Joe Drennan
Staff WriterThere are so many reality shows on TV right now that take people and give them extreme makeovers that change their lives. The folks at Roxyís Total Image and Dr. Richard R. Nyman D.D.S. in Forest Lake thought they would change somebodyís life, but without going to the extreme measures as the TV shows.
On the TV shows, a main focus on the extreme makeover is plastic surgery. People are getting liposuction, tummy tucks, nose jobs, face-lifts or whatever else the person may wish.
Along with the plastic surgery though, the people are getting a little dental work and hair and makeup.
ìUsually dentistry is a significant part of these extreme makeovers,î Dr. Nyman said, ìSome people donít realize that you donít have to go to an extreme to make a change. Sometimes a new hairstyle can make the difference.î
A local idea
Dr. Nymanís wife Bev and Roxy Miller of Roxyís Total Image knew just that so they thought up the idea to give someone locally a not so extreme makeover by giving them a new look.
The new look would come after some dental work courtesy of Dr. Nyman and hair and makeup from Roxyís Total Image. The other side of the idea was to show people they could have this type of image changing work done in Forest Lake.
To pick a person, Dr. Nyman and Miller put an ad in the paper to advertise a contest to give away the not so extreme makeover. Several people sent in pictures of themselves and wrote essays as to why they should win.
Branson responds
Maxine Branson saw the ad in the paper and thought about entering the contest. She talked to her husband about it and decided to send in a picture and her essay just for the heck of it.
It just so happened that Bransonís essay helped her win the contest.
After being notified that she was the winner, Branson visited both Dr. Nyman's office and Roxyís Total Image for initial consultations to discuss what would be done and which part of the makeover would happen first.
Dental work first
After visiting both offices it was decided the dental work would be done first.
ìMaxine had some spacing that we closed and we bleached her teeth,î Dr. Nyman said. ìWe cosmetically straightened some teeth as well using filling materials as opposed to orthodontics.î
The cosmetic straightening did to Bransonís teeth what can sometimes take two to three years for orthodontics to do. It also allowed Branson to smile without hiding her teeth.
ìI have always had a problem with my teeth and I didnít want to smile,î Branson said. ìI had been going to the ìUî to get dental work done and I asked them about making my teeth nice, but that was out of my budget. I always wanted to do some things and this showed up, it was a blessing in my life.î
Hair, makeup next
After her teeth were done, Branson headed to Roxyís Total Image for her hair and makeup. At Roxyís three different salon professionals helped in Bransonís makeover, each one working on a different task.
When Branson came into Roxyís she had brown hair with blond highlights. Miller thought it would be fun to give her a Sharon Osbourne look because the colors would bring out the features in her face.
ìPeople need to get out of their comfort zone when it comes to their hair,î Miller said.
ìWhen Maxine came in I told her we were going to take her out of her comfort zone and she was excited to do it.î
Nicole cut Bransonís hair and Sarah gave it some color. Jade did Bransonís makeup to complete the makeover.
ìWhen Roxy called me she said she was going to take me out of my comfort zone and I said do whatever you want,î Branson said.
ìItís been an incredible experience and I canít even express how happy I am.î
The makeover
Part of the makeover was to show people that they could have the dental and hair and makeup work done in Forest Lake.
The other part was to show people how easy it is to change their image.
If people are looking to simply whiten their teeth, Dr. Nyman says the different toothpastes and other products on the market will do the job over time.
If time is an issue Dr. Nyman says bleaching can be done in a dentist office in about two hours.
Sometimes bleaching isnít the only thing that needs to be done, sometimes other cosmetic work needs to be done to straighten teeth or fix gaps.
ìWe can do a lot in a couple of hours,î Dr. Nyman said.
ìWe can fill in spaces, make teeth longer, make teeth shorter for irregular teeth, or make a crooked tooth appear straight, using regular white filling materials.î
Possibly the easiest change that can be done to oneís appearance is hair. From a haircut to changing the color, it becomes a major change for many people.
Miller cautioned that home maintenance is important, though.
A bid difference
Just the smallest of changes can make a big difference, but for Branson a combination of small changes made a huge difference.
ìI have a big smile now,î Branson said.
ìI donít cover my face with my hand anymore. I have always been a happy smiley person, now I get to show that smile.î
Being able to show that smile is allowing Branson and her family to do something they have never done before, have a family portrait taken.
ìEveryone in my family smiles and looks so cute,î Branson said.
ìI never smiled though because I was so self-conscious. I still am, but I am getting used to it.î
Branson likes her new looks so much that she plans on going back to Roxyís to get her hair cut again.
ìWhat helped with this whole makeover was the great staff at both places,î Branson said.
ìThey were very relaxing and gentle and I am just fortunate that they picked me. It really changed my life.î
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