By S'iva Goodman

Staff writer

HOBE SOUND- For many women, putting on a happy face involves the time-consuming task of applying makeup.

For those who have visual or neurological impairments, the daily event can become a chore. The tiny strokes of the process can require a steady hand and keen vision. However, there is an alternative.

Rhonda Vacanti, owner of Changing Faces in Hobe Sound, offers the solution of permanent makeup.

She is a licensed skin-care specialist who said that permanent makeup enhances a woman's natural appearance, saves time and money, and eliminates the arduous effort of the daily task.

"Permanent makeup can save time and money," she said. "You can save up to 100 hours in time spent applying costly makeup that rubs and wears off.

"I can literally take 10 years off your face without surgery," said Ms. Vacanti, a licensed skin care and micropigmentation specialist since 1998.

She added that facials, microderm abrasion, glycolic peels and peptide peels can also rejuvenate the skin, giving the face a younger and healthier glow.

Ms. Vacanti recently moved to Hobe Sound from Boynton Beach and said that many clients followed her, but she is presently accepting new clients.

Permanent cosmetic makeup implants color into the skin, not on the skin. This means that it does not come off and provides a natural look to the face.

Permanent makeup applications include eyeliner, eyebrow shading, eye shadow, lip liner and lip color.

The process usually takes a couple of visits to complete and will last from one to three years.

Changing Faces also offers eyebrow and eyelash tinting.

Ms. Vacanti suggests using some conventional makeup as well, and offers her own line and professional guidance for the best personal application techniques.

"In addition to performing the procedures, I also keep my clients educated about skin care," she said. "I offer the best skin care lines and my own line of cosmetics I've named after my grandmother, Daisy Fisher."

Changing Faces also carries Lucere and Pure Innovations skin care products,

Ms. Vacanti's said she enjoys her profession, but added that her personal passion lies in helping others.

"I help whomever I can," she said. "I lost my husband more than ten years ago to cancer. It was a difficult battle and I had two very young kids as well. I don't know how I would've survived without the support we got from the community.

"That support was a miracle to me and my sons and inspires me to help those in need," Ms. Vicanti added.

She said she accepts cancer patients who may have lost their hair due to chemotherapy as well as those suffering from alopecia. She applies permanent eyebrows and other techniques to enhance their self esteem as they go through their difficult time.

"Whenever someone in need walks into my shop, I give. It makes me feel good and I have the opportunity to make a difference," Ms. Vacanti said.

In addition to the joy she gets from giving, Ms. Vacanti enjoys helping people feel better about themselves.

"I have clients of all ages, women and men, from as far away as Texas. I enjoy helping them feel better about themselves and the way they look," she said. "I think that is what really makes the difference."

For more information call Changing Faces at (772) 545-1200, or visit the Web site at www.changingfacesbyrhonda.com