Recently in Plaza Ambush Makeover Category
Get out the Kleenex as you watch the video below and see the women transform, and also get tips on how you can create their winning looks.
And if you missed any of the other Plaza Ambush Makeovers you can click here to catch up.
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
Check back later for some behind-the-scenes tales only Louis could tell!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
We've got what you're looking for right here! Watch these amazing head-to-toe makeovers on two women from Florida on TODAY:
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
It was another Friday, another makeover. I naively picked the women, as I always do, because I thought they had great beauty potential. Once I started to talk to the women, I realized I was working with heroic women who had courage and strength most of us only aspire to. If the writer's strike wasn't on, I would have thought the stories were fabricated. The more I learned about the women, the more I had to hold my emotions together as they recalled the turn of events in their lives.
The first thing I noticed on the Plaza was a young boy standing next to his mom carrying a sign that read, "My mom really deserves a makeover. Ask me why." The boy's name was Park, and his mom's name was Lisa. I immediately went over to him and he began to tell me the agony and torment of their last year. His dad had a hip replacement that was not successful. It popped out of place after surgery. When it was put back, a staph infection occurred. He passed away a short time later. This was a gut wrenching story, but the boy's concern for his mom’s well being left me speechless. Even though he was obviously heartbroken, his only concern was for his mom.I am not going to pretend that making yourself look better is a cure all for devastating life changing events. I do know, however, that when you look better it does help foster you through depression until you do feel better. Looking good and acting as if everything is okay until things are better can help everyone through their most emotionally trying times.
Okay, it's time to put the tissues away and talk about beauty. Lisa, fifty three years old, had fine hair with very little body. This is a very common problem for women in their fifties. Women's hair becomes thinner as time goes by. This is usually noticed as a lack of body. Blow dries don't last as long as they once did. Hair goes flat on top of the head.
BEAUTY TIP - Cut and color your hair. Color adds the illusion of body to hair. Your hair will look fuller and more vibrant. It will look better than before you colored it.
I added warmth to Lisa’s base color.
BEAUTY WARNING - Your hair color starts to fade to an ash tone at around 30 years old. This drains the color from your face. Warm hair colors are essential to great looking complexions. The hair stylist, Arsen, made Lisa’s layers shorter. This also added to the illusion of more hair. Lisa's side swept bangs enhanced her softer, younger look.
The next group of women I noticed were in the party hardy mode and it was 6:30 in the morning. They were in town to celebrate the 60th birthday of their oldest sister, and I promise you it looked like she was going to have the best birthday of her life. They were having such a good time, I wanted to join the fun!
I introduced myself to the women and that's how I met Jeri. It was Jeri’s first time in New York from High Springs, Florida. She was thrilled to be in New York at the TODAY show on her sister's 60th birthday. Being part of this party was the best present she could have given her sister. Jeri had open heart surgery six months ago. Today was a miracle!Okay, ladies, let's put the tissues away again and talk about how we helped Jeri look better. She had admitted that she had not taken care of her appearance for a long time and then when she became ill, she totally ignored herself. Her once blond hair was now grey and desperately needed a hair cut. Arsen cut at least six inches to give her a long layered bob. I gave her back her blond hair.
BEAUTY TIP - Unless you have a perfect face and skin you must cover your grey hair. This will make you look younger than a face lift and will cost you a fraction of the price. What are you waiting for? It takes less than an hour to color your hair, and you can do it at home!
The point of today's blog post is to emphasize how important it is to make an effort to look your best. It will always cheer you up and it is great for your self esteem. Remember, with very little effort, you can always look prettier tomorrow than you do today.
Watch these magical makeovers on some most deserving women:
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
How dreary will it be to watch Ryan Seacrest announce the nominees and winners without the red carpet stroll? No offense, Ryan, but you have to admit, it does sounds like a bit of a yawn. I think this means that Friday's "Ambush Makeovers" might be the hot beauty and fashion event of the season. My work is cut out for me. I want women across America to be thinking, "Wow! Did you see that? Will that work for me?" The pressure is on!
Last Friday's makeover took place in the pouring rain. Some people had umbrellas, others here soaked to the bone. To my amazement, wet or dry, people where still screaming for makeovers. I walked through the crowd and I found the perfect makeovers. Two slightly damp sisters that longed to refresh their looks.Both sisters have busy careers. Susan is a 53-year-old physician from Cleveland, Ohio. Renee is a 46-year-old credit manager from Lincoln, Nebraska. Beauty and fashion was not a top priority for either woman. This was about to change!
