Raising Maine

Each month, Raising Maine and Bei Capelli give a Maine mother a much-needed new look. This month's lucky mom was Hartford's Tiffany Thone. Tiffany is a single mom half the year (her husband's a merchant marine) who never makes time for herself.
Add house building to her responsibilities as a mother, and any spare time has been spent in work clothes.

Raising Maine and Bei Capelli wanted to give Tiffany a makeover that would take her from plain to polished without a lot of style time required. Stylist and Bei Capelli Melissa Vigue and stylist Bethany Bartlett worked together to give Tiffany a new look that is chic and comfortable.

MELISSA'S THOUGHTS
"I knew right away I wanted to take some length off and give Tiffany a fringe. Her hair is nice and thick, but a shorter cut gives it more shape and movement ­ this layered bob really brings her hair to life. Since she's a single mom part of the year and also building a house, low maintenance was really important to her. So, with this cut it will work whether she has time to blow it out straight or let it air dry for a natural curl."

"For color, Tiffany was open to really going blonde, which is fun, and also compliments her skin tone nicely. The two-tone champagne and beige highlights are done in a very fine weave so it gives an overall blonde look instead of chunky highlights ­this really brightens her up all around. Lastly, we did an Elumen gloss, which adds shine and protects the hair. And since she has straight and curly hair it helps tame the curl and keep the whole style smooth."

TIFFANY'S THOUGHTS
"My hair is rarely not in a ponytail and I generally don't even bother with makeup, but I was open to trying anything ­ they are the professionals. I was ready for a new style. A year ago, I had the worst haircut of my life ­ I called it the mullet. So this is amazing. I love it all: the bangs, the cut, the color. I've been too scared in the past to go really blonde, but this looks great ­ it's still natural, but is fresh and new."

"I don't know if I should tell my husband or not, he gets home in a few weeks­ he's going to be really surprised. I think everyone is. I haven't had bangs since college. I can't stop staring and I just love it. I feel like a million dollars!"

- KATE GHILONI