Results tagged “makeovers” from iVillage - Hair and There
One of the questions people ask me most frequently is, "Is my hair too long?" Hair length paranoia can be caused by your height, weight, body shape and, most often, age. I think one of the biggest fears of any woman is that she'll look young from the back and old from the front. The thought of a construction man giving a woman passing by a once-over only to quickly jerk his head forward when he sees her face is a legitimate cause for a nervous breakdown. No one should be put through this trauma. After all, who wants to look silly? With a little common sense and a full-length mirror, this gross error easily can be avoided. One of the first things I would like to say is that I like long hair. I think it is suitable for woman over 25, 35 or even 40 years old. I think it can be flattering, very appealing and often erase a few years. There are a few guidelines that you should be aware of if you chose to wear your hair long. They will help to keep you looking your best.
Long hair should always be exceptionally beautiful hair. The best long hair is healthy, vibrant and has great texture. Hair that is dull, dry, brittle or thinning is definitely not suitable to be worn long.
Even long hair must always have a shape. On anyone older than 16, hair that is all one length is no longer flattering. It will drag your face down and give you a tired, droopy look. Some shaping or layering is always more flattering and will give your face an instant lift.
Long hair is not a blanket to cover body flaws. I know many women who think that wearing their hair longer can cover up the few pounds that somehow they have put on over the years. The only person you are fooling here is yourself. Long hair will actually accentuate your weight gain. It can also make you look lower to the ground. This is a fatal combination that should always be avoided.
Do you find yourself wearing your long hair up every day? This is a sure-fire sign that it's time for a new, shorter style. I know that many women with long hair think it is easier to care for than a shorter style that requires a blow dry. This may be true, but don't you want to look your best? There are no shortcuts. Looking good does take some time and effort, especially as the years goes by.
More from Louis Licari:
Not to worry! There is no reason to be nervous if you are still holding on to your winter weight Your hair can help create the illusion that you spent the long cold winter sprinting on the treadmill.
If this sounds too good to be true, you don't realize what the right haircut, color and style can do for you.
Check out my tips for looking younger and thinner with the right hairstyle. It's simple!
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.
Rethink your color, cut and makeup. Your hair is your most important fashion accessory. Your hair will do more to change and update your look than any pair of shoes or hot new jeans--and will cost a lot less, too.
Highlights today
Highlights have changed dramatically over the last couple of years. If your hair looks streaked or frosted, or is growing out with a definite root line, it's time for a change. Highlights should be a natural looking combination of thin and slightly thicker strokes of color placed randomly on the top layers of your hair and around your hairline. They should not be placed on the under layers of your hair. Placing lighter hairs over dark hair gives the illusion of depth and texture. Notice any child's hair that has natural streaks. Their highlights are only on the top layer of their hair. Sometimes nature does know best. And lighter isn't always better. Did you notice the color of Jennifer Aniston's hair color at the Academy Awards this year? Jennifer went blonder, forfeiting her caramel highlights for a paler blond shade. Her hair color, which was always one of my perpetual favorites, became more ordinary. Sometimes less is more. Roots have become acceptable over the last few years. Not only do they create a modern look, they also let you go a bit lighter than your skin color would normally allow. Remember, hair color should always provide contrast with your skin color. The darker color at your roots makes your lighter ends acceptable. I am not talking about black roots with a solid line of demarcation separating blond ends. The darker roots should slowly blend to the lighter color on the tips of the hair. Gisele Bundchen's hair is a perfect example of today's great looking roots.
Botox, fillers and peels, which at one time seemed to be accessible to most everyone, now seem like a fantasy exclusively reserved for the rich and famous. This is the year we are all tightening our financial belts. No one is exempt from the fallout of the financial crisis. Everyone has fewer beauty dollars to spend on maintenance routines. Does this mean we are doomed to looking dull and dreary until the financial markets turn around? The answer is no! It has never been more important to look our best. Looking good is vital for our self-esteem. Whether you are one of the many looking for employment in this horrible job market or are just trying to put your best face forward, looking good is essential. Your hair color and style can erase years from your looks. Going to your local hair salon is guaranteed to be less expensive than a visit to your dermatologist, and it's a far easier alternative to rejuvenate your appearance. When you take care of your hair and make the right style and color choices, it is simple to create a younger and more vibrant image.
