NICOLE AND DARREN'S STORY
Nicole and Darren were desperate for a little relief after a difficult year together. Since their wedding last August, the Kitchener, Ont. couple had bought their first home together and had made several emergency visits to the vet for their schnauzer Lucy. All of this had hit their wallets hard. “Darren and I have a passion for travel, style and our three dogs,” wrote in Nicole. “Unfortunately, our personal style has gone to the dogs—literally!” Nicole, a 32-year-old Grade 5 school teacher, and Darren, a 33-year-old insurance business analyst, felt they could use a little pampering in the style and holiday department. “This makeover would lift our spirits and be the perfect getaway for our first anniversary,” she added. 2’s team of experts answered their plea with a makeover and a trip to Club Med Sandpiper in Florida. The location couldn’t have been more perfect for the couple, who got engaged in nearby Miami just five months before they married.

HIS AND HER HAIR CONSULTATION
The first step in the couple’s makeover was a visit to Shagg Salon in Toronto; 416-934-1817. Colourist Christopher Martin used Clairol’s at-home hair colour product, which they can continue to use. He gave Darren blond highlights in the front, using Clairol Herbal Essences HighLights in HL1-e, to help add a look of fullness, and medium highlights on the sides and back, using Clairol Natural Instincts For Men in Medium Brown, for a look of depth. On Nicole, Christopher used Clairol Natural Instincts in Nutmeg 28 to enrich her colour, and then applied blond highlights using Clairol Herbal Essences HighLights in HL1-e to show off her cut. For healthy-looking shine and silkiness, Christopher recommended that she use Clairol Natural Instincts Shine Happy after a few weeks to revive the shine and colour of her hair.
Next, hairstylist Jenny Ferrara gave Darren a light cut, texturizing the top and working the shape to show off his highlights and colour. On Nicole, Jenny added layers to create volume around the crown and enhance Nicole’s natural curls. To get her curly hair straight and sleek, Jenny used Pantene Smooth & Shine Styling Milk, for long-lasting manageability and frizz control. Get It Straight Smoothing Mousse provides strong hold for unruly hair, while Smooth & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum helps transform dry, frizzy permed or colour-treated hair into smooth, shiny locks. For day-to-day maintenance, Nicole uses Pantene Brunette Expressions Intense Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, which deep condition and rehydrate dull, dry hair. To enhance her curls, Nicole styles her hair with Pantene Pro-V Styling Serum for Curls and Pantene Pro-V Styling Crème for Curls, which she mixes in the palm of her hand, then runs through damp hair. The Serum smooths hair and creates soft, defined curls, while the Crème adds shine and control, even in high humidity. These, along with Pantene Pro-V Styling Milk for Curls (which helps loosen tight curls into waves) seal in moisture and reduce frizz. She then sets the style with Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Maximum Hold Hairspray, which provides shine and long-lasting control.

NICOLE'S MAKEUP CONSULTATION
Yin-Lynn Low, national beauty education consultant with Cover Girl, applied Advanced Radiance Age-Defying Concealer under the eyes and wherever there was redness. She then used TruBlend Whipped Foundation to even out Nicole’s skin tone. Yin-Lynn used Eye Enhancers 3-kit in Dance Party, applying the darker shades at the far corners of the eyes to frame them. She then applied a single coat of LashExact in Very Black. Finally, Yin-Lynn added a little Cheekers Bronzer in Soleil and touch of Outlast Double Lip Shine in Sheerly Nude for glowing skin and fuller-looking lips.

NICOLE'S EYEWEAR CONSULTATION
Amin Mamdani of Josephson Opticians in Toronto consulted with Nicole to find the perfect pair of prescription glasses. “We want frames that curve high along the top to follow her brow line and provide fuller coverage, yet that have a feminine upsweep along the outer edges to soften her features,” he said. He and Nicole picked out a pair of black Robert Marc frames with raspberry tortoiseshell detail on the inside. “They fit beautifully, and the contrast of colours complements her eyes and skin tone,” added Amin.

TRAVEL TIP!
Planning the trip was easy with TargetVacations.ca. They booked roundtrip airfare to Fort Lauderdale and a car rental that took Nicole and Darren to Miami and the scene of their engagement, then to the resort. Vacation reservations can be made online or over the phone with ease, 1-877-825-3246.

ABOUT CLUB MED SANDPIPER
Located between Miami and Orlando on the St. Lucie Waterway, Club Med Sandpiper offers gorgeous views of the river, where every kind of water sport, from sailing to fishing, is available for guests. The resort was perfect for this active, adventurous couple. “Darren and I love to play team sports like baseball and volleyball, as well as play tennis, cycle, camp, hike and walk our three dogs,” says Nicole. Their all-inclusive vacation included sports instruction from a staff of certified experts, access to top-of-the-line sports gear, delicious cuisine and top-shelf beverages served all day and all night. Nicole and Darren enjoyed the legendary Club Med themed buffets, which combine abundance with freshness, variety and originality. They also had a great evening of à la carte gourmet dining at The Riverside specialty restaurant. They did many activites, but mostly they enjoyed cooling off at one of the five Club Med Sandpiper pools, which provided an oasis in their much-deserved vacation; 1-800-CLUB-MED.

