Indulge: Catherine de France Gives Katie Musser a Bright and Warm Chop

Katie Musser is originally from California but came to Beijing after four years in Al Ruwais in the UAE. Previously, her family lived in Qatar, and the US before that. Musser is a contract geologist, while her husband, Todd, is a secondary school teacher. Thaddeus, their son, turning seven, and Tirzah, their daughter, turning four, both have birthdays in March. Musser previously worked as a geographic information systems (GIS) specialist for an energy land contract company before taking a break to settle her home in Beijing.

When Musser arrived, she told Catherine de France’s master stylist, Eliien Oberliin, that she was open to anything. Friends in UAE would suggest she get something done. She laughed, “My hair is the color of dirty dish water.” But the prices in the UAE were outrageous, and her dyed hair would come back feeling rough and uncomfortable.

“I didn’t think they could make mom any more beautiful, but they did.” 

As Oberliin put on the dye, we could see it was going to be a very different color, but everyone was delighted to see how it turned out. Musser was pleased with the service. When she looked at the prices of just a cut, she considered it reasonable, especially for her son, Thaddeus. He has curly hair, and it is difficult for her to cut and would be difficult for local stylists.

Typically, Musser is a wash-and-chase-kids type of lady, but after the visit to Catherine de France, she found she trusted the salon and took their advice to use a mask to protect her color. Her children were excited to see her when they got home and her husband remarked, “Who is that woman? I didn’t think they could make mom any more beautiful, but they did.”

The Mussers did indeed go back to visit Catherine de France later, and they took friends, too.

Step 2: Add color and highlights, repeat wash.

Step 3: Cut hair, blow dry with a round brush and cut bangs.

Step 4: Makeover stylist Mary Deng applied foundation, concealer, and bronzer.

Step 5: Deng accentuated the eyes with an eye shadow color perfect for blue eyes.

Step 6: Den finished the look with blush and brushed on red lipstick.