Making Change.(makeovers)

Making Change

In makeovers, risk can bring reward -- or tears. Real-life women take a chance, revamping their most defining skin, hair, and makeup looks. By Cara Litke

A makeover may start with a physical change, but it often reaches beyond the confines of the mirror. A new look can alter how others see you -- and how you see yourself. "Updating an aspect of your appearance is a easy way to help improve your self-image," says hairstylist Mark Townsend of the Sally Hershberger Downtown Salon in New York City and the Byron Williams Studio in Los Angeles. "It can bring a woman out of her shell and change her personality completely -- I've seen it happen." That's especially true when the makeover affects a distinctive part of a woman's aesthetic, altering her image and self-image in one fell swoop. "When someone who's had brown hair all her life becomes a blonde, her color isn't the only thing that's affected -- her clothes, her makeup, and even the way she walks shift, too," says colorist Rita Hazan, owner of the Rita Hazan salon in New York City. The women on these pages, eager for a fresh start, surrendered one defining characteristic -- blonde hair, pale skin, heavy makeup -- to our experts. After the final cut and swipe of mascara, each looked different, whether dramatically or subtly. And we're happy to report that they felt transformed, too.

Evening Makeup Alexandra Jordan, editorial assistant, Allure What she wanted: "I usually wear very little makeup and prefer to be clean and natural. I'd like to have a more exciting option for night, but I have no idea how to apply it." What she got: "Makeup artist Jeanine Lobell created smoky eyes with different shades of purple shadow. I was expecting black or brown, so the color was a nice surprise. She left my skin completely bare and kept the cheeks and lips simple -- just pale pink blush and nude lipstick. She spent at least 30 minutes working on my eyes, which is longer than I ever have, but the result was beautiful." What she learned: "When I went out for drinks, I felt a lot sexier, and I got more attention from men -- which, quite frankly, made me self-conscious. It was such a new look for me that I felt like I was playing dress-up, and I had a hard time getting comfortable. While it was gorgeous, it was out of my comfort zone." What the expert says: "I really wanted Allie's beautiful eyes to stand out, so I focused on playing them up. The deep purple shadows were richer than traditional black or gray," Lobell says. "For a less intense version of this evening makeup, she can soften the eye shadow a bit and lighten the tone of the blush and lip color."

Blonde to Brunette Julie Dobson, executive, swimming-pool company What she wanted: "I've been dyeing my hair blonde since seventh grade, and I was sick of maintaining it. I always had roots, so I decided to go back to brunette -- anything for less upkeep." What she got: "I was a little nervous when Rita Hazan applied the color, but after the blowout, it was like a different person was staring back at me in the mirror. The color seemed dark at first but has lightened up since then. The result is really pretty." What she learned: "I feel much more confident as a brunette, and I don't look in the mirror half as often or worry about the awful roots. The color also looks really good with my skin tone -- I haven't wanted to go tanning since I dyed my hair, and that's major for me. And it feels thicker and healthier than it did when it was blonde. The best part is that my sisters, who know me best, said that they think my new brown hair fits my personality better." What the experts say: "I knew Julie could handle a rich brown," Hazan says. "She has a warm complexion and light eyes, so I was sure that it would look natural -- and also very exotic." To complement her new hair color, Jeanine Lobell used brown shadows on her eyes and shades of rose and plum on her cheeks and lips. "More vivid colors will give her look depth," Lobell says.

Long Hair to Short Isabel Heine, research assistant What she wanted: "I've had long hair for as long as I can remember, and I was bored with it. I wanted a dramatic change for winter, so I asked to go chin-length or a little shorter." What she got: "Mark Townsend gathered my hair into a low ponytail and snipped it off -- all of a sudden, I had chin-length hair. He shaped it by cutting the back and then working around to the front. The finished cut is longer and sleeker in front, and short and messy in the back. I immediately felt more stylish." What she learned: "People definitely think I look more sophisticated with short hair. One coworker even commented that I acted like Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada after her transformation from drab to fashionable. I certainly have been walking around with that same sort of energy." What the expert says: "Not only does Isabel have gorgeous, shiny hair, but she also has great bone structure -- I wanted to give her a cut that showed it off," Townsend says. "The choppy back is modern and fun, but the longer pieces in the front frame her face perfectly. And she can still pull the front layers back into a clip when she wants to keep her hair out of her face."

Cutting Bangs Tanya Saez, executive assistant What she wanted: "I didn't feel like my long, straight hair matched my feisty personality. I was ready for a stronger look." What she got: "I told Mark Townsend I wanted to look like Tyra Banks -- I love how her thick, eye-level bangs frame her face. He parted my hair horizontally a few inches back from my hairline and played around with different thicknesses. Then he cut the bangs to brow level. When he was done, they were just what I'd hoped for." What she learned: "I feel like a sexier version of myself. My friends say the bangs make me look more glamorous. I've been vamping up my clothes, but I don't need to wear as much makeup because the bangs enhance my eyes. It only took me a day or so to figure out how to style them, and I haven't missed my old look for a second. It was a quick change, but I can't believe how different I feel." What the expert says: "Tanya has an ideal face for bangs. Her forehead is big enough to carry them, and she has great eyes and cheekbones," Townsend says. "Her bangs are versatile, too. They are