Do you ever wonder about those online applications that companies have, and if anyone actually is chosen for them and who the actual people are?   Well, meet Kari – she was one of 5 women chosen for the L’Oreal Paris Academy and she is the only one over 40!  

Kari contacted me back in January to tell me about her exciting opportunity – and we had a chuckle about both being Kari.  But, her excitement wasn’t over yet – she was actually going back to Hollywood during the Academy Awards to be treated “Hollywood style” for several events and even walk the Red Carpet at the Instyle Oscar Viewing Party!  How did a woman who is a wife, mother of two daughters and a teacher get this incredible opportunity?  A friend told her about an online application for anyone interested in a makeover and encouraged her to enter.  She was asked for a few photos and then did a skype interview, and then they flew her to LA without telling her what it was exactly for.  Once she was chosen they revealed that it was for L’Oreal Paris Academy.

Since being chosen it has involved 3 trips to LA, meeting beauty experts like celebrity makeup artist Collier Strong, fashion, hair and party planing experts too.  All this culminated with her last trip to Hollywood for the InStyle Oscar Viewing Party.  Kari had her hair and makeup done at the L’Oreal Luxury Suite at the Four Seasons where there happened to be a few Oscar nominees  there and she was lucky enough to bump into a few of the celebrities like Colin Firth.   Kari had interviews with The Examiner, and also dinners and parties she attended that weekend.  She even was taped with Collier Strong for a segment for the Entertainment news show Extra! 

Kari said of stepping out of the limo onto the Red Carpet event with cameras flashing everywhere, “It was a surreal moment for this girl who grew up in the country with no washer and dryer and had only one pair of shoes… lemme tell ya!  At 43 years old it seems like a great way to celebrate my halfway mark and has gotten me very excited about the second half of my journey!”  You can watch her transformation and those of the other 4 women chosen at L’Oreal Paris Academy.  

I was so excited for Kari, this woman whom I’ve never met other than through email!  She was especially excited because she actually uses and loves L’Oreal products, even before the fabulous events!   Here is her list of L’Oreal favorites:

• Sulfate-Free hair products, especially the Everstrong line
• Revitalift skincare line
• Visible Lift foundation
• Youth Code Serum Intense
• Voluminous Million Lashes
• Elnet hairspray
• Studio Secrets eye shadow quads
• Infallible Lipgloss
• Colour Riche Lipgloss
• Colour Riche Lipstick