IT SOUNDS like a bad joke, doesn’t it? At least, that was the reaction we got from the majority of unsuspecting partygoers we ambushed at Rumor (100 Warrenton Street, Boston, 617.482.6958) on a recent Tuesday night. With two top hairstylists and one of the city’s premier makeup artists in tow, we scoured the nightspot in search of brave souls willing to try a whole new look. Over the thumping bass, we made promises of drastic hair and makeup transformations. The next night, our team, led by Giovanni Cudia of James Joseph Salon (30 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.266.7222), with help from fellow James Joseph stylist Seth Selman, and Tavi De La Rosa, makeup artist at shu uemura (130 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.247.3500), worked their magic. As you’ll see on the pages that follow, they didn’t disappoint.
Name: Kara Destrempe
Age: 22
From: Bedford, New Hampshire
Occupation: Buyer for a skate shop
Why we chose her: We loved Kara’s long, healthy hair, and her light eyes and good skin made her easy to work with.
Room for improvement: We wanted to accentuate her face with a more face-framing cut, and she was ready to take a risk with color.
Kara before: “It’s just hair, and it’ll grow back. And I wanted a more outrageous hairstyle than my boyfriend [who has a Mohawk].”
Kara after: “I love the look — I feel like a rock star!”
PRODUCTS USED: HAIR: COLOR BY WELLA; GHD MIRACLE MIST DAILY CONDITIONING SPRAY; BUMBLE AND BUMBLE CLASSIC HAIRSPRAY. MAKEUP BY SHU UEMURA: WATER PERFECT SMOOTHING WATER-IN FLUID FOUNDATION 554; GLOW ON BLUSH IN M PINK 31 AND P ORANGE 53; PRESSED EYE SHADOW IN ME BROWN 850; EYE LINER DRAWING PENCIL IN M BLACK 01; FIBER XTENSION LENGTHENING MASCARA; ROUGE UNLIMITED LIPSTICK IN BEIGE 920.
Name: Kelly Bernier
Age: 22
From: South End
Occupation: Student
Why we chose her: Kelly’s a natural beauty with a versatile face structure — there was a lot we could do with hair and makeup.
Room for improvement: The blonde highlights in her red hair drained warmth from her face.
Kelly before: “I’ve had the same look forever, so it will be interesting to see what someone with an outside opinion will change about me.”
Kelly after: “I feel completely different. It’s a completely different look than I’m used to, but I like it!”
PRODUCTS USED: HAIR: COLOR BY WELLA; BUMBLE AND BUMBLE PREP; BUMBLE AND BUMBLE STYLING LOTION; BUMBLE AND BUMBLE TREATMENT STYLING BALM. MAKEUP BY SHU UEMURA: NOBARA CREAM FOUNDATION 584; GLOW ON BLUSH IN M AMBER 82 AND P PINK 30; PRESSED EYE SHADOW IN M BEIGE 800 AND M WHITE 900; LIQUID EYE LINER; FIBER XTENSION LENGTHENING MASCARA; SWEET LIP GLOSS IN CHERRY.
Name: Jessica Postiglione
Age: 26
From: Cambridge
Occupation: Grad student at Harvard Business School
Why we chose her: Jessica had so much potential. We thought we could make some changes while ultimately ensuring she still felt like herself when all was said and done.
Room for improvement: There was nothing daring about Jessica’s look — we wanted to see her edgy and not so “good girl.”
Jessica before: “I’m excited to try out a new look and for the chance to have professional hair and makeup artists working on me.”
Jessica after: “I love my new
look! Thank you, Stuff@night, for everything!”
PRODUCTS USED: HAIR: COLOR BY WELLA; GHD MIRACLE MIST DAILY CONDITIONING SPRAY; GHD THERMAL PROTECTOR. MAKEUP BY SHU UEMURA: NOBARA CREAM FOUNDATION 564; GLOW ON BLUSH IN M AMBER 82; PRESSED EYE SHADOW IN ME BROWN 810, M BROWN 860, P BLACK 990, P BROWN 820, AND M BEIGE 800; FIBER XTENSION LENGTHENING MASCARA; SWEET LIP GLOSS IN ROSE CANDY.
