I knew Jana O’Bryan was going to be special when three different colleagues and her boss wrote to nominate her for our monthly day of pampering—the Pink Makeover. They said things like “To meet Jana is to have an instant connection. She’s kind, listens with intention and genuinely engages you. I cannot get enough of her!” and “Jana is so very deserving of a special day dedicated just for her. She always puts others first; it’s time she was recognized for the compassionate, dedicated woman of integrity that she is.”

They were spot on, as Jana was a pleasure to spend an afternoon with and watch her transform. When Jana walked into The Hair Designers Salon at Village at Wexford with her daughter, Ashtin, in tow, we were all excited to get started. Mark Goodman, salon owner, has more credentials than this article has space. He is a master at color, cut and making people look—and feel—their absolute best.

The word “Community” came together this month in the small business known as Sweetgrass Salon. It was a very special makeover that underscores friendships, mutual respect and hearts of love.

Our makeover candidate is Megan DeWeese. Megan is a 2nd grade teacher at Okatie Elementary school. That title, however, doesn’t do her justice. In the 2020-21 school year, Megan was a Teacher of the Year, both in her school and the district. Her history, however, includes surviving loss and grief. She’s experienced the crushing bereavement of a still born child and, more recently, the loss of her mother to cancer. Megan formerly spent six years in the army reserves. She’s gone back to school many times over the years and has scored several degrees.

Laura Sterling is our makeover candidate this month. She runs Laura’s Little Critter Barn, which is a not-for-profit haven for wild and domestic animals. Walking into Laura’s house means you’ll encounter a variety of contented creatures. You are first greeted by a canine crew of varying ages and temperaments. In the corner of the dining room is a floor-to-ceiling cage housing two baby squirrels. By the kitchen is a nest of kittens and their momma, who was found in the middle of a busy highway with her head stuck in a can. Laura stopped the car and ran into traffic to save her life. In gratitude, the kitty promptly presented Laura with two kittens. In the living room, under the window, is a crate containing two baby piglets. In the powder room, just off the living room, are two tiny, spotted, baby deer who are still being bottle fed.

To say that Laura Sterling is a unique woman is a bit of an understatement. Laura is both sweetly gentle and hotly fierce. She has carved out a life that makes her the kindest darling to some and the steely-eyed foe to others. She once went to a political meeting, one filled with solemn gravitas, with a tiny baby opossum hunkered down in her pocket. The little baby was on the brink of life and needed to be kept warm and safe. To Laura, who was there to dispense some of her fiery intelligence, the tiny life was equally important as the room full of dignified politicians. How many women do you know who would head to city hall with a pocket full of ‘possum?

In a celebration of motherhood, our renewed makeover feature turned its attention to an ultimate mother.

When Pink Publisher, Elizabeth Skenes Millen, asked her Facebook friends who needed a makeover, there was one particular voice that replied “Yes!” from her mother’s Facebook page. Shortly after, her mother chimed in and replied “She really does!”

Our attention was arrested by this mother, Karin, who wanted something pretty and special for her daughter, April. It was a generous and sweet thing. It was something a mother would do because when we look at the concept of motherhood, we’re really looking at unconditional love in action.

So our hearts had no choice. We chose them both for the makeover.

With a dash of bleach, a pinch of toner and a full box of hair dye, Hailey made the perfect recipe for damaged hair, but of course not on purpose. “I really wanted a change up my look, so I had a friend bleach my hair, dye it with blonde box color, and then we toned it until it looked a little better than it did with just the box dye,” Hailey laughed. Being a close friend of mine, Hailey face-timed me with her new do and said she was not the biggest fan of it. That conversation sparked the idea inside my head that Hailey would be the perfect candidate for a makeover. With approval from the boss, she was chosen to be our new makeover candidate and she couldn’t have been more excited to be rescued! 

At my first creative meeting as an intern at Pink Magazine, I was chosen to be the makeover candidate for the July Lash Takeover. I was super stoked about it because I have friends who always get their lashes and brows done professionally and their eyes always look amazing. Now it had officially happened, I was having mine done, too.

I normally don’t wear makeup. Everyone tells me I don’t need it, usually followed by compliments on my skin with comments like flawless and natural. I guess that’s a good thing for a college girl’s busy schedule because when I do doll up, I only wear mascara and lip balm. These two have been my go-to items for most of my life, so I accepted this opportunity to change my look hoping to go from good to fabulous.

Meet Our May Pet Makeover Doggie, Auggie! He is adorable and loving, but most of all he’s just a giant goofball. Augustine, (Auggie is my nickname for him) is not like other dogs. His sweet personality is perfectly paired with a chill cha-risma. Not knowing anything about Auggie, most would stereotype him with the usual “big dog” characteristics—boisterous, cumbersome, gigantic, but he is actually a cuddly lap dog. This big, furry goof, which now resides at Hilton Head Humane Association (HHHA), has a tendency to rub up on you, walk in between your legs, give out hugs, and the occasional lick on the face.

