It’s been a while since Maria McCabe has gone for the full beauty treatment. For her, it’s been “mall cuts and do-it-yourself trims” says McCabe, 44, who has three children and lives in Unionville. She was one of two Hudson Valley Life Spring Makeover contest winners to win a day at Pineapple Day Spa in Pine Bush and a shopping spree at Handmade and More in New Paltz. 
Pomona resident Jessica Marlowe Goldstein is the other recipient of a makeover at the Pineapple Day Spa in Pine Bush. Goldstein is 50 years old with a son who recently turned 4. She wrote in her contest entry, “It hasn’t been easy for me to deal with ‘hot flashes and warm bottles’.” She’s an actress and a teacher who wants a professional look.
A royal day begins with hair
The Pineapple Day Spa staff treated the women like queens. The day started with our winners receiving hair consultations with their stylists. Goldstein tells her stylist, owner Andrea Tompkins, about what she wants in a new look. “I like the messy bed-head look. Something that looks put together, but I don’t have to worry about the upkeep much. I also don’t want too much length taken off.” Goldstein gives the owner a worried look. “Absolutely, we can do that,” Tompkins says. “I’ll add some texture, by adding layers.”
McCabe has a similar request for her new do. “As a mom, I’m always on the go and I need a style that is functional. I also need to get rid of my mullet,” she laughs. Her stylist, Jessi Miller, smiles back and runs her fingers through McCabe’s hair. “I’ll trim you up. I’m going to give you a new cut, color, and add some highlights” says Miller. For her look, Goldstein receives long layers, new color, and golden highlights. McCabe’s cut is done with a razor. She also gets a trim and new color, with lighter highlights for spring.
The makeup process
Esthetician Monique begins McCabe’s consultation by feeling her face and 
determining her skin type. The salon uses the Dermalogica skin care line and Mirabella makeup.
Monique gives advice: “Maria is lucky because with her brown eyes she can wear any color of eye shadow. I’m adding a pretty lavender shade to her eyes because it’s a nice spring color. People with green eyes also look great in purples. Women with blue eyes can be tricky, but they look best in very subdued colors like grey shades.“You can use eye shadow to define your eyebrows, which I feel really frame your face,” says Monique. “When you apply finishing powder make sure you sweep a little on your neck so it looks natural.” Both women leave the salon with a natural look, free samples and smiles on their faces.
Follow Jessi's and Maria's adventure here.