The condition of your hair is key to looking young. Nothing is more aging than dry brittle hair with little or no shine. It is important to maintain a conditioning routine and trim hair as necessary. If you start to notice split ends, it's time for a haircut.
Grey hair is not the only reason to color your hair. Almost all hair color turns dull and ash over time. Adding a pinch of warmth to your color will instantly turn back the hands of time. Remember that ash highlights look more like grey hair than blond and should always be avoided.
Making your hair too light or dark is WRONG! This is one of the most common hair-color mistakes made today. Excessively light hair will drain the color from your face and give you a washed-out look. Hair that is colored too dark will make you appear tired and haggard. It is best to stay within two shades of your natural hair color.
Whether long or short, layered hair gives you a younger look. Face-framing layers will emphasize your good features while disguising age-revealing features. It is essential to keep layers at proper length to maintain a youthful appearance.
Bangs can hide a multitude of sins. The easiest way to disguise those first annoying brow lines is to wear bangs. Remember that bangs can be cut blunt or in a delicate fringe. They can be worn straight down or to the side. It is important to pick the right bangs for your face shape and facial features. Your hairdresser will help you make the right choice.
Looking young doesn't have to cost a fortune. Having the right cut and color will make you appear years younger. It truly is the quick fix that works. Make your hair salon appointments today.
Related Content:
- Try on new hairstyles from Louis Licari with Makeover-o-Matic
- TODAY on iVillage
Did you ever notice what these chosen few looked like before they became household names? In most cases they didn't look that much different from you or me. Their movie star looks evolved over time. They have had makeover after makeover after makeover. You, too, can look like the a star on the cover of a magazine. Star quality can be acquired. Just as they do, we have to work at it, and can borrow a few tips from our celebrity friends who have undergone these transformations.
Madonna has been around so long that we have forgotten what she looked like when she rolled around the stage singing "Like a Virgin" at the first MTV awards.
She was a bit, dare I say, chubby, and not nearly as refined as she looks now. I am not going to begin to guess if she has had cosmetic surgeries, and if so, what kinds (not my area of expertise!), but she has undergone many famous transformations. We have seen her body become more taut with each passing year, her hair go from blond to brown to blond again, from long to short, and from imitation Marilyn Monroe to dominatrix. She is constantly reinventing herself and, except for a few missteps, she always looks great. 
Christmas came early this year for one of the world's top models. Coco Rocha is the darling of the fashion world. She was discovered at the age of 14 while participating not in a fashion show but, and I know this sound crazy, in an Irish dancing competition! She was immediately brought to the attention of Vogue's Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, Jean Paul Gaultier, and photographer Steven Meisel. Almost immediately fashion royalty declared her queen of the modeling world. What makes Coco wonderful is that she is like no other model. Yes, she is incredibly beautiful. Her body is long and lean like a fashion designer's drawing. She looks more like a beautiful creature from another world than a mere mortal. Her modeling portfolio resembles portraits of a great actress preparing for her Academy Award performance. What truly separates her from all other models is her soul. Coco is a simple Canadian girl from Vancouver who is as comfortable at home hiking or biking as she is strutting down the runway or posing for pictures. She often goes home on weekends to visit her mom, a flight attendant. She shows up on time for her hair appointments. I promise you, this is very rare for any model, never mind a model of this echelon. She is a fun loving girl with a constant smile on her face. I adore her. Coco had one wish for Christmas this year. She wanted to be a red head. Red was always Coco's fantasy color. When Vogue called me and told me about Coco's desire for a color change, I tried my best to contain my excitement as I said, "Send her in, I would love to do it". There is no greater challenge than creating an entirely new look. You have to really put your color eye and imagination to the test to make a change of this magnitude. Of course I do my best to do this every week for the Today show's Ambush Makeover, but this time I was completely changing the look of one of the most scrutinized models in the world. I felt the adrenaline flowing through my veins.
Coco has pale skin and natural brown hair color. This made her the perfect candidate to be red. I wanted her red hair to look like it could grow from her head, if she were incredibly lucky. Here are some salon secrets I used to turn Coco's mane red that will help keep your red hair vibrant and believable.
1. Use a slightly lighter formula around the face and progressively darker formulas going towards the nape. To keep color real use at least three formula's in the same color family. Making the tips of the hair lighter will help to keep your new color looking natural.
