Makeover Magic
From Thin to Win
July 2025 Issue
Makeover Magic—From Thin to Win
Photography and story by Elizabeth Skenes Millen
As women, we have all had a hair emergency. Usually, it’s based on a bad hair moment, like a home dye job “gone wrong” or a huge event coming up where we have to look absolutely perfect. But what if your bad hair day was turning into a bad hair life? This is exactly where 29-year-old Michelle Ortega found herself. Though she has a long, beautiful head of dark hair, it has been falling out since her late teens, becoming a source of increasing worry and embarrassment.
Enter hairstylist Kayla Settle, a master cosmetologist and owner of the new Tru for Real Salon. By total happenstance, both Kayla and Michelle attended the Pink Partini in May at Tio’s, where they met after I announced that Pink was looking for a makeover candidate who was experiencing hair loss. Michelle’s sister, Skarleth, encouraged Michelle to introduce herself to Kayla and try to win the makeover. Kayla specializes in hair extensions, both cosmetic and therapeutic.
“I love doing hair because it makes people feel good, but doing hair extensions, especially when there is hair loss, restores a sense of self and femininity. The treatment looks natural and truly transforms a head of thinning hair.” Ladies also love getting extensions for more cosmetic reasons to add length or lusciousness. Regardless of the reason, Kayla takes great care of her clients who want or need extensions because she understands. She started losing hair by the clumps at age 16 due to a thyroid issue, and though she’s now in her 30s, she still tears up when talking about dealing with her hair falling out.
This planned makeover was quite the day of pampering. There was a table filled with breakfast goodies, snacks all day long, lunch brought in, and a bouquet of pink balloons at the door to welcome everyone. With Skarleth along for support by Michelle’s side, and Kayla’s mother, Katie, there to experience her daughter in action, this was a fun girls’ day filled with shared stories, new camaraderie, close connections, and believe it or not, lots of tears. “I’ve cried with so many clients who have thinning hair. I love it when they cry because it’s usually tears of joy. I just want to help everyone who is experiencing it and show them that they can love their hair again,” Kayla said.
Kayla and Michelle started with a consultation two weeks before the appointment. Kayla had to assess Michelle’s hair, understand her hair loss, color match her hair, as well as discuss expectations and maintenance for the extensions. The tedious process requires expert precision on the part of the stylist. Strands of hair are woven into the stable natural hair, making it look and feel Tru For Real. In addition, the extensions can be cared for just as you would with your own hair—shampooed, combed, brushed, curled, etc.
Once Kayla finished the extension process, she gave Michelle a new cut to frame her face and shaped her long hair into a sleeker style. Then, Katy Payne, a professional makeup artist, arrived on the scene to teach Michelle about the best makeup shades for her skin tone, along with a few new techniques. Katy’s goal was to bring out Michelle’s already beautiful natural features—high cheek bones, dark eyes, and a brilliant smile. When Kayla turned Michelle around to see herself in the mirror, I looked over to see Skarleth with tears brimming in her eyes. “I’m just so happy for her; she looks so pretty. She deserves this so much,” she said.
As for Michelle, who was absolutely ecstatic and smiling ear-to-ear, she exclaimed, “I look like an American Girl doll.” Nothing is better than looking like your favorite, childhood well-put together American Girl doll!
Finally, it was time to sort through the dresses and complete Michelle’s new look. I had pulled three colorful, summer dresses off the racks at Belk on Hilton Head Island. The selection of fun dresses was abundant, but the yellow, Steve Madden halter-top sundress, which caught my eye as soon as I walked in, was the fan favorite. Not having Michelle with me when I chose her wardrobe was tough, but I thought the buttery yellow would look gorgeous against her creamy mocha skin tone. Just in case, I grabbed a couple of backups, which looked great, too. You can always count on Belk to find something pretty regardless of size or body shape.
Once she was all dressed, fluffed and put together, we made her pose for a million pictures to prove that it takes more than thinning hair to stop a group of women on a mission. Congratulations to everyone involved, and especially Michelle—you look stunning.
Meet the Team:
Kayla Settle: Owner, Tru For Real Salon, 206 Sea island Pkwy., Inside The Mane Suites, Beaufort, SC. Kayla and Tru For Real Salon, which opened just a few months ago, specialize in cut, color and high-quality, professional extensions. Most people had to drive to Charleston for this experience in extensions. Now, we have it conveniently in Beaufort. Call 843-481-0120, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.trueforreal.com. By appointment only.
Katy Payne: Professional makeup artist specializing in wedding parties, proms, and special occasions. To make an appointment call 972-979-0976.
Belk, Hilton Head Island: Thank you to Store Manager Mike Brock at Belk for giving us carte blanche to pick out an array of dresses for this project. And thank you to local Estée Lauder legend Pat Clark for helping me look. This is exactly what community it all about! Visit Belk at Shelter Cove Towne Centre, HHI.
Michelle & Skarleth Ortega: Owners, The Glass Slipper Events. They are both certified floral and balloon designers and event planners. The pink balloons for the day were a surprise from these two! For a free consultation, call
843-593-0184 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lisa Bednarz: Owner, Launch New Business Development. Thank you so much for working the behind-the-scenes magic making it an extra special day for everyone involved.