Why Paris? Why go last year and get photos of myself at iconic Parisian locales? I've been asked that question a lot, and I keep coming to the same answer: Why not Paris? I've spent a lifetime being told I'm too much—too emotional, too dramatic, too intense. These labels have followed me for as long as I can remember. But over time, I’ve come to realize that these 'too much' qualities are what make me who I am. They are the fire behind my passion, the fuel for my dreams, and the reason I refuse to shrink myself to fit into someone else’s mold.
This photoshoot in Paris? It was "extra" on purpose. It was a celebration of everything I’ve been told to tone down, and it was my way of embracing all of it, unapologetically. It would also give the world a glimpse into the very heart of Genuist Beauty.
Ink and Illumination: An Unforgettable First Day in Paris
After a long, jet-lagged flight from Atlanta to Paris, there was no time to rest. I went straight from the 11th arrondissement to an underground cave where I spent the next 12 hours getting a Perennial tattoo—a symbol of my journey into the person I am today and a testament to the mantra of Genuist Beauty: beauty for the forever blooming.
While I was being inked, my amazing team—including my makeup educator and friend Belinda Salazar, my talented daughter Quinn Howard, and the incredible Madeline Fuhrman, photo assistant to our photographer Matthieu Piriou—got us settled into our cozy yet charming Airbnb in the heart of the city.
I finally finished the tattoo well after midnight, knowing that in just a few short hours, we’d need to be up for the first Genuist Beauty photoshoot at the Louvre. Before Belinda applied my makeup early that next morning, I put on a gold face and neck mask that I got from Matin Maulawizada, a celebrity makeup artist, who gifted it to me at the Artist Summit earlier that year.
This mask, the Gold Repair Collagen Multi Masking Kit from Knesko Skin, covered my entire face and neck, and worked absolute wonders on my skin despite the mere two hours of sleep I managed to get.
Capturing a Pinterest Dream at the Louvre
The next morning, we walked to the Louvre to meet our photographer, Matthieu Piriou. The clock was ticking, and we had only a brief window to capture the shot in that perfect sunlight. I had been to the Louvre before on a Fat Tire bike tour, but the golden light reflecting off the pyramid that morning was something out of a movie—truly iconic.
Oddly, the scene was quiet, with hardly any people around—a rare sight in Paris. This was my first time working with Matthieu, and the first time I would see my Pinterest dreams come to life. One of the images I had pinned featured the Louvre’s majestic doors, but when we arrived, the middle door was locked. Matthieu, ever the creative genius, found a way to make it look like we were walking through that very door!
As he clicked his camera and I posed, I realized how anxious I had been about missing the perfect Pinterest shot, but in that moment, I knew I had to let go of that and instead be present, and release any lingering doubts. Then, as if to punctuate the moment, Madeline began singing, grounding me even further. Her singing distracted me from my mind by keeping me from trying to pose.
As we wrapped up at the Louvre, I noticed a bride embarking on her new life journey, stepping into a fresh chapter of love. Watching her, I was reminded that this photoshoot marked a labor of love moment for me that symbolized the blending of my life’s work and passions. This first shoot at the Louvre wasn’t just about capturing beautiful images; it was about realizing a vision I’ve been nurturing my whole life!
Fearless in the Tuileries Garden
From the Louvre, we made our way to the Tuileries Garden, a historic oasis nestled between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. Once the royal garden of the Tuileries Palace, it has long been a symbol of elegance and beauty in the heart of Paris. We had expected rain, but instead, we were greeted by unexpected heat, making the garden's golden light even more enchanting.
And I stepped into that light wearing a gold tulle skirt and a 'Fearless' shirt—an outfit that felt symbolic of the journey I was on. The boots I wore, brought all the way from Florence, and that bold shirt reminded me to embrace the fear and push forward regardless. As I stood there, I knew I needed to channel every ounce of that fearlessness, especially as I allowed myself to fully step into the garden of my dreams.
Still, doubts began to creep in. Could I really launch a beauty brand in a sea of cosmetics brands? Was it possible to create something truly different? The fresh tattoo on my arm, still stinging in the sunlight, was a constant reminder of the rawness and reality of this journey. The bandage covering it seemed to symbolize the vulnerability I felt as I navigated this path.
Our goal in the gardens was to capture it’s beauty, reflecting the Perennial philosophy that is at the heart of Genuist Beauty, and Matthieu captured that beauty even better than I could have imagined. We ended the day with stunning photos, including some with my daughter by my side—a surreal and powerful moment that made this dream all the more real.
Dancing with Street Lights at the Eiffel Tower
After leaving the Tuileries Garden, we jumped into an Uber and headed straight for the Trocadéro, situated on the hill of Chaillot, offering one of the most breathtaking and unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower across the Seine River. It’s a location steeped in history and glamor, making it the perfect backdrop for this pivotal moment in our photoshoot.
This was our moment to bring everything we had—walking with purpose in front of the Eiffel Tower, as Matthieu guided us with his camera. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the city, and the tourists were out in full force. But we were on a mission for Genuist Beauty, so we grabbed some of our new brow products and moved with determination to capture something extraordinary.
To get that perfect shot, we had to dance with the street lights—waiting for them to change from green to red and back, rushing into the street, clearing the area, posing in front of the tower, and repeating the process over and over.
Madeline, our 'spider monkey,' even scaled a lamp post with an umbrella for a playful, whimsical shot that added a touch of whimsy to the scene.
As I stood there, amidst the chaos of the bustling streets, I knew I had to channel every ounce of inspiration and focus. This moment encapsulated my life’s calling: no matter the chaos or adversity, I will rise to the occasion and bring my best self forward.
Long before this day arrived, I had meticulously pinned images on my Pinterest board, envisioning this exact moment. Pinning those images wasn’t just about creating a mood board; it was about manifesting the photoshoot in my mind first, imagining every detail before it became a reality. This is why visualizing your dreams is so powerful—because the act of putting them on paper, setting goals, and believing in them is the first step toward making them come true.
Standing there in front of the Eiffel Tower, I realized that what had once been a collection of images on a board was now unfolding before my eyes, more beautifully than I could have ever imagined. The Eiffel Tower, with its timeless beauty, became a symbol in that moment—a reminder that true beauty knows no age. The day had tested my emotions, my energy and the limits of my mindset, but by the end, I had surrendered to the magic and creativity, rediscovering the joy and importance of play in everything I do as a makeup artist.
And just as I had envisioned this photoshoot, I realized how important it is for all of us to dream big, set our goals on paper, and begin the journey toward making them a reality.
Embracing Your “Extra”:
As I reflect on that first day of the photoshoot in Paris, I realize it was more than just capturing beautiful images—it was about stepping fully into who I am and unapologetically embracing my journey. Want a tattoo at age 55? Want to start a new company? Or had a dream that people said is impossible or improbable at “your age”?
The light bouncing off the Louvre's pyramid, the golden moments in the Tuileries, and the glamor of the Eiffel Tower—all of it was a celebration of being 'too much,' of daring to live out loud and on my own terms.
So, what’s your big dream? What’s that one thing that feels so bold, so over-the-top, that it almost scares you? I challenge you to embrace it.
Step into your 'extra,' and know that the very things that make you “You” are the things that make you extraordinary. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that being 'too much' is exactly what the world needs.
Join the conversation and share your dream with us. Tag @GenuistBeauty and use the hashtag #TooMuchIsBeautiful to show the world that you’re ready to embrace your most authentic, bold self.
