Photograph by Matthew Worden

Aristia Glinka, 28 • Arlington • Associate director of donor relations Georgetown University

Why she wanted a makeover: She’d had the same look since age 13 and was ready for a change.

Where we sent her: Vidal Sassoon Salon in Tysons Galleria for hair, independent makeup artist Carola Myers, and Wink Boutique in Georgetown for clothing.

Aristia Glinka has been an athlete all her life. A runner, swimmer, and amateur boxer, she fits in twice-daily workouts—once during lunch and again at day’s end—most of the week. 

“When I wake up and get ready, it’s usually not the only time I get ready that day,” she says. “The transition from workout to work has to happen quickly.” Although juggling exercise, family, and a full-time job keeps her healthy and happy, it’s left little time to try anything other than what she calls her “no frills” beauty regimen.

Understanding Glinka’s desire to shake things up, Sassoon colorist Jade Del Proposto selected a dramatic all-over color of Irish red to brighten Glinka’s fair skin and play up her airy blue eyes.

Glinka says her friends loved the red: “Everyone is unanimous that the color suits me perfectly. They think it looks natural, even though they know it’s not.”

Glinka had been getting her hair cut—mainly just a trim—by either her husband, Andrew, or her ten-year-old niece, Kayla. Sassoon stylist Allison Lyle shaped up her hair with a blunt, graduated bob. The strong outline makes her baby-fine hair look thicker, while a few slightly shorter layers allow for movement and keep the style from coming off as too severe. 

“The cut feels very modern,” Glinka says. 

Arisitia before her makeover.

Although the only makeup she usually wears is mascara, makeup artist Carola Myers used fake eyelashes and a wild combination of shadows to give her “modernized” cat eyes. Powder blush along the cheekbones and a glossy muted-red lip completed a grown-up look Glinka was instantly comfortable in.

“It’s sophisticated and glamorous but still feels like me,” she says.

Like her hair and makeup routines, her work attire is generally risk-free—she rarely deviates from Ann Taylor and J. Crew classics: “I wear a lot of black and navy shift dresses. And pearls are pretty much my go-to—in Washington, they’re safe for a wide variety of functions.”

To complete Glinka’s new look, Wink chose pieces with punch and sparkle. A six-strand pipe-bead necklace ($215), slim gold hoops ($37), and vibrant purple Akiko belted silk sheath dress ($225) work for day, thanks to traditional shaping and modest cuts.

“This is the new slate I was looking for,” Glinka says. “It’s more sophisticated and flattering but still feels playful.”

Getting the Look

Vidal Sassoon Salon, Tysons Galleria, McLean; 703-448-9884; sassoon.com.

Carola Myers Makeup and Hair Artist, Fairfax; 571-214-5558; carolamyers.com. 

Wink Boutique, 3109 M St., NW; 202-338-9465; shopwinkdc.com.

Check out this video of Aristia's transformation!