3 Shocking Hair Makeovers

You dream about the one cut, color, or style that will transform your look — the one that will make you say "Wow!" to your reflection in the mirror. These three women stopped dreaming — and finally decided to take the plunge.

Why now?

"I've been wearing my hair long forever. My son is in high school now, and I want to feel like a hot mom again," says Cara, 37.

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

1 of 8 Chris Eckert/Magazine

Cara went short

What we did:
Paul Labrecque, owner of three eponymous New York City salons, cut Cara's hair into a graduated bob, accentuating the body and wavy texture hidden under all that weight. "Her hair is a foot shorter than when she arrived!" Labrecque says.

Could you go short?

"There's a short cut for everyone," Labrecque explains. "Focus on a feature you love: Open up those cheekbones, show off that jaw, reveal your beautiful neck. Stop hiding behind your hair and just do it!"

2 of 8 Chris Eckert/Magazine

Why now?

"I used to have some blonde highlights, but that was two kids ago," says Jen, 35. "I want to get my spunky, pre-kid look back."

3 of 8 Chris Eckert

Jen went blonde

What we did:

It took two veteran colorists from NYC's Pierre Michel Salon — on two separate days — to take Jen to this sun-kissed blonde. "Giving her hair a few days to rest in between lightening helped prevent breakage," explains colorist Angela Cosmai, who highlighted tiny sections all over Jen's head. In the next step, colorist Ludovic used an oil with a touch of peroxide to remove ashiness, then painted on another round of highlights.

Could you go blonde?

Try wrapping different light-colored towels around your head (white, cream, tan), suggests Ludovic. When your skin and features pop, you've found your tone of blonde.

4 of 8 Chris Eckert/Magazine

Why now?

"I haven't seen my real texture since elementary school," says Angela, 23. "I want to explore my natural roots."

5 of 8 Chris Eckert/Magazine

Angela went natural

What we did:

Angela had been hiding her relaxed, damaged hair under a weave while she tried to grow it out. Natural hair guru Dickey, owner of NYC's Hair Rules salon, removed Angela's weave and cut off the relaxed ends of her hair. Then he did a moisturizing treatment on her hair and scalp. "That's when we saw her beautiful curl pattern emerge," Dickey says. "Angela's new style is wash and wear, but she still has the option to blow it straight."

Could you go natural?

"If you like your [unrelaxed] curls when your hair is wet, you can go curly," Dickey says. "Find a stylist who won't try to talk you out of it and who is open to taking that journey with you."

6 of 8 Chris Eckert/Magazine

7 of 8 Redbook

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3 Shocking Hair Makeovers

Why now?

Cara went short

Why now?

Jen went blonde

Why now?

Angela went natural

makeup, skin care & hair: tips & tricks for a more beautiful you