Pages

Wednesday 10 October 2012

Mum on the Run - Flying High - from London to in flight magazines!

I was down in London today at a shoot with the Daily Mail. Their offices are something again! It's like walking into a whole new world - a little like walking into Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, with everyone hard at work. I got lost on my way back from the loo and wandered through all sorts of exciting areas trying to find my way back - which I failed to do until someone took pity on me and took me back to the photo studio. It was a bit like the first day at secondary school!

Here's Oonagh trying her hardest to make me look my best. We needed a lot of bronzing powder!


Now this is what you call a make up collection!


I loved this wallpaper that was used in the make-up and styling area. So appropriate for the offices of a newspaper!


As one who, until fairly recently, didn't have a clue about what a photographic studio looked like, these things still fascinate me...


...there's just so much kit, technology and skill involved in one tiny shot!


I'm not sure when the article is due out - but it's going to be a "fun" one. "Fun" as in - there's the potential for me to look utterly and completely ridiculous - but it will probably make everyone laugh, so that's good at least!

On another note, at the end of the summer, an opportunity arose for me to write an article for the Ryan Air in flight magazine. The brief was to write a light hearted article, aimed at both men and women, providing hints and quick tips on how to re-invent yourself. As well as being printed in the magazine, the article can also be found online here http://www.letsgo-mag.com/story/7-reinvent-your-look/1193/1/ 

As an edited version of the article was published I decided to post the full version here but please don't feel obliged to read it! To anyone who has found Style Guile via the Ryan Air Magazine - "hello!" So, here goes:

First things first, are you going for a dramatic re-invention or subtle improvements?  Kylie and Madonna are the mistresses of re-invention but they have the lifestyle and the budget to go with it – plus resources at their disposal to call upon if it all goes wrong! Re-modelling yourself along the lines of Lady Ga Ga, or Russell Brand may seem a great idea when you are with your friends at the start of a two week holiday in the sun, but would it still seem such a good idea at the end of your holiday, with the prospect of work looming?! A new look can be achieved very easily, even on a small budget. Here are my suggestions for quick and easy changes that you can make to your appearance, together with more long term (surgery free) solutions:

Eyebrows: They are often neglected but what a difference well shaped, groomed eyebrows can make.  They can take years off you and can make you look bright eyed and bushy tailed in an instant – and yes, that applies to men too. My advice is to get your eyebrows shaped professionally (it doesn’t cost much), as it is easy to get carried away at home and over-pluck!

Make-up: For women, a quick session at a beauty counter (what better way to spend your time in the departure lounge?) can bring about dramatic results.  Updating our make-up can have maximum impact for minimum effort. You can achieve so many different looks with make-up – sultry Angelina Jolie, natural Kate Middleton or fun Katy Perry.  Remember, however, that less is more when it comes to make-up – so keep your foundation as light as possible for an every-day look, only applying it to those areas that need it.  If you are opting for smoky eyes, keep the lips nude. Conversely,  if you are choosing a strong lip colour, make them the dominant feature, leaving your eye make-up more natural looking.  There are many multi-functional products on the market so seek them out, especially if you are travelling.

Changing your hairstyle: Changing your hairstyle, and colour, can have a dramatic impact on your appearance. Magazines are a great source of inspiration for new hairstyles. Do be realistic though, and think about the texture and thickness of your hair. A great hair style is one into which your hair falls naturally, with little maintenance – whether a gamine crop, a sleek bob or a long layered look, work with you hair rather than against it – especially if time is of the essence. Remember to take along images with you to the hairdresser of styles that you like, as verbal descriptions can easily get lost in translation!

If you are slightly nervous of changing your hair colour, opt for a semi-permanent colour.  However if you are feeling brave, why not try a splash of bright colour? Whether it’s blue, red or pink – nothing has to be forever,  it may lead to a whole new you or it could just allow you to have a bit of fun whilst on holiday.

Updating your wardrobe and changing your style: If you are ready to update or change your image, style blogs are a great source of inspiration. With many bloggers posting pictures of what they are wearing on a daily basis, you can quickly adopt the look and start to build a wardrobe that works for you. Magazines are also a great source of inspiration, with the September and February issues containing all of the key looks for the season. It’s a great idea to collect images that you like, either in a file or on a mood board, and create something visual, which you can add to and update as the season progresses. Most designer looks can now be achieved through shopping on the high street, and at a fraction of the cost.

If there’s a look or celebrity style you would like to have yourself, start to study them to see how they put their outfits together, adopting those elements which you think will translate well into your lifestyle.  Try using inexpensive high street brands initially, so that your financial commitment isn’t too great. You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe and once you have the basics in place, just a few tweaks can make a big difference. Such as rolling sleeves up on your shirts, layering, adding coloured or animal print belts, wearing sequins in the day time, trying a different style of shoe, updating your accessories or treating yourself to a new pair of stylish jeans. Just make subtle and inexpensive changes at first and ask your friends for advice as your confidence grows. If you feel great, then keep building on that look. If you feel uncomfortable, tweak it until you feel right. A new look is all about making you happy and confident, and not about trying to be someone else.

Don’t forget that a lot of changes also need to come from the inside out, so whether it’s changing your diet, drinking more water, taking more exercise or getting more sleep, they will all have a profound and dramatic effect on not only about how you feel but also on how you look.