8 Amazing Beauty Makeovers—And Everything You Need to Get the Look

Sarah

An education lawyer, Sarah started her own practice after her second child was born. "I used to have an active nightlife and always wore lipstick," she says. "But now I never do, because the kids grab at my lips. I'm always focused on work or the kids, so I forgot that part of myself."

Beauty Breakdown

Hairstylist David Lopez cut off about four inches of Sarah's hair to fake fullness and sprayed a root touch-up product on her grays. Makeup artist Summer Tran gave her smoky eyes and soft lips.

The result? "I feel awesome!" Sarah says. "I didn't realize I could look so glamorous, and it's worth the time to make a transformation. I love that my kids teach me not to take life so seriously; I love relearning every little thing. Magic and rainbows hold more weight."

To buy:

• Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch Up Spray, $25; amazon.com.
• Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick in I Woke Up, $36; sephora.com.
• Maybelline Define a Line Eyeliner in Ebony Black, $5; target.com.

Paige

When their son was three, Paige and her husband decided they wanted one more. To their shock, "one" turned into triplets. "I cried; my husband laughed. 'I guess we're getting a minivan,' he said." After a 110-pound weight gain and 11 weeks of bed rest, Paige welcomed three boys. She has spent the past two years juggling four car seats and averaging 20 diapers a day. Paige is returning to work soon, as a consulting teacher. "I want to look like a very put-together mom who is only 31."

Beauty Breakdown

A bouncy hair trim and texturizing spray, plus shimmery shadow and curled lashes (for the first time!), gave Paige a boost.

Paige feels like herself again—before kids. "I might even be better," she says. "I'm going home motivated to take care of myself because it affects how I function."

To buy:

• Tweezerman Rose Gold Lash Curler, $14; target.com.
• Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray, $28; sephora.com.
• CoverGirl Eyeshadow Quads in Go for the Golds, $8; walmart.

Hue

The former pharmaceutical-advertising project manager is now a stay-at-home mom to her three-year-old daughter. "I feel like I lost myself," she says. "People try to prepare you for motherhood, but you don't know until you are in it. I don't have as much time. I felt alone and not myself for the first year. I put myself on the back burner."

Beauty Breakdown

For her beauty makeover, Hue got a center part and curtain bangs. Both make her hair feel fresher, says Lopez, who added layers at her crown to create volume. Tran filled in her brows, evened out her skin, and gave her flirty lashes.

After her transformation, Hue felt like a celebrity. "My hair is so chic and liberating; it's what I've always wanted," she says. "I'm going to re-create my makeup for a wedding. I feel more like myself, more fun. Today boosted my self-esteem. Like, 'Hey, I still kind of got it.'"

To buy:

• L'Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Designer Eyebrow Pencil, $8; ulta.com.
• Ardell 110 False Eyelashes, $3; target.com.
• Ouai Volumizing Hair Spray, $26; sephora.com.

Chanté

This single mom of two wanted a beauty refresh as she prepares to start dating. After adding soft brown highlights and long layers to her hair, the makeup was all about a routine that could take her from day to night.

Beauty Breakdown

"Chanté was big on playing up her eyes and picking up some product tips that could take her from a quick daytime look to a quick nighttime look for date nights after work," explains Lee. One coat of this Charlotte Tilbury eye pencil is perfect for daytime, while adding a few more coats amps up the drama for date night.

To buy:

• Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Bronzed Garnet, $27; charlottetilbury.com
  
• Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Waterproof Mascara, $5; amazon.com.

Joan

After devoting years to adopting and raising two daughters and caring for her elderly parents, Joan realized that she had been doing her makeup the same way for 30 years. This part-time small business consultant was ready for a refresh.

Beauty Breakdown

"Joan wanted something easy, hassle-free, and she expressed that she LOVED a strong lip, but had trouble making the lip product stay intact and impactful," Lee says. By adding a lip primer to her routine, Joan can achieve the look without stopping for frequent touch-ups.

To buy:

• MAC Prep + Prime Lip, $19; ulta.com.
• NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl, $27; narscosmetics.com.
  

Denise

With her fourth child off to college, this empty nester was ready for a revamped look. Overall, Denise wanted a style that was fast, simple, and super sophisticated.

Beauty Breakdown

To create a look that was simple yet sophisticated, Lee focused on a neutral palette and manicured brows.

To buy:

• MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Lingering, $18; ulta.com.
• Glossier Stretch Concealer, $18; glossier.com.
• By Terry Eye Designer Palette, $65; beautylish.com.

Kristine

After getting married and having kids young, this 40-year-old middle school English teacher was ready to reconnect with her husband and travel since her kids were out of the house. "Her big concern was skin, as she has rosacea and wants to look fresh and youthful but also handle the color correction," Lee explains.

Organic Evening Primrose Youth Serum

Kristine's revamped beauty routine is all about caring for her skin and evening out her skin tone. Hydration, sun protection, and a color-correcting CC cream are the keys to her fresh, glowy look.

To buy:

• Organic Evening Primrose Youth Serum, $36; witcheyhandmade.com.
• Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer Primer, in Redness Correcting Primer, $37; sephora.com.
• IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+, $38; sephora.com.

Catherine

As a new mom nearing the end of her maternity leave and preparing to go back to work, Catherine was looking for a fuss-free routine that wouldn't take up too much time in the morning.

Beauty Breakdown

To keep her get-ready routine simple, Lee recommended a plan that could be done in five minutes flat. Adding extra hydration was key for Catherine's dry skin. Then pops of color come in, thanks to a lip pencil and shimmery cream eyeshadow.

To buy:

• Glossier The Super Pack Serums, $65; glossier.com.
• Glossier Priming Moisturizer, $22; glossier.com.
• Glossier Moisturizer Rich, $35; glossier.com.
• Glossier Balm Dotcom, $12; glossier.com.
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Makeup, $42; sephora.com.
• Glossier Lidstar in Fawn, $18; glossier.com.
• NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita, $27; sephora.com.

Credits:

• Photography: Remi Pyrdol
• Stylists: Alpha and Flavia Nunez
• Makeup: Moani Lee and Summer Tran
• Hair: Stylists Eugene Smith and Liana Zingarino and colorists Jacob Schmidt and Nikki Ferrara from Serge Normant at John Frieda; David Lopez using IGK and Prose for Next Artists
• Manicurist: Jini Lim