Mommy makeover: Bright new look for the busy mom
For Mother’s Day, we gave deserving moms a fresh new look. This gorgeous wardrobe update and makeover will brighten any busy working mom's life. Brought to you by Ecco.
Wardrobe styling by Vanessa Taylor
Hair & Makeup by Civello Artists: Melanie Whitmore, Makeup Artist & Brow Specialist (Civello Rosedale), Gabo Hernandez, Hairstylist (Civello Queen Street)
Nails by Jennifer Mather, CND Nail Artist
Her story: Two years ago, Carey, 40, a mom of two (Miranda, 8, and Alistair, 4), launched her own jewellery business, carey pearson designs. She creates earrings, necklaces and bracelets, but specializes in engagement rings and wedding bands. “The rings are the one part of a wedding day that last forever, so they feel really important,” she says. “I guess you could say I’m a romantic.” This busy mom likes to be comfortable. Most days, she does a lot of running around, between school drop-offs, the kids’ lessons and visiting suppliers. “Jeans have become a staple for me—I wear them constantly,” she says. “But I don’t want to end up with that ‘mom’ look, so I always wear a funky T-shirt or boots.” The most precious element of Carey’s personal style is a butterfly tattoo on the top of her right foot. It’s a tribute to her first baby, named Eric, who was stillborn. “In reflexology the foot is connected to the heart, so it seemed fitting,” she says.
Read more: Beauty must-haves for busy moms>
Her style update: As a multi-tasking entrepreneur, Carey needs a relaxed style that can also be polished up for meetings with clients. A versatile mix-and-match wardrobe and no-fuss beauty routine will keep her looking professional without taking too much time to pull together.
Carey admitted that her long, blonde hair—which she’d been trimming herself for the past three years—definitely needed a change.
“As soon as she told me that two of her sisters have red hair, I knew she had to go ginger!” says hairstylist Gabo Hernandez. He also cut off about 12 inches to give Carey a sleek, graduated bob. “And she can still pull it back into a stubby pony in an emergency.”
Makeup artist Melanie Whitmore wanted to enhance Carey’s fair complexion, so she focused on making her skin tone more even with a light foundation. Next, she used peaches and pinks on Carey’s eyelids, cheeks and lips—shades that are neutral enough for everyday, but make her blue eyes, and new red-hot hair, pop.
Read more: Get the look: Cat-eye makeup>
Red alert! To maintain her new ginger ’do, Carey can use Aveda’s Color Conserve shampoo and conditioner, $24 each.
Jennifer Mather paints butterflies on Carey’s manicure to match her tattoo.
Melanie Whitmore applies foundation to give Carey a smooth base.
Ta-da!
Look 1: Weekend brunch
Don’t shy away from prints, even if you’re concerned about your midsection. They’ll actually keep the eye moving and distract from any lumps or bumps you might feel self-conscious about.
Carey says: “I would totally wear this outfit instead of my usual jeans.”
A moto jacket adds instant style to everything from jeans to a little black dress.
A colourful purse is more versatile than you might think.
Carey says: “I’d take this to a meeting or for running errands with the kids.”
Brightly hued ballet flats are an easy way to introduce colour if you’re shy about the fluorescent trend.
Carey says: “These are so comfortable I could wear them all day.”
Jacket, $49, and top, $39, joefresh.com; pants, $40, oldnavy.ca; necklace, $68, cocoajewelry.com; Dalman bag, $325, and Touch 15 shoes, $145, eccocanada.com
Look 2: Girls' night out
Makeup: Redheads can wear pink if it has a cool undertone like in this blue-pink lip gloss.
Nourish-mint Rehydrating Lip Glaze in Berrybud, $24, and Nourish-mint Smoothing Lip Colour in Peruvian Lily, $24, Aveda.com
Dress: Take the basic little black dress to the next level with a graphic print. Stretchy cotton makes it comfortable for all-day wear and it even has oh-so-practical pockets. The jewellery is Carey's own design!
Carey says: “This clutch is super cute, and as a mom, any extra space in your purse is always helpful, even when it’s a smaller bag.”
Shoes: A classic pump with a sturdy heel is easy to walk in, can take you from office to date night, and can be worn season after season.
Dress, $39, joefresh.com; brass cuff, $45, careypearson.ca; bracelet, $104, stelladot.com; Dathina clutch, $235, and Touch 50 shoes, $165, eccocanada.com
For Carey’s awesome makeup, we used the following Aveda products (find out more at aveda.com):
A version of this article appeared in our May 2014 issue with the headline "Mommy makeovers," pp. 75-78. This makeover was brought to you by Ecco.
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Karen Robock is a writer, editor and mom of two whose work has appeared in dozens of publications in Canada and the U.S., including Prevention, Reader’s Digest, Canadian Living, and The Toronto Star. Once upon a time, Karen was even the managing editor of Today’s Parent. She lives in Toronto with her husband, school-age daughters, and their two dogs.