The Look To Land A Job

To conclude his weeklong makeover series, "New Year, New You," stylist to the stars David Evangelista traveled to Minneapolis, Minn., to transform Carlene Holter at her home.

She wrote the following letter to The Early Show, begging for a makeover:

Dear David,

My name is Carlene Holter and I live in Minneapolis. I heard that you will be here in January and would love to be considered for a makeover -- the timing could not be better!

I have been staying at home with my now 13-month-old son, and will be returning to work in March. I will be starting interviews in January and I need a polished, up-to-date look. I have not worn makeup or done much with my hair in over a year. I would love help with a cut, color, makeup -- the works! Please, can you help me?

My sister always says, 'Carlene, you have so much potential, but...' Please, can you help me hear her say, 'Carlene, you finally have it!'

I really hope to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Carlene Holter

Holter, who just turned 39, moved to Minneapolis from New York a year ago with her husband, Tom, and son Camden. She's looking for a human resources job. Before having her son, she worked as the human resources manager of an international law firm.

Holter says, "My biggest complaint about my look right now is my hair: a few grays, and I really need an updated style. The only clothes I wear now are jeans or track pants, and T-shirts and sweaters. I need to get out of my stay-at-home mom mode and get into a back at work mode!"

So Evangelista, along with a team of beauty experts (Richard from the D Richard Salon in Minneapolis, and makeup artist Christine from Benefit cosmetics), transformed Holter from head to toe, dressing her in an outfit from Nordstrom at the Mall of America.

The stylist to the stars chopped off a good deal of Holter's hair (into a shag that's both sexy and smart looking) covering her grays with a warm color, and putting her in a suit that's perfect for any interview.

"If you look good, you feel good. You put your best foot forward," Evangelista said while a very enthusiastic crowd of Holter's friends and family cheered excitedly for the new look.

"I love it. It's very different," Holter said. "It's a great way to start the New Year."

Here is a recap of the transformation:

"Her hair needed help," Evangelista said, "It had no shape. Her features are very angular so I wanted to soften them up a bit. I cut a lot of layers in there, took off the length and made it much more lighter. Actually, her hair is a little wavy. She can wash and wear it. She's got a son. She doesn't have much time to spare, so this is the perfect hairdo."

It was Richard's job to change her color. He gave her a base color all over her head and highlighted only the front. "One of the trends this spring is not hard highlights, but very, very soft, taking kind of minute pieces of hair; it blends in very well," Evangelista explains.

Holter gave her a "nice, clean, professional look to go and nail that job that we want her to get," Evangelista said. Christine made it soft and approachable by applying a little bit of lip gloss, mascara and cheek color.

The suit Evangelista picked with the help of Nordstrom is also soft and subtle in light pink tweed mixed with chiffon. "Another trend, ladies, this week is to layer the neckclaces. The necklace is like the new brooch," Evangelista pointed out.