More Than A Makeover: CAPRI Takes on Total Woman
Experience, superior customer service in every aspect of their visit, community involvement and 60 years of creating beautiful hair; this is how Diana Coupal, owner of Capri Salon & Spa, distinguishes the salon’s long-standing success from all others in Kitchener-Waterloo. So, it wasn’t surprising when MOST Magazine and GEMINI Models asked to team up with Capri for an initiative created to celebrate women over 40 with the Total Woman Over 40 Model Search.
“We were originally just going to be styling hair for the fashion show [at The Total Woman Show] for these women,” explained Coupal. “Instead, we thought it would be even more exciting to help give them a whole new image, including colour, cut, style and makeup.”
After the top nine finalists were selected, Capri’s team sat down to discuss which colour and style they felt will best compliment each woman. Stylist Chrissy Gimby, who’s been with Capri for over 15 years, is responsible for leading the discussion and for matching each woman to a complimentary Capri stylist. Gimby admits that not only are the outcomes of these discussions unanimous among stylists, but the stylist she has selected for each model will often and unknowingly, offer to do that exact woman out of pure excitement for that specific change.
“You look at the whole package,” said Gimby. You look at their personal style, how they style their hair, their story and how much of a change they’re wanting. I really have to listen throughout the consultation and then match that person with who I think will best suit their style.
The finalists are then invited to Capri where the start of their transformation begins with brow tinting, shaping and a skin consultation before they meet with their stylist for their biggest change of all: hair.
“I take into consideration people’s skin type, eye colour, current hair colour and what’s actually going to work for them,” explains Gimby. “You would never take someone who has a pale complexion and give them black hair. A lot of people see the same stylist or have had the same style for years and never change it. So, when they come in, we can suggest something that pushes boundaries and try to get them outside of their comfort zone.”
Deciding on cut and colour isn’t the only unanimous decision for Capri stylists, so is their favourite part of the makeover process; watching the finalist’s grow their confidence almost immediately and their overall change on how they perceive themselves.
“The biggest challenge is helping people see what they can be and what they’re hiding,” said stylist Kevin Michael Beck, who’s been with Capri for over three years. “A lot of women use their hair to hide, either across their face or towards it, it’s like a barrier. I want them to come out of that. For some people it’s as simple as doing the change, but for others, they feel that they don’t need it, so you go smaller with something as simple as a highlight or a bang that starts them on the path to change. It’s knowing that this is actually going to make a difference for them is what it’s all about. Even just the women I’ve done for this year, I already started to see that change. Beauty is such a huge part of the world but it has to be a balance of inner beauty and outer beauty. And I think sometimes people need to feel that outer beauty to allow that inner beauty to come out. That’s what we’re kind of seeing today and with that, we can say ‘okay, we’re doing our job.’”
Coupal is second-generation owner of Capri with her husband, who passed away in 2010. Coupal knew his passion for helping women feel beautiful at every age and knew the Total Woman Over 40 Search was the perfect way to keep that passion alive.
“The beauty industry, hair and fashion were his passion,” said Coupal. “And he had the ability to translate that into everyday life which is empowering and energizing. It’s hugely impactful and so gratifying to celebrate women over 40. We live in such a youth driven culture and women of this age have so much to celebrate and be proud of. Women above 40 have contributed such incredible energy and devotion to their families and every other aspect of their busy lives, often forsaking themselves. [These makeovers] are our way to give back to the community.”
Capri’s involvement in the makeover process is more than a change in hair colour as this team is invested in these women building themselves up from start to finish of this total transformation.
“It’s hard to explain,” says Gimby. “There hasn’t been a year where I haven’t gotten goose bumps or cried or gotten misty when I see these women walk across that stage. When we meet them for the first time and you know their stories and how much they’ve overcome. How much courage it takes for them to walk across the stage in these new outfits or change their hair… It’s a whirlwind for them. It’s inspiring and it’s beautiful.”
Capri Salon & Spa’s ability to empower women, not just in the show but every day when clients sit in their chair is not just a gift, it’s their goal.
“It’s fun,” said Beck. “It’s fun to get to know these women. We’re seeing smiles and talking about how they should go out for dinner tonight or style their hair differently or about really taking care of themselves. That’s what it’s really about because if you feel good, you take care of yourself. You can even hear them about changing their eating habits and looking more at what they’re putting on their hair and their skin and it really is that total package, that total woman. That’s what this show is all about.”