2. Think copper, not burgundy. Natural red hair has golden undertones. Blue reds do not exist in nature. If your color looks more like a car color than a hair color, you picked the wrong color.
3. The best candidates to go red are people with pale or pink skin. If you have olive skin and insist on trying red you must chose a very dark auburn shade. Red hair is not an option for people with ruddy skin.
4. Beware of hot roots. There is nothing that shouts "I color my hair red" more than bright roots. Hair should always be slightly darker at root and lighter on the tips.
5. Red hair fades more quickly than any other hair color. It is essential red heads keep their hair in optimum condition to keep their color vibrant. Always use a color preserving shampoo and conditioner.
6. Never highlight red hair. Highlights make red hair look faded, brassy, and orange. Use translucent colors to accent the natural nuances of your hair color.
7. Glosses or semi-permanent colors will extend touch-ups. Red hair fades faster than any other hair color. Supplement your touch-ups with semi-permanent colors and glosses. This will keep your color bright and condition your hair.
Is red a color for everyone? The answer is no, but it is the most influential color of the New Year. Blondes now want to be golden strawberry shades, and brunettes want to have warm chocolate hues. Ultra blond and ash colors drain colors from your face, while red adds color, warmth, and youth. Remember, there are very few natural redheads so if you chose to be red you chose to be noticed.
Merry Christmas, Coco, and have a Happy Red Hair Year!
Related Content:
- Read more about red hair from Louis Licari
- Try on new hairstyles from Louis Licari with Makeover-o-Matic
- TODAY on iVillage
The rumors are true! Madonna and Guy Ritchie have admitted that their marriage has become undone. Can you imagine the stress this family has endured? Their supposedly "troubled" marriage has been tabloid fodder for months. Madonna's association with A-Rod has made them the long-hunted targets of the paparazzi. The combination of Madonna's extreme wealth combined with the absence of a pre-nuptial agreement has everyone speculating what this divorce will cost. The pending custody battle over their son Rocco will be sure to guarantee an ugly ending to their marriage.You don't have to be Madonna or Guy Ritchie to understand the ugliness of divorce. All divorces are difficult for everyone involved. No one is exempt from the emotional roller coaster that follows a breakup. Even the most secure person can experience moments of self doubt immediately following a split. The mantra of all newly separated or divorced people should be "feelings aren't facts." This is not the time to make any unnecessary changes.
Ironically, it is not unusual to have an urge to completely change your look following a breakup. It is an outward sign declaring the acceptance of your new life. It is most important that a change of haircut, hair color, or makeup makes you look more beautiful. I always find it suspect when a client with a beautiful haircut or color suddenly asks for a dramatic change. Change for the sake of change is almost always a mistake. This is a major "red flag" that requires an in-depth conversation before the first splash of the tint brush or snip of the scissors. Sometimes post-divorce is the perfect time for a change. If you have been growing your hair forever and almost always wore it back because you didn't know what do with it, you most likely do need a new look. If your hair has been the exact same color for the past five years, it is time for at least a small change. Talk to your stylist and colorist. They should be able to advise you whether change is a good idea. If you think they are stumbling for an answer or "yessing" you, go to another salon for a consultation. Sometimes it is necessary to have someone look at you with a fresh eye to determine the change that's right for you.
I think that most people intuitively know when they need to make a change in their look. They just don't know what to do. Unfortunately, this can paralyze or slow down the change process. Here are some easy tips to keep you looking great and up to date.
1) The easiest way to figure out what you need to be your most beautiful is to ask your hairdresser for advice. If you are not satisfied with your hairdresser's advice, go to other salons for a consultation. It's always a bonus to have someone look at you with fresh eyes. Consultations are usually free and are a great way to stimulate change. Always be sure you understand your hairdresser's vision. The best way to do this is to bring pictures to your consultation. Photographs will prevent any miscommunication.
2) Going through a tough life moment is never time for a new look. I have had many women ask me for a radical new look when they suspect their mates are cheating or they are going through a break-up. I always do my best to slow down this change. It's best to make changes when you are not in an emotional state. Better you should treat yourself to a weekly salon blow dry or have your makeup professionally done.
3) Keep your eye out for great new looks. Watch movies and TV. Comb magazines and newspapers. Surf the web. You will be surprised by the fashion sense you will develop by keeping your eyes wide open.
