Did you know that over 25% of all clothes purchased are black. How boring is that!
A large part of my job is coaxing people out of their drab neutrals in to gorgeous happy colours that light up their complexion and lift their mood as well as their visage; but that doesn't mean you should NEVER wear black.
The rule I give to my clients, is not to buy "boring" black clothes.
Black is slimming, lots of great clothes are only available in black so don't take your colour rules too far and give yourself permission to enjoy wearing black. BUT I would recommend that the clothes that you buy in black should be "special." For example choose something with a great neckline, a luxurious fabric, sequins or sparkles, a great shape, anything interesting, just not a plain old black T-shirt or jumper.
If black is not your best colour you might just need to add some great jewellery or perhaps wear a little more make-up than you usually do (most men can actually get away with black anyway) but if your colour analysis has bannished black from your wardrobe, live dangerously and break the rules every so often.
If you have not had a colour analysis and want to find out what colours suit you best then visit http://www.maximisegroup.co.uk/colouranalysis.html to find how the colours you wear can make you look younger, slimmer and more alive. I use the colour analysis system by Colour Me Beautiful who have the best tonal colour swatches available....(we've moved on from the seasonal colour swatches now).
What have you been told in a colour analysis - is black banished from your wardrobe and do you miss it. Join the discussion.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Friday, 12 February 2010
Is your online Image as fabulous as your offline image?
2 House of Fraser Events announced Click here to book before 20th Feb for earlybird rates
Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Myspace...social networking has now become a huge part of our everyday lives. When teaching my Image Impact Worskhops these are the key messages I get across to my delegates.
Be VERY aware of what information is available online about you. Google your name and your company name regularly. You can actually create Google Alerts to be notified as soon as any information containing your name is posted online. If someone has posted information about you that may be damaging to your online image contact them immediately and ask them to remove it.Ensure that photographs displayed online are appropriate. Be sure to use professional headshots on Linked-in, Ecademy and any other business networking sites are a must. See John Cassidy's blog article about getting a great headshot.
Ensure that your profile details are up to date. Potential employers, and customers WILL Google you and see information about you. A lapsted profile is the equivalent of wearing a cerise jacket with padded shoulders and gold buttons to a rock concert. There are now over 31 Billion searches on Google every month!
Check the security settings in all your social networking applications. If you only use Facebook for social activity make sure that you don't appear in search engines or the information displayed is limited to only friends. You can now categorise your contacts and decide who see's what so that is an option you can use to separate work and non work contacts.
Note: A complete absence of an online footprint is also a red flag: a) what do you have to hide? and b) do you not know how to use all this stuff.
If in doubt ensure you have a linked-in profile for your professional connections and use Facebook for personal use only. Do however, create a facebook fanpage for your company or services and keep it up to date.
Some Interesting Facebook Statistics, in case you doubt its influence on our lives!
Facebook has more than 400 million active users
50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day
More than 35 million users update their status each day
More than 60 million status updates posted each day
More than 3 billion photos uploaded to the site each month
More than 5 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photo albums, etc.) shared each week
More than 3.5 million events created each month
More than 3 million active Pages on Facebook
More than 1.5 million local businesses have active Pages on Facebook
More than 20 million people become fans of Pages each day
Pages have created more than 5.3 billion fans
Average User Figures Average user has 130 friends on the site
Average user sends 8 friend requests per month
Average user spends more than 55 minutes per day on Facebook
Average user clicks the Like button on 9 pieces of content each month
Average user writes 25 comments on Facebook content each month
Average user becomes a fan of 4 Pages each month
Average user is invited to 3 events per month
Average user is a member of 13 groups
IMPORTANT: If you are a Job Seeker, or seeking promotion:
A survey, which questioned human resource managers at the top 100 companies in the UK, US, Germany and France, found that 70 per cent admitted to rejecting a candidate because of their online behavior.
But HR bosses also said that a strong image online could actually help job hunters to land their dream job. Peter Cullen, of Microsoft, said: "Your online reputation is not something to be scared of, it's something to be proactively managed. "These days, it's essential that web-users cultivate the kind of online reputation that they would want an employer to see." Facebook faux pas include drunken photographs, bad language, and messages complaining about work life.
If you are a Business interested in attracting new clients or maintaining client relationships:
Do you have a Facebook fan page or following on Twitter. Facebook and Twitter are excellent ways of spreading your message, talking to your client base, getting testimonial's and generally keeping in touch.
A fan page allows you to keep your Facebook business activity separate from your social activity. If you are already using social media to promote your business, ensure that you update it regularly and be consistent. Ensure that your social messages are in line with your brand.
