{Makeovers} Here comes the (Mother of the) Bride, all dressed in…..

A few months ago, FOFs voted Sharon Hoffman the winner of our Mother-of-the-Bride makeover contest. They were touched by Sharon’s story and her daughter Erin’s selfless nomination.

“The closest I had to a wedding was a party my family threw for me when I got leave from the military in 1983,” said Sharon. “I was pregnant and wearing a borrowed maternity dress.”

Sharon may not have had a wedding day, but last month she certainly was queen for a day. As the M-O-B makeover winner, she won a head-to-toe look for Erin’s wedding including makeup and hair styling from Senses New York Salon & Spa and a style consultation with designer-to-the-stars Kay Unger.

HAIR: We turned to Antonio Rosa, owner of Senses New York Salon & Spa to work his magic. “I didn’t know if he’d go real short. I’m happy with the direction he went,” said Sharon. “The length will give me the option of wearing my hair up. I haven’t worn my hair up since prom.”

{Click here to get stylist and colorist, Antonio’s tips and techniques}

For her hair, Antonio:
Used a single-process hair color in medium blonde (Level 7) by Organic Color Systems. He brightened it up and added depth and contrast with blonde (Level 9) highlights.
“We kept the length intact but added layers for movement,” said Antonio. “Sharon’s going to be able to wear it up or down for the wedding and not be limited to one style at all.”
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MAKEUP: Adam Maclay is a makeup artist with Senses New York Salon & Spa and also does makeup for WE tv’s show “My Fair Wedding.” He gave Sharon a wedding-worthy look and armed her with tricks to replicate the look on the big day.

“Adam did an excellent job with the makeup,” said Sharon. “He was sensitive to the fact that I normally don’t wear makeup and kept it very light and natural looking. I’ll try to replicate the look as best I can for the wedding.”

{Click here to get Adam’s makeup products list}

Adam’s makeup products list:

For skin:
For moisture; Skin Medica TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer + SPF20 applied with a Foundation Brush by Mac
For reducing redness; Green concealer by Makeup Forever
For concealing blemishes and evening skin tones; Foundation by Temptu applied with an airbrush or Face and Body Foundation by Mac

For eyes:
For filling in eyebrows; Creamy Brow Pencil in “Blonde” by Lorac
For definition; Technakohl Liner in “Brownborder” by Mac
For color; Shadow in “Swish,” “Retrospeck,” “Expensive Pink,” and “Woodwinked” with a touch of “Crystal Avalanche,” by Mac. “I used the darker colors on the outer corner of the eye and peaches and pinks on the inner corner then blended with a blending blush,” said Adam.
For volume; Colossal Volum’ Express Waterproof by Maybelline. “Waterproof is necessary especially on wedding days.” He recommends going over it with a brow brush if it’s clumpy.
For curl; Eyelash curler by Tart. “She should look into false lashes for the day of the wedding,” said Adam.

For lips:
For definition; Lipliner in “Natural Blush” by E.L.F. “I filled in the outer corners so as the lipstick wears off there is still color.”
For color; Lip gloss in #27 by Makeup Forever. “Everyone should own this color,” said Adam. “It goes with every skin tone.”
For shine; Lip Buxom by Bare Escentuals

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DRESS: Then it was off to Kay Unger’s NYC Fashion District showroom to meet the world-famous designer herself. Kay pulled different looks for Sharon to try on based on her measurements and Erin’s wedding color scheme of aqua, peony, ivory, and green. Read on to see the winning look (and a few runners up too!)

Look 1: One Shoulder Coral Dress

“This one shoulder, is very interesting and a lot of fun on you,” said Kay. “You don’t have to hold your stomach in and the pockets give you some place to put your hands!

“I really like the color of this one,” said Sharon. “It would be fun to dance in because of the full skirt. But, maybe it’s a little too young and might not marry well with the pink poppies Erin may use for the wedding.”

Look 2: Satin & Jacquard Sheath Dress

“It’s a very unique fabric,” said Kay. “I think of all the dresses we’ve given you, you’d be most likely to wear this again. Whereas the coral dress you might not. It’s something to take into consideration.”

“It’s such an elegant dress but maybe the color is a little too close to white,” said Sharon. “I’m just not comfortable wearing something so close to white to a wedding.”

The Winning Look: Green Strapless

“You look most comfortable. It’s so pretty and you look very, very slim in this dress,” said Kay.

