This month is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and I am proud to say my cousin Danette has that extra chromosome.

My cousin Danette and her family are visiting Southern California from Colorado. Whenever they come to visit we catch up over makeovers, movies and just plain laughing. Danette is turning 21 this year and my family is planning a country themed party for her. Her favorite country artist is Reba!

Danette is the type of person who does not like to spend a lot of time on one hairstyle (we’re related) so I showed her my new Half Up. The Half Up is perfect for Danette because she has very thin hair and it fit perfectly. After playing around with it, she liked her hair in a low side bun. We used the Half Up to do the cute low side bun, with a few strands framing her face. I showed her how to wrap her hair in the half up, and then twist it up to create that perfect side bun.

I think this hairstyle will look great for her birthday party and it will stay in place when she is line dancing to her favorite country songs!

A makeover would not be complete without makeup. Danette let me put a little lip gloss and eye shadow on her and then we snapped some fun photos. Danette loved her new hairstyle and loved posing for me and my camera.

My cousin Danette is someone close to my heart and my entire family is so proud of her. Danette and her sister Korie are like the younger sister’s I never had. Her passion, her dance moves, and her hugs are what make her Danette and I am glad there is a whole month to celebrate her and everyone with Down syndrome.