Deception Cosmetics

The Deception logo

**Deception Cosmetics** is one of the local companies in the city of Port Charles. It is located inside the Metro Court Hotel and is currently co-owned by Lucy Coe and Sasha Gilmore.

Maxie Jones is the vice president and creative director, and Valentin Cassadine is a silent financier. Sasha is also the house model known as "The Face of Deception," Brook Lynn Falconeri was first the voice of Deception, and now social media manager.

## History

Julia Barrett launched Deception in the 90's with Scott Baldwin and Dominique Stanton. Laura Webber was the former CEO. Elton Herbert was an assistant.

By 1994, Dominique had passed away, and Scott and Julia had left the company - leaving Lucy Coe in charge, and Brenda Barrett as the house model. During the Valentine's Day photoshoot, Brenda expressed interest in the business side of the company, wanting to use her intelligence beyond her beauty. Lucy is against the idea, telling her the company is running just fine by her, and Brenda should finish her college degree first.

Former models, known as the “Face of Deception”, included Brenda Barrett and Gia Campbell. Gia, who was Carly's choice, initially competed for the opportunity against Elizabeth Webber, who was Laura's choice.

Laura bought Deception Cosmetics from them, but since Sonny Corinthos was her financial backer, he insisted his wife, Carly Corinthos be her partner and the two women clashed over who should be the company's signature model. They came to terms where Laura owned 50% of the company and Carly owned 49%. Sonny took 1% ownership of the company as a silent partner as insurance for Laura that Carly wouldn't become a problem. Of course that was a problem for Carly.

The two could not get along and arguments ensued over everything, from the size of Carly's office space to who the new “Face of Deception” would be before its launch. Carly had Laura locked on the roof of their office building during a major event where she changed all the media materials to take the company in a different direction, despite what Laura wanted.

In 2001, a reception was held, in which, to get one over on Carly, and upon Elizabeth's whispered insistence, Laura announced Gia Campbell as the new house model.

The company eventually closed in the 2000's.

In 2013, Laura was convinced by Lucy Coe to revive Deception, but Laura only agreed to be her partner if they make it health related, turning the company to a health spa and gym. Lucy also hired Milo Giambetti to work as a trainer at Deception, which led him to quit his job working for Sonny Corinthos as one of his bodyguards alongside his brother Max Giambetti. Unfortunately, the project never got off the ground and their partnership ended when Laura moved back to Paris.

## Storylines

In 2019, Lucy Coe spots Sasha Gilmore and is convinced she has the perfect look to be the “Face of Deception.”

On December 19, after working out a 70/30 contract, she and Sasha partner to relaunch the “Deception” makeup brand, and they get a reticent Nina Reeves to sign a contract with them. Maxie Jones impresses Lucy, giving her creative editing ideas:

"You need to underline the brand, "**Deception**" when you're ready to reveal who you really are."
In 2020, at the first photo-shoot, Valentin announces that Deception will be sponsoring the annual Nurses Ball charity event that year, greatly pleasing Lucy, its host who helped establish the event. He brings along Brook Lynn Ashton, announcing her as the voice of Deception.

Arriving at the first photo-shoot, Sasha is a physical and emotional mess after hearing that the man she loved married another woman. Maxie's PA Suzanne offers Sasha some white powder in a vial to help her get through her first photo-shoot. She appears to take it, and is a big success.

In August 2020, while Brook Lynn is recovering in the hospital after being near fatally attacked by Nelle Benson, Sasha visits her and gifts her with the latest Deception merchandise - moisturizer.

On October 14, 2020, the Deception team minus Maxie meets with the head buyer (Ms. Madigan) from Pebela. Sasha, secretly going through withdrawal, first asks Lucy to postpone saying she isn't feeling well, then makes a mess of the presentation. Valentin steps in to attempt to smooth talk her into buying their product - she represents one of the top cosmetic and beauty chains in the world - he tells her that his ex-wife shops there exclusively. Brook Lynn confronts Sasha over her behavior, reminding her that this is a career for all of them, they all have a stake in the company, and they cannot tank this deal. They both approach the buyer, and off the cuff and from the heart, Brook Lynn and Sasha plead:

"Deception Cosmetics makes this imperfect woman look perfect. And *that* is what we want to bring to women who shop at your stores:
perfection in an imperfect world. They all want a second chance - just like me."

The team is pleased with Sasha's words, and Ms. Madigan seems impressed by their passion and realism. Lucy attempts to play the "Deception" demo, for her - and when it doesn't work, is convinced that Brook Lynn can sing it live. Panicking, Brook Lynn agrees when she realizes Amy Driscoll, the true singer, is there and they can use bluetooth. Unfortunately Chase interrupts the performance and their deception is discovered. The buyer walks away and Lucy fires Brook Lynn.

In January of 2021, Avery gave Nelle's half-heart necklace she had found, to Lucy Coe to put on Sasha for luck during her interview with Jackie Templeton for GMA3. The press had learned about Sasha's drug use as a model for Deception Cosmetics, so the team decided to have Sasha sit down for a live interview with Chase's famous journalist mother Jackie, to give their own narrative and tell the truth.

Avery points out the necklace when she sees Sasha being interviewed and it is revealed that the necklace is a match for Nina's half-heart necklace.

On May 13, Sasha tells Lucy she is pregnant. Lucy wants to use Sasha's motherhood to make Deception Cosmetics the "Year of the Mother" and she later comes up with the idea to call Sasha the "Face of Conception".

On June 29, the company launches a collaboration with **Crimson**, for the "Year of the Mother" campaign. Valentin convinced Lucy to hire Brook Lynn on, this time as social media manager.

In July, Maxie decides to go on sabbatical to see her maternal family at the Ramirez Hacienda in Texas. She hands her work off to Sasha - as the company is preparing to make a second pitch to Pebela.