“Green is one of my very favorite colors. Even my house is decorated in green,” said Sharon. “It’s a simple, elegant design. Often, strapless dresses are too revealing but this one comes up high enough that it’s actually quite tasteful. This is the one, I love it!”

Kay’s Recommended Accessories:

-Drop earrings or diamond studs
-Colorful cocktail ring with green gems
-Dressy, delicate silver watch

-Pearlized or silver slingback closed-toe shoe with a heel
-Control-top stockings from Spanx or Yummy Tummies that come above the waist
-A nude strapless bra such as the Nu-Bra Ultra Lite

Stay tuned…FOF will follow up with Sharon after her daughter’s wedding next Spring and report back!

Note: Satin and Jacquard Sheath Dress available through Nordstrom.com. Other Kay Unger styles can be purchased through Neiman Marcus and Saks.

Do you like the dress Sharon chose? Comment below and tell us what you think!

{Makeovers} LaDonna Gets All Dolled Up

FOF LaDonna Hale Curzon, 53, emailed FOF founder Geri Brin a few months ago with this charming ode to turning fifty:

“Three years ago, I learned to ride a motorcycle and now own one; rode twice in Rolling Thunder; learned to fly my hydrofoil on the Potomac; sent my daughters to college; caught a large-mouth bass with a fly rod; learned to play golf; started *Sarah Palin Radio; celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary and had my first Botox injection. Life just gets started at 50!”

Geri loved LaDonna’s story and offered an FOF makeover to help transform her look to match her new lease on life.

LaDonna agreed, and this summer, she and her daughter Sarah, 19, traveled from their home in Alexandria to NYC to meet with an FOF makeover crew.

“She needs a firm hand sometimes with the style,” Sarah told us. “I think she likes to be relaxed so much that she just doesn’t think about it.”

“I’ve been raising two teenage daughters and all the focus has been on them,” LaDonna explained. “Their clothes, their beauty – and of course they look stunning.  They’d watch all the makeover shows on TV and say, ‘Mom, that should be you.’ And I’d say, ‘I know.’”

We turned to the team at Butterfly Studio Salon in Manhattan, where an expert hair stylist, colorist, and makeup artist combined to play the role of Fairy Godmother.  Sharon Roth at Jarbo Collection—one of our fave FOF designers—supplied the “after” outfits.

HAIR: “I love coming to get my haircut; it’s like therapy for me,” LaDonna said. “Because I always leave happy and it’s cheaper than going to a therapist.  It’s like massaging your ego.”

{Click here to see all of colorist Tammy Kopie’s techniques}

{Click here to see all of hairstylist Kelly Finneran’s tips}

MAKEUP: Francesca Roman worked her makeup magic with products from Paula Dorf.

{Click here to see everything she used}

After the make-up, we asked LaDonna how the finished makeover felt.

“I feel divine,” she said.  “I love everything they’ve done.  My hair feels so soft and sophisticated, and it has some highlights, which I’ve never had in my life.  The makeup is unbelievable. I really didn’t recognize myself – in a good way.  My daughter was complimenting me!”

Images by Katherine McPherson for FabOverFifty.com

[*Editor’s note: We love LaDonna but want to clarify that Faboverfifty has no political affiliation.]

{Makeovers} Francie Gets Fancy!

Last month, FOFs were so moved by Francesca Kranzberg’s weight loss story, they voted her winner of a makeover with fashion expert, FOF Sherrie Mathieson.

Read on to hear Francie recount her day of beauty and to witness her jaw-dropping transformation.

10:45 am

Francesca arrives.

“From the day I found out when my FOF makeover would be, until the moment I alighted the train in New York, I could barely sleep I was so excited.”

Francesca arrived wearing a purple flannel shirt, rolled up cargo pants, a backpack and a side-slung shoulder bag. We had our work cut out for us!

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
We learn 6 fun facts about Francie (while waiting for the salon appointment)

  • She has 2 daughters Dena, age 23 and Alena, age 21
  • She met her husband through a matchmaking service!
  • She hosts annual cheesecake parties for her neighbors where she makes 20 different varieties of the dessert.
  • She teaches Mah Jongg at two Jewish Community Centers in the D.C. area
  • She works for an organization called JConnect in Maryland, that helps newcomers get acquainted with the community
  • She is incredibly committed to her goal of losing 120 lbs and is already halfway there!

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hair and Makeup at Senses Salon

“Senses Salon is in a very funky space, the type that usually makes me feel self-consciously out of place. Instead I was welcomed as if I were a celebrity and fussed over as if I were one, too. I had three people blowing my hair dry at once – how cool is that?! Antonio, Barbara and their staff are truly artists.”

