Summer Beauty Makeovers

Follow the lead of these Total Beauty readers and transform your hair and makeup without breaking the bank

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Max "Before"

Forty-something Max had been bleaching her hair blonde since her early teens. But, when she lost her job earlier this year, decided that dropping $250 a month on highlights probably wasn't economically responsible. So, she had it dyed brown. The result? Lackluster hair that left the mom of eight-year-old twins feeling less than glam.

"We'll take care of it," assured stylist Jamie Boone. As someone with the natural gift at being able to envision someone as the shade they ought to be -- and then being able to create it -- Boone knew that she needed to darken and enrich Max's hair.

"Going from blonde to brown is tricky, it can look muddy if the shade is too uniform," Boone said as she applied a chestnut brown allover color. (Try Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme in No. 53 Golden Brown, $12.99 to get a similar hue at home). As the color set, Boone explained that it's important to use a shampoo formulated for color treated hair (like John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Shine Release Daily Shampoo with Light Enhancers, $16.99). "It will help keep the color truer longer," she said, noting that it would also help keep the greenish hue, that sometimes happens as dark hair color washes out, at bay.