Best of Plaza Ambush Makeover
Each Plaza Ambush Makeover feels like our first attempt to work our magic. My adrenaline is pumping from the moment I step on the plaza to find the makeovers until the last woman spins around in front of the mirror and sees her new self for the first time. No one notices, but my eyes tear every time the makeover shrieks with joy at her new look.
People always ask me which makeover was my favorite. I always give the same answer: Every makeover is my favorite. Each week I meet wonderful women who have come from all over the United States to have a chance to be "Ambushed." I push myself and my team to the limits. We work fast and furiously. We have to top ourselves each week. We are flying high and without a net.
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The other question I am always asked is "What are my favorite beauty tips?" Everyone wants to know how we make these dramatic transformations week after week. After doing "Ambush Makeover" for over a year, I have made this list of my top ten tips to make looking great easy.
People always ask me which makeover was my favorite. I always give the same answer: Every makeover is my favorite. Each week I meet wonderful women who have come from all over the United States to have a chance to be "Ambushed." I push myself and my team to the limits. We work fast and furiously. We have to top ourselves each week. We are flying high and without a net.
1) A great haircut is essential. This will give you a polished look
that can last about two months. When your hair is cut right, you can be
in your old jeans and a T-shirt and look fantastic. Short haircuts require more frequent maintenance to keep in shape.
Longer hair cuts are more versatile. They easily can be worn up or back
as the hair grows out.
2) Learn to style your own hair. Every woman should know how to give her hair a finished look in less than 20 minutes. It is liberating not to be dependent on your hairdresser and it will save you time and money. Investing in a good hairdryer and the right styling tools and products will help to give your hair a salon finished look.
3) Avoid high-maintenance colors. A high-maintenance color is any shade that is far from your natural hair color. The more significant the change, the more obvious the re-growth. Keep hair within two shades of your natural color to avoid frequent touch ups. This will allow the re-growth to blend in gracefully with your new color.
4) Highlights are the most natural way to make your hair lighter. When highlights are done correctly, there is never a line of demarcation as they grow out. Touch up time is about every three to four months. Highlights should never look like a solid color. They should always provide contrast with your natural hair color. Highlights should be placed to accent your facial features and the focal point of your haircut.
5) Semi-permanent colors are the best way to color your first few grays. Semi-permanent colors are also the perfect solution to dull hair. They keep hair vibrant and in great condition. Using a shade slightly lighter than your natural color will turn your grey hairs into highlights and accent your hair's natural nuances.
6) Book an appointment for a bang trim. Your bangs frame your face. Trimming them can keep your haircut looking great for another month. Most hairdressers will do this for free if you allow them to squeeze you in between their other appointments. You can trim you own bangs at home but be careful! Hair shrinks from wet to dry, so be sure to cut wet bangs longer than you want them to appear.
7) You don't have to color your whole head every touch up. You can extend a touch up by only coloring your hairline and where your hair parts. This will give the illusion of a fresh head of hair color. You can have a hairline touch up at the salon or at home. Color companies have new root touchup products that are easy to use and take only 10 minutes.
8) Never pick a color by the picture on the box. Your new hair color result will be a combination of your present color and the shade you chose. Always read all directions and charts on hair color boxes. They will help you to predict your results before you start coloring.
9) Skip the repeat. "Lather, rinse, repeat" is one of the greatest marketing phrases of the century. One lather and rinse cycle is plenty to keep your hair clean. Shampoo twice only after hair color or if you used an extreme amount of styling products.
10) You can get a great haircut and color for a fraction of the usual salon price. Most top salons have a training night. This is the night they teach their best apprentices in the final stages of their training program. Be patient! This is a class and the work is constantly being checked. It often takes twice as long as a salon cut or color.
It's my great wish to see you on the plaza. The crowd is always fun and full of great energy.
Who knows? You might be the next "Ambush Makeover." Here's to another great-looking year!
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2) Learn to style your own hair. Every woman should know how to give her hair a finished look in less than 20 minutes. It is liberating not to be dependent on your hairdresser and it will save you time and money. Investing in a good hairdryer and the right styling tools and products will help to give your hair a salon finished look.
3) Avoid high-maintenance colors. A high-maintenance color is any shade that is far from your natural hair color. The more significant the change, the more obvious the re-growth. Keep hair within two shades of your natural color to avoid frequent touch ups. This will allow the re-growth to blend in gracefully with your new color.
4) Highlights are the most natural way to make your hair lighter. When highlights are done correctly, there is never a line of demarcation as they grow out. Touch up time is about every three to four months. Highlights should never look like a solid color. They should always provide contrast with your natural hair color. Highlights should be placed to accent your facial features and the focal point of your haircut.
5) Semi-permanent colors are the best way to color your first few grays. Semi-permanent colors are also the perfect solution to dull hair. They keep hair vibrant and in great condition. Using a shade slightly lighter than your natural color will turn your grey hairs into highlights and accent your hair's natural nuances.
6) Book an appointment for a bang trim. Your bangs frame your face. Trimming them can keep your haircut looking great for another month. Most hairdressers will do this for free if you allow them to squeeze you in between their other appointments. You can trim you own bangs at home but be careful! Hair shrinks from wet to dry, so be sure to cut wet bangs longer than you want them to appear.
7) You don't have to color your whole head every touch up. You can extend a touch up by only coloring your hairline and where your hair parts. This will give the illusion of a fresh head of hair color. You can have a hairline touch up at the salon or at home. Color companies have new root touchup products that are easy to use and take only 10 minutes.
8) Never pick a color by the picture on the box. Your new hair color result will be a combination of your present color and the shade you chose. Always read all directions and charts on hair color boxes. They will help you to predict your results before you start coloring.
9) Skip the repeat. "Lather, rinse, repeat" is one of the greatest marketing phrases of the century. One lather and rinse cycle is plenty to keep your hair clean. Shampoo twice only after hair color or if you used an extreme amount of styling products.
10) You can get a great haircut and color for a fraction of the usual salon price. Most top salons have a training night. This is the night they teach their best apprentices in the final stages of their training program. Be patient! This is a class and the work is constantly being checked. It often takes twice as long as a salon cut or color.
It's my great wish to see you on the plaza. The crowd is always fun and full of great energy.
Who knows? You might be the next "Ambush Makeover." Here's to another great-looking year!
Related Content:
- Missed an Ambush? Catch up here
- Try on new hairstyles from Louis Licari with Makeover-o-Matic
- TODAY on iVillage
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My wife hinted at wanting a makeover and I want to get her the "best available" for Christmas. How do I buy her a makeover gift like you do in the ambush makeovers? We live in the Philadelphia/New York City area so we (she) can easily travel anywhere necessary.