4) Accept your hair's texture. Always be sure that your new hair style is compatible with your hair texture. Fine hair separates if it's too long and can break if it has to be constantly colored. Curly hair blown straight every day can begin to look dull.
5) Keep what you like, change what you don't. If your hair doesn't look great, change it. When you look at your hair, notice what you don't like. Is your hair too long? Is it doing nothing for you? Then it's time for a new haircut. Is your color faded and oxidized? Is it dull or over bleached from summer sun? Then it's time to color your hair.
Change is good only if it's a good change. A good change is one that makes you look better. Look in the mirror and decide if a change is right for you!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on new hairstyles from Louis Licari with Makeover-o-Matic
- Get more info from the Today show on iVillage
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!
More from Louis Licari:
"Louis, what would you do to the way I look if you were looking at me for the first time?" Women ask me this question almost every day. Women almost always know when it's time for a makeover, even if it's on the subconscious level. If this question has ever crossed your mind, you probably do need a makeover. Most likely every time you look in the mirror you know you are not looking your best.
MISTAKE 1) Your hair is just hanging without doing anything to flatter your face shape. You often find yourself wearing it back in a pony tail. Your hair color is not as vibrant as it once was. You might be feeling bored, starting to go grey, or just dreary. You don't have to put up with not feeling or looking your best. Take an action, take the time, and give yourself a cut and color.
It’s time to let the new you out. There is no better way to look more beautiful than releasing the beautiful hair that you have been totally ignoring. This is the sure fire way to release the true beauty of your hair.
MISTAKE 2) This happens when women try to force their hair to look like something it isn't, such as thicker, curlier, or straight. Accept what you have and make the most of it. Make yourself a promise. Take care of your appearance by making the most of your natural hair. People will notice your new hair instantly and tell you how great you look. You will love the way this makes you fell.
Mistake 3) You have had the same style and cut since you were in school. Small changes are mandatory to look modern and your most beautiful. Your face and hair change over the years and your style and color should too! TIP - Go to the salon with your old haircut and color. Tell your hairdresser you are ready for a change. Don't tell him or her what to do. Be open to suggestions. Most likely you’ll be happy you were brave enough to make a change and update your look. Remember the rule of thumb: Five years with the same haircut and exact same shade of hair color is the end of the statute of limitations of beauty and style.
Mistake 4) People can't see their own color. They often think they are brown when they are blond. Barbara Walters recently admitted to still feeling like a brunette on “The View”. The hardest person to look at is ourselves. We see ourselves as we were, not as we are. I know this is a frightening thought, but the general consensus of opinion is that we see ourselves five to ten years younger than our actual age. Go to a professional and have your hair color-checked from time to time. Is your color so blond that it washes out your complexion? Is it so red it looks like a wig, or is it so dark you are starting to look like a vampire? If any of these scenarios are true, you must make immediate changes. These are not flattering hair colors. At this point I must mention a personal pet peeve: hair that is so over-highlighted it looks like a solid color or a single process. If there is no contrast between the base color and the highlighted color something is desperately wrong. TIP - If highlighted hair needs to be touched up once every four weeks your hair is over-highlighted.
Mistake 5) Weight loss and gain warrants a change in style and color. Hair styles and colors can change the shape of your face and add or subtract pounds. Take advantage of this, a new shape and color can accent or hide a multitude of sins.
Mistake 6) "I don't have time for myself." This is no excuse. Make time! You deserve and need it for your self-esteem. No one likes a martyr! Most salons are open early and close late for the working woman. If you have children and do not have a sitter, bring them to the salon. It doesn't take more than a couple hours for a cut and color. Bring toys and keep them amused. Video games, coloring books or something to read will work wonders. Everyone, staff and clients included, most likely won’t notice the young guest.
Mistake 7) Overuse of products. Today’s hair looks fresh and clean and controlled but never coated. If your hair looks sprayed in place so it can't move or coated in grease, you are misusing products. Hair should be touchable and move in the wind.
Mistake 8) Trying to grow fine hair long. Fine hair below the chin looks see-through and always separates. Shorter hair looks thick and full. One hair problem that is rarely discussed is the general thinness that occurs to almost all women over forty. This hair must be kept short to look full. Extensions are the only way to add body and fullness to fine hair. They do require maintenance and they are expensive.
