Priority: Me!

A single mom looks to focus on herself for once, and her first step is a new look

PROBLEM: Barbara’s roots are too dark, her ends are brassy and she has a bit of gray showing. Her hair also lacks shape.

SOLUTION: Master stylists and colorists, brothers Rae Gab Jr. and Ryan Gab of Rae Ben Salon, in Metairie, have worked together for the past 19 years helping clients uncover their hidden potential. They immediately saw that Barbara, a natural brunet, had very nice hair with good body and movement but needed a couple of things to spruce it up. For color, Rae added warm golden-brown highlights to the roots to lighten them. After drying the hair between processes to ensure vibrancy, Ryan followed with an all-over copper-gold glaze to brighten her highlights. A good cut was in order, one that would complement the shape of her face. So Rae cut a few layers to the top and middle to add volume, blending into the layers she already had. He trimmed the back and blended the layers throughout, keeping as much length as possible. Ryan suggested a blowout with a round brush, then he set her hair with extra-large rollers to create even more bounce and volume. A finishing spritz of hair spray sealed the deal.

Rae and Ryan’s Product List
Base color: Majirel Medium Golden Brown
Glaze: Redken Shades EQ Light
Golden Copper
AG Tech 2 Color Treatment Shampoo
AG Ultra Moist Conditioner
AG Plastique Root Volumizer
AG Thermal Setting Spray
Aerogel Finishing Spray 

PROBLEM: Barbara plays it too safe and too boring when applying makeup. SOLUTION: Makeup artist extraordinaire Tasha Pierron decided to give Barbara a fun, sun-kissed look that would prepare her to transition to the warm weather ahead. She suggested playing up the reds and warm highlights in Barbara’s hair with a bronze, golden-goddess look. Starting with Barbara’s brown eyes, Tasha smoothed on a base of taupe-colored cream shadow to help the top layer of powdered shadow adhere, last longer and pop. A blended mix of orange and bronze eye shadow was smoothed onto her lids, and a dark brown cream liner was added to the top and lower lashes. Next, a lightweight, tinted moisturizer was smoothed over her face, then a dusting of matte powder was added to set. Nude brown liner and a blend of two colors—sheer red and deep coral—finished the lips. The final touch was a dark, thick layer of mascara to pump up Barbara’s lashes.

Tasha’s Product List
MD Skincare Medium All in 1 Tinted Moisturizer
Translucent loose face powder
Mac Woodwinked and Amber Lights Eye Shadow
Mehron Fleshtone and Brown Espresso Eye Shadow
Wet n Wild Brown Pencil Eyeliner
Clinique Black Lash Doubling Mascara
Duwop Mango Blushbooster
Kevyn Aucoin Medium Flesh Tone Lipliner
The Body Shop Sheer Red Lipstick
The Balm Bing My Cherry Lipgloss