THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608290148
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KIM WADSWORTH, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 85 lines
THE TIME COMES at least once in our lives when we're ready to change our appearance.
This month, the time came for Dianne Webb and Kirsten Aymer.
An undergraduate at Old Dominion University with plans for law school, the 34-year-old Webb knew she'd need a more professional look.
``I've been so busy thinking about all the hurdles of getting my degrees, I hadn't addressed the outward aspect of how I should look,'' she says.
So she decided to get a makeover.
At Angelo Mesisco Salon in Norfolk, hair stylist Patty Mesisco quickly noticed that Webb's haircut wasn't balanced and needed some length removed to get it in shape.
``I made the haircut loose to create a more casual style that would work for school and the weekends,'' says Mesisco. ``Drying it smooth . . . offers a more professional alternative.''
Next, a one-process color treatment helped cover the gray and and made Webb's hair warmer-looking, with just a hint of mahogany.
After a soothing massage, facial and eyebrow waxing upstairs, Webb was ready to face some facts about her makeup.
Tammy Taylor, a makeup artist for Lancome at the Norfolk Naval Base Exchange store, placed the emphasis on Webb's strongest feature, her eyes.
Taylor used a powder pencil to draw in her eyebrows. She blended lights and darks to create depth. And she used a brick lip color.
Stepping in front of the mirror, wearing a vivid red jacket with gray vest and pants from Statement. Ltd., Webb could hardly believe her eyes.
``It's as if I'm meeting someone new, someone I didn't know before,'' she said. ``I lost sight outwardly of who I was.''
Her makeover was a transforming experience, she says.
``I don't feel like a younger girl anymore. This is a more serious look. There's something to be said about a short haircut.''
Eighteen-year-old Kirsten Aymer of Portsmouth knew she was ready for a change when she decided to attend The Catholic University of America in Washington.
Aymer knew her high-school look had to go before she moved. ``I'm going to be a freshman again and I don't want to look like a high-school kid.''
She knew her makeover would center around what was done with her hair.
``Two years ago I was seriously considering shaving my head. This full head of curls has been my trademark my whole life. I was ready to do something with it.''
Enter Corinne Barbato, owner of Salon 3200 in Virginia Beach. Fingering through the mass of hair, Barbato exclaimed: ``This poor child. This curly hair gives her no options. It's just too unruly.''
Using a relaxer, Barbato calmed it down, then softly layered it while taking off five inches to better frame Aymer's face. Next, she applied a soft demi-color in warm shades of red were applied. The color will require no maintenance while Aymer is away at school, so it should be easy to keep until she comes back into town midseason.
Then, Barbato suggested that Aymer straighten her hair, something she had long considered. The results were satisfying.
``Even if it doesn't take me more time to fix my hair, I want to look like it does. After cramming all night for exams, I still want to look together in the morning.''
Finally, makeup artist Tina Cardwell and nail technician Jennifer made some other adjustments to Aymer's look. filed her nails and applied a natural-toned polish. With makeup and skincare by Joe Blasco and Orlane, Cardwell created a natural look that appropriate for Aymer's age.
Wearing hip fashions from Gantos, Aymer was dazed by her day of beauty.
``Don't hate me because I'm beautiful,'' she joked.
Aymer contemplated the rite of passage she had just experienced.
``I love my new look, but I don't look like myself. Suddenly I've matured. How fitting, I guess.''
Aymer had embraced the first of many changes on her new adventure. Smiling all the way. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by Bill Tiernan/The Virginian-Pilot
[ODU undergrad Dianne Webb...]
[Webb's hair was cut at the salon....Barbara Rogers blows it dry]
[Before and After photos of Dianne Webb, with her children]
[B/W photo by Vicki Cronis/The Virginian-Pilot
[Kristen Aymer, before and after....]
[For complete copy, see microfilm]
KEYWORDS: MAKEOVER by CNB