Warrior Chic

When I first came on the scene a few years ago ... it became clear to me very quickly that Charleston wedding makeup and Leslie Moore of Moore Makeup were one in the same. Since then, numerous brides have raved to me about what an awesome job Leslie or members of her team did on their makeup. Not only are they extrememly talented and professional, but they also have this amazing ability to make you laugh and relax at the same time. I know this first hand because I was lucky enough to have Leslie do my makeup for my cousin Lauren's wedding in November of 2008. Leslie came across to me as beautiful and strong from the start, but after reading this article in the Post and Courier today - I feel that way about her more than ever.

THE FIGHTER
The faces of breast cancer
BY ALLYSON BIRD , KRISTEN HANKLA
The Post and Courier
Friday, October 2, 2009

"As the chemicals ooze into Leslie Moore's body, she glances down at the tattoo on her forearm.

The cursive black letters remind her to stay focused on what she has become: Warrior.

She knows that over the next six hours of chemotherapy, her mind will become foggy. Tomorrow, she will feel like a cement truck has poured its load on her. And the day after that will be the worst: kind of like the flu, kind of like early pregnancy. But worse than both.

She'll experience a nausea so intense that for a week she'll be able to eat only bananas and crackers.

The 37-year-old Hanahan resident found the lump four months ago. Since then, she's had both breasts removed and then reconstructed; she's had six lymph nodes taken out; and she's completed three of 16 rounds of chemo. Later, there will be radiation.

Her hair has gone from long, shiny auburn strands to reddish patches on a pale scalp.

She runs a manicured hand over her head. The dark polish prevents her from knowing if her fingernails have turned black. A makeup artist with her own business, Moore used to tell her clients how important inner beauty is. Now she's having to tell herself.

While she dreads the treatments, she shows up for them because of her 2-year-old daughter, her 5-year-old son and her husband who need her. She fights because she's not finished here. She feels like her life is just beginning.

Moore said she used to be too busy but has learned to be more present. She sinks into each moment and logs them in her mind.

"It's been a really sweet time for me and my family.""

Some more inspiration for you ladies ... I LOVE the part about inner beauty. Please keep Leslie and her family in your thoughts and prayers. xoxo