THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 8, 1996 TAG: 9601060068
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Kim Wadsworth
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Melinda Saul, known to her friends and family as Sally, has traveled a long and painful road to get to where she is today.
"I saw so many of my dreams shattered through the onset of my neurological disease," she wrote. "I was confined to a wheelchair for years due to an inability to use any involuntary muscles. Suddenly in July, I was able to walk again, to the amazement of my doctors and friends. I need a new look to go with my new-found ability to walk, shop and enjoy my new lifestyle."
A registered nurse with a law degree, Saul at age 46 is suddenly faced with a surprising shift in her life. Recovering in what she calls a "Convalescent state," she must still remain on oxygen at night. But now, the thought of passing the bar exam in 1997 and working in medical malpractice is not just a dream. "And getting a makeover like this would be a once-in-a- lifetime experience,'' she said.
For Gary Allen of Gary Allen Hair & Skin Care Centre in Virginia Beach, the steps to achieving a successful makeover for Melinda were simple.
``I met with her first to understand her needs and lifestyle,'' Allen said. ``I instantly looked for her best assets - healthy hair, good skin, pretty eyes. I wanted to bring them out.''
Allen didn't necessarily want to make her look thinner; rather, he wanted to make her look her best.
``Sometimes we need to be reminded that, `I am pretty.' For me, this was a makeover of the soul,'' Allen said.
After coloring Saul's hair in warm shades of red, Allen gave her a cut that was not too radical but offered a different look that would not require a lot of work.
When makeup artist Violet White met with Saul, she noted that Saul's eyes had a sad downward expression. Once White reshaped Saul's eyebrows, her eyes instantly opened up.
``She has beautiful skin so I tried to concentrate on highlighting her face,'' says White. ``We warmed her colors up a bit by using reds, rusts and burgundy tones to go with her new hair color.''
The result is a vibrant new look that reflected the best in Saul. Wearing a three-piece floral outfit from Hecht's, she beamed throughout her photo session.
``It's a new year for me, a year of transition,'' she said. ``It's so wonderful to feel pretty again. I'm excited to see what the future holds for me.'' ILLUSTRATION: [color photos<
Before and After photos
MOTOYA NAKAMURA/ The Virginian-Pilot
Gary Allen gives Sally Saul a not-too-radical cut.
by CNB