Cutting advice

FAIRYGODMOTHERS come in various guises... and ours came equipped with a pair of scissors, a full set of styling brushes and a make-up bag to rival Lily Savage's. Their 'Cinderellas' were three Evening Press readers who had won a New Year, New You make-over competition entitling them to a £100 revamp at Breeze hair and beauty salon, George Hudson Street, York.

Kay Atherton, Judith Warren and Nicola Goldsborough were all well-deserved winners: they were all in need of a new image fit for 2002.

Here's how the team at Breeze - stylist and colourists Lisa Pape and Charlotte Morris and beauty therapist Emma Carr - worked their magic...

Judith Warren, of Appletree Village, York, has a nine-year-old son Alan and works part-time as a secretary at the University of York.

Judith had a short style with a natural wave in a mousey colour, which she wanted to bring bang up to date.

Lisa explains the transformation:

"Judith's previous style was ageing and quite severe. I changed the outline of the cut to suit her face and gave her more height at the crown to complement her features. I feathered and framed the front to soften the look. I used four different colours, keeping it natural, but adding some warmth."

Emma describes her make-over:

"Judith wasn't used to wearing a lot of make-up. I followed the golds in her hair by using some gold on her eyes. I used eyeliner too, which she had never used before, and some mascara to open her eyes. On her lips, I used pink and a natural lip gloss to jazz it up, although it was still a day look."

Judith's verdict:

"Superb. I was a bit nervous at first but everyone has been very nice and made me welcome. It makes me look younger, it's softer and frames my face more."

Nicola Goldsborough, of Nether Poppleton, works for Thales Field Force in York.

Nicola was ready for a bit of a chop after growing her hair long for her wedding last year.

Charlotte worked on Nicola's hair:

"Her hair was long, one length and heavily highlighted at the ends and the colour was too severe and washing her out. I put a deeper colour underneath to put some depth into the style and used two blondes on top for a naturalising, softer and brighter look. I cut it to just below the jaw and textured the ends to break it up."

Emma said::

"She had just been on holiday so I didn't want to use too much foundation, I mainly used some blusher on her cheeks. I used highlighter under the eyebrows and silver on her eyes and a purply-mauve on her lips with a pink gloss."

Nicola's verdict:

"I absolutely love it. I brought in a picture of Britney Spears to show the stylist and this looks even better! I've been wanting to cut my hair for ages, but keep chickening out, but I was determined to do it today."

Kay Atherton, of Clifton, has three children, Leon, 17, Ross, 16 and Jerome, 11, and works for Haxby Travel

Kay has been trying to grow her hair and likes the look of Mel from EastEnders. She didn't want too much taken off, and was keen to have some colour and styling tips.

Lisa describes Kay's new look:

"Her previous colour was a bit harsh for her skin tone, so I used three different colours to soften the look, make her hair appear thicker and add movement to the cut. Kay's hair is quite fine, so I shaped her style around the front and added texture layers to make it look thicker, without removing too much length. She can now continue to grow her hair and incorporate layers as she grows it down."

Emma explains the make-up she used on Kay:

"She was quite tanned, so I used a darker foundation and powder to add more colour in her cheeks. I used highlighter under the eyebrow and brown on her eyes, finishing off with a pearly/coppery lipstick and gloss."

Kay's verdict:

"I think it's brilliant. Before it was old fashioned and I wanted something modern."

Updated: 09:21 Tuesday, March 05, 2002