Name: Fabrizio Fantini
Age: 27
From: Cambridge
Occupation: Grad student at Harvard Business School
Why we chose him: Fabrizio has a chiseled facial structure, but it was hiding behind his hair. Plus, his hair had great length.
Room for improvement: His untamed, unpolished curls needed cleaning up, and he needed a more conservative look to fit in with the other corporate types in the business world.
Fabrizio before: “I’m starting a new adventure in the US; there has to be a change in my style to reflect the change in my life.”
Fabrizio after: “I was nervous at first that it might look weird, but I think what we’ve done is absolutely professional. The guys did an awesome job — they’ve helped me come across as belonging more in the serious setting that I’m in. The advice part, too, is worth the day I spent.”
PRODUCTS USED: HAIR: RUSK RADICAL ANTICURL; GHD MIRACLE MIST DAILY CONDITIONING SPRAY; GHD TEXTURE LOTION FOR CONTROLLED STYLES. MAKEUP BY SHU UEMURA: NOBARA CREAM FOUNDATION 545; WARM SUN BRONZING POWDER; LASH REPAIR; DEPSEA THERAPY MOISTURE RECOVERY LIP BALM SPF 15.
Name: Sarah Kaye Drazen
Age: 25
From: Back Bay
Occupation: Works in the restaurant industry but is looking for a job in criminal justice
Why we chose her: She had beautiful curls, and she reminded Giovanni of Debra Messing.
Room for improvement: Sarah’s color was dull, brassy, and washed-out, with no tonality.
Sarah before: “I don’t know how to make myself look hot — I have no idea how to style and do makeup — so I’m excited to learn from the best and meet new people. And when else does someone come up to you when you’re at a bar and offer you a free makeover?”
Sarah after: “I’m really impressed with how I look and with the people I’ve met — they’re awesome. I had the best time.”
PRODUCTS USED: HAIR: COLOR BY WELLA; GHD SMOOTHING BALM FOR HAIR STRAIGHTENING. MAKEUP BY SHU UEMURA: NOBARA CREAM FOUNDATION 564; GLOW ON BLUSH IN P PINK 30; PRESSED EYE SHADOW IN IR GREEN 450, IR WHITE 900Y, AND ME BLACK 990; PRECISE VOLUME MASCARA; SWEET LIP GLOSS IN RASPBERRY.
Name: Molly Aguirre
Age: 23
From: Mammoth Lakes, California
Occupation: Professional snowboarder
Why we chose her: She had a bright personality, but her mousy hair didn’t match it.
Room for improvement: Her hair was dull, with no shine or texture.
Molly before: “I usually don’t spend a lot of money on my hair. I’ve never really taken risks with my appearance, so it’ll be a new experience to have a little change. I think it’s fun to make little changes in life, to step out of your comfort zone, and to learn new things about yourself.”
Molly after: “I’m in shock right now, because I didn’t think it would be this drastic. I love it; I absolutely love it. I just turned 23, and it’s the best birthday present!”
PRODUCTS USED: HAIR: COLOR BY WELLA; BUMBLE AND BUMBLE PREP; BUMBLE AND BUMBLE STYLING LOTION; BUMBLE AND BUMBLE TREATMENT STYLING BALM; BUMBLE AND BUMBLE BB SHINE. MAKEUP BY SHU UEMURA: NOBARA CREAM FOUNDATION 564; GLOW ON BLUSH IN M PINK 31 AND VICIOUS APRICOT; PRESSED EYE SHADOW IN P BLUE 650; EYE LINER DRAWING PENCIL IN ME BLUE 03; PRECISE VOLUME MASCARA; SWEET LIP GLOSS IN SAKURA CANDY.
[Photos by Jeff Smith • Styled by Erica Corsano • Clothing from Habit]