The aging process is not always very obvious. It most often tiptoes up so slowly that you are not aware of any changes. Then, one day glancing at a mirror, you notice that something is different. It's nothing you can put your finger on, but the glow of youth has dimmed. The bad news is no one can escape the aging process, the good news is we can easily erase years with very little effort.
Susan’s natural hair color was medium brown. She was starting to go grey. It did not show up as grey hair, but it made her natural chestnut highlights disappear. Her hair was starting to look mousy brown. It was time for Susan to put the chestnut color back in her hair.
TIP - Be bold! Make color more vibrant than its original natural color. This will instantly rejuvenate your look.
Renee’s husband always wanted her to go darker with her hair color. I thought this was a great idea. The new darker color complimented her skin color and gave her a sexy, sultry look.
TIP - When going dark use a semi-permanent color, this will allow you to "try on" a color. If it comes out a bit too dark it, will lighten in a few shampoos. It always fun to come home looking like a new woman. It's a guaranteed way to add excitement to any relationship. I promise you, it works better than Victoria's Secret!
The hair stylist, Arsen, gave both women bobs. Bobs are back and bigger than ever! The big difference this year is that every bob is unique. No two look alike. Susan's bob had layers and bangs. Renee's bob was more one length with a deep side part. Basically, both women had the same hair cut, but both women looked entirely different. This is the reason why the bob is the haircut of 2008.
TIP - Every bob should be customized to your face shape, features, and hair texture.
The right hair color and cut can easily make you a prettier, younger, and more vibrant. It usually takes just a few hours of your time.
What are you waiting for? Time is passing. Make your appointment today!
Did you catch our latest Ambush Makeover? These sisters never looked so good!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
The first makeover was easy to find. She sort of stuck out in the crowd—she was wearing a down parka with a wedding veil on her head. I immediately ran to find out her 411. Her name was Mallory and she was in town from Buffalo, New York. She was with her girlfriends for her bachelorette party. She wanted a makeover to look absolutely beautiful on her wedding day. Mallory had medium brown hair, cut below her chin. She needed a definite style and her color needed a boost.We were lucky to have Kim Lépine as the hair stylist for this makeover. She is one of the best and most respected haircutters in the business today. Kim cut Mallory's hair in a short bob with a tapered back. Mallory's new hair cut had effortless style that flattered her face and was the epitome of chic. She looked like a new woman. (Click her "after" photo to enlarge.)
I wanted to make her color brighter for her wedding day. The problem was she had brown eyes and dark brows. The solution was to make her hair color lighter on the ends of her hair and leave depth at her roots. This gave her the brightness of blond, but her darker roots kept her skin color in check. Remember, hair color must always provide contrast with skin tone. This also eliminated the problem of having to lighten her eyebrows.BEAUTY WARNING - Lightened eyebrows often turn a bit orange and wreak havoc on your skin tone. Eyebrows should only be lightened as a last resort.
TIP - If you have the coloring of a brunette and want to go blonder, leave some depth at roots and make the tips of your hair lighter. Keep your eyebrows their natural color. This will allow you to make your hair color light and still compliment your complexion.
Vicky was the next makeover. She is from Portland, Oregon and this was her first visit to New York. She is a mental health consultant and never has much time for herself. Vicky admitted to me that she barely has time for a hair cut and she often cancels her appointments at the last minute. She had all the makings of a great looking woman who never tapped into her own natural beauty.Her hair was begging for color. Vicky had thick, dark blond hair that became dull as she approached forty. I made her hair into overall honey blond, and then added a few highlights to add depth and definition to her color.
TIP - Subtle highlights on all hair colors keep it real, looking like they grew from your head, not out of a bottle.
Kim gave Vicky a chin length bob with a few layers for movement. Vicky never looked more beautiful.
We hit another home run! Two good looking women who needed a little fine tuning to look as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside. I want you to be my next makeover! Dress warm and come to the plaza.
See you next Friday!
