No More Drama
Last Friday's "Ambush Makeover" was my all-time favorite on the "Today Show." It was never so easy or obvious to choose the makeovers. The candidates were so excited at the prospect of being picked that they were jumping out of their skins. Their enthusiasm was infectious.
The crowd at the plaza was cheering in unison for the potential makeovers. They were woman who were happy with their lives and themselves. They wanted to look on the outside how they felt on the inside. I spotted them instantly and made a bee-line in their direction.
First I met Jackie. Jackie has two teen-age children and a 22-month-old baby. Jackie obviously spent hours making an elaborate sign that I could not miss. She had no idea what to do with her hair so she just kept growing it longer and longer. Her daughter colored her hair but she had a tendency to miss a few spots. Jackie was a woman in need. She had gotten up at two in the morning to secure her place in the front row of the plaza crowd. She had more energy than the entire high school group that was standing next to her. I had no choice but to pick Jackie as my "Ambush Makeover."
Debbie was stationed at the other side of the plaza. Debbie and her friends acted like cheerleaders whose team was a point away from winning the championship. They got the whole crowd involved. Simultaneously the entire plaza was shouting at the top of their lungs, "AMBUSH, AMBUSH, AMBUSH...." It worked! I instantly ran over to meet Debbie. She was perfect. Her hair color was faded and she desperately needed a style. Debbie owns an entertainment center and works 24/7. She has paid no attention to her appearance for years. I had found my second makeover.
Arsen started with the haircuts as Enid 'O simultaneously prepped both ladies' skin with primers for their makeup applications. Arsen cut Jackie's hair into a layered bob and trimmed Debbie's hair into a super chic straight bob. Enid kept the makeup soft, pretty and natural.
As soon as the basic haircuts were done, I started the hair color. I liked the warm brown base Jackie's daughter had picked. It worked well with her skin tones. I just wanted to give it a bit more "life" to match Jackie's personality. I added soft golden and amber highlights to the top layers of her hair. This small change had a huge effect on the outcome of her makeover. The highlights added brightness and texture that gave her hair movement.
The crowd at the plaza was cheering in unison for the potential makeovers. They were woman who were happy with their lives and themselves. They wanted to look on the outside how they felt on the inside. I spotted them instantly and made a bee-line in their direction.
First I met Jackie. Jackie has two teen-age children and a 22-month-old baby. Jackie obviously spent hours making an elaborate sign that I could not miss. She had no idea what to do with her hair so she just kept growing it longer and longer. Her daughter colored her hair but she had a tendency to miss a few spots. Jackie was a woman in need. She had gotten up at two in the morning to secure her place in the front row of the plaza crowd. She had more energy than the entire high school group that was standing next to her. I had no choice but to pick Jackie as my "Ambush Makeover."
Debbie was stationed at the other side of the plaza. Debbie and her friends acted like cheerleaders whose team was a point away from winning the championship. They got the whole crowd involved. Simultaneously the entire plaza was shouting at the top of their lungs, "AMBUSH, AMBUSH, AMBUSH...." It worked! I instantly ran over to meet Debbie. She was perfect. Her hair color was faded and she desperately needed a style. Debbie owns an entertainment center and works 24/7. She has paid no attention to her appearance for years. I had found my second makeover.
Arsen started with the haircuts as Enid 'O simultaneously prepped both ladies' skin with primers for their makeup applications. Arsen cut Jackie's hair into a layered bob and trimmed Debbie's hair into a super chic straight bob. Enid kept the makeup soft, pretty and natural.
As soon as the basic haircuts were done, I started the hair color. I liked the warm brown base Jackie's daughter had picked. It worked well with her skin tones. I just wanted to give it a bit more "life" to match Jackie's personality. I added soft golden and amber highlights to the top layers of her hair. This small change had a huge effect on the outcome of her makeover. The highlights added brightness and texture that gave her hair movement.
Debbie's hair color was definitely faded. It was the same color as her skin tone. As a result her complexion looked pale and washed out. I immediately made her dark blond hair into a light golden brown. This was another small change that made a huge difference in Debbie's appearance. As soon as I applied the hair color, I saw her skin color come alive. Debbie looked years younger.
The point I want to make here is that all makeovers don't have to include dramatic changes. In fact, I realize this more and more each time I do one of my many makeovers. A makeover should always look like you, only better. You should never end up looking like another person. My publicist, Leigh, thought this week's makeovers where not dramatic enough. She kept pressing me to make stronger changes. I explained to her that my goal was to make the makeovers look their most beautiful, not as though they had spent a week at a salon trying every new hair style and color, nor as though they had had their faces painted by an overly zealous make-up artist. This is my personal pet peeve: People who've been "over done" often look older, artificial and off putting. Often less is best. Small changes are almost always the answer to looking your best -- and they're the easiest to maintain.
Every makeover is different. It is important that you make the changes specifically appropriate for your face shape, complexion, hair texture and color. It is most important that you feel like a new, confident and more powerful woman after your makeover. Most of all, you must feel comfortable with your new look. Remember, it usually only takes a few small changes to end up with a dramatically beautiful look.
Related Content:
The point I want to make here is that all makeovers don't have to include dramatic changes. In fact, I realize this more and more each time I do one of my many makeovers. A makeover should always look like you, only better. You should never end up looking like another person. My publicist, Leigh, thought this week's makeovers where not dramatic enough. She kept pressing me to make stronger changes. I explained to her that my goal was to make the makeovers look their most beautiful, not as though they had spent a week at a salon trying every new hair style and color, nor as though they had had their faces painted by an overly zealous make-up artist. This is my personal pet peeve: People who've been "over done" often look older, artificial and off putting. Often less is best. Small changes are almost always the answer to looking your best -- and they're the easiest to maintain.
Every makeover is different. It is important that you make the changes specifically appropriate for your face shape, complexion, hair texture and color. It is most important that you feel like a new, confident and more powerful woman after your makeover. Most of all, you must feel comfortable with your new look. Remember, it usually only takes a few small changes to end up with a dramatically beautiful look.
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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Hi louis..I am going to cut my hair this week..I have been growing it out for a few years but it's damaged and I need a change. I have thin, find dark brown hair and need bangs..I think I do because I have a high wide forehead..I really would love it if I could send you a picture and I could get your advice on a cut? I've never been to NY and don't know any other way I'd get your advice..I think if anyone could steer me in the right direction it would be you...
Hey! Come check out our new blog and let us know what you think!
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