Funeral cosmetology

Desairology, also known as mortuary makeup, restorative arts, mortuary cosmetology, or funeral cosmetology, is a cosmetological art practiced on deceased human bodies to prepare for viewing. The goal of a Desairologist is to make a person appear as they did when alive and to give them the appearance of resting.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/noellapapagno

An example of a deceased person prepared for viewing

Noella’s inspiration to create Desairology came to her in 1952 when a funeral home director asked her to come to the funeral home to do a hairstyle for a recently deceased individual. It gave her the idea to develop specific cosmetology techniques and procedures in preparing decedents at casket side.

Noëlla published her first book Desairology: Hairdressing for Decendent’s in 1980 and continued writing and publishing on this and related topics throughout her life. She gave numerous lectures and interviews on her work and was periodically the subject of news and magazine articles written about her and this unusual subject.

In [1980] Noëlla formed her own publishing company [JJ Publishing] and wrote an additional 6 books on inpatient caregiving for the elderly and disabled. In doing so, she helped to create—in addition to Desairology—an outreach industry dedicated to rehabilitative service at patients’ bedside (medical beauty hygienic) and for the deceased.

Noella Charest-Papagno (December 15, 1927 - November 4, 2017) was an American businesswoman, cosmetologist and author, credited with creating the field and the term ‘Desairology’, the practice of medical cosmetology and funeral cosmetology Noëlla died on Nov. 4, 2017, in Hollywood, Florida where she had lived most of her adult life. She was survived by her two children and 4 grandchildren.

Desairology has become an established field within Cosmetology. Many cosmetology schools, such as Miami Dade College, Vermont College of Mortuary Sciences and other cosmetology schools continue to reference her pioneering work and writings in their training and licensing programs.

In 2021 Noella’s grandson, Joseph Navarro, developed JJ Publishing Group in order to continue his grandmother’s work in Desairology, Mortuary Cosmetology, and Inpatient Care practices. New editions of most of her books are in preparation for publication.