Watch this Friday's fabulous makeover on the plaza!This future bride from Buffalo and mom of two from Oregon never looked so good!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
Since it is almost New Year's, I though I should talk about the most important trend of 2008. There is no doubt in my mind that the color red will be the most significant trend of the new year. The color red blows every other hair color away. Blonds and brunettes pale by comparison. Red is vital and demands attention.I can hear the people reading this blog thinking, "No way am I going red!" Calm down! I am not saying that everyone has to be a no doubt about it, red head, but red undertones can help every color to come alive and make you look prettier. Think about the difference between an ash blond and golden blond or an ash brown and chocolate brown. The ash colors are drab and drain the color from your complexion. The warm (red) base colors make your skin color come alive. This is what today's hair color is all about. Hair color should brighten your look. When you have the right hair color, it should look like you have on a bit of makeup. Red tones will make every hair color more dynamic.
BEAUTY WARNING! I must address all people with sallow complexions. You must avoid lighter warm shades. They will blend with your skin color and make your skin appear more sallow. This is a major beauty faux pas. You should choose a darker color to provide contrast with your skin color. Dark golden blonds, deep chocolates, and dark auburns work best with sallow complexions.
TIP - If you have to wear more makeup to make your new hair color work, you have picked the wrong hair color.
Two perfect examples of the power of red are our last two "Ambush Makeovers."
The second makeover was Debbie from Worcester, MA. She works with special needs children and had no time for herself. Debbie had golden highlights on her brown hair and she looked good. But, I wanted her to look great. I made her hair a rich auburn color and the stylist gave her a beveled back bob. The new Debbie looked like a movie star!
Do hair color and hair cuts make a difference in the way you look? The answer is yes! The biggest trend in 2008 is warmer colors. This is the easiest way to update your look.
The color pallet for 2008 includes golden blonds, strawberry blonds, light golden browns, chocolate browns, auburns, and true reds.
BEAUTY WARNING! - These colors must always look natural, not like they come from a bottle. Copper tones usually look the most natural.
Look hot, add a pinch of red, and have a Happy New Year!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
What else did you expect me to say? “Don’t touch your color, it's beautiful!” I made a career of doing makeovers. Believe it or not, sometimes I do suggest that people should not change their hair color. If it's pretty, leave it alone. Sooner or later it will be time to color your hair. Sometimes it's a matter of a few annoying grey hairs, or more frequently realizing the need to brighten your look. Sooner or later, most women discover hair color.
Having one career in a lifetime seems passé. Women often reinvent themselves over and over. Makeovers have become the norm. Whatever the reason for the transformation, a new cut or color can change your attitude, confidence, and the way you view life.
Friday's "Ambush Makeovers" provided two examples of women who needed and were ready for change. Barb Cunningham from Colorado had worn her hair the same way for about thirty years. That's about 28 years too long. She was in desperate need of a makeover. Her hair was too long, and it was starting to turn grey. Her grey hair was not obvious. She had just enough to make her hair look a bit lackluster.
Arsen Gurgov cut ten inches from her hair which Barb generously donated to "Locks of Love". "Locks of Love" is a charity that turns your hair into wigs for children in need. Arsen cut her hair with long layers that gave fullness and a shape that flattered her face. TREND TIP - Full hair is in, flat ironed hair is out. She looked softer, younger and prettier. I made her hair lighter and warmer. It was close to Barb’s natural hair color, but it made a huge difference. TIP - Covering the smallest amount of grey hair will immediately make you and your hair look more vibrant. She ended up looking like a movie star. The only thing missing was the paparazzi.
The next makeover was Jennifer Purcel from the Bronx. She had just received her PhD from the University of Florida in higher education. She was about to enter the professional world and wanted a new look to go with her new life. Jennifer was wearing her hair too long for her fine hair texture. TIP - Hair texture determines appropriate hair length. Jennifer’s long hair made it look thin and see-through. Arsen gave her a bob haircut with barely there layers to create movement and maintain fullness and body. I made her hair a shade darker to create the illusion of more hair. I then added highlights only to the top layers of her hair to add depth and the impression of fullness. Jennifer looked like a new woman and the quintessential professional.
When you are ready for a new look or when you want the world to look at you differently a mini-makeover is the way to go. Think about a new hair cut, hair color, and even a bit of make-up. Small changes in the way you look can be the start of a new and better you. It's too easy not to do!
Click the video link below to watch the results of the latest Plaza Ambush Makeover! What do you think of the ladies' new looks?
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
This is one of those weeks that goes down in history. I went to London on Sunday to sell my product line and (of course) continued my perpetual search for new beauty trends. It was a great trip because the products sold out almost instantly. I can't even start to explain how exciting it is when this happens! I was literally high as a kite. By the way, the English women looked incredibly chic whether their look was sophisticated or punk. I took endless notes on how they put themselves together. I will do a follow up blog on English style very soon. They have a keen sense of style that is nothing short of genius.
