Getting the once-over from an appearance expert gives Gill South the confidence to put her best foot forward

Feeling good about the way you look does wonders for your state of well-being and self-esteem.  I’m coming to see former NZ Herald fashion editor and Your Style guru, Susan Axford, who says this session is all about empowering me.

Stripping my face of makeup she puts me in front of a well-lit mirror to see what colours suit me.  She has her own colours system which categories whether a person has either cool or warm undertones to their skin.  We both agree that the colours which suit me most are those with warm undertones.  They are rich autumn colours – muted green, olive, brown, dark teal, khaki and camel with ivory and cream.   Golds, rusts and salmon are also good.  White is a no-no.  Black is not ideal but is fine as long as I don’t wear it next to my face, says Susan the realist.

As for my makeup – my lipstick has too much red in it, it needs more brown.  And if you wear glasses like I do, don’t have too much eye makeup – it’s all about the lipstick.  Thank goodness, I’ve always been rubbish with eyeliner.   As for hair colour, don’t deviate dramatically from your natural colour, it’s important to keep the same undertone, she says.  I’ve lost sight of my natural hair colour but I’ve stopped trying to be blond in the past few years so think I’m on the right track.

Susan is also going to help me dress to make the most of my shape.  Susan measures me from head to toe, looking at my vertical figure type and horizontal proportion.  I am close to 5ft 5in, or 1.55m.  I have a short torso, as I’ve always known, but what I discover is that while I have relatively long legs at the thigh, they are shorter from the ankle to the knee.  This means that I have to be careful with skirt lengths.  They should either end at the knee,  or 25cm up from the ground.

I remember Annah Stretton telling me I am a tulip in her system, which categories women into flower shapes.  Susan says I am a rectangle and the best clothing style for rectangles is a structured and tailored look, she advises.  I am to go for straight-cut jackets with squared shoulders and no waist.  Pattern should be geometric and abstract.  After measuring my wrist, Susan tells me that I am large boned.  This means all my accessories need to be quite generous.  Think amber beads and more bracelets, she says.

By the end of the session, I feel like I know more about my assets and how to keep eyes away from my defects.  Susan’s can-do manner is energizing and her enthusiasm infectious – my sense of well-being is definitely enhanced.  I have loved having my penchant for certain colours confirmed.  And I have always liked a structured look for work, and vow to insert this into my everyday.

Gill South,  NZ Herald


Kiwi women want to ‘grow old gracefully’ rather than attempt to turn back the clock with cosmetic procedures – according to a new study.

The findings were released today as part of the Olay Regenerist Survey* – an independent study which looked at New Zealand women’s attitudes towards cosmetic surgery.

The results found that two thirds (66%) of women believed they should age naturally rather than succumb to the trend of having a cosmetic procedure. And, nearly one quarter (23%) of women said they would be offended if someone asked them if they had work done.

Kiwi men were just as opposed to women fighting the ageing process by utilising cosmetic procedures, with six out of ten (61%) of male respondents saying they preferred a more relaxed attitude to ageing.

When it came to celebrities, more than three quarters of Kiwi women (77%) and two thirds of men (68%) said that Hollywood actors had indulged in too many cosmetic procedures.

The research also showed that cosmetic procedures were not just the domain of international stars, with nearly one third of women (32%) and twenty three percent of men saying that they or someone they knew had undertaken a cosmetic procedure. Despite this figure only 13% of women and 11% of men would be likely to recommend a cosmetic procedure to a friend or relative.

Top Auckland appearance medicine expert Dr Garsing Wong says the survey confirms what we all believe to be the quintessential Kiwi attitude regarding modesty and simplicity.

“Ageing gracefully does not mean neglecting yourself. It means choosing simple, non-surgical interventions to keep your skin looking healthy. Good clinically proven topical skincare products are an important and integral part of your healthy skin regime, which ultimately leads to better cosmetic results,” says Dr Wong.

Leading psychologist Sara Chatwin says the research shows that people aren’t making impulsive decisions to engage in surgeries and procedures that may not be necessary.

“It’s becoming clear from this research and from other anecdotal evidence that men and women feel empowered enough to embrace the concept of ageing gracefully,” she says. “It’s interesting and refreshing to read findings that suggest people are relatively comfortable with their appearance. This acceptance may suggest good levels of self-esteem and confidence. It may also suggest that at long last we believe in ourselves and not in the perceptions and opinions of others.”

The survey was carried out in conjunction with the launch of new Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum.

Written on behalf of Procter & Gamble by Impact PR. For further information or images, please contact Mark Devlin mark@impactpr.co.nz (ph. 021509060).


One Way Or Another Wrap by Robyn Mathieson

 

Then a colours consultation is the best way to ensure you wear the colours that suit you. Most New Zealand women have a love affair with black clothing, but if black is not your best colour why not wear what looks great on you. And this season colour is “the new black.”

Harmony is the essence of colour – aim for harmony with your hair colouring, eyes and skin tone and then take that into what you’re wearing. You want to wear the colour rather than the colour wear you. Experiment with different colours – hold them up to you and see whether they are enhancing you or draining you – choose the one that makes your eyes sparkle and skin glow. The wrong colour will drain you.

Have fun with colour and this is the season to embrace it. Choose from hot pink, bright red, emerald green, cobalt blue, strong purple, yellow, orange. And just when you thought that was enough, add in to the mix all the patterns and be prepared to clash your colours. A fruit salad has never looked so good.


Makeup should not be overdone with these beautiful colourful prints that are high fashion this season.

Choose eyeshadow to match one of the main base colours of the fabric and select one of the strong colours of the pattern for your eyeliner. If you’re wearing the nautical theme, opt for strong red lips and soft eyes with black eyeliner.


