Back-to-school makeovers for 3 local teachers
Three Long Island teachers, from left, Linda Beyer, Michelle Crennan and Carol Copper, show off their back-to-school makeovers. (Aug. 8, 2013) Credit: Bruce Gilbert
It's a fact. Back-to-school is not only about the kids returning to the classroom after summer vacay. Teachers must re-enter the academic stratosphere as well, and just like the students, they want to look fresh, fab and fashionable.
We found this to be overwhelmingly true when we put out an all-call for teachers willing to participate in a makeover. We got hundreds of applicants, including one from the entire faculty of a small school. (We were sad to have to pass that one up!)
Teachers were nominated by friends, family and themselves. Some had shed weight, and there were a couple of new moms. Many veteran teachers were trying to stay current. "I am able to keep the young attitude in my heart and would also like to keep the young attitude in my wardrobe," wrote one.
But, alas we could only pick three.
So how did it go? Makeovers aren't born in a day. First up, a lengthy stint at nuBest Salon and Spa in Manhasset, where two of our three teachers made serious changes to their hair -- oh the drama. Next, a daylong shoot at the Newsday studio, where an army of makeup artists, hair stylists, fashion stylists, and photographers converged upon our teachers.
Final report card? A+ on all counts.
"Please Newsday, Mrs. Beyer is stuck in the '70s, she needs to learn to let go of her long, outdated hair," wrote co-worker Ellen Rafferty, who nominated Beyer. "She looks exactly the same as she did in high school."
Beyer was all for it. "I know nothing about makeup and all I know about hair is how to grow it, and I haven't shopped in 10 years," said Beyer, who prefers not to give her age. She says a makeover has long been a goal. "I've always watched 'What Not to Wear,' and hoped someone would take the raw potential and do what needs to be done."
"I'm in a rut fashion-wise," said Copper, who nominated herself because she recently hit the big 5-0, and at just 5 feet tall has trouble finding clothes and styles that work for her. "I have 18 pairs of black pants; I'm short and nothing fits correctly. I've been teaching a long time, and I think I can learn something new about myself."
Her academic attire "is made up of sneakers and sweatsuits," wrote Crennan's aunt, Terry Weber, in her nominating letter.
Crennan, 33, who also coaches soccer, bowling and lacrosse, admits that there's a fine line between "looking like a professional and looking like you rolled out of bed." Crennan also owns up to not wearing makeup and wearing things that are too big.