That was just the beginning of the week. I was back in New York on Tuesday to do makeovers for a Today Show segment to be aired on New Year’s Day. Wednesday was a regular work day, but Christmas rush had kicked in, so it was a wild day at the salon. Thursday, we shot the segment to be aired on New Year’s Day at the Today Show studio and Thursday night was our office holiday party. Friday morning, which, needless to say, came very early, was my favorite day of the week. Ambush Makeover Day is really the closest you can get to flying by the seat of your pants. You don't know what you are walking into until the show begins!As the show finished, I went straight to Kennedy Airport to fly to my Los Angeles salon. Believe it or not, I had a business dinner on Friday night. I did make it to work on Saturday, and the day went relatively smoothly. Holiday cheer filled the room. I went home right after work and totally crashed. I woke up on super early on Sunday feeling great and now I am writing this blog. (When things go well, you do feel super charged and feel like you can take on the world, don't you think?)
Well, enough about me. Now, let’s talk about Friday’s "Ambush Makeover.” We made over two sisters from Pennsylvania. There were actually three sisters, all in all, but one was a bit shy to be made over. She was disappointed that she wasn't bold enough to join in by the end of the show, but you know what they say about “Should have, would have, could have.” Maybe she will come down to the show again and be a makeover candidate? Never say never!The sisters picked to be made over were Nancy, an accountant from Ellwood City, and Kathy, a nurse from Harrisburg.
Nancy has not changed her haircut since she was in high school. This is a major beauty faux pas. If you have had the exact same haircut for more than a few years, you most likely look dated. This doesn't mean you have to constantly make dramatic changes, but small changes such as moving your part or a bang trim will keep you looking up to date. Nancy, however, had a more serious issue. She had a mullet. You know, a hair cut that is “business in the front and a party in the back.” Yikes!Arsen Gurgov, my "Ambush Makeover" hairdresser, first snip was to cut the back of her hair off. This is the first rule of hair cutting: One head, one haircut! The mullet didn't work for Billy Ray Cyrus or Joe Dirt and it won't work for you. Nancy made her hair progressively blonder over the years and it washed her out. I added depth to her hair color and she immediately looked younger. Her new golden red hair made her look prettier and younger. It took a long time for Nancy to make a change, but it was definitely worth the wait. She looked like a star.
Nancy’s sister, Kathy, had a brown, one-length bob. Her son is getting married in July and she wanted to have a more glamorous look for her the wedding. Arsen cut layers in her bob. This released her natural waves, added height, softened her face, and made her look instantly elegant. I made her brown hair dark blonde and added highlights to show off the layers and waves of her new cut. She is now the most glamorous mother of the groom.
Believe it or not, I peck this blog out on my iPhone, one letter at a time. The secret is out now. I can't type to save my life! I really am looking forward to have more of a one-on-one relationship with all of you. Don’t leave me hanging, drop me a line today!
I am holding my breath until next Friday’s "Ambush Makeover.” My fantasy comes true with each one.” I will do my best to make your beauty fantasy come true if you come to see me. …Until then!
Hair styling: Arsen Gurgov | Makeup: Enid O
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
Taking care of your hairdresser and/or colorist can definitely put you over the edge. We all know that hairdressers are the arbitrators of good taste and are also difficult to please. (Believe that one, and I will sell you the Brooklyn Bridge.) A good stylist makes your hair look great. They are skilled professionals. They are also quite human. This is the perfect time to acknowledge your appreciation of their hard work.Most will be grateful for any token of appreciation for their service to you throughout the year. I have received everything from homemade cookies to all expense paid exotic vacations. Everything is equally appreciated. It feels great to know that you have been recognized for your efforts. Your gift can be as simple as a few extra dollars in the tip envelope, a gift certificate at a favorite store, or a donation to a charity. It really is the thought that counts. Without a doubt, the best gift is booking your appointments for the next year. This is the gift your that will guarantee to make your stylist forever grateful.
Friday's Ambush Makeover was a big hit. The makeovers were Karen and Lori. Karen is a docent at the New York City Public Library who rollerblades or bikes to work every day. Lori is a computer expert whose hobby is racing high performance cars in and around Dallas, Texas. Both ladies have totally different lifestyles, but share a zest for life. Karen and Lori are so busy living life, they put their looks on hold. This made them the perfect candidates for makeovers.
