More Than A Makeover: Winner Felipa Marin finally gets a turn to be pampered and served

By Andrea Yeager //

Working seven days a week leaves little time for pampering, so a day of beauty and care was almost too much for Felipa Marin.

“I can’t believe this is happening to me,” she says while colorist Alex Jones and Angela Taylor dab on chocolate shades to create highlights and lighter brown shades for lowlights. “I never dreamed such a thing.”

The 37-year-old business owner is used to taking care of others, not herself. She and her team of three women are The Magic Ladies, a professional house-cleaning service that runs seven days a week.

The Gulf Coast Woman More Than A Makeover Team, led by Tanya Tancredi of Tanya Tancredi Salon, simply want Marin to feel special and, of course, pampered.

“She’s always tending to others; now it’s her turn,” Tancredi says as Marin’s face beams from excitement. She actually was giggling when she entered the salon.

While the colorists work their magic, her friend and sometimes translator praise Marin for her drive to succeed.

“She came to the Coast in 2005 working post-Katrina demolition and construction,” Suzy Stark says. “Then, she started working as a room attendant at Beau Rivage and quickly was promoted to suites-only attendant, all while taking English classes. She quit after her own business grew so much. She does three to four houses a day. She is one of the most creative, artistic people I know.”

But this day, Marin is the center of attention, and she is enjoying every minute of it. She has never colored her hair, so today is a first. The colorists’ goal is to enhance her natural color by adding dimension and to bump up her virgin color.

Marin, who hails from Puebla, Mexico, keeps smiling as her hair is folded in foil, and she waits with anticipation to see her new self. When the coloring is completed, she hugs Taylor and Jones.

Melinda Hryhorchuk, a hairstylist for 22 years, softens the fullness of Marin’s face with feathery strands that frame the face. Marin likes her long hair, so much of the length stays.

Next, it’s time for makeup artist Louis Peterman to add more glam. He focuses on emphasizing Marin’s natural beauty.

“I am going very natural on the eyelids and (applying) a dewy bronze on the face,” he says. “I do want to open up her eyes with false lashes, and I don’t want a raccoon look of liner all around the eyes.”

This daytime look can go into the night with a little coal liner smudge over the eye. The slight redness of Marin’s complexion is neutralized with a yellow base foundation. A flick of the brush adds brownish-pink to her cheeks.

“She has perfect lips, so I am using a natural pink on the lips with a chocolate berry gloss over it,” Peterman says.

What makeover would be complete without new clothes and shoes? Tamara Murley, fashion stylist at Back on the Rack, works her magic with two flattering outfits, including shoes, purse and jewelry to complement the daytime and evening looks.

The daytime is a dynamite flack-and-white kimono-style dress that makes her new hair and makeup pop. For dinner with husband José, the petite Marin plans to wear the navy dress with cascading tiers on the bodice and sexy gunmetal peep-toe pumps with jeweled bow.

But wait, the makeover is not over yet!

“I want these makeovers to be more than simply hair, makeup and fashion,” says Tancredi, who loves helping women be the best they can be. “I know that Felipa is so busy helping others that she neglects herself and doesn’t take time for doctors’ visits.”

Gynecologist Dr. Hebe Diaz of Cedar Lake Medical Center volunteered to cover Marin’s examination.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” says Diaz, who speaks Spanish fluently. “Helping others gives me purpose and fulfills me more.”

When Marin hears this, she tears up, so thankful for her beautiful day. “I feel like Cinderella.”

More Than A Makeover Team 2

Team members for the second 2015 makeover are:

• Angela Taylor, colorist for more than 10 years and overall stylist for the makeover.
• Alex Jones, colorist at Tanya Tancredi Salon.
• Melinda Hryhorchuk, specialized hair cutter and stylist for more than 22 years.
• Louis Peterman, makeup artist and Bobbi Brown representative.
• Tamara Murley, fashion stylist at Back on the Rack in downtown Gulfport.
• Dr. Hebe Diaz, gynecologist and obstetrician at Cedar Lake Medical Center in Biloxi.