NICOLE AND DARREN'S TOP 10 MOMENTS
1. Lounging in the adult pool.
2. Water-skiing in tandem on the St. Lucie River.
3. The thin-crust pizza and white chocolate chip cookies.
4. The kind G.O.s (a.k.a. Gracious Organizers, the name given to Club Med’s staff members).
5. Shopping for souvenir Sandpiper T-shirts at the Club Med boutique.
6. The large, clean and spacious rooms.
7. Dancing onstage in the bar with the G.O.s.
8. The salsa lessons.
9. Cruising on the golf course and observing the beautiful wildlife.
10. Their private circus lesson under the big top.

HIS AND HER FRAGRANCES
Darren wears Boss Selection, which bottles the smell of success and sophistication. Top notes are light, with grapefruit and mandarin, and infused with spicy pink peppercorn. Cedar leaf and patchouli add a distinctive masculine character, while sexy musk, vetiver and cedarwood round out the cocktail.
Nicole wears Hugo Pure Purple, a fun, playful, feminine fragrance featuring white cyclamen and nectarine for a fresh, sparkling top note; a soulful heart note of black violet and floral bouquet accords; and a soft, sensuous base note of amber and white suede; 1-800-268-0959.

DARREN’S SKIN CARE REGIMEN
Darren’s daily routine includes Boss Skin. He starts with Boss Skin Refreshing Face Wash to clean skin and excess oil, then he follows with Boss Skin Instant Moisture Gel, a non-greasy, quickly absorbed formula designed to provide refreshing moisturization. Used once or twice a week, Boss Skin Smoothing Face Scrub removes impurities and exfoliates to smooth and rejuvenate skin. Before shaving, Darren preps and protects his skin with lubricating Boss Skin Performance Shave Gel. Afterwards, he uses Boss Skin Relaxing Aftershave Balm to soothe and moisturize his skin. He also uses Boss Skin Perfecting Skin Serum for skin that feels instantly smooth, as well as Boss Skin Reviving Eye Gel to minimize the appearance of dark circles; 1-800-268-0959.

OLAY SKIN CARE FOR NICOLE’S FACE AND BODY
Nicole maintains her gorgeous skin with Olay’s Hydrate & Cleanse line, which leaves skin comfortably clean and beautifully hydrated. The new Olay Hydrate & Cleanse Micro-Bead Cleansing Serum includes an emollient cleanser system that dissolves oil, makeup and dirt, while a mild surfactant gel helps sweep away impurities, and hydrators replenish moisture in the skin. The line also includes Night Nourishing Cream Cleanser and Vitamin Enhanced Lathering Face Wash.
Nicole showers with Olay Ribbons Body Wash, which combines a creamy fragrant lather that improves dry skin in just five days. Available with three levels of moisturization (from lowest to highest): Aloe Extract, Almond Oil and Jojoba Butter.
Nicole moisturizes with Olay Quench Therapy Body Lotion and Hand Cream for fast relief from dry, itchy skin. Packed with vitamins B5, B3 and E, its concentrated formula penetrates skin and starts soothing instantly. Quench Therapy Repair Concentrate helps transform even the roughest dry skin on heels, knees and elbows into soft, smooth skin. With Amino-Vitamin Complex, the formula helps replenish the skin's moisture barrier.

CREST WHITESTRIPS PREMIUM PLUS  
Nicole and Darren were both initially attracted to each other’s smiles. But since using Crest Whitestrips, their smiles have gotten even brighter, and people have commented on how nice and white their teeth look. Now, thanks to Crest Whitestrips and their couple makeover, Nicole and Darren can celebrate their first anniversary in style! They'll be ready to tackle the challenges ahead with gorgeous, confident smiles, and can look forward to a bright, beautiful future together! How does it work? Crest Whitestrips Premium Plus uses thin, flexible strips that are coated with a tooth-whitening gel that contains the same enamel-safe ingredient dentists use. The strips are designed to fit the contours of your teeth. You keep the whitening gel on your teeth for 30 minutes at a time, long enough to get at the tough stain buildup below the tooth surface. Nicole and Darren started seeing results after just 3 days, and full results in 10 days. With just one kit, they will have a whiter smile for 18 months*.
Nicole and Darren can help keep their teeth white with Crest Vivid White Night. This Revitalizing Mint-flavoured toothpaste has micro-cleansing whiteners that coat your teeth nightly**, loosening surface stains to help you brush them away in the morning. The final result is powerful whitening for a healthy-looking beautiful smile. Crest Vivid White Night also fights cavities and tartar, removes plaque and refreshes the mouth with regular brushing.

* Typical results.
** With regular use and two minutes brushing.