Dania Blanco with Cosmiix Artistry and Lara Salvo with Vienna Hayden Boutique Studios
Cosmiix Artistry
was established by artist, Dania Blanco in 2008. Cosmiix provides a variety of beauty services including makeup and hair styling, special effects/character makeup, permanent makeup and lash extensions. Her studio is located in the heart of Gilbert, Az, however, she provides mobile services in makeup and hair artistry. Dania began her business in the film industry being a part of over 25 film projects and dozens more commercials and corporate projects. You can see the list of film projects she has been part of on IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base). She has had the pleasure of working with some of the most well known production companies and talented actors in Phoenix. She has traveled to LA, Mexico, Michigan and Mississippi for some of the productions she has worked on.
Dania is also a published makeup and hair artist. Her work has been on the cover of WedAZ Magazine, a local bridal magazine, the cover of The Phoenix New Times, Surreal Magazine and Plush Magazine to name a few. Her talent versatility has allowed her to market herself in a wide variety of projects. She is sought out for weddings, fashion photo shoots, corporate events, music videos and quinceaneras as well as special event makeup and hair.
Dania prides herself in the work she does but more importantly in the way she can help change the way someone feels. She created and nourished her name and brand from scratch. She continually finds new and fresh ways to grow her skill level in return, increase her clientele. She is excited about sharing her talent with others and looks forward to the future of her company. Cosmiix Artistry is her pride and her joy.
Dania’s background was a career in law enforcement. She spent 18 1/2 years as an investigator in sex crimes for the Gilbert Police Department. Dania started Cosmiix as an ‘”on the side” job opportunity, moreover, as an outlet to the stressful job she had. After some thought, she decided that if she was going to do something else, she was determined to “do it right”! So she enrolled at Maxima School of Makeup Artistry and received her certificate in makeup artistry. It was three years ago that she decided to resign and pursue her business full time. A risk she took which scared her half to death. She went from a full time, secure pay check every month to sporadic “gigs” whenever she was called to work. A notion not known to most , a risk not taken by most. But Dania was motivated and pushed forward with a “failure is not an option” mentality.
Dania was born in San Jose, Costa Rica. She moved to the US when she was about 2 years of age. She was raised in the Mesa/Gilbert area. She has three amazing children which she raised on her own, five wonderful step children and three loving grandchildren who, with her husband Jason, complete her life.
Connect with Dana on LinkedIn, and follow Cosmiix Artistry on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Vienna Hayden Boutique Studios is a professional photography and video production studio located in the North Valley of Phoenix, AZ with almost a decade of experience behind the camera. They specialize in birth, newborn, and family portraiture, artist branding, sketch comedy and short films on the video side. Sessions can take place both in studio and on-location.
The in-home studio is fully equipped with numerous headbands, hats, props, backdrops, children’s wardrobe for both boys and girls, parent sitting area, coffee/espresso station, snacks, private restroom, and a beautiful naturally lit office showcasing a multitude of products offered while offering a comfortable sofa on which to relax. The space is set up to create an experience akin to that of a spa, inspired by Lara’s passion and mission to drive more awareness to the difficulties commonly overlooked in new motherhood.
Video production services are available to capture more of a photography session. Sketch comedy is the primary function on the video unit though through a number of YouTube channels. Currently, there is one short film and 10 sketches in the pipeline as well as a feature film slated for production this summer.
Studio owner, Lara Salvo, has a decade of experience both in front of and behind the camera. She has won multiple awards in film and video production, after being entirely self-taught.
Lara’s career began in construction, where she received a bachelor of science in construction management and started her own company after getting laid off during the market crash of 08. She started dabbling in acting which soon became film production and photography thanks to her project management background. Her first feature film project was written, directed, and produced by Lara, where she also starred in it and financed it by selling her eggs through egg donations.
The egg donations inspired her passion for healthcare and helping to raise awareness for the difficulties new mothers face during and immediately following pregnancy. Her birth and newborn photography align directly with her goal of streamlining motherhood care and helping to prevent women from experiencing anxiety and postpartum depression by making the experience memorable yet shedding a realistic light on what really happens outside of the beautiful images she produces. This is inspired from her own personal experience with becoming a mother, suffering from anxiety and depression, and having no one or no where to turn. She knew there had to be a better way, thus the birth of All Inclusive Motherhood Care, or AIMC.
Lara is an advocate for better continuous care for new and expectant mothers, and believes that capturing the beautiful natural moments during that major life transition is vital to highlighting the balance between the chaotic sleepless pain and the overwhelming tidal wave of love and selflessness experienced during that time. It’s something science can’t define, but every woman can feel. Lara’s mission is to improve the care and document the moments throughout.
Follow Vienna Hayden Boutique Studios on Twitter and Instagram.