At Work: Many companies restrict access to social media completely or during certain times at work. Interestingly IBM and Google have policies encouraging staff to post updates and collaborate online via social media, they have the foresight to know that online news can travel fast and it's a great way of them attracting customers and employees.
Simply for the love of fashion
Don't care about what people think about you online? Well indulge yourself by signing up to your favourite brands Facebook pages. Sign up for pages from your favourite retailers. I'm a fan of Coast, Monsoon, Bobbi Brown, Phase Eight, Nine West, Sephora, MAC, YSL, Estee Lauder, Make-up Forever, Moet and Chandon - to name but a few. I get discount vouchers, and invites to exclusive events and previews of new collections daily.
Lastly I'm back in the UK for one month from 12th March. I do have some dates left so if you would like colour, style, wardrobe weeding or shopping please do drop me an email. I hope to see lots of you looking fabulous at my House of Fraser events at High Wycombe and Reading too.
2 House of Fraser Events announced Click here to book
Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Myspace...social networking has now become a huge part of our everyday lives. When teaching my Image Impact Worskhops these are the key messages I get across to my delegates.
Be VERY aware of what information is available online about you. Google your name and your company name regularly. You can actually create Google Alerts to be notified as soon as any information containing your name is posted online. If someone has posted information about you that may be damaging to your online image contact them immediately and ask them to remove it.Ensure that photographs displayed online are appropriate. Be sure to use professional headshots on Linked-in, Ecademy and any other business networking sites are a must. See John Cassidy's blog article about getting a great headshot.
Ensure that your profile details are up to date. Potential employers, and customers WILL Google you and see information about you. A lapsted profile is the equivalent of wearing a cerise jacket with padded shoulders and gold buttons to a rock concert. There are now over 31 Billion searches on Google every month!
Check the security settings in all your social networking applications. If you only use Facebook for social activity make sure that you don't appear in search engines or the information displayed is limited to only friends. You can now categorise your contacts and decide who see's what so that is an option you can use to separate work and non work contacts.
Note: A complete absence of an online footprint is also a red flag: a) what do you have to hide? and b) do you not know how to use all this stuff.
If in doubt ensure you have a linked-in profile for your professional connections and use Facebook for personal use only. Do however, create a facebook fanpage for your company or services and keep it up to date.
Some Interesting Facebook Statistics, in case you doubt its influence on our lives!
Facebook has more than 400 million active users
50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day
More than 35 million users update their status each day
More than 60 million status updates posted each day
More than 3 billion photos uploaded to the site each month
More than 5 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photo albums, etc.) shared each week
More than 3.5 million events created each month
More than 3 million active Pages on Facebook
More than 1.5 million local businesses have active Pages on Facebook
More than 20 million people become fans of Pages each day
Pages have created more than 5.3 billion fans
Average User Figures Average user has 130 friends on the site
Average user sends 8 friend requests per month
Average user spends more than 55 minutes per day on Facebook
Average user clicks the Like button on 9 pieces of content each month
Average user writes 25 comments on Facebook content each month
Average user becomes a fan of 4 Pages each month
Average user is invited to 3 events per month
Average user is a member of 13 groups
IMPORTANT: If you are a Job Seeker, or seeking promotion:
A survey, which questioned human resource managers at the top 100 companies in the UK, US, Germany and France, found that 70 per cent admitted to rejecting a candidate because of their online behavior.
But HR bosses also said that a strong image online could actually help job hunters to land their dream job. Peter Cullen, of Microsoft, said: "Your online reputation is not something to be scared of, it's something to be proactively managed. "These days, it's essential that web-users cultivate the kind of online reputation that they would want an employer to see." Facebook faux pas include drunken photographs, bad language, and messages complaining about work life.
If you are a Business interested in attracting new clients or maintaining client relationships:
Do you have a Facebook fan page or following on Twitter. Facebook and Twitter are excellent ways of spreading your message, talking to your client base, getting testimonial's and generally keeping in touch.
A fan page allows you to keep your Facebook business activity separate from your social activity. If you are already using social media to promote your business, ensure that you update it regularly and be consistent. Ensure that your social messages are in line with your brand.
At Work: Many companies restrict access to social media completely or during certain times at work. Interestingly IBM and Google have policies encouraging staff to post updates and collaborate online via social media, they have the foresight to know that online news can travel fast and it's a great way of them attracting customers and employees.
