Back in March the search was on for a deserving mom in need of a makeover.  The Mother’s Day Mom makeover contest included $15,000 in prizes including new hair, a makeup session, clothing, jewelry, life coaching, personal training, spa treatments … and of course, photos!

Susan Kanoff, clothing stylist of A Great New Look spearheaded the project and ultimately Brenda Taylor was chosen as the winner. You can read an extended version of her story here.  Recently separated from her husband, Brenda is also a recent survivor of a pulmonary embolism and was diagnosed with diverticulitis.  From January to March, she was in and out of the hospital and due to these tragedies, lost her job.  She and her two children lost the house they were living in.  However awful these life events were, the fact remains not many people survive a pulmonary embolism.  Brenda is a fighter and has an amazing positive spirit.

Brenda has received many generous donations including: before and after photos and family portraits by me, Wardrobe Styling by Susan Kanoff, Hair and beauty by Fia Salon, a gift certificate from Thirty Petals, Make-up application for photo shoot by Elizabeth Moon, clothing from Bien Abyé by Dayanne Danier, silk jacket by Michelle Mulligan, bra-fitting, shapewear and hosiery from Night & Day, jewelry by JulRe Designs Exquisite Wearable Art Jewelry by Juliet Renee Williams,  life coaching by Ginny Williams, dress from Shabby Apple, spa treatments from L’Essentiel Spa, Personal training provided by Bobby Sanford Personal Training, a gorgeous handbag from Passport Boutique, Transformational Life Coaching sessions by Fran Spayne and the grand prize of lifetime of health from Mediweightloss of Wakefield and Watertown valued at $10,000.00!.

Without further ado, the TRANSFORMATION! Brenda’s beauty transformation took place on June 25th at Fia’s Salon in Newton, MA.  Her daughter Susan came along for the ride. Susan was the one to nominate her mother.

:: The official “Before” Shots of Brenda ::

:: Brenda sits in the chair, waiting for the transformation to begin.  Part of the team on the makeover day included (L-R) Susan Kanoff, Fran Spayne + Michelle Mulligan ::

:: A celebratory cheers had by all ::

:: The extraordinarily talented Fia colors Brenda’s hair ::

:: (R) Fia mixes color in her fabulous vault (her space used to be a bank) ::

:: (L) Fia finalizes Brenda’s new do as Fran (R) and Susan work on Brenda’s new wardrobe ::

:: Elizabeth Moon gave an amazing beauty lesson + worked her magic on Brenda ::

:: AFTER! ::

:: Brenda modeling a few pieces of her new wardrobe ::

:: Brenda + her daughter Susan ::

:: Makeover day team: (L-R): Susan, Susan, Elizabeth, Fia, Michelle, Brenda in front, me behind the camera 🙂 ::