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.