Simply for the love of fashion
Don't care about what people think about you online? Well indulge yourself by signing up to your favourite brands Facebook pages. Sign up for pages from your favourite retailers. I'm a fan of Coast, Monsoon, Bobbi Brown, Phase Eight, Nine West, Sephora, MAC, YSL, Estee Lauder, Make-up Forever, Moet and Chandon - to name but a few. I get discount vouchers, and invites to exclusive events and previews of new collections daily.
Lastly I'm back in the UK for one month from 12th March. I do have some dates left so if you would like colour, style, wardrobe weeding or shopping please do drop me an email. I hope to see lots of you looking fabulous at my House of Fraser events at High Wycombe and Reading too.
2 House of Fraser Events announced Click here to book
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
eBay : The Worlds Best Department Store
When was the last time you were on eBay…if ever. Let me tell you you’ve got to get on there! Particularly if budget issues are threatening to stifle your fabulousness this party season. In Singapore there are hardly any 16s and UK brands like Karen Millen and Coast have Armani price tags I have no idea why it’s taken me nearly 6 months for this epiphany but I suddenly thought eBay!
..and now I’m in bit trouble! I’m currently watching about 35 maxi dresses and I think so far I’ve bought 15. It’s a revelation. You go to the search box type in Monsoon 16 and it brings you up hundreds of dresses. Quite a lot of these are even brand new. Upon further research I found that there are certain buyers that sell excess stock and overruns and factory seconds. I found many “2009 Christmas” items that are on the current store websites at about 2/3 of the cost. The best bargains to be had are those that are being sold on second hand, worn once to a wedding or party and then you can snap up a dress that would have cost you over £200 for as little as a tenner. As a personal shopper I recognise clothes from previous seasons that I hadn’t been able to get in my size, or I just couldn’t afford at the time.
To be a savvy eBay shopper you need to;
a) do targeted searches, such as Coast Dress 16, LK Bennett Skirt 14, etc so you narrow down the selection presented to you.
b) Further filter for Buy it now, or Auction only depending on your preference
c) Make-sure you have a PayPal account set up before you start
d) Know what styles and colours will suit you, so you can bid and shop in a targeted way; this is where an previous session with an Image consultant is really going to save you money.
e) Know how the sizing works in your chosen brands, are then generous, or skimpy so you have more chance of a good fit
f) Set yourself a limit as to what you are willing to pay for an item and stick to it rather than getting carried away in a frantic last minute bidding war
g) Add plenty items to your watch list before bidding as you’ll often find the same dress from a few sellers so gather your preferences together before you commit to a bid.
h) You might also be wise to arrange delivery to work or a friend as its annoying having to collect signed for goods from the post office on a Saturday morning if you are not in when they arrive.
..and now I’m in bit trouble! I’m currently watching about 35 maxi dresses and I think so far I’ve bought 15. It’s a revelation. You go to the search box type in Monsoon 16 and it brings you up hundreds of dresses. Quite a lot of these are even brand new. Upon further research I found that there are certain buyers that sell excess stock and overruns and factory seconds. I found many “2009 Christmas” items that are on the current store websites at about 2/3 of the cost. The best bargains to be had are those that are being sold on second hand, worn once to a wedding or party and then you can snap up a dress that would have cost you over £200 for as little as a tenner. As a personal shopper I recognise clothes from previous seasons that I hadn’t been able to get in my size, or I just couldn’t afford at the time.
To be a savvy eBay shopper you need to;
a) do targeted searches, such as Coast Dress 16, LK Bennett Skirt 14, etc so you narrow down the selection presented to you.
b) Further filter for Buy it now, or Auction only depending on your preference
c) Make-sure you have a PayPal account set up before you start
d) Know what styles and colours will suit you, so you can bid and shop in a targeted way; this is where an previous session with an Image consultant is really going to save you money.
e) Know how the sizing works in your chosen brands, are then generous, or skimpy so you have more chance of a good fit
f) Set yourself a limit as to what you are willing to pay for an item and stick to it rather than getting carried away in a frantic last minute bidding war
g) Add plenty items to your watch list before bidding as you’ll often find the same dress from a few sellers so gather your preferences together before you commit to a bid.
h) You might also be wise to arrange delivery to work or a friend as its annoying having to collect signed for goods from the post office on a Saturday morning if you are not in when they arrive.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Dita Von Teese inspiration for grown ups!