Queen for a day?  Some of us would be happy to be queen for 10 minutes! Our busy, over-scheduled lives sometime scream for a little royal pampering, but what if that pampering wasn’t temporary, and the throne was a seat where your mirror always reflected beauty and confidence? Well, Personal Stylist, Image Consultant, and Color Analysis Expert, Wendy Jacobs of Bluffton’s House of Colour (HOC) just might be your fashion fairy-godmother.

The role of queen was recently played by Pink Magazine’s Advertising Sales Executive, Dawn Harris. A day of exploration into her color style and profile was great fun, but the method ... purely scientific.

Meet Kathleen Mirin
Pink's December Mademann Makeover Candidate

Age: 64
Married to Paul Brophy
for 30 years, 3 children
Been part of the HHI community for over 20 years:
* Past Editor of the Island Packet
* Taught French for 20 years
* Presently friendly food presenter at Publix

It was a beautiful autumn day when Kathryn Mademann had the pleasure of meeting Kathleen Mirin.

“A family friend wrote to us at Pink Magazine sharing Kathleen's story, so we contacted her for her lifestyle makeover.” Kathleen confessed she had been working her way out of a persistent type of funk by exercising more and seeing good results in weight loss. “I think this makeover will be just what I need!”

Meet Karla Weeden
Pink's September 2018 Mademann Makeover Candidate

51 years old
Married 26 years to Tom
2 Children ~ Emily and Charlie
Career: Ultrasound technician at Beaufort Memorial Hospital OBGYN Specialists

Karla wanted to…
> Update her hairstyle and color
> Get Makeup tips
> Wear a pretty dress
> Create a casual look, as well

Karla Weeden loves watching makeovers on television. You can only imagine her surprise when we called her out of the blue and invited her for the exclusive Pink-Mademann makeover experience. After talking with her and viewing an on-the-spot selfie she text us, we chose Karla because she was enthusiastic, open for suggestions, and most importantly, ready for a change.

When I met Sarah Bo Danzell she was full of energy, articulate, and charismatic. She shared with me her busy life, family, and passion for teaching. As we spoke, I realized that Sarah Bo has a depth in her life experiences and, as many single moms, she has a lot on her plate managing her kids, renovating a new house, teaching, and trying to fit some “me-time” in between it all. This summer, Sarah Bo realized that-—busy life notwithstanding —it was time to do something new in updating her “look” with a new hairstyle and some ideas for her wardrobe for the upcoming school year.

Often women look in the mirror and quietly think to themselves: “I would love to do something different with my look but how do I go about it?” and “Who can I trust with this transformation?”

I’m so glad our Pink Makeover folks found her!

You have an amazing background. Do tell. My life has had some unique twists and turns. After graduate school, I started my career in higher education and began a modeling career at the same time, the latter of which extended for more than 25 years. Within that period of time, I also founded two niche resort magazines, hosted a few television shows, including one that featured fashion makeovers called “On Trend.” Hosting this show resonated with me because I loved helping the women who wanted a makeover, and was also able to incorporate my fashion experience. It was rewarding when the makeover candidates put their trust in me. As a personal image stylist, I’ve worked with amazing individuals and business clients, charity events, and retailers both in the United States and Canada. One of my unique clients is Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort, where I’ve been a regular guest speaker. I also just signed on with Hilton Head Health (H3) in Shipyard Plantation. I’ll be offering my “Foundations of Fabulous Style” workshops and private consultations to their guests.

When Elizabeth Millen posted on Facebook that Pink Magazine and Fifth Avenue Salon were looking for the perfect makeover candidate, several women volunteered, but it was Sirritha Green’s sweet response that caught our attention.

She posted: Omg.......... Let’s see. I have had the same hairstyle for over 10 years. I am a mother to 4 busy, busy kids with my oldest in college. I don’t have time to do my hair so it is usually always pulled up. I would love a new sexy look for myself and my husband. I would love for him to look at me again with those eyes.

Ms. Carol Cochran says things happen in threes. The first was when she had a stroke in her right eye, leaving her nearly blind. Then, her mom passed away. The third happened back in February when doctors told her she has congestive heart failure. After she lost her mom, she never  so much as even put on lipstick again. The most she managed to do when getting fixed up was to draw on her eyebrows.

Ms. Carol left Hilton Head a few years ago to live in North Carolina and take care of her grandson, her pride and joy, whose favorite job was wiping off his grandma’s eyebrows before they both went to bed. She decided to return to Hilton Head and as soon as she did, the universe began affirming her decision. First, she found a ground-floor, handicapped accessible apartment with a primo parking space right out front for her new car. Second, she got a job as a hospice nurse, and the third bit of magic happened at our own Pink Partini when she was chosen as our September makeover candidate.

