It's Thursday, May 8th and I am on a return flight from LA to New York. Obviously, this is my favorite time to write my iVillage blog. I am trapped on a plane and I have seen every movie American Airlines has to offer. I always start my flight by scanning the newspapers and magazines. I read everything from the Wall Street Journal to the Star and love them both. I obviously have very eclectic taste or I am a bit schizophrenic. The great bonus of my eccentric reading habits is I always have a new idea for the next blog. This week, however, was a no-brainer. I mean, really, Sunday is Mother’s Day. What better time to talk about moms than right now.

Yes, I am going home to see my mom on Mother’s Day and yes, I bought her a present I think she will like. Don't get all misty-eyed on me now, I am a good son, but I was hardly a great one. I often was the cause of disappointment and heartache. It took me years to understand how much she loved and care for me. I was a little slow to mature and realize that she would do anything she could to make my life better. This unconditional love is a unique quality to mothers. This is an almost universal trait in all moms that will never change.

This truth is a constant but that's the last bastion of traditional motherhood. Moms often work outside the home, have many interests independent of their family and definitely stay part of society. They don't drop off the planet to this mutant world of mothers. Today’s moms don't look like mothers any more. I was reading Peoples 100 Most Beautiful issue and I was overwhelmed by the number of hot-looking mothers. It starts out with the most beautiful cover shot of Kate Hudson. As I turned the pages I could not believe how many gorgeous moms there where in the magazine. Page after page appeared of great beauties like Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Garner, Brooke Shields, Jennifer Lopez, Vanessa Williams, Mariska Hargitay, Marcia Cross, Isla Fisher, Julianne Moore, and Salma Hayek. I know these are some of the most beautiful woman in the world and they are movie stars. I know it is their job to look good and they have every luxury available to them. I am also aware that these are the ladies who set the bar for the rest of us. By the way, don't think for one minute these women always look this good. They work to create an illusion of beauty. This is the wonderful news. Most women work hard to look good. With effort everyone can look better.

The biggest tip I can give you to looking great is to vow to never throw in the towel. Find time to take care of yourself. It doesn't take that long to pull it together and nothing will make you or your friends and family feel better about you. No one likes a martyr. So don't look or act like one. It's too easy to look good and be happy.

Go to the salon and have a makeover day of beauty. What better present could you give yourself if your husband isn't smart enough to think of it first? Just think how great you will feel after a new haircut, color, make-up lesson, manicure, and pedicure. I know money is tight for many people today but that doesn't mean you have to skimp on your looks. Hair salons come in all price points today. Inquire in your town and find a place that does good work and is in your budget.
TIP - The best salons always have training nights when you can have your hair done at a fraction of the price. The classes are supervised by professional hair dressers and the results are usually very good.

Let's not forget about at-home color. It has never been easier to use or more gentle on your hair. Remember to always do a preview test before you start and you will know your results before you finish. Small changes work better than big ones. Your hair color will look more natural because it will stay in a healthy condition and most likely be the most flattering to your skin tone.

Learn how to blow dry your own hair. Never be forced to be dependent on your stylist for every blow dry. Your hair dresser should be happy to share their tips to blow dry your hair type. If your hair style is too hard to manage you have the wrong hair style. Looking good doesn't take much money, it just takes time. Just like The Gap and Target make great-looking stylish clothes at reasonable prices you can shop around for reasonably priced hair cuts and hair color. If you are a mom and in New York this Friday, come to the plaza for Today Show's Ambush Makeover. You will have a special place in our hearts this week. You might be the lucky mom to be our next makeover. Happy Mother's day!

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More from Louis Licari:

• TODAY Show's Ambush Makeovers
• Ambush yourself at home
• Attention, at-home colorists!
• Blow Drying: The everyday makeover