ONE LOCAL ALBUQUERQUE WOMAN’S JOURNEY CAME TO A FULL CIRCLE IN THE SUMMER OF 2021 AS HER VOYAGE OF SELF-DISCOVERY AND SELF-LOVE WAS ASSISTED BY LOCAL BUSINESSES WHEN THEY REWARDED HER WITH A REMARKABLE MAKEOVER.
Ruth Yanez started her journey during the 2020 pandemic when she came to terms with her health and began to work on herself and her weight. Her goal was to not only obtain a healthy weight but a healthy state of mind. Losing over 30 pounds during the pandemic, Yanez continued to work on her body while addressing the things in life that were holding her back.
“During that transition, I began to really take care of myself and my well-being. I got introduced to a lot of personal development,” Yanez said. “There are things that you thought were long gone, but you realize later are still there. I realized I needed to address them. So I did. I worked on them and moved on. I learned to forgive myself and others, and so I’ve been on that journey ever since. It’s so freeing. It really helps you realize your worth and how we shouldn’t allow the world or the negativity to turn down our lights because we’re meant to shine.” 
Yanez found support from within her family and community throughout her self-improvement journey, culminating in her being nominated for a special makeover. Yanez said it felt like the universe was giving her an encouraging sign when she received the news.
Yanez began the first steps in her makeover with local teeth whitening business, Smile White Now, where she was given a free teeth whitening session to make her smile shine.
Grinning from ear to ear Yanez only had a day to prepare for her next destination. Armed with a brand new stunning smile, Yanez was greeted by the staff of local boutique Andy & Edie, who helped her slip into a unique style that better reflected the new her. The new outfit was finally complemented by jewelry from local jewelry and craft business Amber’s Crochet.
The beginning building blocks in place for her new persona Yanez took her final steps towards the end of her makeover with assistance from the students of the Aveda Institute of New Mexico. First, she met with Sylvia Rojas to find the perfect new color. Rojas was excited to be a part of Yanez’s journey.
“I was super excited to give back to someone nominated by friends and family,” Rojas said. “I think this is a good way to be involved in your community — When I saw her inspiration for her look, I was super excited because it is a technique that I love, and it is a color that I love.”
Once the color was settled, Yanez returned for the final touches; the cut, style, and makeup. Aveda student Kaylene Baca was selected for the cut and style, a nomination; she was honored by just as much as she was happy for Yanez.
“(Being nominated) made me proud that people that voted for me liked my work. It gave me confidence,” Baca said. “I like that she (Yanez) got voted to have this. I’m happy for her, and I’m happy for her to feel beautiful.” Being a student at Aveda Baca said has opened up opportunities for her to make individuals like Yanez feel beautiful.
“I love Aveda,” Baca said. “It has really built how I feel about this industry. I’m confident, I’m always open to learning, and I love being able to help people feel beautiful about themselves. I love being a part of that!” Once the final cuts were made, Yanez sported a beautiful layered long bob with loose curls that complimented her face and colored hair.
With her hair completed, Yanez began her final step in her makeover as she met with Aveda student Faith Bernal for her makeup. A student since October of 2020 Bernal shared her fellow Aveda student’s excitement in being part of the makeover project and worked with Yanez to provide a natural makeup look that made her skin glow. Bernal shared her experience as a student with Aveda stating that the school provides just as much fun as it does education.
“If you want to check out Aveda, I say go for it! Try it!” Bernal said, encouraging others to embark on their own style careers. “You can really go far with this as long as you have the confidence to do it. If you have the confidence, you can do it.
Yanez had finally completed her new look with her color, hair cut, and makeup completed by Aveda. Ending with a professional photoshoot at Vara Wine, Yanez smiled as she looked forward to a bright future.
The journey, she said, isn’t really over. “I want to become more aware of my self-worth – when it comes to anything, I want to just go for it! Whether it’s opening up a business or in any area of my life, I would like to do less talking and more doing,” she said.