Karen had brown hair with grey roots. She always wanted to be a redhead, but had olive skin. Red hair could make her skin more sallow. The solution was to keep her roots darker and the ends of her hair a brighter red. The depth at her roots was the key to make her new red hair works with her skin tone. More definite bangs and long layers gave her hair a full look she had never been able to achieve before.Lori wanted to have a more sophisticated style. As a high-performance race car driver, this was never part of her life. She was the ultimate "low maintenance" woman. Arsen, a hairstylist from my New York salon, cut her hair into a chic layered bob, which immediately gave her an upscale look. I brightened her hair to a medium golden blond. This gave her an instant lift. Lori looked years younger and like she only shopped on Madison Avenue.
I love the "Ambush Makeover" on Fridays. It allows everyone to see that anyone can benefit from a good haircut, color, and makeup. You might not be born a great beauty, but with a few "quick fixes," you can be a guaranteed head turner.
Watch the Today show every Friday, and learn simple tips that can make big differences in your appearance. I'll see you every Friday at plaza doing my best to find the perfect makeover. Come on down, it might be you!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
Meet this week's makeovers, Karen and Lori:
 |  |
Click here to see the big reveal of their fabulous TODAY Ambush Makeovers on the Plaza!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
The Today Show's "Ambush Makeover" segment is the dream job that I have been working towards my entire career. I am probably hands down the luckiest guy in the business. It is exhilarating to pick people from the crowds at the show and completely transform them within a few hours. I am thrilled this is a weekly segment. It is a total rush. I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my body every Friday morning before my cup of coffee!
I have a couple hours to color, cut, and make two people up, over and happy. This is a beauty race to the finish and the clock never stops ticking. I am totally on the line and I love it! I want to take you behind the scenes of last Friday’s "Ambush Makeover" so you can understand how and what we do to make this happen:
The car picks me up at 6:15 in the morning. I like to be there as the crowds gather to look for potential makeovers. I am on the look out for women who don't take full advantage of their good looks. This is the first rule of any makeover: Emphasize your assets. If you have good hair texture, hair color or face shape, show it off. When things are less then perfect, you camouflage the imperfection. The biggest advantage of having a makeover is that a professional is going to look at you with a fresh eye. The professional will notice any changes that need to be made. The hardest person to see is yourself.
At 6:45 I am out in the plaza doing quick interviews with potential makeovers. I am looking for people who are interested in change. There is nothing more boring than a makeover who is not ready to make a change. The makeover ends up looking basically the same and the audience walks away without seeing or learning any beauty tips. This, in fact, is the second rule of being a makeover. You must be willing and ready to make changes if you want to update your look.
As the segment starts I am literally making my final decision on who would be the best makeovers. Then I ask the big question of the day: "Are you ready to be made over?" When I get the "thumbs up," we run back to the green room that is set up like a makeshift hair salon.
I was lucky to find two great makeover candidates, Patricia from Strawberry Plains, Tennessee and Kathy from Bismarck, North Dakota. Patricia's hair was long and its natural color. She desperately needed a hair cut that would compliment her face shape. Pat had plenty of hair, but it was overwhelming her face. Her brown hair color was good, but I knew that making her lighter would soften her appearance.
Kathy had fine hair that was begging to be colored. Hair color plus a good hair cut would create the illusion of thicker hair. Kathy's hair needed to be darker and shorter.
I am the front man, but many people are involved to achieve extraordinary makeovers in this short of a time period. The group includes the hairdresser, Arsen Gurgov, the make-up artist, Enid O, and several assistants. Arsen starts with a quick chop that he will fine tune after I color the hair. The assistants are mixing the hair color formulas while Arsen is doing his initial cut. The cut and color consultation happens while we are running back to the green room.
Makeover Rule 3: The makeover candidate must always understand and agree to the transformation. You always want a happy ending. A makeover in tears is my worst nightmare! I always pick a color brighter than I want the hair to turn out. This allows me to leave the formula on for a shorter period of time to achieve the desired hair color.
As I am applying the color, Enid O has already started the make-up. Leigh, the woman behind the man (me), is always present, making sure we keep everything moving along. I guess the process is just multi-tasking to the max. I don't think it's much different from doing your hair, applying your make-up, having your morning cup of coffee, and making it to work on time. We just have more help!
