blended lipgloss in our signature color called Beauricua at the event.  I remembered the rapport Ana and I established and thought that she was a person I wanted to get to know.

A few weeks had passed since the event, and one day I was organizing my client cards and came across Ana’s name.  I decided to see if I could reconnect with Ana via Facebook and typed in her name.  To my surprise, I was very happy when I found her, and sent a friendship request.  I was grateful Ana accepted my friendship and therein began our wonderful relationship.

Ana and I kept in touch and spoke on occasion on the phone about beauty, fashion and of course, MAKEUP!  A few months later our friendship began to grow and one day, Ana shared with me that her mom, Luz del Carmen Bautista was ill with cancer and that the family was going through a very tough time.  I listened with a heavy heart and spoke gently in hopes to bring some comfort to Ana with my gentle words.

A few months later, I learned that Ana’s mom, lost her battle with cancer and I was very sadden by the news and could not imagine what the family was going through.  I understood this personally with the loss of my father-in-law, Sonny Galderisi that lost his battle with cancer on Christmas morning 2009 and how hard it was for my husband, Richie Galderisi.  We also understood the burden that comes after the loss of a loved one and the financial challenges, such as funeral arrangements, burial, plots and medical bills and an array of other responsibilities that come along during the time of bereavement that we did not ask or are necessarily ready for.

One day, while conversing with Ana, I asked her, “Does your mom have a headstone?”  I knew by the reaction, the answer was no.  I then asked Ana, “How would you feel if Beauricua Cosmetics Inc. were to sponsor you in a fundraiser to raise funds for the headstone?”  Ana responded in a humble manner and was overwhelmed with the gesture and therin began the tribute.

Ana and I began collaborating together in the creating process and thought what would be the best way to pay homage to Luz del Carmen Bautista, than to create a color in her honor.  Ana’s mom was very passionate about fashion, beauty and makeup and encouraged Ana Medina to follow her dreams and supported Ana’s craft as a Makeup Artist.  We have created a lipstick & gloss and named it in honor of Ana’s mom called ”Luz del Carmen“.  We have created a set that can be purchased at a savings of $6 or can be purcahsed separately: $25.00 for the lipstick and $24.00 for the lipgloss to raise the funds needed for the headstone.  These items can be found on our website: www.beauricua.com and click on the tribute banner to find the page or if you are in the NJ area, you can purchase them directly from Ana Medina.

Please help us with your contributions so we can change this travesty and place a headstone at the final resting place of Luz del Carmen Bautista, something a loving woman, sister, wife, friend and mother deserves.  Headstones can run between $2,500 to $3,000 and our goal is to raise the funds to make this happen.  Thank you all for taking the time to read this post and could really use your support.

Sincerely,
Makeup Stylist,
Betty