Style Takeover - April 2017
Meet Alexandra: Our brave makeover candidate this month is Alexandra Foster who also goes by Alex. A sophomore at USCB, she is studying to become a middle school math teacher. Alex also works as a barista at Starbucks in Bluffton. She gets up at 4:00 a.m. to be at work by 5:00. While being a barista is convenient for Alex’s coffee habit, it also means that she has to wear a hat and can’t have any nail polish. Alex has an adventurous, free-spirited personality, often coloring her hair wild colors. It had been three months since she last colored her hair, leaving her roots grown out and her red faded to pink. Her typical style: Graphic T’s and jeans.
Step One—The Plan: We headed over to Le Spa of Sea Pines, where cosmetologist Rebekah Bianchi took Alex under her wing. I’m always impressed by how cosmetologists take the time to get to know our makeover candidates and consider their budget and morning routines when deciding what style to go with. Getting up at 4:00 a.m. means Alex tends to wash and go, not spending any time on styling. As a college student, she is on a tight budget. Considering both of these facts, Rebekah decided rather than going with a wild color that would require frequent maintenance, she would stick more closely to Alex’s natural color, lightening and brightening her look for spring, while toning down the pink.
Step Two—Applying Color: It turns out this was Alex’s first time ever having her hair professionally colored. Together Alex and Rebekah chose colors from the Goldwell display. They went with a light blonde for highlights and a brown for lowlights to add contrast. Foils were applied all over so that Alex’s hair would blend consistently and naturally, even when pulled into a ponytail. Two tips for taking care of color treated hair: 1. Don’t wash your hair every day. 2. When you do wash, use a paraben-free, sulfate-free shampoo, which will make your color last longer.
Step Three—Manicure: It was a true day of pampering for this hard-working college student. Nail technician Patty DiCicco gave Alex a manicure, including a hand massage. Since Starbucks’ rules prohibit nail polish, Patty finished her nails off with a buff leaving them completely natural.
Step Four—The Cut: Rebekah took off some of the bluntness of Alex’s cut, rounding it off to frame her face. She added layers to create volume and to show off the color.
Step Five—Makeup: Kirstin Powers, a CIDESCO trained aesthetician, was the next to welcome Alex into her chair. Kirstin described Alex’s skin tone as English rose and the condition as a bit sensitive. She talked to Alex about hydration as a way to reduce the redness in her skin. Since Alex isn’t used to wearing much makeup, Kirstin wanted to keep her new look light and natural. She began by adding a tinted moisturizer by Jane Iredale. Leaving Alex’s eyebrows full and natural, she filled them in with a touch of taupe eyeshadow. For her eyelids, she used a base color of bone, a rose gold and peach sherbet for a little shimmer. Black eyeliner and mascara added the finishing touch to her eyes. Since Alex already has a reddish undertone to her skin, Kirstin chose a brown base for her blush. Finally, she added lip liner and lip gloss for a natural look. Two tips Kirstin had for us: 1. When choosing makeup, find shades and colors that you are naturally attracted to. 2. Ask for samples; they are a great way to try out new products.
Step Six—Choosing an Outfit: Our last stop was at Fresh Produce located in Coligny Plaza, Hilton Head Island. When we arrived, Mari Anne Hedemark, Michelle Olesh and Valerie Robinson were ready with their fashion expertise to help find the perfect outfit. Alex chose a black dress and cropped leggings both by Yala and a pair of Oka B. black flats. To accessorize, she went with the Brighton Neptune Ring necklace and matching bracelet. A pair of Brighton hoop earrings provided finishing touches.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Le Spa of Sea Pines: Where you will meet the friendliest team of beauty professionals, who are truly passionate about the work they do. Rebekah Bianchi can find the color and cut to match your lifestyle. Patty DiCicco will take care of your hands and nails and help relieve some stress, too. Kirstin Powers will teach you about skin care, help you find all the right products and have you feeling confident and beautiful. Open Monday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Located at 71 Lighthouse Road #613 in Sea Pines Center. Call 843-363-6000 to book your appointment and log on to www.lespahiltonhead.com for a menu of services.
Fresh Produce: Visit Mari Anne Hedemark, Michelle Olesh, and Valerie Robinson at Fresh Produce, where you will find original prints, vibrant colors and stylish, comfortable clothing. They can help you find the perfect outfit, complete with shoes, jewelry and handbags. Fresh Produce is located in Coligny Plaza on North Forest Beach drive. Call 843-842-3410 or go visit and have some fun shopping—you’re going to love this store!