Every year I try to choose one candidate for the makeover project to serve as our secret weapon — someone truly lovely who, with a few simple tricks, we can make look so good it will make us look good, too. If that person just so happens to be hyper-quotable, all the better. Paige Kitson fit the bill on all accounts.

With her hourglass figure, big green eyes and radiant smile, Paige would have looked good in sackcloth and ashes (which is basically what she came to us in). Add to that her tendencies toward extravagant expression and oversharing, and Paige was a dream candidate.

In shopping for her outfit, we focused on finding looks that would flatter Paige's busty body "but not in a porno way," as she would say. This means V-necks or scoop necks — anything to create the illusion of distance between her chest and her chin.

We also wanted to introduce Paige to a world of color she had before only utilized in her undergarments.

A lovely silk chiffon top from Cupcake was one of the first things Paige tried on. We loved the color on her, but I wanted an outfit that looked more complete than just a shirt and pants. We originally paired the top with a brown vest because the color combination was subtle and striking, but the shape was too fussy. So we decided on a black open-knit vest that gives Paige the comfort of knowing her rear end is covered when she needs to bend down to pick things up, clean the floor, move furniture or any of the myriad of tasks she performs at the homeless shelter where she works.

Like most young women, Paige was in the habit of wearing the low-rise jeans that have become ubiquitous on the fashion scene for the last decade. But that cut is not flattering on everyone. On Paige especially, low rise jeans tended to cut her in the fullest part of her hips, creating the dreaded muffin top.

After trying on about 50 pairs of jeans, we finally found a pair of DKNY's which eliminated that problem altogether and made Paige's booty look good, too.

We replaced her familiar flip-flops with an open-toed shoe that won't make her feet claustrophobic but also will keep them cleaner and look more professional. For accessories, we chose an animal-print handbag to add some texture, because the other parts of the outfit are all solids; and a pair of earrings with pink, brown and green stones that mimicked the colors of Paige's shirt, hair and eyes.

We had originally wanted to give Paige a hairstyle with a heavier bang, but the stylists at Cactus advised that a side-swept fringe would work better with her cowlick. Stylist Julie Moss worked with a razor to give the rest of Paige's hair "movement and balance." Karalyn Brindley did Paige's color, adding Artic Blonde and dark caramel highlights in a step-up, step-down pattern designed to grow out naturally and not look too obviously highlighted.

I personally think Paige's hair looks fantastic, but in honesty, she's having a little trouble adjusting to it. She was as chipper as ever when I called her for a final interview last week — informing me that she felt fabulous, having just eaten three Rice Krispies Treats and drunk six cups of coffee — but admitted her new hairstyle is a bit of a challenge.

"I'm vacillating between one minute I love my hair, it's great, and the next minute I'm in complete terror," she said. Paige's dilemma is a common one, since none of us are ever good at styling our hair as well as a professional stylist can.

Paige also has gone back to wearing her old uniform, but said she plans to start working different clothes in as soon as she gets comfortable with the hair.

Despite Paige's apparent relapse, I was pleased to hear that we did have some influence on her thinking when it comes to fashion.

"Now I'm gonna take fashion risks and I'm also gonna take risks with my hair," she said. "When I look at my old uniform, I think, 'ewww.' It's very comfortable and it's fine, but there is not excitement about it. In my mind, I am preparing myself to completely change what I wear. I want color. I want different styles. I want something that is flattering to my body. You guys taught me to layer and about different necklines. And now when I look in the mirror I'm like, wow, I have great eyes!"