When FOF Mary Jane Andrada won our Carolyn Diamond makeover contest this January, we had no idea how much she deserved it.
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FOF Mary Jane Andrada, of Queens, New York, is a tiny woman (not even 5 feet!) with big responsibilities. She works fulltime as a paralegal for a top intellectual property firm while raising her two children–a daughter, 27, and son, 15–on her own.
“My husband and I met in college,” she says, smiling. “We were together for more than 20 years, but he passed away twelve years ago of a heart attack.” That’s when MaryJane went back to school for her paralegal degree and started a whole new life–at 41.
Mary Jane arrived for her makeover at New York City’s Mizu salon, right on time, beaming from ear to ear. “I can’t wait,” she says, fingering a tiny heart-disease awareness pin on her lapel. “I recently went to my 35th High School reunion, and all my friends made me promise to send photos after the makeover and share all the tips!”
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Step 1: Haircolor
Expert: Karen Freely, colorist at Mizu salon, and dead ringer for actress Heather Graham
Karen’s critique: “Mary Jane is covering her gray with a harsh, at-home dye containing red undertones that are bringing out too much pink in her skin.”
Karen’s Fix:
A demi-permanent Gloss from Redken that matches Mary Jane’s natural, deep brown color. “Demi-permanent will fade out slowly over 2-3 months so you won’t get a harsh line of difference,” says Karen.
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Step 2: Haircut
Expert: Ray Symons, master stylist at Mizu salon. (Follow his Twitter!)
Ray’s Critique: “Mary Jane has lovely hair, but the layers and length are not showing off her high cheekbones and square face. She needs a shorter cut–but NOT a bob. That will make her face look too round.”
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“I don’t know what you did, but it feels like baby hair!”
Ray’s Fix:
(1) “A shorter cut where the front layers are styled away from the face. (2) The key is to blowdry the hair forward and then blow it back to create volume at the roots. Also, use a round brush containing a mix of nylon and natural bristles. The nylon grabs the hair, but the natural bristles smooth the cuticle and add shine.”
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Step 3: Makeup
Expert: FOF Carolyn Diamond, professional makeup artist to the stars and medical aesthetician. Carolyn was named “Best Makeup Artist of the Year” in the Philly Hotlist.
Carolyn’s critique: “Mary Jane has beautiful eyes, but her brows–the most important feature on every woman’s face!–are thin and undefined. Her eyeliner application is making her eyes appear smaller. I’m seeing uneven skin tone and age spots, which can easily be covered. She’s also using pink makeup tones when she should be using apricot and corals to complement her yellow undertones.”
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Carolyn’s Fix:
1. “First, I’m prepping her face with a toner containing glycolic acid, which breaks down the bonds that hold dead skin cells. I tell all my clients to sit in a hot bath every once in awhile–that sloughs off the dead skin on your neck and chest. It’s the best exfoliant! Mary Jane has slightly oily skin, so I’m using just a little Ultra Benefits cream. I always pat it on my hands first and then on the face, so I don’t apply too much.”
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2. “For FOFs, I always use GloMinerals, a mineral-based foundation and concealer in one. I like it much better than Bare Minerals, which tends to be very unforgiving on FOF skin because it has a lot of mica, a shiny mineral that shows every wrinkle. GloMinerals is finer and more matte. Sort of like the difference between painting a wall in matte or high gloss–high gloss shows everything.” MaryJane’s shade: GloMinerals Golden Dark Pressed Base, $42
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3. “For an instant eye lift, first use a yellow-based primer all over the eyelid, then apply color from the crease to the brow bone. Eyeliner should get thicker and higher as you move from the inner to the outer eye. Use very little liner on the bottom lid!”
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4. “Eyebrows–so key! I use Nutraluxe Lash MD to make my own lashes and brows thicker and fuller. Then, fill in your brows by tapping on brow powder with a brush. Don’t use pencil and don’t drag the brush across your brow to create a defined line. Just tap, tap, tap!”
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5. “Finally, GloMinerals Blush in Papaya and GloMinerals Gloss in Peony are the perfect shades for MaryJane–they add warmth and flatter her skintone.”
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All products listed here can be purchased directly through Carolyn Diamond’s studio. Call 267-664-7712 to order.
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“I am transformed!” says Mary Jane when she sees her complete look for the first time. “I feel youthful and more confident. And this color, cut and makeup are effortless–I can do these myself. The whole experience has inspired me to want to take better care of myself.”
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Enter to win a gift bag of luxe Carolyn Diamond skincare samples when you answer this questions in the comments: What do you think of Mary Jane’s new look? (10 women will win!)
10 FOFs will win. (See all our past winners, here.) (See official rules, here.) Contest closes May 3, 2012 at midnight E.S.T.
Photographer: Katherine Miles Jones
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