It was no surprise that Blackrock’s Frascati Centre received over 2,000 entries for its Tip-to-Toe Total Transformation competition – especially with a prize worth €5,000 in luxury treatments and personal fitness, as well as fashion and styling from the centre’s stylish fashion, health and beauty brands. The task of selecting a winner fell to a judging panel, chaired by celebrity stylist Lorraine Keane, with TV stylist Emily O’Donnell, SISU Clinic Manager Dolores Cotter, thegloss.ie’s Rachel Supple and Frascati Centre Director Viv Gaine helping choose just one from so many enthusiastic entrants.

The winner

Cabinteely native and longtime customer of Frascati, Catherine Drea was nominated by her sister Dee. Dee knew the story of her sister’s strength and resilience in battling breast cancer would inspire others, and felt that the prize would honour Catherine’s determination, that this kind of transformation could reduce the impact of her chemotherapy and reconstruction surgery. Although Catherine won this prize in November 2020, Covid closures postponed her transformation until now, but, she says, it was worth waiting for.

Total transformation

“I was transformed over one month from the inside out,” says Catherine. “Every treatment began with a consultation on what I wanted and advice on what would be good for me. SISU gave me my first experience of aesthetics, where I took full advantage of Botox, filler and Profhilo, resulting in glowing and enhanced skin. The team were so professional and reassuring – a must for a first-timer.”

Next-level grooming

Next stop – nails, lashes, brows and hair. “Sugar Coated introduced me to gel nails, so my own nails are in great condition – and long – for the first time. I had my lashes lengthened and tinted and eyebrows tinted as well – thanks to Emma!”

We all know a great haircut has transformational power – and Catherine didn’t miss out. Even Catherine’s young lad got a treat in the process! “My son Adam had a lovely haircut and was pampered in Sugar Daddy. The salon alone is worth a visit for the leather chairs, style and old-fashioned barber charm with a modern twist. He loved the experience. Killian in Peter Mark was responsible for my own crowning glory and I have had so many compliments on my hair, the colour, highlights and sharp cut.”

 Personal fitness – and personal fashion

The next step for Catherine’s journey to feeling great again, was fitness and nutrition. “Pat in F45 was great – he created a great nutrition plan with gorgeous daily recipes I will continue to use. Aldi and M&S are my weekly shopping outlets, each with a huge range of healthy food – and treats!”

“The Yoga Hub is an oasis, with warm and friendly staff. I took part in Reformer Pilates classes and hot yoga, both great for aching joints. One of the side-effects of my breast cancer medication is decreasing bone health so Yogahub classes will build my strength in a non-impactful way.”

Catherine was joined on her final Transformation day by celebrity and TV stylists Lorraine Keane and Emily O’Donnell, who helped style her with a brand new bespoke selection of outfits from Frascati’s fashion stores – Serena Boutique, Pamela Scott, Bow & Pearl and Vienna Shoes.

“Thank you to Lorraine and Emily for traipsing around the shops and getting me out of my comfort zone,” said Catherine, following her makeover. “Thanks to Viv for coming up with the makeover idea and to all the judges for picking me. I feel very lucky and grateful. Thank you so much for my Transformation journey with Frascati.”

The Transformation was a wonderful way to reward Catherine’s resilience, but also a great showcase of all Frascati’s offerings, says Centre Director Viv Gaine: “We wanted to tell this #FrascatiFabulous story by empowering a deserving winner with the opportunity to revitalise, rejuvenate and revive herself. We are so thrilled that Catherine found the transformation so enjoyable. We did too! And we look forward to launching our next makeover competition so that we can do it all again for another lucky winner! Watch this space!”

For more information on Frascati Centre and its shopping, beauty, and fitness services, please visit www.frascaticentre.ie.