{Click here for the products and processes}

For her hair, Antonio Rosa, co-owner of Senses Salon:

  • Used a single-process color to give Francesca’s hair more depth and cover the grays. Women over 50 should get a coloring every 6-8 weeks, says Antonio.
  • Brightened her hair by adding soft caramel highlights.
  • Left her length mostly intact while adding layers for movement and long bangs to soften the look.

Makeup Products List
For skin:

For eyes:

For lips:

4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sherrie works her magic at
Saks

“Sherrie and I had “met” over the phone a few days before the makeover. I was in line at the pharmacy as we discussed measurements. The man in front of me did a rather obvious double take when we got to my bra size!

At the Salon Z section at Saks, Sherrie showed me how to make different combinations with the same pieces. I came dressed all wrong and left with a lot of knowledge! I started reading Sherrie’s books on the train home. Her writing is conversational, like advice from an old friend, and the pictures really reinforce the tips. Now when I go shopping I find myself asking, “What would Sherrie think?”

Look 1:

“This outfit would work for a Saturday afternoon shopping. You don’t see the upper thigh. The length of the sweater camouflages where she is still losing weight in a fashion-forward way. ” -Sherrie Mathieson

Organic Cotton Tank Top in White by Eileen Fisher, $178

“The Skinny” Skinny Jeans by Eileen Fisher, $148

Green Cascading Cardigan by Eileen Fisher, $218

Marc Y Marc Little Birdie Hobo in Navy by Marc by Marc Jacobs Bag, $458

Tory Burch Patti Wedge Sandals in Royal Tan, $225

Gold Hoop Earrings by Alexis Bittar, $100

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Look 2:
“This is a very simple top; the length reaches right where its critical so she is able to wear these legging-simulating jeans. The navy bag picks up the color of the jeans. I chose classic Jack Rogers sandals because they are comfortable and go with a lot; this pair goes with gold or silver. She could wear this look out to a movie or casual dinner.” -Sherrie Mathieson

“The Skinny” Skinny Jeans by Eileen Fisher, $148

Navajo Hamptons Sandals in Platinum by Jack Rogers, $96

Handkerchief Linen Shirt in Taupe by Eileen Fisher, $178

Printed Nylon Little Tate Tote by Marc by Marc Jacobs, $168

Gold Hoop Earrings By Alexis Bittar, $100

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Look 3:
“This look would be great for a casual work environment like Francie’s. Prior to this, she wore loose shirts that fit her sloppily. I like this shirt because it’s not too tight and not too loose. It skims her body just right. It’s a neutral palette which elongates her figure, a patterned shirt would not have had this effect. The hoop earrings add a little touch of glamour.”  -Sherrie Mathieson

Stretch Cotton Shirt by Lafayette 148, $268

Metropolitan Stretch Pants by Lafayette 148, $328

Marc by Marc Jacobs Genuine Italian Leather Brown Clutch, $298

Michael Kors Clogs in Brown Leather, $250

Gold Hoop Earrings by Alexis Bittar, $100

(All items available at Saks Fifth Avenue)

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8:00 p.m.
Francesca returns home to her family and friends in D.C.

Special Thanks to: Lexi Miller at Saks Fifth Avenue, Sherrie Mathieson and Antonio Rosa of Senses Salon.

{Makeovers} We now pronounce you… M-O-B Makeover Winner!

FOF Sharon Hoffman is happily married, but never had a wedding. “The closest I had to a wedding was a party my family threw for me when I got leave from the military in 1983,” she says. “I was pregnant and wearing a borrowed maternity dress.”

Sharon met her husband John, in her JAG (Judge Advocate General) Preliminary Basics Course. The two fell in love, and coincidentally were both assigned to active duty in Germany. But in order to be stationed in the same German city, they had to be married. They quickly married in Denmark in January of 1982 and planned to have a wedding once they returned to the U.S.

“By by the time we returned, I was 5-months pregnant, and I looked 10-months pregnant because I was carrying twins,” says Sharon. “It wasn’t the time to have a white dress sort of thing.” Now, 26 years later, one of her twins, Erin, is getting hitched. With the wedding approaching next May, Erin wanted her mother to have a chance to shine. “She never had that special opportunity for herself and I know it that’s something her and my Dad always regretted.”

