The Mother-Daughter Beauty Bond

West Coast Wow

Sue Garcia, 39, pediatric nurse, and Carlie Holderbein, 14, high school freshman, from Chico, California

Sue confessed that she washes her face with an antibacterial soap every morning and skips the before-bed cleansing step -- she actually likes her skin to feel dry. She also wanted to update her long hair without losing the length. Sue had her day-to-day earth tone palette down pat, but wanted a sexier option for evening. Carlie, meanwhile, was eager for new eye makeup tricks.

A Drying Shame: "Don't confuse hydrated skin with oily skin," said Elaine Sauer, spa director of Red Door. A balanced cleanser, used morning and night, will remove excess oil and keep skin nourished.

Highlight How-To: Thick caramel highlights updated Sue's chestnut-brown hair. "Chunky pieces look very natural and hide the few grays that she normally plucks," noted colorist Brad Johns. "The color's very subtle but rich!" exclaimed Sue.

A New Eye-dea: Makeup artist Tina Turnbow said that a sultry cat eye would look striking on Sue's large eyes. First Turnbow brightened Sue's lids with a cream-colored shadow. Then she swept black liquid liner along the lashline. Nude lipstick offset her glamorous eyes.

Pretty Luminous: Turnbow told Carlie that her green eyes would really pop with a mix of lilac and teal eyeliner. "I would've never put those two shades together. I love it!" Carlie gushed.

• eSolutions Clarify Remedy Gel Wash, $34
• Natural Instincts Amber Shimmer in Lightest Brown, $7.99
• L'Oreal Paris Lineur Intense Defining Liquid Liner in Black Mica, $7.75

• N.Y.C. New York Color Eyeliner Duet in Islands in the Stream and Through the Storm, $1.99 each

Sue has enjoyed sharing clothes with her daughter, but now wants a more polished yet casual look. We found her several sleek, elegant knits in sophisticated colors, such as smoky taupe and pale blue, with just enough shape to be sexy, but luxuriously long enough to accentuate her 5'5" frame.

Carlie has the sense of fashion fun to pull off a neon-yellow sweater and leggings. This is a look that will keep her relaxed and cool both for school and for hanging out with friends.