Mothers influence their daughters in many ways – and their sense of style is no exception. Many girls learn how to apply makeup, how to style their hair and how to dress from their mothers. So it makes perfect sense that many moms and daughters enjoy sharing time engaging in such activities. Beauty bonding provides an opportunity for girls to be girls – playing with makeup, trying new products, sharing tips, shopping or relaxing during a spa experience. My mother and I often enjoy a shopping excursion or pedicure together. It allows us to set aside time for the two of us. With today’s hectic schedules, it’s important to make time for each other. Learn how these local mother/daughter duos beautify together!
Mani-Pedi Time | Tania & Mia
BCL photographer and owner of Ama Photography Tania Colamarino, 33, and her daughter Mia Angelina, 11, find fun in picking colors and polishing their nails. While they sometimes go to salons for manicures and pedicures, they really enjoy the experience of doing it themselves at home. And they have all the must-have supplies – from nail polish remover to a PedEgg – to make their fingers and toes fabulous.
Going to the store and picking out polishes or trying new techniques like crackle polish adds to the enjoyment. “Mia loves nail art, so we buy fun things like stickers, glitter polish and gems,” shares Tania.
“We started doing our nails together before a vacation or special event,” Tania explains. “Mia was about 5. Now we paint our nails weekly and have pedicures about every two weeks. And we include Ava, my 3-year-old. She is a lover of all things pink!” During nail time, mother and daughter discuss their day, describe plans they have for the weekend and chat about “girl things.”
As a photographer, Tania keeps her nails at a reasonable length and usually sticks with neutral tones. “Now, my toes are a different story,” she says. “The colors can range from black to French style.” Mia mixes it up. Most recently she opted for green – her favorite color.
For the Love of Product & Pageants | Hallie & Stephanie
Hallie Jacobs, 12, recently went through a transformation from tomboy to beauty queen! As a result, she and her mother, Stephanie Jacobs, 35, have been exploring the world of makeup.
“In August, 2011, Hallie entered a scholarship pageant and fell in love with performing. Before this, she played soccer and never wore makeup,” explains Stephanie. “I didn’t really think she would make pageants her ‘thing,’ but she just loves the clothes, makeup and routines. It has helped her become a confident young lady who can speak in public and perform on a stage.”
Mother and daughter enjoy trips to Sephora and Ulta to try various products. While playing with makeup, Stephanie has the opportunity to talk with Hallie about school, her friends and boys, as well as other things going on in their lives. “It lets us talk about appropriate behavior and how we want people to perceive us, while opening up the door to conversations that might otherwise be between her and her friends. It’s real mother-daughter time.”
While having fun with makeup, Stephanie is still very conscious of Hallie’s age and what is appropriate. Hallie’s coach, Miss Toni from Sweet Tz Pageant Coaching, Bethlehem, advises them on pageant fashion and makeup, which is very different from the day-to-day. “Hallie does not wear anything other than lip gloss to school,” says Stephanie, who teaches at Schuylkill Valley Middle School.
Hallie & Stephanie love Urban Decay products because they’re fun and trendy. They like the brand’s Naked Palette and Primer Potion, which keeps on pigment and loose eye shadow. They also like liquid eyeliner pencils (any brand).
Accessorize | Brenda & Lindsay
For the past six years, Lindsay Eshelman, 26, and her mother, Brenda DiFulvio Eshelman, have bonded during shopping excursions for accessories. During the trips, they joke around when they find something not so fabulous and get really excited when they discover a great find. Shopping trips are often paired with lunch or dinner, adding to their mother-daughter time.
“Accessories are the best way to change up a look you already own,” says Lindsay. “In this economy, it’s not always easy to buy a new outfit. By adding an inexpensive scarf or cocktail ring, you can really change up your look and add richness to the outfit.”
They discover many accessories exploring small boutiques around the Fashion District of New York City. “We buy as much product as we can and bring our finds back to Berks County to share with our friends,” explains Lindsay.
Lindsay and Brenda have also turned their hobby into a business. For more than 20 years, their family has run Plow Farms, a Christmas tree farm in Plowville. A few years ago, they added a small store on the farm, which they operate during the holiday season to feature accessories such as purses, jewelry and scarves as well as other fun holiday items and decorations.
“We are hoping that we will soon be able to turn our accessory-finding trips into a year-round business adventure so we can share our finds with other ladies in Berks County via home shows,” Lindsay shares.
Mom and daughter have made visits to local auctions and thrift stores their latest venture. They look for vintage fur coats, couture accessories such as designer bags and watches and estate jewelry. “I recently scored an amazing Louis Vuitton keep-all suitcase, and my mom and I proudly sport matching Louis Vuitton bucket bags we bought at an auction.” Their vintage shopping has turned them into pros, and they know how to identify counterfeit and knock-off goods, so now many of their friends seek help in authenticating vintage designer accessories.
BY KRISTIN KRAMER | PHOTOS BY HEIDI REUTER