FOFs were touched by Sharon’s story and her daughter Erin’s selfless nomination:

“My vote is for Sharon. When you give up your big wedding to serve our country, you are a special person and deserve this special treat,” said FOF Anja McConnon. “And the fact that her daughter and bride-to-be wants her to win this, shows what a wonderful mother Sharon is.”

In the coming weeks Sharon will have a private style consultation with designer-to-the-stars, Kay Unger, and win a complete look for her daughter’s wedding from the designer’s collection. Her makeover will be documented here, on the FOF Style Blog.

Erin and her fiance, Paul, will be married next year at the Clifton Inn in Charlottesvile, Virginia. The planning has already begun. “I don’t know much about wedding planning and etiquette, because I didn’t do all this,” admits Sharon. “I’m learning as I go and trying to take Erin’s lead.”

“She’s helping, thank God!” says Erin. “It’s a lot of work!”

Want to be featured in our next makeover? FOF editors recruit candidates from the Community Pages, so make sure to register and fill out your profile today.

{Makeovers} Drumroll please…FOF Announces Mother-of-the-Bride (and Groom) Makeover Finalists!

Here comes the…FOF Mother-of-the-Bride (and Groom) Makeover Finalists!

One of the FOFs below will win a private style consultation with designer-to-the-stars, Kay Unger, and a complete look from the designer’s collection.

Read why these FOFs (or their children) think they should win, then vote for the finalist YOU think should win by commenting below. The finalist with the most comments by June 25, 2010 at 5 p.m. (E.S.T.) wins.

Arline Kimerling, Ridgefield, Ct.

Why Arline thinks she should win:

I’m a 68-year-old antiques dealer. My son is getting married October 3 of this year. It’s an unconventional wedding at a campground in Westchester, N.Y. I’d love to be informal but chic with a flair. I changed my life 5 years ago and lost 170 lbs, with the help of a wonderful life coach. The best thing: I’ve stayed the same weight for almost 3 years. Although I think I’m pretty fabulous as I am, a little help never hurts.

Sharon Hoffman, Washington D.C.

Why her daughter, Erin, thinks she should win:

I am entering this contest for my mom. My parents were overseas with the military when they were married so they were unable to have a wedding. Because of this, my wedding is extremely important to my mother, and it would be amazing to be able to give her this as something to make her feel extra special on my wedding day.

Pamela Stein, Harrisburg, PA

Why Pamela thinks she should win:

“I want my son to be proud of me on his wedding day. I’ve put most of my time and energy into my kids, and now that they are growing up and moving toward lives of their own, I look forward to new ways to reinvent myself. A Kay Unger makeover for my son’s wedding would be a fitting start.”

{Makeovers} Is your son or daughter getting married?

Win a private style consultation with designer-to-the-stars Kay Unger and a perfect Mother-of-the-Bride or Mother-of-the-Groom dress from Kay’s collection!

Meet Kay Unger: In addition to being an FOF and mother-of-the-groom herself (she planned both of her sons’ weddings last year) Kay Unger is one of the leading formalwear designers in the country, with dresses sold in more that 24 countries and worn by notable names such as Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek and Vanessa Williams. Kay is former president of The Fashion Group and was inducted as a Leading Woman Entrepreneur of the World™ in 1999.

To enter for a chance to win comment below and tell us: “Why do you need a mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom style makeover?”

{Don’t forget to tell your MOB friends to enter as well!}

Thank you for entering. This contest is now closed.

Images via oprah.com, Forbes Magazine, Nordstrom and Kay Unger

{Makeovers} And the winner is…

Francesca Kranzberg!

Read on to hear her story and enter our next makeover contest. . .

“It was time. I was 53, obese, and developing several co-morbidities—high blood pressure, joint pain, sleep apnea,” Francesca told FOF.

Six months ago, she took control of her life and her body.  “If I didn’t do something, it would soon be too late. I didn’t want to live my life in pain.”

Since then, Francesca has lost fifty pounds by maintaining a diet of lean protein, vegetables and sugar-free popsicles. “I couldn’t do this without my skinny vanilla lattes!”

FOFs were wowed by Francesca’s weight loss story:

“Francesca – you go girl!” said FOF Margie. “Anyone who has gone through the struggles of weight loss knows that a real pick me up (like a makeover) will do wonders for her to continue on her path!” said FOF Cary Olah.

FOFs know it takes heart to lose weight, but Francesca’s closest friends can truly attest to what a full heart she has:

“Francie is an amazing person. She’s really wonderful to the community in DC. To know her is to be inspired by her,” said Dina from Takoma Park.

