I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a makeover than Tricia Mikouchi. Even though she’d probably never want recognition, I have to tell you just how amazing she is. Tricia moved to Japan in the ‘70s where she lived and taught school for 14 years. After having her first daughter, she moved back to the states, where she adopted three more daughters and raised them as a single mom. Listening to her tell stories about her girls, the sentiment was always the same—unconditional love. In anticipation of returning to Japan for a reunion with her former students, Tricia’s goal was to be the blonde they would remember.

Meet Hope, a 10-year-old, 8-pound, red Pomeranian, full of fur, fluff and love. When we invited all the local shelters to submit nominations for our pet makeover, Hilton Head Humane Association sent in a picture of Hope with her wild fiery fur. We could see her potential— this foxy little lady was overdue for a day at the spa. Hope was found by Beaufort County Animal Services and classified as a stray. Only Hope knows her story, but the moment we met, I knew she had been someone’s beloved pet. She ran straight to me, climbing into my lap, a ball of fur as wide as she is long. Clearly, she is no stranger to treats.

Meet Alexandra: Our brave makeover candidate this month is Alexandra Foster who also goes by Alex. A sophomore at USCB, she is studying to become a middle school math teacher. Alex also works as a barista at Starbucks in Bluffton. She gets up at 4:00 a.m. to be at work by 5:00. While being a barista is convenient for Alex’s coffee habit, it also means that she has to wear a hat and can’t have any nail polish. Alex has an adventurous, free-spirited personality, often coloring her hair wild colors. It had been three months since she last colored her hair, leaving her roots grown out and her red faded to pink. Her typical style: Graphic T’s and jeans.

Meet Olive McMahon: Another brave, adventurous woman willing to undergo drastic changes, this month’s candidate is Olive McMahon, who spends her days chasing after three-year-olds at The Little Brown School in Port Royal.

“Why me? I just serve fish.”

That was one of the first things Melissa Parker said to me when I interviewed her about the makeover. Not that there’s anything wrong with just serving fish, or maybe it’s that no one “just serves fish.” Everyone has a story, and it’s always the people who don’t know how special they are who are the most special.

Meet Gabi: Gabi Tapia moved with her family from Guadalajara, Mexico to Hilton Head Island when she was 3 years old. She is now 17 and a senior at Hilton Head High School. About ten years ago, her neighbor Amy, who then worked at Pink Magazine, took Gabi with her to a Pink Partini. 

It’s January. You may be one of thousands of people donning new workout clothes, heading to a new gym and exercising your resolution to finally get fit! Pink decided to offer encouragement and introduce you to Samantha Norris who got a head start by beginning her fitness program last August. We hope her enthusiasm, commitment and results—now four months into it—spur you to keep on going when the first flush of resolve fades away.

This month we wanted to “takeover” a woman who spends her life giving to others and let her be on the receiving end. Melissa Viets was the perfect candidate. Melissa, a certified nursing assistant and executive assistant at the Friends of Caroline Hospice of Beaufort, was suggested by her boss, Executive Director Lindsay Roberg. Everyone who knows Melissa agrees she deserved it. 

Strolling down Calhoun Street in Historic Bluffton, you might see a quaint, porch-fronted house with large lavender planters and fuchsia Adirondack chairs in the front yard. Curiosity will compel you to wonder what’s beyond the colorful threshold. What awaits you inside Lynda’s on Calhoun is a quirky, magical space that combines a sassy salon, serene spa and boho fashion boutique created by owner Lynda Johnson.

The Tara Stimpson you see on this page radically transformed herself before stepping into A Beautiful U Salon and Gigi’s Boutique for this month’s style takeover. Since the fall of 2013, Tara has lost 90 pounds. Through a self-designed program, she has become a health and fitness success.  Pink wanted to celebrate her story.

Fashion forward by day, fabulous and flirty by night—this was the goal.  We know stylish women who achieve this regularly. They go home, peel off their pumps and power-packaging (or other work attire), reach into their closets and pull out a sizzling sexy number and stilettos and vamp their way back out the door. But what if there’s no time to go home and change? What if it’s a hot date or important event and you have to go directly from work?