Mistake 9) You are looking for a promotion at work and you are wearing the same style and cut. Appropriate change of appearance is an easy way for people to look at you in a new way. You must look like a leader and as if you already have the promotion. You must look like the new empowered you. Your previous dress and style are no longer suitable. You must look at yourself as a leader. Your co-workers will expect this from you and you will instantly gain their respect.
Mistake 10) You have been going to the same stylist or colorist so long, they don't look at you any more. If you find yourself sitting in the salon chair with a wet head and the haircut begins without a discussion, or your color formula is mixed before you talked to your colorist it is time to move on. You pay to have the stylist and colorist re-evaluate your hair each time you sit in the chair. This is an essential part of the service. Don't allow yourself to be cheated! This is an imperative part of the creative process.
A makeover is the most fun way to have a head start on a new life. A new you is the easiest way to gain confidence and have a fresh and optimistic outlook about life. What are you waiting for?
I am at the airport waiting for yet another flight. The TV is on CNN. The talk is all about the elections. Everyone is trying to guess who will be the democratic candidate for president. Both candidates look better than they ever did. Hillary has softened her look through the campaign. She still uses about a half can too much of hairspray and is a bit over highlighted, but looks much softer than she did at the beginning of her campaign. Barack looks as much like a GQ cover guy as a presidential candidate. Chelsea looks like she had a "Ambush Makeover". Her hair is now blonder with bold streaks of color around her face, accenting her long layered cut. She is now officially a pretty woman. Michelle Obama always looks good and totally together. Both candidates realize the importance of looking good and the edge it can provide for them in the election. I am not saying you have to look like a movie star to become president. I am saying that looking the best you can makes you look like a winner. The candidates realize this and have tweaked their looks over the last year. This immediately creates the illusion of confidence, success, and in this case, hopefully a presidential aura.I realize that very few of us will ever be running for office, but we live in a very competitive world. Looking good can help us land that dream job or help us in social situations. Looking good requires effort for almost all of us. The rewards of paying attention to our appearance can result in a much more fulfilling life. Once taking a few extra moments every day to look your best becomes routine you will wonder why you waited so long to make the effort. The first step to looking good is to start with a small change. Don't try to make dramatic changes all at once like we do on the Today Show. Dramatic changes can be difficult to handle even when they are beautiful. It takes most of us a while to process and appreciate change.
Does your hair color look as natural as a snowstorm in July? Does it look more like Barbie doll hair than hair that grows from your head? Can your color best be described as white, black, yellow, or a screaming red? Do your roots show in a week? Then you probably need a hair color make-under.
Most hair color make-unders often go hand in hand with hair style make-unders. Usually extreme coloring requires so much styling, hair products, blow drying and curling irons that you end up with an old fashion hair do, or should I say a hair don't. This makes any woman look way beyond her years. Who wants that? TIP - If your hair takes more than 15 minutes to style, you probably need a hair make-under. Hair color and texture that looks like it grows from your head is always the most flattering. I am not saying that everyone should be au naturel; I am saying that your hair should look effortless, even if it requires a little work.
Once I talk with the potential makeover and feel that she is ready for a major change, the race to the reveal begins. The women's looks are in my hands. I have about two hours to make a transition that usually takes about a year. Oh, and by the way, remember I am doing this live on national TV. Now, do you understand what I mean when I say I am "juiced?”
Are you a diamond in the rough? Have you not cut or colored your hair in the last six months? Are you so busy with your children, husband, and career that there's not a second left for you? Have you given into weight gain, a few wrinkles, or a few grays? You might be a diamond in the rough and it could be time for a makeover!
First of all, you don't have to be ambushed on the TODAY show to get a great makeover. You can do it at home. I would recommend that you start with your haircut. A great haircut that looks good with your face shape is the foundation of your new look. I know you're thinking, "Great, but where do I find this perfect haircut?" Look around whenever you're out and if you see a great haircut, ask who cut it. The person with the cut will be flattered and you might have found a new hairstylist. Call and go for a consultation. Let the hairdresser know you are ready for a new look. Be open to suggestions. If you don't agree with the stylist at all, you probably are in the wrong salon. Move on and go for more consultations.
Once you find the best hairdresser for your hair, make an appointment. You don't have to start with a major change. Your makeover can happen over time. The most important thing is to get started. Make a small change with each haircut. You will have a new look before you know it. Once you have a new haircut, it's time to rethink your hair color. The first step is to look at your hair color today. Is it dull, grey or flat looking? Has it become darker over time? Is it flattering to your complexion? If not, do something about it. You can color your hair at home or at the salon. When you want a major change, it's best to go to the salon. Not only do they have the skills and materials, professionals have the "color eye" to look at you. They can see immediately what color would be best on you. Besides picking the right color for you, the mess of color stays at the salon, not in your bathroom.