I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a makeover than Tricia Mikouchi. Even though she’d probably never want recognition, I have to tell you just how amazing she is. Tricia moved to Japan in the ‘70s where she lived and taught school for 14 years. After having her first daughter, she moved back to the states, where she adopted three more daughters and raised them as a single mom. Listening to her tell stories about her girls, the sentiment was always the same—unconditional love. In anticipation of returning to Japan for a reunion with her former students, Tricia’s goal was to be the blonde they would remember.

Meet Hope, a 10-year-old, 8-pound, red Pomeranian, full of fur, fluff and love. When we invited all the local shelters to submit nominations for our pet makeover, Hilton Head Humane Association sent in a picture of Hope with her wild fiery fur. We could see her potential— this foxy little lady was overdue for a day at the spa. Hope was found by Beaufort County Animal Services and classified as a stray. Only Hope knows her story, but the moment we met, I knew she had been someone’s beloved pet. She ran straight to me, climbing into my lap, a ball of fur as wide as she is long. Clearly, she is no stranger to treats.

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.

Meet Olive McMahon: Another brave, adventurous woman willing to undergo drastic changes, this month’s candidate is Olive McMahon, who spends her days chasing after three-year-olds at The Little Brown School in Port Royal.

“Why me? I just serve fish.”

That was one of the first things Melissa Parker said to me when I interviewed her about the makeover. Not that there’s anything wrong with just serving fish, or maybe it’s that no one “just serves fish.” Everyone has a story, and it’s always the people who don’t know how special they are who are the most special.

Meet Gabi: Gabi Tapia moved with her family from Guadalajara, Mexico to Hilton Head Island when she was 3 years old. She is now 17 and a senior at Hilton Head High School. About ten years ago, her neighbor Amy, who then worked at Pink Magazine, took Gabi with her to a Pink Partini. 

It’s January. You may be one of thousands of people donning new workout clothes, heading to a new gym and exercising your resolution to finally get fit! Pink decided to offer encouragement and introduce you to Samantha Norris who got a head start by beginning her fitness program last August. We hope her enthusiasm, commitment and results—now four months into it—spur you to keep on going when the first flush of resolve fades away.

This month we wanted to “takeover” a woman who spends her life giving to others and let her be on the receiving end. Melissa Viets was the perfect candidate. Melissa, a certified nursing assistant and executive assistant at the Friends of Caroline Hospice of Beaufort, was suggested by her boss, Executive Director Lindsay Roberg. Everyone who knows Melissa agrees she deserved it. 

Strolling down Calhoun Street in Historic Bluffton, you might see a quaint, porch-fronted house with large lavender planters and fuchsia Adirondack chairs in the front yard. Curiosity will compel you to wonder what’s beyond the colorful threshold. What awaits you inside Lynda’s on Calhoun is a quirky, magical space that combines a sassy salon, serene spa and boho fashion boutique created by owner Lynda Johnson.

The Tara Stimpson you see on this page radically transformed herself before stepping into A Beautiful U Salon and Gigi’s Boutique for this month’s style takeover. Since the fall of 2013, Tara has lost 90 pounds. Through a self-designed program, she has become a health and fitness success.  Pink wanted to celebrate her story.

Fashion forward by day, fabulous and flirty by night—this was the goal.  We know stylish women who achieve this regularly. They go home, peel off their pumps and power-packaging (or other work attire), reach into their closets and pull out a sizzling sexy number and stilettos and vamp their way back out the door. But what if there’s no time to go home and change? What if it’s a hot date or important event and you have to go directly from work?

On Saturday, September 13, 2014, 22 year-old Maggie Creeden sat in Williams-Brice Stadium with thousands of fellow USC students and other Gamecock fans watching their team beat the Georgia Bulldogs. It was a great day and she was feelin’ fine. She wondered if her slight cough might be the start of bronchitis, and, after the game, she stopped by the doctor’s office. 

Is there a female anywhere who doesn’t love being pampered? Who wouldn’t welcome a professional makeover? This month our lucky lady is gorgeous, petite and blonde. She is also a one-year-old, five pound, Maltese mix named Sadie.

Meet Jackie: Jackie Longo has a passion and zeal for life that is above and beyond. Her enthusiasm is as fresh and exciting as it is contagious. Originally from Ohio, Jackie lived in Seattle, Wash., with her then-husband, but, thanks to a friend, she finally landed in Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head Island. Her travels were far from over. Today, Jackie only lives on the island six months out of the year, then moves to her own villa in a little town right outside of Pisa, Italy, for the remaining summer month

Chris Franco has been through extreme hard times, dealing with situations that brings one to their knees. Her middle child and only son, Christopher, passed away at the age of 35 on Nov. 5, 2014. While it was somewhat expected, that fact never eases the pain of losing a child.