By Bonnie Brown

Columnist

How many of us are perfectly satisfied with our appearance?  I don’t see many hands being raised.  Yes, that’s how I feel too.  I have never liked my nose.  It has a hump that is a family characteristic.  I used to have freckles when I was younger and didn’t like them much, but they have faded—or in truth, they have turned into age spots! 

As I have aged, I have been much more interested in makeup and how I can improve my appearance.  It can be quite transformative.  Sometimes more so than others.   Several years ago, there was a contest with Mary Kay to send in photos of the “before” and “after” photos after having applied the Mary Kay products.  

My dear friend Shelia Goolsby was a Mary Kay consultant and agreed I could be her submission for the competition.  I was sure I was a shoe-in.  I look very different with makeup on.  Shelia did an outstanding job of transforming me.  I looked sophisticated and very polished when she finished her magic touches to my appearance.  Even my husband was impressed and complimented me on the “new” look.  I was stunned to learn that I did not win the competition.  Clearly, the photos needed better lighting or some such.  

I have recently watched many videos on Facebook featuring Lana Joubert, Makeover Specialist, from South Africa doing, what else—makeovers.  The video begins with Ms. Joubert standing behind her seated client, both facing the camera and discussing what the lady’s expectations are, what her usual makeup and hair routines are, etc.  Ms. Joubert tells the client that she will give her tips and information as to how to continue the routine to achieve the new look.  

After a brief exchange, Ms. Joubert raises a large cloth from the client’s lap and over her face and head to reveal the new look.  Of course, it was a time-lapse deal but it’s a remarkable sight to see the once ordinary-looking lady transformed into her elegant, polished self, thanks to Ms. Joubert’s expertise.  

The results are nothing less than stunning in each client’s reveal.  I would conclude that each transformation probably takes many hours since not only is the makeup application lovely, but the hair and wardrobe are quite remarkable and very transformative.  And to see the client’s reaction to her “new” self gives me great pleasure for the client.  Her appearance and her makeup along with her wardrobe, are dramatically changed.  As she peers into the mirror, the client often looks incredulous that she is looking at herself.  

We ladies can change our appearance simply by changing our hair.  We can cut it, curl it, and color it in pretty short order to achieve a different look.  Yes, there’s the rub.  It might be “different” but is it more flattering?  Ah, there’s always the opportunity to apply a different color.  Then there is the predictable trip to the beauty salon to repair our appearance by getting the color corrected.  

I personally used to have my hair “frosted” which is a highlighting technique where a hairstylist paints color, often a cool-toned blonde, onto individual strands of hair.  I did this until I realized that my hair was already having lighter strands of hair — gray hair!

I would happily be a client of Ms. Joubert’s if I could get to South Africa.  And I feel certain she commands a substantial fee for her services.  So, I will continue to experiment with different brands, colors, and techniques on my own.  Fingers crossed that I don’t turn out to be the “before” version even after my efforts.