Dresses are a key fashion trend for summer.

Some floral dresses reminiscent of the 1950’s housewife are back. Florals are the perfect fabric for the dress. All designers and manufacturers have done THE dress. Local labels, Mosaic and Calico both have an interesting collection of dresses that can be worn alone or over leggings. Short skirts are a great alternative to leggings. There are lots of tucking and pocket details, so be careful, if your best silhouette is straight, watch out for saggy thigh pockets. Sometimes they can be taken out, but check the construction in case the alteration is complicated. The shirt waister dress is the perfect shapes for those with a straight silhouette.

Debut…

Debut Customs St, Auckland has a good selection of dresses that can also be tailored for you.

Wendy & Tom…

Wendy & Tom Workshop in Newmarket and Ponsonby stock a large range of simple dresses in a variety of fabrics, from cotton to silk, or fabric of your choice and they will make for you.

TVC15…

TVC15 Wyndham St, central Auckland carries a collection of flattering dresses and shirt waister styles, which can be bought off the rack or made to measure. The owner, Brendan is a tailor with a great eye for detail and some of you will remember his menswear store in Vulcan Lane, Monsoon. Looking for a suit, which can be a challenge, as most manufacturers no longer make them, but TVC15 will tailor one for you, from a choice of quality fabrics.


Miles High Dress and Singlet Dress from Robyn Mathieson Summer Collection

If you’ve steered away from pattern recently, don’t be afraid of the bright and bold designs. Not all florals have the same impact – tonal florals are subtle and clashing colours are show stoppers.

Bright florals can be toned down with denim, or a neutral or ever popular and safe black. The printed dress can be worked in different ways to make it versatile. Team with neutral-toned tailored jacket and wear to the office. Shed the jacket, glam up the earrings, put on a belt with bling and some killer heels and you’re ready to hit the town after work.


from Jane Daniels Summer Collection

Look to the colours of a luscious fruit salad or opt for the crisp contrast of black and white, or shimmer in metallic fabrics.

Pattern is the hottest trend for summer – go wild with tribal prints or zebra stripes; say it with flowers; be spotted with dots; set sail in nautical stripes or face up to it in face prints. Whatever you choose pattern is a must for the summer months.

The sunshine brights are great for the Clear and Brights; the zebra stripes are eye catching on the Clear and Dramatics; the softer florals are pretty for the Soft and Muteds and the earthy tribal designs flatter the Rich and Muteds.

It is the season of extremes – wide floaty trousers versus skinny pants short cropped jackets or longer knee-length tunics sharp military lines or soft feminine florals.

The silhouette is fluid, but don’t do head to toe floaty. Only one piece can float and add volume otherwise you will shorten and widen yourself. And most of us aim to dress to make ourselves look taller and slimmer. So if you have a floaty top, team with narrow pants and in reverse if you wear wide trousers or slouchy harem trousers, choose a more fitting top half. Wide pants work best with high heels and narrow pants can take flat shoes.


  • Want to hear “you look great” more often?
  • Have personal presence?
  • Discover how to look and feel your best everyday?
  • Have a wardrobe that works for you?

What shape and garment length will flatter and enhance you? Amazing how a few centimetres or changed angle can make a huge difference. Discover how you can dress to appear slimmer. Learn how to highlight your best features and conceal figure challenges – we all have them.

The answers will be revealed by scientific analysis – without a tape measure on you! This style and line analysis diagnosis has nothing to do with weight. It is about bone structure and proportion. And you can keep your clothes on!

“Thank you for a great consultation. I really, really enjoyed the whole experience, and have raved about it ever since. I am ready to get out there with notes in my bag for guidance. Thanks again for one of the best value appointments I’ve ever had.” – Suzanne, Torbay

“Susan’s advice is down to-earth, practical and empowering, and I did not have to replace my whole wardrobe.” – Kenina, Albany


Colour is what we notice first about someone – wearing the right colour creates great first impressions. Do your colours support or undermine you?

A colours consultation is a once in a lifetime investment to give you colour confidence to select the right colour and realise your full potential. Discover the positive effects of wearing the right hue for your complexion. Colour is a lifetime tool enhancing your visual credibility for both career and personal benefit. Wearing your correct colour is the natural way to look younger and healthier. The wrong colours drain you making you appear tired, drawn, pale and unwell.

Colour is your secret weapon, a no cost item in your wardrobe.

Use it to save yourself time, money, energy and reduce waste. Shopping is easier, feel more confident about your purchases.

PERSONAL COLOURS CONSULTATION for WOMEN

Colours Convey Confidence. Knowing your colours gives you confidence about the way you look, how you shop, no more mistakes. When you wear the correct colours, your skin will be more radiant and your eyes will sparkle. Discover how to choose the right colours for makeup, hair, jewellery, accessories, sunglasses – yes for absolutely everything, not just your clothes. You’ll feel more beautiful as you see what the right colours DO for you. The intensity of a colour is the secret to choosing what really works for you. When you know your colours, shopping is easy. Find out how to wear black.

Your session includes hair colour options. You’ll discover your perfect metal, the colour of glasses, frames, lens, plus the best colours for precious and semi-precious stones. Colour co-ordination is simplified.

COLOUR REFRESHER SESSION

Had your colours done years ago, but need a re-fresher to learn new exciting ways to use those colours and receive an injection of colour energy into your wardrobe? Update your colour choices.

You can bring some clothes with you and Susan’s expert eye for colour can tell you if you are still on track.

“Having my colours done has given me a heightened awareness to colour. It’s amazing ‘seeing’ colours that I didn’t notice (or chose not to!) before.” - Heather, National Park

“The day after I saw you, I stepped inside a shop and knew what to buy, it was absolutely wonderful.” – Glenys, Birkenhead




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