The last part of the makeover is the finish of the hair or the blow dry. The blow dry can make a good haircut great. Hair should look groomed, but never forced into place. You should develop your blow drying skills, so you are not a slave to your hairdresser. Now you're ready for a little make-up and a whole new you.
By the way, I am watching the most glamorous Grammy award show I have ever seen while writing this blog. Almost gone are the edgy fashions, hair, and make-up typical of the music industry. For the most part, the women looked like old Hollywood. Armani, Calvin Klein, and Celine were the designers of choice for the Grammy’s 50th anniversary. The hair was as glamorous and modern as the dresses.
Alicia Keys had three wardrobe changes with two hair changes. She looked absolutely beautiful in her elegant faux hawk. Beyoncé had a new log bob with a shorter nape that was blonder than she has ever been. Fergie looked like she was ready to accept an Academy Award. She wore her hair long, blond, and wavy. New teen sensation, Miley Cyrus had the same hair style as Fergie, only wore a brunette shade. Rihanna’s new short hair du jour looked great with her bangs down and up and off her face.
The writers’ strike is all but over, and it looks like everyone is ready to celebrate. The Academy Awards are 13 days away, but who's counting?
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
Did you ever feel like you were in a rut?
I don't think that there is anything more depressing. A rut can be a bad relationship, a dead end job, or just the dismal feeling that this is life as good as it gets. Well, I am not a shrink, so I can't help you with these life issues, but I can help you with another horrible rut that we sometimes fall into.
You know that feeling when you let yourself go to seed? You really don't even realize it's happening until one day, you look in the mirror and say, "Who the heck is that?" or, "Oh, no. That can't be me." Staring back is usually a woman who hasn't cut or colored her hair in over a year, and probably hasn't even put on a pinch of lipstick.
My guess is that when women stop caring about their looks, it is a subconscious effort to "disappear." This allows them to "check out of life" for a while when things become a bit difficult, confusing, or just boring. Most hairdressers would agree that if a loyal client's maintenance schedule has become more than a bit lax something is usually not right in their personal lives. In fact, it's almost a shout for help. That's when friends, families, and hairdressers can group together and take the first step to help bring someone back to their life.
TIP - A hair cut, hair color, and a bit of makeup can be the quick fix that works to put on an instant smile, which is the beginning of a total new attitude about life.
The first thing I want to say about the makeovers for today’s segment is they are all wonderful, open minded, and bright women who's lives where forced to take some detours.
Junith home schooled her children and the children of others for a number of years that led to years of an isolated at home existence. Beth relocated to Florida to pursue a successful online relationship, but is still feeling out her new "digs." Diane entered nursing school after the death of her husband to start her life over. All three women are bold and brave. All three women needed complete makeovers.
Junith's hairline had become progressively grey over the years. She liked a warm brown hair color, but it would become a yellow-orange color around her face after a few shampoos.
TIP - Use a darker formula on the hairline where her hair is very grey, and another softer formula on rest of the darker hair. The end result is now more of an even shade and will look natural longer.
Vanessa, a talented stylist in my New York salon, cut many broken ends from Junith's hair to make it instantly look healthy and then gave her a soft wave. Junith now looks so fresh and young that I don't think her students would recognize her!
Diane let her hair grow long and grey after her husband’s death. Then she started nursing school and her looks went to the bottom on her list of priorities. She is a real care giver. She helps the elderly and Alzheimer’s patients. She spends no time on herself. I could not wait to get my hands on her hair!
Her grey hair washed her out, aged her, and gave her that "earth mother" look. You didn't have to be a genius to realize that restoring her brown hair color and cutting her excessively long hair to a chic bob would instantly transform Diane into an attractive and elegant woman.
TIP - Making Diane’s hair brown brought her complexion back to life. Vanessa's bob hair cut showed off Diane’s face shape. She now looks classic and timeless.
Beth moved to another state for love and never found a hair cutter she liked. She wore a classic mistake: She had two haircuts on one head. Short on the top and long hair in the back.
