From Frumpy to Fabulous
When I first heard the title of Monday’s Today Show segment was "Frumpy to Fabulous," I was a bit disconcerted. Who am I to call anyone frumpy? Believe me, I seldom walk around looking as polished as when you see me on the Today Show. I would have to own up to more than a few frumpy days myself, and I'm not talking.
I realize that all of us have days when we don't quite get our look together. I also know the easiest way to spoil any day is to feel frumpy. It's hard to hold your head high and shoulders back when you'd rather disappear. I helped five women change their color and style to make it easy for them to always look fabulous. By the way, that is the first tip!
TIP - A great style and cut is the easiest way to always look good.
Now, let's meet the women and find out their “frumpy to fabulous” secrets:
Diana's long, blond hair was beautiful. The problem is she had too much of a good thing. The length made her face look long, the pale blond hair color washed out her complexion.
Adel of Louis Licari New York, cut Diana's hair into a chin length bob. The new length combined with the side part and long swept bangs immediately changed Diana’s face from square to heart shaped. The side swept bangs camouflaged a high forehead. The new length also softened her jaw line. Now that Diana’s hair cut transformed her face shape, it was my turn to adjust her hair color.
TREND ALERT! - I put a blush of a soft golden red on her blond hair. This kept the lightness of Diana’s natural blond hair, but made it more vibrant.
TIP - When you add color to your hair, you add color to your complexion. Hair color is the makeup that doesn't wash off.
Mia was a diamond in the rough. She just needed to be cut and polished to show off her brilliant good looks. Adel started Mia's transformation by cutting off the fried ends of her hair. This made her hair look healthy and gave it body and bounce.
TIP - The best conditioning treatment for fried hair is a trim.
Mia's natural color was medium brown that turned golden brown from her perms. I loved how this looked on her, so I exaggerated her color with dark, golden blond highlights.
TIP - When highlighting hair that has been previously chemically processed, add one or two caps of water to your coloring mixture. This will make the hair color more gentle. The highlights outlined her hair style and lit up her face.
Jennifer had fine hair that she wore just below her shoulders. She highlighted her naturally light brown hair to a golden blond. This all sounds great, but something wasn't working. Her hair was not flattering. Adel cut Jennifer’s hair to chin length. He then soften her facial features by adding long layers. This immediately plumped up the texture of her hair. It instantly looked fuller.
TIP - Hair should only be as long as its texture will allow.
Now it was my turn to look at Jennifer's hair color. Her hair color clashed with her skin color. It was beyond gold, it was yellow. Jennifer needed to add depth to her hair color. I used a translucent brown color to add depth and not cover all the nuances of her hair.
TIP - Adjusting your hair color is the easiest way to make your skin tone the most flattering shade.
Amy is the epitome of the girl who wants to have fun with her cut and color. She walked in the salon with a long layered haircut with frosted blond highlights on her almost black hair. (Yes, I said frosted!) She had worn the biggest smile and was ready for any change. Adel gave her a layered cut that is shorter at the nape and longer in the front. The layers made her hair look less flat and flattered her oval face shape. Now I needed to adjust the color.
Amy's pale blond highlights where much too light for her dark hair. Her highlights looked grey and made her hair dull.
TIP- The tone of your highlights must relate to your natural color.
I lightened Amy’s overall color to help blend in her pale highlights. This got rid of the grey tones and made her hair look brighter.
Vanessa had long wavy hair that she wasn't ready to cut. She was frightened that any haircut would make her hair look wild and out of control. She loves the ease of being able to tie her hair back and run to work. She wasn't ready to make a change. Her hair was scared straight!
TIP - If you are not ready for a change, do not make one. You have to live with and love your hair, not your hairdresser. You can always cut your hair next time.
Adel did take the ends off of Vanessa's hair to give it a crisp line and then gave her a sleek blow-dry. Everyone was happy! I was able to convince Vanessa to add a few golden highlights to the top layers of her hair. She never colored her hair before and was a bit nervous. The color change was slight, but it made a big difference. It gave her hair a golden glow.
Now you have been introduced to the five fabulous women who where brave enough to show themselves on one of their frumpy days. This is required TV for all of us who have ever experienced a frumpy day. So, I guess that means I will see you all on Monday. See you then!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
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What do you think of these makeovers?
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louis, i cant wait to see the afters tomorrow. i can be a frump, luckily i have you as my inspiration to get up and our of my frump! you are the greatest.
thanks for all you do.
The magic man continues his tricks! I loved Amy's attitude towards the change. That's pretty much how I approach my cuts and color. It's an adventure!
Cheers,
Bionic
Louis, I love how you transform all these women with the slightest change and make their look so dramatically different!! I have brown hair and I am always too nervous to make a big change. Is there anything I can do??
Love watching you on the Today Show!! I think you are the most handsome colorist. YOU ARE HOT!! Love, your biggest fan!!!!!
Where do I sign up????? I am frumpy and forty (well, a little past forty, actually)