As soon as the color is finished, the makeovers are shampooed. Arsen finishes the haircuts that will most flatter their face shapes, Enid does her final touch-ups on the makeup, and I watch the end results to be sure both makeovers look beautiful. The fashion stylist dresses the women in moments and we run back to the plaza.
Makeover Rule 4: If the hair doesn't look good while dressing, running, and blowing in the wind, it's not a practical makeover.
A good makeover should look good and be relatively easy to maintain in real life. Hair and make-up have final touch-ups during the commercial before we are ready to show the reveals. I can't tell you how rewarding it is to see the women beaming with confidence as they see their before and after. I am excited for them and beaming with pride for my team. This is what it's all about.
Showing women that re-evaluating your look and then making changes can make big differences in the way you look and feel about yourself. Watch for "Ambush Makeovers" every Friday, or better yet, come on down to the show. I want YOU to be my next makeover!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
I must admit I was tossing and turning most of Thursday night. Friday morning was the first of my new "Heads Up" Ambush Makeover series for the Today show. I had to find two people from the crowd that stands around the plaza who wanted "live time" makeovers.
Live time means all the action takes place in real time. Everything has to work perfectly. There is no time for redo's. What you see is what you get. This means I have about three hours to pick the models, color and style their hair, have their make up done, and then dress the women. The whole process is like a cross between online and speed dating. You "meet and greet" your date in a public place, in this case the plaza of the Today show. If they seem to be nice and you want to know them better, you arrange for another meeting, or in this situation, a makeover. You never really know what your are getting into, but whoever wanted a boring life, anyway!
The excitement was in the air. When the women found out they could be chosen for a complete and instant makeover, pandemonium took over. People where screaming for me to pick them. My adrenaline was immediately rushing through my body. I was thrilled and overwhelmed with the crowd's enthusiasm. I had to scout the plaza for the best possible makeovers. The pressure was on. I ran around the perimeter of the plaza to check out the crowd. I was looking for "diamonds in the rough" or women who do not take advantage of their natural good looks. I spotted the makeovers instantly.
The first woman was Joyce Runner from North Canton, Ohio. Joyce had highlights and a old perm that she crunched into shape with gel. She had worn her hair in the same style and color from the '80s. This was a woman in need. When I picked her she was so excited, she started to cry. I know it sounds bizarre, but I became a bit misty eyed myself. I guess you had to be there. It's one of those moments you never forget.
The second makeover model had a smile that was electric. She literally lit up the crowd. Louie Floresca was an Asian woman from Seattle, Washington with very long dark hair. Her hair was its natural dark color, but she had colored her hair many times in the past and always loved it. She was game for change. She was in desperate need of a cut, and dying (no pun intended) for color. I found my makeovers!
Joyce had to get rid of her perm and frosted highlights. If she had her perm and color from the early '80s and it's 2007 now, she was about 20+ years overdue for a new look. Wearing the same hair style and hair color for five years is being stuck in a rut. Wearing the same hair for twenty plus years is a major red flag.
Arsen Gergov, a stylist from my New York and Beverly Hills salon, cut into her perm. He cut off her perm and worked with her natural wave. The soft fringe and shaping around her face made her look younger and her hair look fuller. The blow dry was simple and chic. I changed her hair color with a light golden red hair color wash. Her skin color immediately came to life.
Louie was not only ready for a makeover, she welcomed it. I lightened her hair to a light golden brown color, and then I painted brighter highlights around her face. I know many of you are thinking why I would choose to make Louiei's hair so light. Louie loves to have fun with her hair color. Hair color choices don't have to be, and most likely are not, forever. Hair color is fashion. It can change as often as your hem line.
TIP - If you do want a dramatic change, always see a professional colorist.
Arsen cut a side swept fringe with long layers. Louie's cut and color worked together to change her face shape. She looked ten pounds thinner and her beautiful face glowed.
When you color your hair the right shade you don't have to wear as much makeup. I always suggest changing your lipstick with your new hair color. It the easiest way to make your new color pallet work for you.
We had a blast doing the first of the "heads up" ambush makeover series. The next one is scheduled for Friday, November 16th. I hope to see you there and I will answer as many of your beauty questions as possible when I am combing the crowds looking for the next makeovers.
Come and say hello in the Plaza on Friday, November 16th . My next makeover might be you!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
