The Mother-Daughter Beauty Bond

Midwest Marvels

Kristina Fabis, 35, labor and delivery nurse, and Alysse Bratcher, 11, sixth-grader, from Plainfield, Illinois

Kristina arrived with a few beauty goals in mind. First she wanted to learn how to reduce oil buildup on her skin and keep wrinkles at bay. She also hoped for a stylish haircut that would look great whether it was in a ponytail or styled down for dressier occasions. When we gently pointed out that her colored hair was too brassy, she happily agreed to a color tweak. Her concealer was also too light for her skin tone. Alysse, like many girls her age, wanted to express her individuality by changing her hair color but needed guidance in finding the perfect shade.

Return of the Mask: Sauer suggested three easy ways to help keep Kristina's skin clear. "She should cleanse regularly, especially at the end of the day, and replace her heavy night cream with a lightweight serum to repair skin," said Sauer. "Also, a clay mask, used two to three times a week, will clean her pores." Kristina found the advice enlightening. "I always thought masks were only something you did for fun with your girlfriends," she said.

Forget the Frosting: Johns added warm, buttery tones to brighten Kristina's hair color. "Frosting is for cake," he quipped, adding that it's also aging for many women. Stylist Chris Cusano trimmed a few inches and added long layers. "It gives Kristina's hair more swing," he said.

Concealer Confidential: "Kristina has deep-set eyes, which makes her undereye area more shadowed," Turnbow pointed out. She mixed a yellow-toned concealer with a light-reflecting highlighter to help bring out those receded areas. "My coloring looks so much better," Kristina agreed.

Hair Rebel: Johns didn't think that Alysse's request for brown hair was the right match for her fair, freckled skin. "I think you'd look great with surfer girl hair instead of the alternative rock chick look," he said. Alysse agreed to blond highlights around the perimeter of her head, where sunlight would naturally hit if her hair were up in a ponytail. The end result? "It looks as if she spent a summer at the beach," said Johns. Later, when asked what she liked best about her makeover experience, Alysse happily replied, "My beautiful hair and meeting Brad Johns."

• Ahava Purifying Mud Mask, $28
• eSolutions Clarify Control Serum, $65
• Delux Beauty Concealer in Buttery, $16

• Herbal Essences Highlights in HL1-e Cool Blonde Highlights, $9.99

Kristina has wanted to teach a sense of style to her fast-growing middle-schooler but felt she didn't have much to offer beyond the basics. We showed her how she can have more impact by choosing unexpected patterns or detailed pieces that have an extra bit of style built right in. For example, the tangerine-and-raspberry-striped turtleneck sweater on Kristina is playful and livens up her fair complexion with a rosy glow.

Ditto for the fanciful, semi-mod orange print tunic dress over leggings, which moves Alysse out of the "little girl" category in a way that shows her individuality yet is still appropriate for her age.