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Before and After

In my debut role as a beauty guinea pig, I succeeded in transforming into a whole new look. Sound like something out of Weird Science? Nah, it was just my Evening Magazine makeover.

After being presented the opportunity to be part of Macy’s fashion board, I was quite excited to receive the news that I was selected as the finalist to appear on a makeover television show. The only catch was that the professional executives would get to cut and color my hair and dress me to their discretion. That was a risk I was willing to take because I was ready to embark on a new adventure. Plus, I’ve had the same haircut for the past three years, and I wanted to go red.

The fun began when the producer and cameraman invaded my closet. If only I had known, I would have been more prepared. They were surprised when they opened my dresser drawers to a color coordinated sequence. (Yes, I know, I’m a neat freak.) The producer then conducted an interview, asking random questions about my fashion likes and dislikes. (I knew they were going to chop it up and had no idea how it would turn out.) My next appointment was at Macy’s with a personal shopper. That was quite interesting, because she chose the clothes for me to wear and try on. Frilly peasant tops and boots finished off the different looks. I was thinking about how cool a job that is — to tell other people how to dress and coordinate outfits. After my two-hour fitting, I had a week to ponder what the big day would be like.

My morning began at 9 a.m. at the Elevations Salon and Café on Bush Street. The salon was really cool, one of those places you see in the movies where all the walls are white and everything looks so high-tech, and everybody there dresses so trendy with their hip hairdos. The colorist, Heather, colored my hair first, since that process took the longest. She brushed on each layer and parted it with foil, which took a long time. She used a reddish-brown base, a brownish violet in the back and bright red highlights that were concealed underneath my part so they are only revealed when I part my hair a certain way. Georgette, the hairstylist, took over after my coloring job was done. She began to snip away, and her technique amazed me as she measured the lengths of my hair against the frame of my shoulders. It was really different, but I really liked it! It came out to be a short, above-the-shoulder look with a flipped-out twist.

Afterwards, I had my makeup done at the Estée Lauder counter. Then it was time for the final step. My personal shopper, Jennifer, dressed me in a V-neck, button-down, gingham shirt with bell sleeves and tinted blue jeans with leather string stitching on the sides, complete with these killer stilettos that made it hard to walk. After finding a perfect location to shoot in, all I had to do was stand and smile while the hair salon owner and my personal shopper described what they did on their part.

All in all, I would have to say that it was a good experience and I’m glad I took the risk, not knowing what the outcome or final product would be. My good friend asked me if I felt like a superstar for the day, and yes, I did feel like a superstar for the day. I like the new look, and so do a lot of my friends that have been surprised by it.

I would recommend that if you get such a great opportunity offered to you, you should take it too! Watch out for the episode of Evening Magazine in August!