On Saturday, September 13, 2014, 22 year-old Maggie Creeden sat in Williams-Brice Stadium with thousands of fellow USC students and other Gamecock fans watching their team beat the Georgia Bulldogs. It was a great day and she was feelin’ fine. She wondered if her slight cough might be the start of bronchitis, and, after the game, she stopped by the doctor’s office. 

Is there a female anywhere who doesn’t love being pampered? Who wouldn’t welcome a professional makeover? This month our lucky lady is gorgeous, petite and blonde. She is also a one-year-old, five pound, Maltese mix named Sadie.

Meet Jackie: Jackie Longo has a passion and zeal for life that is above and beyond. Her enthusiasm is as fresh and exciting as it is contagious. Originally from Ohio, Jackie lived in Seattle, Wash., with her then-husband, but, thanks to a friend, she finally landed in Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head Island. Her travels were far from over. Today, Jackie only lives on the island six months out of the year, then moves to her own villa in a little town right outside of Pisa, Italy, for the remaining summer month

Chris Franco has been through extreme hard times, dealing with situations that brings one to their knees. Her middle child and only son, Christopher, passed away at the age of 35 on Nov. 5, 2014. While it was somewhat expected, that fact never eases the pain of losing a child.

Stacey Kennedy Macioszek is one of those women who just makes life a little more fun than it was before you met her. Naturally sweet with just a touch of sass, Stacey is the true definition of “life of the party.” She somehow manages to juggle being a single mother of two teenage daughters and one pre-teen son, while also working a full-time job as a chef at Bess’ Delicatessen and Catering Specialists. “I’ve been a chef since I was 20. I just kind of fell into it. But you know, it’s still fun; it really is,” Stacey said.

When you first glance at Elaine Senn and see the happiness that radiates from her eyes, you would never know that less than a year ago, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Like most people, Elaine was in complete shock.

Makeovers are the perfect place for a fresh start and Eleni Kotellos is ready for both. Her recent move to Hilton Head from Virginia is the perfect example of her eagerness to start over. After her son graduated from high school, Eleni said she felt it was the right time to get back to doing more of what she loves, and giving herself some much-needed attention. A lover of nature and its beauty, Eleni has a distinctive ability to combine natural treasures, inspired by Japanese art of Oshibana, to create unique pieces of jewelry. Her jewelry line, FLOWERBLESSINGS, offers one-of-a-kind hand-pressed flower pendants, earrings, brooches and barrettes. While Eleni is very in touch with connecting her mind and spirit, we were happy to help her begin to reflect that beauty from the inside out.

My mommy had breast cancer and she survived. I guess that sounds kind of funny coming from an adult, but it’s just the way I felt when my mom was diagnosed. She was only 37 years old; I was 12. Each year as October rolls around and Breast Cancer Awareness Month shines the spotlight on this devastating disease, my family is reminded how lucky we are to still have our family in tact.

Encountering Faris was one of those instances where you fully realize what a small world it is and how lucky we are to be a part of it together. Faris is an irrevocably gentle, humble and genuine person. If anyone could possibly deserve a pampering day away from the grind, it’s Faris.

Encountering Faris was one of those instances where you fully realize what a small world it is and how lucky we are to be a part of it together. Faris is an irrevocably gentle, humble and genuine person. If anyone could possibly deserve a pampering day away from the grind, it’s Faris.

Courage, kindness, and inspiration are the words that come to mind when you first encounter Catherine.  She is one of those women who make you realize that beauty is much more than skin deep. 

Meet Alison Meeks:
A delight to be around, Alison Meeks is bubbly. Her personality and smile has a way of brightening a room just based upon her entering. She is open to life and adventure, and she is sincere and kind. With all of these exuberant qualities, there was one thing weighing Alison down. “I feel so much younger on the inside than I look on the outside,” Alison commented. Alison knew her main problem area—her eyes. “They make me look tired and older. In fact, I have gotten to the point where I avoid mirrors and cameras. I don’t like what I see,” she explained.