This month, we feature Sarah, a mom from Ohio, who received a makeover from head to toe. Sarah was the president of her local moms group when her co-leader was struck with cancer and passed away. Sarah showed great grace and leadership in pulling the community together to help her co-leader’s family, and the Mom’s group she headed up nominated her for a well deserved makeover.

This was the last makeover Chic Mom Magazine sponsored when we were a local print magazine.

A local salon owner, Christine, graciously volunteered her time and talent, and transformed Sarah from a regular mommy into a dazzling diva! Sarah was like the other Chic Mom Makeover recipients – putty in Christine’s hands.

Christine gave her a “wash and wear” haircut – shorter in the back, longer in the front with some point cutting which made the ends more free to give the hair some movement. She used two shades of color – lowlighting in a chocolate/mocha color, and highlighting in caramel. It looked delicious after it was done…

Some ‘must haves’ that Christine said would help moms out in the morning were a concealor and powder all in one, cream blush, and moon glow – a bronzer which brightens up the whole face without damaging sun rays.

After Sarah had her hair done, nails painted and make up applied, she put on a fabulous outfit which was provided for us by a local boutique. We then went to the monthly Mom’s meeting and the owners of the boutique were present with several other outfits for Sarah to model to the other moms. Sarah’s mother in law attended, and had tears in her eyes when she saw Sarah. It was truly a lovely and moving evening.

Sarah and I talked about how getting a makeover on the outside is similar to what happens to us as women after we have children. It is an internal makeover. Becoming a mother forces you to surrender aspects of yourself. If one is willing to do this, it becomes an opportunity to access skills she never knew she possessed.

Sarah was trained in Occupational Therapy, and held positions in her field prior to motherhood. Having the opportunity to lead the Mom’s group has given her a chance to learn other things about herself that may, in the future, lead to professional opportunities she had never planned on.

If she does not return to paid work, she can use the gifts that motherhood has taught her in guiding her children – helping them to grow as people and learn from life rather than feeling like they have to have things perfectly planned out. Major life events, like becoming a mother, teach us to be flexible, and think of ourselves outside the boxes we may put ourselves in.

Facts about Sarah:

From: Muncie, Indiana
Married: 10 years to Andy who is a PhD engineer. (For a year, he was literally a ‘rocket scientist!)
Children: Three aged 6 and under.
Educated: Purdue University – BS, University of Indianapolis – MS
Dreams: Living them.