TOTAL MAKEOVER

Dear Jellybean,

I'm writing to you because this summer I want to do my own makeover. Basically I want to look "different" quite different from now. Next year I graduate high school so I want to look my best. I'm going to get highlights, lose weight, and get a new wardrobe. But I wanted to ask you, is there anything else I can do to add to this makeover to look almost unrecognizable (if you know what I mean) I need a change and I'm willing to do anything that's inexpensive to update my beauty. ANY ideas that you might have please tell me. Thank you very much in advance.
Sincerely,
Jenny

Dear Jenny,

Let me start by saying, I'm not here to judge whether or not you need a makeover. If you say you want to totally change your look, that's good enough for me. I'm sure you've put tons of time into thinking about why you want to do this.

But let me also say, the best makeovers don't make you unrecognizable. It's not about making you look like someone else - rather, it's about making you look like the best possible version of you. So if you never wear makeup, don't suddenly start piling it on like you're Lindsay Lohan.

Gorgeous makeup is all about playing up one facial feature, and letting the rest stay fairly neutral. Take a good assessment of your features, and pick your best one (whether that's your pretty eyes, lips, cheekbones, whatever) to play up. Everything else should take a back seat. To learn about the best makeup shades and products for your natural coloring, visit the Myjellybean Makeup Generator (click here).

Or, to kick-start your new look, find out how an expert would make you over, and copy that! Go to a department store cosmetics counter and ask for a proper makeover by a cosmetician. Ask questions about the products she applies, and the application techniques she's using on you. After that, if you like the results, you can practice duplicating the look at home. Many cosmetics counters offer this service for free (they just try to sell you their products when they're done - which you have no obligation to buy, unless you want to). Visit your local department store, and walk around to different cosmetics counters, asking about makeover services, and if they cost anything.

When it comes to choosing which one to go to, also check out the makeup on the person behind the counter. If it's overdone or not to your liking, chances are you won't like what they do on you, either. Look for a cosmetician whose makeup you think is pretty (not whether SHE is pretty - just whether her makeup looks great) when choosing a makeover artist.

Regarding highlights, they can look great on some people, and harsh or weird on others. So before deciding on them, call a good hair salon and book a consultation appointment. This isn't a haircut, it's just buying some of a professional stylist's time. You can bring pictures of hair colors and styles you like, and the hairstylist will tell you if they'll work for your hair texture and natural color, and make suggestions based on their experience. Yes, a consultation will cost you a few bucks, but it's money very well-spent, when you consider how much it costs (and how awful it is) to grow out a bad cut or coloring job, if you don't get a good look the first time around. How do you find a good salon for your consultation? The best way is to ask someone with gorgeous hair where they get it done. Personal recommendations are always the best.

Finally, when it comes to your wardrobe, go slow. It's tempting to go out and buy all new clothes when you lose weight and change your look. But you'll probably find that your taste evolves, and what you love when you first go shopping, will change a little, a few months later. Spend all your money at once, and you won't have any cash to update your wardrobe, add new accessories, and so on.

My suggestion is, just start with a few good basics, such as an amazing-fitting pair of jeans, a nice skirt, a couple of great tops, and a cute jacket or cardigan sweater that fits well over the tops. Buy items that have complementary colors, so you can mix and match them to create several different outfits. Grab a few cheap accessories too, such as plastic sunglasses, or costume jewelry necklaces, that can change up your outfits.

Do keep in mind that style should work for you, not the other way around. Don't throw away money on trendy clothing items, when you're still building a wardrobe. Stick with classic cuts (bootleg or straight-leg jeans instead of super-wide or super-skinny, for instance) that won't be out of style after a few wearings. If you want to follow trends, do that with inexpensive accessories, like an animal-print headband, a shiny purse, or a pair of styling but bargain-priced shoes.