Twenty years ago, hairstylist Diane Gardner moved to Manhattan from her New Jersey hometown of South River in search of the knowledge to make people more beautiful.

She secured an apprenticeship with "King of Color" Louis Licari at La Coupe Salon on Madison Avenue. "I never scrubbed so many color bowls or encountered so many celebrities in my life! I knew I was in a position to learn hair color from the best in my field.

It was at La Coupe that Diane met aesthetician Trish McEvoy, who now has her own makeup line. Trish took Diane under her wing and taught her the importance of skin care and makeup. "Trish inspired me by having the confidence to let me do hair color and cuts on her entire staff while she completed each look with makeup. I loved the complete transformation of each client so I set out to learn the skill of makeup."

For the next two years, Diane worked alongside makeup artist Sondra Bocas doing hairstyling and makeup for Harper's Bazaar, Seventeen, and Town & Country magazines. Her first magazine cover was an achievement she shared with the supermodel Paulina Porizkova. By working on fashion shows and television commercials, Diane learned the subtle but crucial differences between photographic, television, and runway makeup applications.

In 1987, Diane opened her own salon in Marlboro, New Jersey, where she mentored young stylists in hair, color and makeup. After three successful years, Diane sold the salon and moved to the seaside town of La Jolla, California. There she continued her complete package of hairstyling, hair color, and makeup, a trend that was perfect for the booming wedding business. "At one point I did five weddings in a day. Brides are thrilled with the idea of having one stylist cover all the bases for everyone in the wedding party."

By 1997, complete makeovers parlayed into TV appearances on E! Television's "Fashion Emergency" and TBS Superstation's "Movie and a Makeover." This inspired Diane to take on Tinsel town full-time. She moved to LA, where she now caters to entertainment clients (the executive producers of "Project Runway" and "Top Chef"), brides (as seen on VH1's "My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding"), and everyday men and women seeking a better look. "I have evolved into a makeover specialist with a cohesive vision for every client I encounter. Whether they are attending the Academy Awards, getting married, or starting a new job, people feel special and more successful when they look their best."

Also find Diane's beauty tips in "Secrets of the Beauty Insiders" available on Amazon.com