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Form and naturalness. Aesthetics and determination. Grace and strength. My long hair, pulled back in a sharp ponytail, brushes against the shoulders of my crisp kimono. I can hear the athletes’ shouts from the tatami as they release full power in a movement. The voice of the masters and judges, the numbers of the score assigned to the performance. The friends expressing their encouragement, along with family and fans urging on their champions to victory. I will soon be in their place, showing my ability and my expressive capacity in the kata, a sequence that tells a story of combat with imaginary opponents, requiring absolute precision of execution, complete harmony but also complete energy. I have achieved numerous victories, it is true, and won medals and trophies that have made sense of the years - a good 17 now - of sacrifice, since I was a little girl, in some of the most important gymnasiums of Italy and across the world. But now, with the awareness that comes with being an adult woman, I can assign greater value to these satisfactions, after having accepted my individuality, my distinctive features, my conveyance of who I really am in an attack or stop. The travel I face, the periods far from home for training and competitions, have caused me to grow up and I could no longer live without them. I get myself ready. Even if I practice a sport often considered as for men, because it is a martial art, I do not wish to forego my femininity, indeed, I must not do so. Make-up is part of my uniform, just like this black belt, a little worn now where I tie the knot. Black eye pencil and mascara, fitting for an oriental warrior, inspired by Japanese women who are so elegant in their simplicity, yet so filled with mystery, as though guardians of secrets that none shall ever know.
A stroke of liquid lipstick along my lips, fluid like my movements, in a soft pink for a nude effect. I will keep the red for this evening, when I will be celebrating, or not as the case may be. There is some undertone, but I will not disclose too much. As I apply the colour, my mind gathers together in this simple ritual I could not do without; it is part of my training. I resume concentrating, facing the mirror of the changing room. I think back over my mistakes, over what I need to improve. It’s my turn. I smile at my reflection and head out to face my next challenge.
Fifth appointment with the WYCONIC format, the WYCON cosmetics container dedicated to modern stories, everyday heroines whose experiences can inspire or teach a great deal to those willing to listen. The new face is Vanessa Villa, an athlete, traveller, model and karate champion with whom the brand has created a capsule collection dedicated to energetic, dynamic, plucky, positive women who never give up. The symbol of the collection is a black bow, a “girlier” version of the knot of the belt that indicates the high level achieved by those practising this oriental discipline. Black Belt is the name given to the lengthening, volumising mascara, whilst the Empower Lip Kit is the lip pencil and liquid lipstick combination set available in blush and bright red. All formulas are extremely long-lasting with high-performing, resistant textures, like the black eye pencil for a smoky look or decisive line - obviously waterproof!
