Lynn Bunting, 51, of Midwest City, has spent the last 24 years taking care of her son. A single mother, never married, Bunting made sure her son got every opportunity she could give him. But while she was working so hard to care for him, she neglected herself, as mothers often do.

Lynn Bunting before and after her makeover at Kohl's in Edmond. Photos by Heather Warlick and Bryan Terry

So, knowing she could use an updated style, Bunting entered Mood's makeover contest and won. Thanks to the generosity of some local retailers, Bunting last week received a hair cut, color and style, and makeup lesson courtesy of DK Salon, and a $100 Kohl's shopping spree, provided by Kohl's.

Bunting's son is preparing to enter the military and soon, Bunting will find herself with an empty nest.

She said she hopes her new look will help her snag a job (she's disabled and currently unemployed). And, perhaps more importantly, Bunting hopes her new look will help her find love.

At DK Salon, stylist Jamie Roark got Bunting's makeover started with color. One of Bunting's beauty concerns was her long, thinning gray hair. Roark applied a beautiful light chocolate brown shade with dark golden blond highlights. Just blasting away the gray took years off Bunting's look.

Next, stylist Savannah Jenkins cut several inches off Bunting's length. She created a soft bob with light layering and lots of movement which instantly added volume to Bunting's hair. Bunting decided she wanted to keep her bangs long and side swept, despite what she'd heard about bangs taking years off your look. The result was an elegant, grown-up bob that's easy to care for and looks amazing.

Next, makeup artist Ashley Johnson gave Bunting a makeup lesson. Bunting thinks her eyes are too close set, so Johnson showed her how to apply her eye shadow and eyeliner to accentuate the outside corners of her eye, creating the look of wider-set eyes. With a brown eyebrow pencil, she extended Bunting's brows outward about a quarter of an inch.

Bunting doesn't use much makeup on a day-to-day basis — just a little lipstick and mascara. Johnson said that if a woman over 40 wants to apply just the basics, she should concentrate on perfecting her complexion. Foundation and blush are an older woman's best friend, she said. They combat the paleness that creeps up on women as they age. And it's OK to use bronzer all year round, Johnson reassured. Use sparingly for contouring.

The folks at DK Salon finished pampering Bunting by giving her a gift bag full of products they'd used during her makeover.

New look complete, Bunting headed to Kohl's to pick out a new outfit. There, she needed very little guidance. She knew she wanted to find a perfect outfit for a date. She settled on a beautiful navy Dana Buchman drapeneck blouse with a silver splatter pattern. She found a pair of ponte knit black slacks that perfectly fit her lovely figure. She found some silver and rhinestone jewelry, a comfy pair of A2 peep-toe black patent leather heels and was ready for her close up (and her date).

“I love it,” she said. “I am so thankful!”

Special thanks to the stylists at DK Salon for their hard work, and to Kohl's for providing a $100 gift card.

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