June 2010 newsletter

Dressing Up For Summer It's All About You The weather is just one of many things that we need to consider when dressing for an occasion, so don't leave it until the last minute to decide what to wear. When choosing your outfit you must also ask yourself 'What am I going to feel good in?' Aside from getting the right fabric, cut, pattern and so on, it's about wearing what you feel is really YOU and your personality. Having an alternative outfit is also a good idea given the current weather we're having! The City Chic Style Personality Always immaculate and coordinated with fabulous acessories. You know how to put things together beautifully and you pick your accessories carefully to set off your style. You don't do pattern often. You wouldn't be seen dead at an occasion without great shoes, handbag, belt, scarf and jewellery. You will find some elegant wedges this season or the new lower heel in neutral shades that are sure to go with any of your existing collection of handbags. Michelle Obama has her own style with a little Romantic and Creative in there too, but she always looks fabulously coordinated like every good City Chic! The Natural Style Personality Prefers simple, easy to wear outfits; will generally choose comfort over style but can still look fabulous in her earthy way. It's easy for Naturals to opt for flat shoes but for dressing up make sure they are pretty ones. A decorated pump or flip flop will make all the difference. Don't forget to have a pedicure if your toes are on show! A simple blazer in this season's white or pale cream shades are perfectly understated for you. Bring some colour in with your top or beads if it's too pale for you all over. Natural Gwyneth Paltrow often keeps it simple for occasion wear. The Classic Style Personality Your look is timeless, elegant and formal. You don't like fussy clothes. You will have some simple, elegant pieces in your wardrobe that you love to bring out time and again, but take care not to be too dull. You're going to a glamorous 40th birthday bash and the same silk blouse and black skirt won't cut it. Go for a shift dress in an interesting fabric such as satin and choose a colour you look great in to push your boundaries a little. Classic Delia Smith steps up her conservative style here in bold red. The Romantic Style Personality You relish any opportunity to dress up in a feminine way and love tactile fabrics. You don't care what the occasion is, you adore looking pretty and adding lovely details in accessories, frills or sparkle. If you are attending a wedding you must take care not to upstage the bride in the romance stakes. You need to reduce the draping and frills and don't choose a fabric too akin to a bridal gown. You will love this season's fabrics, colour and pattern including lace overlay, silks, chiffon, pinks, pastels, dainty florals and whimsical prints. Nicole Kidman's long, tousled hair gives her look instant romance. She looks truly at home here in soft ruffles. The Dramatic Style Personality Follows cutting edge fashion, loves statement pieces and getting noticed. Dressing for an occasion lets you show off the fabulous pieces you have bought for the new season. Glamming-up is easy for you but you may feel restricted at very formal events. You can add a hint of drama to a conservative outfit with on-trend shoes, a unique hat or statement jewellery to give it the 'you' factor. Stacking bangles up one arm is a very current look and will set off your outfit nicely. Sarah Jessica Parker is more of a Dramatic than her Creative on-screen character and always looks on-trend. Note the super-statement ring! The Creative Style Personality You love experimenting and combining different styles for your own unique look. For you, getting dressed every day is a thrill as you never know what you are going to put together until the moment you are in front of your wardrobe full of various pieces. Take care not to go too creative for certain special occasions. Your perfect party wear will be something vintage combined with something modern or mixing up patterns. This summer's graphic, tribal and floral prints will give you lots to work with but don't overdo the clash, go bold with one print and just a hint of another, perhaps an animal print with a couple of floral brooches. Gwen Stefani is a fabulous Creative but she tones it down for dressing up. Learn how to dress YOU! Do you know your Style Personality? You might be a combination of two or three style types, or perhaps you want to transform into a new one! To find out more about how you can transform you style and dress for your body, personality and budget or if you just need an update for your summer wardrobe contact contact me about a Style Consultation or Style Update. Join us at our next Roadshow in Bristol on 19th June at the Aztec Hotel. Learn WHAT TO WEAR with one of the UK's top image consultants and discover: your most flattering colours the styles which suit your body shape & personality how to dress for your proportions/scale how to update your wardrobe this season without spending a fortune Contact Sue for full details here Good Grooming Grooming is the foundation for looking good. You may be wearing an amazing dress but if your hair needs restyling or your eyebrows need plucking you won't do it any justice. MAKE-UP AND SKIN CARE If your make-up routine hasn't changed in the last ten years then you need an update. You don't have to adhere to the latest fads but you don't want to look stuck in a time warp! Before Make-up and Restyle After Make-up and Restyle Make-up can help us look less tired, conceal skin problems and so on, but it's vital to look after your skin properly too. Every woman should have a good cleansing, toning and moisturising routine with intermittent exfoliation and make sure that you choose products that suit your skin type. Your face should be a good 'canvass' for you to enhance. TIP: Use a Neutral Skin Adjuster under your foundation to tone down redness or help even out skin tone. For advice on a good make-up routine, application tips and your best cosmetic shades book yourself a Make-up Lesson with Sue. HAIR Your hairstyle should suit your face shape, your personality and your age. If you haven't changed your hair in a while consider a restyle, it could take years off you. Hair colour should generally go softer as we get older or if you can take a stronger colour (brunette, red etc.) then keep up with your roots! TIP: Find a hairdresser that understands your hair type as she/he will make or break your look! EYEBROWS Thicker eyebrows are acceptable but messy ones aren't. If you prefer a heavier brow you must keep it tidy and shaped. If you have very fine eyebrows use a suitable shade of eyebrow pencil to help define them. Thicker, dark, groomed eyebrows Finer, light, defined eyebrows colour me beautiful eyebrow pencils TIP: Your eyebrows frame your eyes and affect your overall look so shape them before applying any make-up.