Makeup artist in The Woodlands combines inner and outer beauty for women of abuse

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- From the age of 11 to 16, Cynthia Castleberry was told she was fat, ugly and worthless by a man who was sexually abusing her.

Cynthia carried the trauma with her for years, even after her abuser was put in prison.

Now 27, Cynthia struggles to find self worth … and every method she can utilize to do so is a step in the right direction.

That's why she's thrilled to be a part of More Than Skin Deep.

"When Morgan handed me the mirror, I thought 'oh wow, I look so pretty.' I felt happy," Castleberry said. "I still feel happy."

More Than Skin Deep is a beauty project created by Morgan Horres, owner of Lady Paint Makeup Artistry in The Woodlands.

"We really want this to become a regular project," Horres said. "We want to see where we can take it."

Horres works alongside her sister Danielle, a hairstylist.

Over the years, the sisters couldn't help but notice what hair and makeup can do for a woman's emotional wellbeing.

"If someone is going through something, after they're done in our chair, they just seem to feel so much better," Horres said.

Horres knows beauty goes beyond skin deep, but feels the surface is a great place to start.

"When you look good, you feel good," she said, "and when you feel good, you look good."

You can watch Castleberry's transformation here. Please note, the video is difficult to watch in some parts.

"I'm going to make a point of taking the time to do my hair and makeup, because it really did make a difference," Castleberry said. "It sounds so cliché, but it's true. I feel better about myself."

The sisters hope to help more women find their inner strength by feeling beautiful inside and out.

"Beauty is more than just vanity; it's more than wanting to look like the girls in the magazines," Horres said. "It's deeper than that. And that's why we are working on this project."

For more information, visit www.ladypaintmakeup.com or email ladypaintmakeup@yahoo.com.