Age 50 might not seem like the ideal time for major life changes, but for Marguerite, it's perfect. She's originally from Seattle, but moved out to Los Angeles after her daughter left home for college. "I've been a single mom since she was born, but now that she's in college I can explore what I want to do," she says. "I'm playing in the sandbox again." See makeover

For Nicole, 31, balancing wedding-planning with a grueling work schedule as a third-year internal medicine resident doesn't leave much time for her hair. With her engagement pictures just a few weeks away, she knows she needs a fresh cut (it's been almost a year!) and brighter color -- stat. So we introduced her to our dream team of beauty experts at the Marie Robinson salon in New York City. With a new cut, color, and makeup look, Nicole will have a refreshing updated look just in time for her big day. See her makeover now. See makeover

For Sue, 57, an oncology nurse, having a functional hairstyle is paramount. With the summer nearing, it's important for her to keep enough length to throw her hair up into a ponytail. But at the same time, she wants to do something to manage its thickness and liven up the dull color. We called in hairstylist Frederique Carme, colorist Keith Shore, and makeup artist Joette Balsamo -- from the Marie Robinson salon in New York City -- to help get her hair under control before the first heat wave. See makeover

A makeover is an awesome Mother's Day gift -- and one we wanted to help facilitate. So we asked women to nominate their moms for a day of pampering in the salon, and chose three deserving mother-daughter pairs who also happen to be best friends. Then, since the only thing better than getting a makeover is getting a makeover with your best friend, we brought in both the mothers and the daughters for transformations. See makeovers

Meet Pamela, a 34-year-old with the hair of a 17-year-old high school student. She admits that she's stuck with her one-length, long hair for years and it's become a crutch. "It's so easy to hide behind long hair, but I think I'm ready to come out from behind my hair and show myself to the world," she says. See makeover

Trying to be feminine in a conservative corporate environment can be challenging -- and for Talia, 29, her haircut and color are the biggest hurdles. Although she works in commercial real estate, she dreams of having long, beachy waves. "Everyone is in suits, and I'm just trying my best to look professional," she says. So we're calling in a team of experts -- including hairstylist Frederique Carme, colorist Amy Huson, and makeup artist Joette Balsamo -- from the Marie Robinson salon in New York City to see if they can strike a balance between the job she has and the hair she wants. See makeover

When you're trying to get out the door each morning, it's easy to reach for your go-to brown eyeshadow palette and peach-colored lip gloss. But for those weekends when you have some extra time to get ready, it can be fun to break out of your beauty box. Get the trends

Anna, 35, has just moved to Los Angeles from Sweden to pursue modeling. So, naturally, she needs a new look to match her new career and locale. This is doubly true since Anna's current haircut "doesn't really have any shape," she says. So she's looking for a new style that'll give her hair some shape and movement, and most importantly, flatter her face. See makeover

You know those ho-hum days when life seems to be one mundane task after another? Wake up, press snooze, wake up again, shower, go to work, repeat. When life becomes routine, it's easy to get into a beauty rut as well. But a hot date, a wedding, or even a job interview are all good reasons to break that five-minute morning regimen you've got down pat. And that's where we come in. We gave three readers hair, makeup, and style makeovers for their upcoming special occasions -- including a quick teeth whitening to get them ready for their picture ops. See makeovers now

Wendy lost 35 pounds -- but she's having a harder time losing her "fat girl" mentality. See how this makeover brings out her natural beauty and self-confidence See makeover