I've never been a girly girl.

I'm not big on jewelry or makeup. I've never spent much time on my hair or had my eyebrows done. As a kid, I loved watching Elsa Klensch's style show on CNN. Not so much because I loved seeing all the clothes she featured, but becaused I dreamed of being where she was - New York, Paris, London, Milan. I was happy watching in my jeans and oversized T-shirts.

It's not that I don't care about my appearance. I clean up pretty well. But my makeup and hair products only come out when I'm in a wedding party and expect to be in photographs or scheduled to appear on TV, which sometimes happens for work. I really don't like the way products feel on my face or hair.

Flash forward to about a month ago when a colleague, who does monthly style makeovers in her Refresh column for The N&O, mentioned she had just received a shipment of sample clothes from Gap Maternity. They happened to be my size. After a lot of cajoling, I agreed to be her victim subject.

"You're going to hate it," my husband said.

Sheon told me to relax and to trust her and the hair stylist and eyebrow expert that she sent me too.

I was nervous. I'm pretty strict about my hair. I must wear it up when I sleep at night. I don't want it colored or permed in any way (being pregnant, that was off the table).

And Sheon (who has officially thought about my own eyebrows more than I ever have) wanted me to get my eyebrows done. I was pretty certain that I'd end up like one of those old ladies who have to draw their eyebrows in. Plus it hurts!

Sheon put me in good hands. Eyebrow waxing does indeed hurt. But Nadia Cox at Beverly Nail and Spa at Preston Corners in Cary did a masterful job, leaving the brows thick, but more shapely. I'll admit they do look better.

And hairstylist Keith Turnmire gave me a great graduated cut that he pulled straight when he styled it, but I leave curly. He also thinned it, which is wonderful because now it doesn't take three hours in the morning to air dry. Turnmire admitted he was a little nervous when Sheon sent me his way, wondering if I'd go all pregnant hormonal on him when the finished product was revealed. I was really pleased.

Sheon dressed me in clothes from Gap Maternity and the Stock Exchange, a consignment store in Chapel Hill. I learned from Sheon that anything I wear with black, I can wear with other neutrals like brown, gray or navy. (No, I didn't know that). And I learned that I don't look bad in bright colors.

For the record, the brow waxing and hair style were free. But I didn't get to keep any of the clothes, shoes or accessories. I will not splurge on $68 pants at Gap Maternity. But I'm checking out Old Navy for a cheaper version (and hoping they go on sale too). And I won't be afraid of bright colors when I check out the maternity racks at the consignment sales and stores where I'm getting most of my wardrobe.

Stay posted to Mom2Mom in the next few months and you'll learn how all this could be yours too.

The makeover will be featured in the Arts & Living section on Sunday. But here is a sneak peak.

Before clothes (with after hair)

After

Before with old hair and brows

After