Tim Timmons

Monthly Makeover “Women in the South are taught that beauty is everything, and I caught myself more worried about how Soldier wins war my roots looked than focusing on important things, like spending time with my spouse on our anniversary cruise,” over daily hair battle. Allis said. “I knew I needed an overhaul, so I went to Salon Gloss to see Tim.” BY TIM TIMMONS I persuaded Allis that it was time for a dramatic change, and after hearing about her military service, I knew she

When 22-year-old Allis completed her basic training to be would be an ideal candidate for this month’s makeover. part of the Georgia National Guard, she expected the tough When she came in, her hair was black, orange and red, and battle ahead with her newly assigned role at Dobbins Air the length was 3/4 down her back. Her hair was also very Reserve Base supporting Georgia’s response to COVID-19. damaged and dry. After a thorough consultation, we decided What she didn’t expect was the dramatic change she would she had too much hair for her busy life and her position in experience after undergoing a makeover with me and my the military. team at Salon Gloss. Allis wanted a low maintenance style and a hue closer to

While the ongoing frustrations with her hairstyle may her natural color, so I gave her a chin-length bob that’s easy seem trivial compared to her work with the National to pull back when she’s on duty and fashionable enough Guard, Allis’s outlook, mood and success, like many women, to look on trend when she’s off duty. Through several is influenced by her physical appearance. Her look was coloring processes, I matched Allis’s natural regrowth with distracting from larger priorities in her life. a warm medium brown, while giving her low maintenance highlights with a soft copper hue for a pop of color and dimension. “I hadn’t seen my natural hair color in more than 10 years, but Tim was able to work his magic and match my current dye job to that of my natural color,” Allis said. “It was so close that as my hair has grown you can’t see the difference between the new color and my natural roots.” For Allis’s makeup, Salon Gloss makeup artist Aurelia chose an application that emphasized Allis’s beautiful eyes and lips. She chose smokey greens and golds for the BEFORE eyes and a bold fuchsia lip color to highlight her beautiful smile. For her wardrobe, Allis generally stays within neutral and earth tones, but I realized her clothing selection needed updating. I took Allis to West and Peach at The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta to select an outfit that would complement her new look. I wanted to highlight Allis’ colorful personality, so I chose a bright sundress that worked beautifully with her skin tone and hair color. “I typically don’t like bright colors. Most of my outfits are dull and dark,” Allis said. “I had no idea that the right cut and a strategically selected outfit can complement each other. I now wear the outfit often.” The response to Allis’s new cut and color has been overwhelming from family and friends. From her motherin-law to her best friends, everyone has provided supportive comments. "I feel great about my look, and I don’t worry about my hair anymore. I can concentrate on more important things in life, like my husband, my family and my career.”

Tim Timmons is the owner of Salon Gloss and Spa Woodstock. Tim’s industry experience includes positions as trainer/ educator, celebrity stylist and beauty consultant for the Grammys and MTV video music awards.

REJOICE MAIDS Cleaning for Health!

For 10 years, Gemma Beylouny and her team at Rejoice Maids have cleaned homes and businesses in Cherokee and Cobb counties, leaving each location spotless when they’re done. Now Gemma has ramped things up a bit, with an additional goal in mind.

“We clean for health,” she said. “Before, people wanted their homes cleaned for the appearance, and for the fresh smell. We still do all of that, but now we are also focusing on removing or killing germs and viruses. That’s a big difference.”

Rejoice Maids offers residential cleaning — floor to ceiling — by two- or three-person teams on weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedules. Move-in and move-out cleaning also is offered.

With the onset of the pandemic and concerns about health and safety, Gemma has introduced new protocols to make sure Rejoice Maids is doing its part in preventing the spread of the virus. • Employees have daily

temperature checks. The numbers are logged into a record book. • Employees use a commercial, hospital-grade disinfectant, and the office is sanitized and disinfected daily. • All high-touch points in each home are cleaned. • Vacuums are disinfected every morning and evening. • Employees wear masks, gloves and shoe covers. And for

Gemma, not just any mask will do. Her two sisters are making the masks and shoe covers, so she is confident of the quality. • Employees are trained and re-trained on the latest safety measures. Staff members sign a document for each session attended. • Employees are trained to use a disinfectant machine to properly clean offices, churches, daycare and any area that needs a heavier dose of disinfectant. • A support supervisor makes sure the teams are properly cleaning and implementing the

Touch Point Cleaning Method in every home. She checks that employees are wearing protective gear, and she is there to help as needed. • A staff member answers the phone during office hours,

Mondays-Fridays. Other ways to communicate include texts, emails and Facebook Messenger. • Gemma posts a weekly Facebook segment sharing cleaning tips, along with short, daily videos offering housekeeping tips and other uplifting, positive thoughts.

She is involved in the community silently, giving as needed.

In addition to these extra steps, Gemma stays on top of the latest safety measures and processes being developed to create a clean and healthy environment for her clients. She takes online classes and continuously searches for the latest developments. In The Beginning

Gemma was raised in the Philippines, the youngest of eight children, in a disadvantaged family that didn’t have the resources to finish paying for her schooling. She came to the United States in 1994 without the advantages of a proper education.

She married George, who was in the Navy, and they moved to Guam. During two years there, she tried and failed more than five times to get her driver’s license. She admits the examiners would hide when they saw her, annoyed by her tears each time she failed. But she never gave up.

“In my head, the driver’s license was the first step toward my dreams. It’s simple for some, but for me, it was a big obstacle that I had to pass,” she said. “When we moved from Guam to Marietta, I was still determined, and began practicing daily with garbage cans and trash bags. Finally, after all those failures, I passed. This was the beginning of my dream.”

Gemma admits she’s a goaloriented person who doesn’t give up, and she doesn’t shy away from hard work. She began cleaning houses and, after passing a real estate exam, sold houses as well. In 2002, she enrolled in Kennesaw State University to study business administration.

“I went to KSU for five years

with no breaks. I was going spring, summer and fall for five years while raising two children and helping earn an income by cleaning and selling houses. My husband was also in school. There was one year when all of us were students at the same time. It was a very tough time,” she said. For the Long Haul

This year, Rejoice Maids is 10 years old. Gemma relishes the lessons that she has learned getting to this point, and admits that, at age 48, she is still learning and dreaming. She’s also making sure that Rejoice Maids is prepared for most any eventuality, especially during this uncertain time.

“As the owner, I know my business inside and out, with my eyes closed,” Gemma said. “So now I don’t go to the office; I work from my home office. I go in at lunchtime when no employees are there - just our three-person office staff. But if needed, I can take over any time.”

The business has experienced some of the slowdown - mostly clients just putting services on hold - that most companies have during the pandemic. However, Gemma has kept each of her team members employed, while allowing those who are nervous about working a little time off. She is also helping them stay safe in their own homes by equipping them with bottles of bleach to disinfect their homes.

“We want everyone to know, we are in this together. We are going to protect you and ourselves,” Gemma said. “We have families too. We are here to do all that we can to prevent the spread of the virus within our community.”

Gemma hosts a weekly Facebook Live sharing her cleaning tips.

From Left, Eluvia, Jessica and Marie wear masks to protect their clients.

REJOICE MAIDS | Call: 678-905-3476 | Text: 404-242-1513 | Email: service@rejoicemaids.com www.rejoicemaids.com