WARNING - Two hair cuts on one head are never allowed. You must blend the cuts together.
Vanessa cut over two feet of hair (!), blending the short and long of Beth’s hair. This cut shows off Beth’s beautiful face that was lost under all of her hair. I added more depth to her very blond hair and instantly emphasized her blue eyes and beautiful pale complexion.
These three women where open and ready for change. They were not only ready, but anxious to re-enter the world. I have a feeling their lives have just begun to change.
If you missed it live this morning, here's a clip from TODAY to see these life changing transformations. I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring for them!
More from Louis Licari
- Try on hairstyles by Louis Licari on Makeover-O-Matic!
- Fall Hair Makeovers
- Teacher Makeovers
- Father's Day Makeovers
This morning's segment on TODAY is fall hair trends. At first I thought this would be an easy entry to write because I just got back from the Emmys and I personally witnessed the latest and the greatest moments in fashion and beauty. As I was sitting at LAX waiting for my plane back to New York I was organizing my thoughts about the trendsetters and the fashion faux pas from the night before. And then it hit me and I made a sudden realization. How does this effect us, you know, "we the people?”
We all like to look good, stylish, sexy, pretty, handsome, and somehow show a bit of our personality. At the same time our look has to work with our lifestyle, budgets, and our day-to-day schlepping around. Does this mean we can't look like a movie star? I don't think so! I think we can look great, trendy, and like a million dollars for a lot less. It does take a little effort, but the rewards and response from friends and co-workers are priceless. Nothing is a greater luxury as an adult than having a few moments to take care of your self. Halle Berry, George Clooney: move over! The people that buy the Twizzlers and the popcorn at the movie theaters are about to take over.
TODAY sent three ladies to my New York salon to illustrate today’s beauty trends. All had tons of personality. They just flew in from different states around the country, and they never had met each other before. They had one thing in common however, and that was their attitude. Cindy Lauper described it best in her song, "Girls Just Want To Have Fun." With a few snips of the scissors, a bit of hair color, and a few Cosmo’s, the women had a totally new look.
My first future trendsetter was Sherry. Sherry's hair was a fine texture with a dark blond base and lighter blond highlights. She had so many highlights that her overall color looked solid blond. This color provided no texture, depth or volume to her hair. Full hair is in; flat hair is out. One of the easiest ways to give the look of "more hair" is to introduce a deeper base color at the roots and have hair lighter on the ends. This is called "texturizing color" and one of the most flattering looks for fall.
TIP- Use a darker formula on roots and do not work color through ends.
Trendsetter number two Kathleen was so excited and eager to update her look. She has been married for ten years, is about to renew her wedding vows, and was ready to get her sexy back! Hair color is one of the biggest trends for African American women. Hair color on this texture must be handled with care. There are often other chemical processes on this hair type that make the hair too delicate to color. The solution to this problem is simple and is the newest trend for African American hair color. Highlight extensions adding different shades of color, especially around the face where hair is most delicate, is a most in demand procedure.
TIP- To keep your hair color totally natural, add a few real hair color highlights and supplement them with extensions to maintain your fantasy color.
My third trendsetter was Heather. She walked in with long fine blond hair. Two words that should never be together in the same sentence are "long" and "fine." Trend three; fine hair should always be 
cut to have the illusion of body. Long, fine hair only looks good for five minutes after the blow dry. Adel cut her hair in a timeless bob that will look fuller longer and extremely chic even when it is worn straight. I made heather a soft golden red. It was much more flattering to her skin tone looked natural, and instantly gave her that "star" quality.
TIP- Fine hair requires more products. Mousses are especially effective on thin hair.
Trends for “real people” are what make us look good. The buzz words this season are waves, fullness, and glamour. Hair can be long or short, and any believable color as long as it looks good on your complexion. Be who you are, look the best you can look, and you will be on trend.
Can you relate these ladies' hair before and afters? What do you think?
Before & After Gallery:
More Hair Tips to Try:
My TODAY Show producer was humming this tune on the phone. I was a little confused until she told me the subject of my next segment. "Louis, September is around the corner. Wouldn't it be great to do teacher makeovers?"
I thought it was a good idea, but it's been more than a few years since I have been in school. I didn't have a clue what to expect of today’s teachers. I did know that they worked hard. I understood the importance of their job. I knew they were the most significant role models to children besides their parents. I just didn't know what today’s teacher looked like. Then I met the teachers who wanted a makeover.