Have a go at this great alternative for a going out look. Its a bit Dita, but I think its totally wearable for anyone.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Three Great Products
Just want to let you know about two great products I've just purchased for doing my make-up videos. Maybelline Angelfit foundation - I'm using W07 and Loreal Superliner in Black. Revlon Colour Stay matt shadows. It's sometimes difficult to find shadows that are really matt. Revlon have a new range of about 6 colours. Cheap and really easy to apply and work with. All Drug store brands, pick them up in your supermarket...that way you can disguise them with the grocery bill. Ha Ha.
Products I tried which I'm not loving. DiorShow Blackout Mascara. Not waterproof, but can't take it off at night with regular make-up remover...and I just "feel" it there all the time. Revlon Colour Stay liquid liner...yuk. Very very watery.
Products I tried which I'm not loving. DiorShow Blackout Mascara. Not waterproof, but can't take it off at night with regular make-up remover...and I just "feel" it there all the time. Revlon Colour Stay liquid liner...yuk. Very very watery.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
When I visited New York last year one of the things that struck me is how well groomed all the women were. This is something that in the UK and here in Singapore many women just aren't confident with. The global cosmetics industry is worth 6.2 billion pounds but are we using all the products that we are buying? I want to encourage you to delve into your make-up bags and use the products that you already have to create many different looks. You should have a make-up wardrobe just like you have a clothes wardrobe, with different looks to suit different outfits. All the looks I do are aimed at women who are "more mature" so the looks are totally wearable, and I always concentrate on showing you something that is super quick and doesn't use too many products.
I've started to record my daily make-up application and post it on youtube as mini-tutorials so check them out and pick up tips and tricks. I'm learning as I go so the videos should get better and a bit more professional but I hope they are an inspiration to you. Subscribe to the Youtube feed so you get notified each time I post one, and please post the links out to you friends via email and facebook. Email me with your make-up requests too. Incidentally you'll find me on twitter too if you are a user, and I have a facebook fan page so join in.
Scared of using colour. This look uses teal liner and powder to accent my blouse and eye colour. At 10 minutes this is one of the longer videos, the rest are just about 5 minutes. The sound on this one is a bit crackly - sorry! Click Here to see
Tried smokey eyes but it always feels like "halloween make-up" try this to just add the smokey look on the bottom. This is the latest vidoe that I've done, so I'm learning what works on screen and hopefully improving each time - Click Here to see
Click here if you are wanting a natural look that is still groomed. Smokey coffee eyeliner and honey cream shadow helps lift shadows away from tired eyes for a groomed yet natural look. Oops on this one I zoomed right in but you can't see my whole face - but its mostly about the eyes anyway.
My first video :) using mossy green liner and dusky shadow, one of my favourite daytime looks - take a look
Please feel free to pass on or use the information contained within this document as long as the author is given credit. Contact Sharon at sharon@maximisegroup.com.
Be Fabulous
Sharon Connolly
I've started to record my daily make-up application and post it on youtube as mini-tutorials so check them out and pick up tips and tricks. I'm learning as I go so the videos should get better and a bit more professional but I hope they are an inspiration to you. Subscribe to the Youtube feed so you get notified each time I post one, and please post the links out to you friends via email and facebook. Email me with your make-up requests too. Incidentally you'll find me on twitter too if you are a user, and I have a facebook fan page so join in.
Scared of using colour. This look uses teal liner and powder to accent my blouse and eye colour. At 10 minutes this is one of the longer videos, the rest are just about 5 minutes. The sound on this one is a bit crackly - sorry! Click Here to see
Tried smokey eyes but it always feels like "halloween make-up" try this to just add the smokey look on the bottom. This is the latest vidoe that I've done, so I'm learning what works on screen and hopefully improving each time - Click Here to see
Click here if you are wanting a natural look that is still groomed. Smokey coffee eyeliner and honey cream shadow helps lift shadows away from tired eyes for a groomed yet natural look. Oops on this one I zoomed right in but you can't see my whole face - but its mostly about the eyes anyway.
My first video :) using mossy green liner and dusky shadow, one of my favourite daytime looks - take a look
Please feel free to pass on or use the information contained within this document as long as the author is given credit. Contact Sharon at sharon@maximisegroup.com.
Be Fabulous
Sharon Connolly
Friday, 16 October 2009
Tips for thicker looking hair
A client just asked me for tips on how to make your hair look thicker, so I'd thought I'd share my top tips with you too.
When blow-drying your hair towel dry and rough dry it until it's almost dry before you start to style it.
Use the brush to blow-dry it in the opposite direction before you start to style it into place for more lift and volume.
Try using a vented brush so you can get air to the roots and target the roots upwards when you are drying.
DO use special volumising shampoos and styling products. Hairdressers can not complete the look without products and nor can you.
