When you feel good, you exude confidence. I often hear people say they have nothing to dress up for—they work in the home, and they never really go out. I don’t know what has happened to us. Seriously. Why can’t you just look great for you?! The minute you walk out the door of your house, you are in the public eye. When you’re in your house, you are in the eye of yourself and your family.

Be an inspiration, not a warning. I admit that I am often in comfortable loungewear, writing in my house, much of the day. Nevertheless, I make sure I’m not embarrassingly unkempt if the doorbell should ring. When I know someone is coming over, I dress for it. It’s how I stage my life. I want to play the leading man, not the disheveled side character.

You’re the star in your show; look and feel like one!

Getting Motivated

• Devise a strategy. Designate the time. Deliver the goods.
  
• Break the process down into manageable tasks.
  
• Build your beauty regimen, complete with daily, weekly, monthly, bimonthly and yearly tasks.
  
• Delegate the time and book appointments three to six months ahead.
  
• Revamp your wardrobe, clean out your cosmetics drawer and keep only what you need from your hair care products. It’s time to move forward with a fresh perspective.
  
• Life is an event. Choose how you want to play your part in your show, creating memorable events to “make your entrance.”
  

Tina

Before

Tina had a baby at 44 and now at 48, she came to the makeover feeling frumpy. She said, “I used to…” and “When I was …” a lot. She was just too pretty not to be making an effort. The sweater set looks like something a grandmother might wear. There’s technically nothing wrong with a red sweater set and black slacks, but the fit, style and shape makes her look matronly.

 

 

 

 

 

• Just plain, aging, noneventful hair.
  
• Ruddy skin and fading features, correctable
  with makeup.
  
• An ill-shaped sweater set that does nothing to
  help her out.
  
• Buttoned at the top creates a triangle to hips and tummy.
  
• Low bustline needs lift.
  
• Tapered trousers bad for wide hips.

After

Tina lost 20 pounds after the “before” shot was taken and kept telling me, “This is how I’m used to looking.” She worked hard to lose the weight and still had to try several outfits on to find something flattering. When she came out in this, she smiled. I knew it was right. She was beginning to change “used to” to “am.” Beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

• Full hair up and back lifts and balances face.
  
• Blond on blond brightens and lifts her face immensely.
  
• Shapewear puts everything in its place.
  
• Full skirt conceals larger derriere, helps distract from tummy.
  
• Dress showcases her figure.
  
• Leg makeup smooths legs.
  
• Soft polish on toes keeps feet young and fresh.

Nancy

Before

Nancy was 100 percent game for anything. No holds barred; she was my palette, and I could do whatever I wanted with her appearance. And what a great palette she was! She had a great personality and positive attitude that her look just didn’t come close to capturing. She had never colored her hair and really hadn’t spent much time thinking about it. I told her that technically there wasn’t anything wrong with her look; I suggested that she just might want to save it until she’s 70.

 

 

 

 

• This droopy bob has no personality.
  
• With the white hair, she has aged herself an extra 20 years.
  
• She’s using glasses to replace eye makeup.
  
• The turtleneck is a good plan, and the neckline is not bad for her long, slim neck.
  
• Big red band and horizontal lines across her middle further widen her already wide waist.
  
• The popular Midwestern look spells “matronly” and should be reserved for the home.
  
• Doesn’t it look like she’s about to slap you with a ruler?

After

Nancy took it upon herself to lose 20 pounds from the “before” shots to the “after” shots. Much of the transformation has to do with simply getting rid of the gray and going for a cut that truly suits her. It’s the whole thing, really, but the spirit of who Nancy is truly radiates in her “after” photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Short, blond and bangs all promote a youthful look.
  
• Brows give her a finished and younger expression.
  
• Monochromatic makeup is sophisticated and fresh.
  
• Collar height balances a long neck.
  
• Asymmetry makes her look more distinctive and savvy.
  
• The jacket helps define her waist.

Rici

Before

Rici said as little as possible through the entire project. She truly did not seem to know how to clearly express who she was, so I had to just go with instinct. She has a very dry sense of humor and you could only catch it in glimpses. So it’s not surprising that her outer image was locked up, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Perm, curls and gray hair are aging.
  
• Wide hair at sides widens face.
  
• Glasses say, “Grandma.”
  
• Brows have no shape or expression.
  
• No makeup makes her look old.
  
• Square neckline helps create a square jawline.
  
• Terrible color for her.
  
• Vest is too short, putting her off balance.

After

Rici is a perfect illustration of what happens when you do next to nothing because it’s “just too much work.” I always say, “Natural does not mean nothing…especially after 60!” It takes makeup to look naturally attractive. That “before” shot wasn’t the Rici I met. I saw a woman who wanted more from life, who wanted to live. The “after” shot tells me that. So keep that mascara on, Rici!

 

 

 

 

 

• Hair shape creates slimmer face and more of a heart shape, which is very sweet looking.
  
• Brows have expression.
  
• You can see she has eyes! Lid-lifting with shadow, liner and mascara.
  
• Highlights add youth, zip and personality to her color.
  
• Foundation helps smooth redness.
  
• V-neck elongates her short neck.
  
• Jacket length better for her balanced proportion.

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