As they came off the elevator, I realized they looked pretty good. In fact, they didn't need a makeover, they just needed a refresher course to update their looks before fall semester begins. The first teacher in my chair was Barbara. Barbara had worn long hair since she could remember. Her hair was pretty, but desperate for a style. Barbara held her breath as the cutting began. Her eyes began to water.
WARNING! A new hair cut can be as traumatic as the first day of school.
Lesson One: "Bobs are not boring!" Bobs look stylish, sophisticated, and seductive.
They are timeless and always look current. The smallest change can give a bob a new look. This year’s bob is shorter in the back and longer in the front. Think a simpler, more wearable version of Victoria Beckham's chopped bob. I gave Barbara a coco color glaze to add shine, warmth, and depth. A color glaze is a translucent, semi-permanent color.
TIP: To make even the darkest colors translucent, add one teaspoon of your favorite conditioner to the semi-permanent color mixture and then follow the directions on the box. This will dilute the color and keep it see-through, accenting all the natural nuances of the hair.
Barbara's misty eyes turned to a big smile as she stepped out of the salon. Much to her and my delight, she turned more than a few admiring heads walking up Fifth Avenue.
Alli was the next teacher in my chair. Another great looking woman with a tousle of soft curls. She liked her hair, but she was bored. Her hair just fell into shape, the wrong shape, day after day. Alli’s hair had a classic curly hair problem. She had too much volume on the bottom of her hair, giving it a triangle shape.
Lesson Two: "HAIR MORPHING - Changing the shape and style of your hair while holding on to most of the length."
Miyuki, a Master Cutter at the New York salon, reshaped Alli's hair with long layers but kept most of it's length. This took the weight off the bottom of the triangle and instantly updated Alli's cut. Alli was bored with her color too! She had highlights that progressively turned blonder and blonder and would tend to wash out her complexion.
TIP: If you have to apply more makeup to make your new hair color work, you picked the wrong color.
I used a golden red color glaze on Ali. This brightens her hair, which brightened her complexion. The other advantage of semi-permanent color glazes is the graceful grow out. Ali will not have to worry about too much hair color homework. Color gazes require touch-ups about every eight weeks.
Patrice was next on my makeover roster. Patrice walked in with a photo diary of her hair color and cut history. She had tried almost every hair color under the sun and more than a few hairstyles. At the time, her hair was a yellow blond that was long with grown out layers. Patrice was the perfect makeover. She loved having her hair cut and colored and was not afraid of change.
Lesson Three: "Hair color and cut can work together to change face shape and accent or soften facial features."
Patrice's yellow blond hair clashed with her pale sallow skin color. I knew she liked the brightness of blond, but her hair color needed depth to compliment the tone of her skin. I made her roots a light golden brown. Then I reversed highlighted the rest of her hair with light golden brown steaks.
WARNING! This color procedure should only be done at the salon. I put fewer dark streaks around her face to keep her color bright. Patrice's new hair color instantly gave her skin the contrast it needed to come alive. Next, Miyuki layered her hair and gave her a soft swept bang. This immediately made her forehead less prominent and the long layers softened her chin line. I added a few more highlights in key areas around the hairline to accent Patrice's new hair cut.
TIP: Think of your new cut and color as the makeup that does not wash off.
My last class...I mean, makeover, of the day was Stacy. Stacy is a very pretty woman with "old school" long hair. Stacy's long hair was not flattering to her face shape or body proportions. She found herself almost always wearing it in a pony tale.
WARNING! If your hair only looks good tied back, it's time for a haircut.
Lesson Four: "Shoulder length is the new long hair." Or "You're the teacher not the student. It's time for a haircut."
Miyuki cut ten inches off of Stacy’s hair. Shoulder length hair gives the look of long hair but is less severe. Hair to the shoulder has more movement and body than longer hair. It is a prettier face frame than very long hair. Stacy wanted to brighten her light brown hair color, but she wanted it to look natural.
I highlighted Stacy’s hair with bold dark golden blond strokes of color on the top layers of her hair only. This is exactly where the sun would lighten her hair. As her hair moves, the darker tones underneath will peek through to give depth.
My day with the teachers was over as their school year was about to begin. I give them all A's for being great makeovers. Their real test starts in September. Don't forget to bring them an apple and tell them how great they look!