What’s the first thing Francesca wants to expel from her closet?

“Shoulder pads! I have been ‘shopping’ for clothing at the far reaches of my closet finding things I haven’t been able to wear in years! All the outfits have these really BIG shoulder pads.”

In the coming weeks Francesca will work with style consultant and FOF Sherrie Mathieson to refine her style. Her makeover will be documented here, on the FOF Style Blog.

“I am HUGELY excited!” said Francesca. “I’ve told all my friends, and had to promise to share any tips I get.”

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Want to be featured in our next makeover? FOF editors recruit candidates from the Community Pages, so make sure to register and fill out your profile today.

Plus, do you know a Mother of the Bride who needs help with her look?! Tell sara@faboverfifty.com

{Makeovers} The Makeover Finalists Have Arrived!

Below are three FOF finalists from last week’s makeover contest. One will win a makeover with stylist Sherrie Mathieson, author of the brilliant makeover book Steal This Style.

(Vote for the finalist that YOU think should win by commenting below. The finalist with the most comments by Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 5 p.m. (E.S.T.) wins.) Thank you for entering. This contest is now closed.

Francesca Kranzberg, Washington D.C.
Why she thinks she should win: “Because I just lost almost 50 pounds! Although I still have another 80 to go, it’s been so long since I have seen even a semblance of a shape that I simply do not know what to do! And while my daughters are far too kind to tell me I need help, my in-laws aren’t!”

Kathleen Silloway, Mohegan Lake, NY
Why she thinks she should win: “Because then my kids can’t criticize me for looking like a schlump!”

Cathy Wilson, Tuscon, AZ
Why she thinks she should win: “My daughter is a fashionista with a great sense of style. I share her love of clothes, fashion and shopping, but I just don’t have that knack of putting together a smashing outfit. Both my daughter and my son think I’m attractive and look young for my age, and they get frustrated with me when I dress like MY mother! I’m single, living in a new city, looking for a new job – in essence, starting over again – and I want to learn how to dress fabulously for my age and my figure.”

{Makeovers} Mother’s Day Must-Ask: Do Your Kids Think You Need a Makeover?

Last week, FOF founder Geri blogged about the brilliant makeover book Steal This Style by FOF stylist Sherrie Mathieson.

This week, we are giving one lucky FOF a chance to win a makeover with Sherrie! Read on to enter . . .

In Steal this Style, Sherrie worked with twenty sets of FOF moms and their daughters (in some cases grandmother and granddaughter, or mother and daughter in spirit), to remake FOFs with fashion ideas from the younger generation. Admit it, you’ve made a few of these “before” mistakes:

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Mother: Yasue, 50, Administrative Assistant, Daughter: Michelle, 21, Medical Student

Before: Sherrie says, this FOF is “so buttoned-up Houdini could not hasten her departure from this conservative cage.”

After:  Sherrie says, “A bit edgy yet feminine, they look appropriate for their age and work. These black-and-white outfits are minimalist and fresh.”

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Mother: Ifé, 54, Talent manager, Daughter (in spirit, Ifé is friend, mentor and adviser to Nicole): Nicole, 39, Actress and retail sales associate

Before: Sherrie says, “She’s nice, but her look isn’t. From head to toe she needs to rethink her style ingredients. The see-through gathered skirt adds pounds and pulls our gaze down to where it shouldn’t be.”

After: Sherrie says, “Ifé’s outfit is right for her age and particularly right for her figure. A woman into her fifties could wear (daughter) Nicole’s look, as long as she has a similar figure and great legs.”

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Mother: Paulette, 55, Dental Assistant, Daughter: Danielle, 24, Journalism student

Before: Sherrie says “A bland color combination that is bad in all ways is punctuated by an unfortunately positioned red fanny pack that all eyes will center on.”

After: “A ripe take on preppy, mother Paulette has been nudged well by slightly mod daughter Danielle.”

In honor of Mother’s Day (and because it seemed fun) we asked Sherrie to give one lucky FOF member a “Steal This Style” makeover. Lucky for us, she agreed.

(To enter, comment below: “Why do your kids think you need a makeover?” We’ll pick three finalists next week.  One winner will receive a whole new look, expertly styled by Sherrie. If you don’t have kids, that’s okay—we’re sure there’s a younger person in your life who critiques your look!) Thank you for entering. This contest is now closed.

Images courtesy of Sherrie Mathieson

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