Color change

Svetlana Sidun, IT project manager for a mobile operator, 33 years old

The article was published in “WOMEN'S MAGAZINE”. Editor-in-Chief Tatyana Petkova.

TIt’s hard to say exactly how it all started. Perhaps due to the vain expectations of Svetlana Sidun’s parents: they wanted a boy, but a girl was born. Or since the death of her mother - Sveta was only 12 then. Dad had to replace both parents: learn to braid hair, heal, console, and the girl had to quickly grow up and take the male style of behavior as a model in everything. She chose a male profession for herself - she studied to be a builder of highways and airfields. As a result, by the age of 33, Svetlana headed the scientific department that tested the strength of Ukrainian bridges, wore strict trouser suits and was catastrophically unsure of herself. Sveta wanted bright dresses with ruffles, jewelry and male attention, but she suppressed all this “stupidity”, including sexuality. The attitudes of childhood and adolescence were too strong: “being sexy is dangerous,” “emphasizing the figure is vulgar,” “jewelry, cosmetics and flirting are for primitive blondes.” But the further she went, the more burdened she became with the image of a nerdy girl. And finally, she had the opportunity to break up with him.

At one of the personal growth trainings, she met psychologist-stylist Liliya Mayorova, who specializes in immediate stylistic and psychological assistance for those hungry for change. “Before starting work, I had to clearly formulate the purpose of the changes,” recalls Svetlana. “I wanted the best qualities hidden in me to finally come out.” And I also admitted what I had been hiding from myself all these years: I want a harmonious relationship with a man, a family, comfort and material well-being, and not at all spiritual enlightenment, as I convinced myself before. I even sketched a portrait of the man who was supposed to come knocking on my life. And for good reason."

To begin with, Svetlana was dyed from blonde to brunette: the new hair color successfully emphasized her oriental appearance. The amount of makeup on her face was minimized, but at the same time the girl became... brighter. The crew cut was replaced by an elongated bob. After several sessions of joint shopping with a stylist, colorful bell dresses, floor-length skirts, red scarves, bright jewelry appeared in her wardrobe - everything that she had long dreamed of, but did not dare to wear. The highlight was the phototherapy session. The photographer immersed Sveta in images unfamiliar to her - for example, a wealthy and self-sufficient woman. Playing the role of a confident lady in front of the camera, the model seemed to become one herself. Phototherapy worked a miracle: Sveta looked at the photographs of a beautiful and graceful woman and could not believe that it was her. 

Expert commentary

Liliya Mayorova, stylist, psychologist

“When a woman wants to turn over the old one and start a new page in her biography, she usually goes to get her hair cut or repainted. But sometimes I look into my eyes and see that changing the color will not solve the problem, I need to figure it out, understand what I really want. Svetlana lacked faith in her own attractiveness, so I asked the photographer to turn her into a queen woman in the photographs. Sveta was shocked to see what it could be like. But the new image had to be caught up internally; this required several sessions with a psychologist. She allowed herself to change radically, and as a result, her whole life changed. Having believed in ourselves, we begin to radiate the energy of joy, and positive people and happy circumstances flock to it, like moths to a lamp.”

Photographer Gennady Pratsevich.

Published in “WOMEN'S MAGAZINE”. Editor-in-Chief Tatyana Petkova.