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Boston University Senior Stuns After Jaw-Dropping Makeover

Meet Amanda: 21 year-old Boston University Senior and full-time employee at Boston magazine. She’s an ambitious natural beauty, constantly on-the-go. But running from work to class and back home to walk her Boston Terrier pup, Kobe, she often feels run-down and rarely has time to brush her hair (never-mind pick out a fashionable outfit for herself!). With help from some of the city’s top beauty and style experts, Amanda has ditched her plain Jane look for a more posh appearance. Here’s how we did it:

The Process

To prepare for the big photoshoot, Amanda hit the town and visited some of the city’s top beauty experts.

Stop 1: Teeth whitening at Smileboston Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Boston

Stop 2: Hair color at Salon Eva Michelle

Stop 3: Eyebrows and eyelashes at Prettyology

Stop 4: Custom airbrush tan at Femme Fatale

To transform Amanda’s brassy locks, Michelle from Salon Eva Michelle used a new color technique called soft lights. Because of Amanda’s exposed roots, Michelle added a bright highlight. Then she applied a golden soft light to balance the over highlighted hair and blend with the new highlights on top.

The next stop on Amanda’s transformation was to Prettyology, a beauty boutique, located at 18 Newbury Street. The team at Prettyology transformed Amanda’s eyelashes from non-existent to long and luscious thanks to the application of one-by-one individual eyelashes. Eyebrows were next on the list – her brows were tweezed to give them shape and definition, and tinting was applied to create a bold yet subtle appearance.

To transform Amanda’s skin from porcelain to bronzed, we paid a visit to Femme Fatale, a tanning salon, located at 464 Commonwealth Ave. The talented team at Femme Fatale, gave Amanda a custom airbrush tan, highlighting and contouring in all the right places.

The Shoot: Makeover Day

The Liberty Hotel’s Beacon Hill residence features newly renovated guest rooms were the perfect location for our photoshoot. Showcasing sprawling views of Cambridge, the Charles River, and downtown Boston, this luxurious and modern suite is the perfect home away from home.

The master bedroom at The Liberty Hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows, a king size bed and a spacious master bathroom large enough to stage our hair and makeup team.

Amanda’s hair was styled by Michelle Lee from Salon Eva Michelle located on Newbury Street. Amanda’s newly colored tresses were transformed into five different looks. Michelle used a product called Sebastian Eruptek, which contains volcanic ash – to give explosive volume, texture and support to Amanda’s hair. Amanda’s naturally straight locks were than curled away from the face then pinned flat to the head in a traditional pin curl set.

Amanda’s makeup was done by the team at Prettyology. To play off of the elegance of the venue, Prettyology decided on a natural yet bold look, with different lip colors to compliment each look during the shoot.

Amanda's Gisele Moment

Amanda’s very own Gisele moment.

The Final Product

To complete Amanda’s transformation, we asked our friends at NIC+ZOE to choose pieces to revamp Amanda’s wardrobe from an undergrad student to a sophisticated woman. With the help of shoes from M.Gemi, and accessories from Royal Jewelers, Amanda’s makeover was perfectly captured through photos by Stefanie Palmacci Photography.

Take a look at Amanda’s full transformation by scrolling through the pictures below:

Look 1: Who says you can’t wear all white after Labor Day? To create the perfect spring look we layered NIC+ZOE‘s Perfect Layer Tank , paired with a white Denim Skinny Jean and added the Revival Cardigan for a touch of texture. M.Gemi’s Estatto pump added just a little bit of height. For accessories, Royal Jewelers outfitted Amanda in ruby drop earrings that were lined with 14k of yellow gold pave and a pave diamond halo from their Royal Collection. They also chose a mother-of-pearl dial watch on a shiny red alligator strap from the Michele CSX collection, and two necklaces from Marco Bicgo Africa Collection, both made of 18k yellow gold.

Look 2: Betty Draper is that you? Our Mad Men inspired second look features the showstopping NIC+ZOE New Horizons Dress paired with M. Gemi’s 90mm pump, The Esatto. Notice that shiny diamond on Amanda’s finger? That’s an 18k white gold, five row, diamond flex ring from Royal Jewelers Royal Collection. It was paired with a pair of 18k white gold smoky quartz, diamond drop earrings, and matching diamond bracelet.

Look 3: Our newest obsession? This fringe skirt from NIC+ZOE matched with a denim shirt and spicy red heels.

Fun fact: Between looks, Salon Eva Michelle styled Amanda’s hair in 5 minutes flat! Want this look? Create a middle part and do an inverted braid on each side, combine the two braids and pin into shape and voila!

The gorgeous braids were beautifully complemented by Royal Jewelers sterling silver and 14k yellow gold long beaded Talia Don necklace and 14k yellow gold diamond and pink sapphire pear shaped drop earrings.

The Liberty Hotel’s bold choice in headboard was the perfect backdrop to feature M. Gemi’s Cantare heel, and the gorgeous fringe detail on NIC+ZOE’s Cork Fringe Skirt.

Look 4: Look at those pearly whites! Prosthodontist Steven D. Spitz, DMD at Smileboston Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Boston renewed Amanda’s smile from dull to sparkling with their advanced teeth whitening program. Amanda was a true testament to Smileboston’s favorite saying; “Confidence begins with a great smile.”

Interesting fact: Dr. Spitz acts as the dentist to the Boston Red Sox as well as Zoo New England (yes, he even does animal teeth!) Interested in changing your smile too? Smileboston has locations in both Brookline and Pembroke, MA.

To match Amanda’s new white smile, we accessorized her with mother of pearl and diamond drop earrings from the Roberto Coin, 18k Rose Gold collection available at Royal Jewelers.

Paired with jeans, but also available in a matching dress, this Glazed Feather Jacket was the perfect compliment to Amanda’s bold new “bangs”. We matched this sophisticated look with a 32″ long gold and mother of pearl station necklace from the Roberto Coin, 18k Rose Gold collection, as well as a Pois Mois Collection bangle bracelet.

Look 5: NIC+ZOE’s letterpress skirt and matching top were in perfect harmony with the jailhouse inspired interior of The Liberty Hotel.

A look this jaw-dropping needs some serious bling! Royal Jewelers bold 18k yellow gold bangle, 18k yellow gold inside/out diamond hoop earrings, and 18k yellow gold bangle set added just the right pop of gold to complete the final look.

The Glam Squad

Interested in learning more about our makeover experts? Click the logos below!

http://prettyology.com/