Raising Maine

Each month, Raising Maine and Bei Capelli gives a Maine mother a new look. This month's lucky mom was Windham's Cynthia Baker. Cynthia considers what her daughters (8 and 11) are wearing, but never herself! With blonde hair and very fair skin, Cynthia felt finding a style that fit her was simply too much work.

Raising Maine and Bei Capelli wanted to give Cynthia a makeover that would show her that she can have great style – and that no matter a person's coloring, age or time constraints, style is just a few minutes away.

Bei Capelli stylist and co-owner Tiffany Conway and stylist Amanda Storey worked together to give Cynthia a new look that's easy and fresh.

TIFFANY'S THOUGHTS:
"Cynthia has a beautiful natural (hair) color – and since she's never colored it before we wanted to make sure we kept it natural looking, but added some darker colors underneath to give it more dimension. We alternated three different shades of blonde to achieve this look that adds depth and really just enhances the color she already has. Also, because the highlights are so natural, it's low-commitment in terms of maintenance. It will look just as natural growing out as it does now. We finished the color treatment with a demi-permanent glaze to keep her hair shiny and healthy."

"For the cut, we wanted to highlight Cynthia's great blue eyes, so we added bangs and fringe. This look is very 'in' right now, but it also really suits Cynthia's face shape. The addition of soft layers throughout the chin-length cut releases her natural volume and gives it more shape. Overall, the style is versatile and can be worn with the bangs in the front or pushed back, and she can also part it on either side, depending on what look she wants. And it can be wash-and-go or as styled as she has time for."

CYNTHIA'S THOUGHTS:
"I never in my life have colored my hair, and I had no idea it could look so natural! I like it! I am glad I kept an open mind – sometimes you get stuck in the style you have and aren't sure you can manage something new. But this is great – my hair feels a lot fuller, less dragged down. And I would never have tried bangs either, but I actually had a secret wish to try them so it's fun that Tiffany felt bangs would be good on me. They do put the focus on my blue eyes. And, I love the products Bei Capelli gave me too."

And what did Cynthia's daughters think of mom's new look? Her 11-year-old, Gwen, said, "Mom I'm not just saying this, but I think you look like an elegant mom now and you look like you're 15 years younger."

– KATE GHILONI