Have you ever thought about colour contrast when dressing? What is colour contrast you may ask and why does it even matter? Colour contrast relates to your own natural colouring and creating harmony and balance with you. For example, if you are monochromatic in colouring – so say have brown eyes and brown hair, you…
Recently, I’ve met a couple of beautiful and gorgeous women who can barely look at themselves in the mirror. For various reasons (unhealthy influences during their childhoods) they have very low self-esteem and it led me to thinking about our bodies and how we treat them. Do you look at yourself in the mirror?…
Continuing on the makeup theme, I thought I’d share my current favourite book on makeup techinques. It’s Makeup Makeovers: expert secrets for stunning transformations by Robert Jones. What I like about it: The pictures – it’s very simple and the pictures clearly state where to put shadow or highlight. Advice for each face…
Here I am with no makeup on (and I haven’t done my hair either) – you can see lots of brown pigmentation splodges (chloasma/melasma), so I wear a light liquid foundation to cover it up. I have now applied my foundation, so most of the pigmentation is gone. Then I apply concealer where…
I’m currently writing an ebook on packing tips – and I want your input – what are your essentials that you never leave home without? How much do you take for a week? How much do you take for 2-3 weeks? What do you leave behind? How big is the bag your take? What are…
OK, I’m 40 (turned it last year), and while I don’t mean to sound too vain, it’s often surprising when people guess my age. The truth is, good skincare has a lot to do with it. Here are my skin care secrets—tried and tested over the years—that I believe have kept my skin looking youthful…
If I had to describe my personal style in 3 words it would be creative, dramatic, feminine. When I discovered my personal style preferences when I was undertaking my image consultant training (though it has developed and morphed some in the past few years), I finally understood why I can’t wear sneakers if I’m not…
Many of my clients have body image issues, they dislike parts of their body and often have mild (or more) body dysmorphia, where they percieve that a part of their body is much larger than it really is in reality. I was inspired by Sal of Already Pretty and the BlogHer ‘Letter to My Body’…
Petite and curvy can be a little tricky to dress, so how do you take the X shape rules and then make them work for a petite height so that nothing overwhelms? And of course, your style also needs to relate to your personality too – this is part of the style puzzle that can…
Cat from Thrify Muse has challenged the blogging world to take part in the Michelle Obama Wardrobe Challenge. Here is my take on Michelle Obama’s personal style. Do you think she would wear this outfit?
Cybill asked how the woman who doesn’t want to show off her upper arms can look stylish and hide this asset. Options to Make Your Upper Arms Look Slimmer 3/4 sleeves – they cut off the arms at a slim point and make the whole arm look slimmer. Alternatively, try a slightly shorter sleeve, that…
I know that many of my readers are in the northern hemisphere where it’s currently winter, but here in Melbourne, we’re sweltering – or in the words of Cole Porter “It’s too darn hot!”. The heat from my laptop feels extreme, something I normally don’t notice. My hands are sweating on the keyboard as I…
Deja Pseu of Une Femme d’un Certain Age asked for help. She is petite, and in her words: “I think the biggest issue is dressing my 5’1″ body, especially finding petite (short) styles that work for my shape and are flattering. I have broad shoulders, big bust (34DD) short-waisted. Currently size 10 US/14UK. I’ve settled…
I’ve just spent the past 2 weeks teaching an Image Consulting Training Course, and during the process, my students do real consultations with a client, the students do colour analysis, a style consultation, wardrobe audit and personal shopping expedition. This was the feedback I received from one of our student’s clients, and this is the…
I’ve spent the past two weeks teaching an image consultant training course (that is, all the skills and knowledge you need to become an image consultant), and today we were talking about wardrobes, hanging clothes and folding. One of my students asked how to fold a t-shirt and I remembered I’d seen this great guide…
When I take a client shopping, it’s worthwhile suggesting an outfit, as we want to make it as easy as possible to get changed repeatedly. Having spent many hours/days/months shopping with clients over the years, I’ve learned that what you wear can make a huge difference to your shopping experience. Here are my recommendations. What…
Deja Pseu of Une femme d’un certain age recently asked if horizontal lines could ever be worn by a fuller figure. So what do you think? Horizontal lines – good or bad? Most of us just steer clear of horizontal stripes as they’re fattening – which they are in general, but there are ways you…
Reader’s question: I’m 75 and have severe scoliosis. My height has shrunk from 5’8″ to 5’2″. I knew how to dress for 5’8″. Short is very different. My shoulders are not level, my waist and hips are uneven, and the middle of my back is rounded. I can’t wear heels. I’m not much of a…
Pattern, and whether or not you like it, and the kinds of patterns you like, is based on your personality and not everyone is into pattern mixing. You don’t have to like or wear it, but if you do, go for it. So as a little guide, I’ve done up an image with a limited…
These tips you may agree or disagree with, but they are a guide for the woman who is passed the age of 30. “How to stay fashionable when half of the current fashions don’t suit my shape particularly when I like the look of them.” Understanding what suits you – the colours, contrasts, clothing styles…
How to Improve Your Image While Watching TV Ok you think I’ve gone mad – you can watch TV and look better? How is this so? Here are my top ten tips: 1. De-pil jumpers – while you’re sitting in front of the TV, get out all your jumpers and de-pil them. If you don’t…
