Behind the Scenes of Ambush Makeover
Daylight was just breaking as my car approached the NBC studios. It was so early that the audience was still milling around outside the barriers, waiting to enter the "Today Show" plaza. The plaza had an odd, empty feel. It was barren except for the stagehands setting up for the Jennifer Hudson concert. But in the next few minutes, it would come to life with adrenaline-filled "Today Show" fans. I stationed myself on the plaza, front and center. I needed a bird's-eye view to find the perfect makeovers. I had to make my decision quickly so I could begin the transformations. The entire last hour of the "Today Show" was dedicated to "Ambush Makeover." I was doing four makeovers instead of two. Every precious moment had to count.
The good news was that two of the makeovers had already been chosen. Palma and Claire are best friends who wrote to the "Today Show" and asked for makeovers. Palma had recently lost 50 pounds and Claire was a breast cancer survivor. Both women had long ignored their looks and were desperate for a major change.
Watch the segment from TODAY
I found the other "Ambush" candidates in the crowd. Veronica was holding a sign above her head that listed "10 reasons I want a makeover." The sign said it all. Veronica was the perfect makeover. She could not remember the last time she had cut or colored her hair. The fourth choice was Diane, who had come to the show with a group of girlfriends, never expecting to be picked. The minute I saw her I knew she would be a great makeover. Diane is a widow who raised her two sons alone. She spent no time on herself and had forgotten how pretty she was.
Once the women are picked, the race to the "after" begins. The first step is filming the "before" shots. Then my partner on "Ambush," fashion expert Jill Martin, does a quick interview with the show's candidates to find out why they want a makeover. Jill then whisks them away to her clothing closet to pick the most flattering dresses and accessories for each makeover. As I anxiously wait for the day's models to come to hair and makeup, I have a meeting with my makeover team. I show them pictures of the women from my phone and we discuss the changes that need to be made. The team this week includes team captain Leigh Rossini, Arsen on hair, Enid 'O on makeup, and assistants Shakira, Natalie, Lara and Tutti.
The good news was that two of the makeovers had already been chosen. Palma and Claire are best friends who wrote to the "Today Show" and asked for makeovers. Palma had recently lost 50 pounds and Claire was a breast cancer survivor. Both women had long ignored their looks and were desperate for a major change.
I found the other "Ambush" candidates in the crowd. Veronica was holding a sign above her head that listed "10 reasons I want a makeover." The sign said it all. Veronica was the perfect makeover. She could not remember the last time she had cut or colored her hair. The fourth choice was Diane, who had come to the show with a group of girlfriends, never expecting to be picked. The minute I saw her I knew she would be a great makeover. Diane is a widow who raised her two sons alone. She spent no time on herself and had forgotten how pretty she was.
Once the women are picked, the race to the "after" begins. The first step is filming the "before" shots. Then my partner on "Ambush," fashion expert Jill Martin, does a quick interview with the show's candidates to find out why they want a makeover. Jill then whisks them away to her clothing closet to pick the most flattering dresses and accessories for each makeover. As I anxiously wait for the day's models to come to hair and makeup, I have a meeting with my makeover team. I show them pictures of the women from my phone and we discuss the changes that need to be made. The team this week includes team captain Leigh Rossini, Arsen on hair, Enid 'O on makeup, and assistants Shakira, Natalie, Lara and Tutti.
As soon as our discussion is finished, we prepare for the job ahead.
Arsen heats up his irons. Enid 'O picks her favorite shadows and
blushes, while my assistants mix the hair color formulas. I watch the
elevator door and every time it opens, I cross my fingers that the
makeovers are coming. The minute they arrive, they are rushed into the
styling chairs and we cover them in protective capes and towels. I
introduce the women to the makeover team.
Arsen immediately starts to
cut their hair, while Enid prepares their faces for a makeup
application. The minute the cut is finished, I start the hair color as
Enid continues with the makeup. Not to waste a minute, the color is
washed from their hair the second their timers ring. They go back to
Arsen and he finishes their hair as Enid gives the final touches to
their makeup.
At this very moment, our producer Jamie Barron is calling for the models. Arsen and Enid continue to primp the women as they are being dressed and walked to the studio.
This is the moment when I think about the beauty tips appropriate for
each makeover. I consider each makeover and the reasons why we made the
various changes.
Palma was born strawberry blond. As she started going grey, her hair turned into a dull blond. I made her hair a light, bright red to accent the pale blue of her eyes.
Claire's hair had grown back grey and curly after chemotherapy. I made her hair a soft brown with red undertones. This immediately returned color to her pale complexion. Arsen cut layers and used a large round brush to control Claire's curl.
Veronica's hair was so long that it dragged down her whole look. Arsen gave her a long, layered bob and I lightened her hair into a dark blond and painted highlights around her face. This immediately erased years from her look.
Diane's hair lacked style and the color was dull. I painted a lighter color on the ends of her hair to give her a brighter look. Arsen fluffed her hair to a softer, more flattering style.
Now it's time for me to be on the set. I meet the four women at the
studio and give them a quick once-over before the show begins. I marvel
at their newly acquired beauty. Then I run onto the set and say hello
to Kathie Lee and Hoda. "Ambush Makeover" is about to begin. We beat
the clock one more time!
Arsen immediately starts to
cut their hair, while Enid prepares their faces for a makeup
application. The minute the cut is finished, I start the hair color as
Enid continues with the makeup. Not to waste a minute, the color is
washed from their hair the second their timers ring. They go back to
Arsen and he finishes their hair as Enid gives the final touches to
their makeup. At this very moment, our producer Jamie Barron is calling for the models. Arsen and Enid continue to primp the women as they are being dressed and walked to the studio.
This is the moment when I think about the beauty tips appropriate for
each makeover. I consider each makeover and the reasons why we made the
various changes.Palma was born strawberry blond. As she started going grey, her hair turned into a dull blond. I made her hair a light, bright red to accent the pale blue of her eyes.
Claire's hair had grown back grey and curly after chemotherapy. I made her hair a soft brown with red undertones. This immediately returned color to her pale complexion. Arsen cut layers and used a large round brush to control Claire's curl.
Veronica's hair was so long that it dragged down her whole look. Arsen gave her a long, layered bob and I lightened her hair into a dark blond and painted highlights around her face. This immediately erased years from her look.
Diane's hair lacked style and the color was dull. I painted a lighter color on the ends of her hair to give her a brighter look. Arsen fluffed her hair to a softer, more flattering style.
Now it's time for me to be on the set. I meet the four women at the
studio and give them a quick once-over before the show begins. I marvel
at their newly acquired beauty. Then I run onto the set and say hello
to Kathie Lee and Hoda. "Ambush Makeover" is about to begin. We beat
the clock one more time!
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Loved the video and the makeovers. I can't believe I let my husband color my hair for ten years, during my entire 30's with extra light ash blond and it broke like uncooked spaghetti. Now at 51, I've found the perfect color and style for me, thanks to my young talented hairdresser. I posted photos and many blogger friends agree that hair is part of the way women identify themselves.
Louis,
I have waited years to hear "Team Captain" before my name... AMAZING!! Thanks.
xo
Leigh