Not washing your hair and still want volume? Put in Velcro rollers whilst you do your make-up and get ready for extra lift, especially around the crown. Spritz with a fine veil of hairspray before you remove them.
Serious hair thinning may be hormonal or stress. Some people carry stress in their back or shoulders, if you carry it in your scalp then you need to relax. Massage your scalp for 5 minutes when you shampoo to encourage blood flow and be conscious if you are tensing your scalp, it can really make a difference. Treat yourself to an Indian Head Massage.
Hormonal hair loss CAN be halted by hair products. Men and women can try a hair loss product containing Minoxidil which has about a 60% success rate, but its a long term solution that you need to keep up. Type Rogaine into Google and read the reviews.
Having even the smallest bit cut from your hair can make a bit difference to the thickness. Blunt cutting the straggly ends really thickens up your hair. Discuss the best style with your hairdresser. An undercut bob can make fine hair seem considerably more lustrous.
Don't wear your hair too long, shorter blunter styles will work better for thinner hair.
Often adding colour or highlights will make a difference too. Colour expands the hair shaft (damaging it mind you!) but it will be thicker. Just make sure you treat yourself to regular conditioning treatments.
In extreme cases of thinning hair and hair loss get extensions. If it really bothers you, no matter what anyone else says you will feel terrible if you feel bad about your hair. Extensions may be the answer. They're not just for long locks; they add considerable thickness and volume too. I've had extensions before and loved them, but they're high maintenance and expensive, I visited celeb favorite Antenna in London but for there are hair loss specialists, check out Mark Glenn, also in London.
As with ANYTHING in life that makes you unhappy don't just live with it, get advice, seek help look at ways to change or improve it (and that includes your husband! LOL )
Be FabulousSharon Connolly
PS. Am back in the UK and available for shopping and Wardrobe Weeding at the end of February so email me if you would like an appointments
Follow me on TWITTER now too - http://twitter.com/sharonconnolly
Please feel free to pass on or use the information contained within this document as long as the author is given credit. Contact Sharon at sharon@maximisegroup.com.
A client just asked me for tips on how to make your hair look thicker, so I'd thought I'd share my top tips with you too.
When blow-drying your hair towel dry and rough dry it until it's almost dry before you start to style it.
Use the brush to blow-dry it in the opposite direction before you start to style it into place for more lift and volume.
Try using a vented brush so you can get air to the roots and target the roots upwards when you are drying.
DO use special volumising shampoos and styling products. Hairdressers can not complete the look without products and nor can you.
Not washing your hair and still want volume? Put in Velcro rollers whilst you do your make-up and get ready for extra lift, especially around the crown. Spritz with a fine veil of hairspray before you remove them.
Serious hair thinning may be hormonal or stress. Some people carry stress in their back or shoulders, if you carry it in your scalp then you need to relax. Massage your scalp for 5 minutes when you shampoo to encourage blood flow and be conscious if you are tensing your scalp, it can really make a difference. Treat yourself to an Indian Head Massage.
Hormonal hair loss CAN be halted by hair products. Men and women can try a hair loss product containing Minoxidil which has about a 60% success rate, but its a long term solution that you need to keep up. Type Rogaine into Google and read the reviews.
Having even the smallest bit cut from your hair can make a bit difference to the thickness. Blunt cutting the straggly ends really thickens up your hair. Discuss the best style with your hairdresser. An undercut bob can make fine hair seem considerably more lustrous.
Don't wear your hair too long, shorter blunter styles will work better for thinner hair.
Often adding colour or highlights will make a difference too. Colour expands the hair shaft (damaging it mind you!) but it will be thicker. Just make sure you treat yourself to regular conditioning treatments.
In extreme cases of thinning hair and hair loss get extensions. If it really bothers you, no matter what anyone else says you will feel terrible if you feel bad about your hair. Extensions may be the answer. They're not just for long locks; they add considerable thickness and volume too. I've had extensions before and loved them, but they're high maintenance and expensive, I visited celeb favorite Antenna in London but for there are hair loss specialists, check out Mark Glenn, also in London.
As with ANYTHING in life that makes you unhappy don't just live with it, get advice, seek help look at ways to change or improve it (and that includes your husband! LOL )
Be FabulousSharon Connolly
PS. Am back in the UK and available for shopping and Wardrobe Weeding at the end of February so email me if you would like an appointments
Follow me on TWITTER now too - http://twitter.com/sharonconnolly
Please feel free to pass on or use the information contained within this document as long as the author is given credit. Contact Sharon at sharon@maximisegroup.com.
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