B Styled for Life formerly Beauty Glow, Skincare, Makeup, Style, Image Consultant in Brisbane

Category: Fashion

  • Inside Out

    Inside Out

    … Or Outside In

    I am reading a great  book on personal style at the moment by Carla Mason Mathis and Helen Villa Connor which is  also as they describe it .. “a natural guidebook to self-acceptance”.

     “…its impossible to build a true individual style without learning to love yourself on the outside as well as the inside” (quote from the book “The Triumph of Individual Style“)

    One of the latest movies Inside Out – an animated movie dealing with feelings is just one of the examples of how many people today are focusing on how we feel, how we take care of our emotions and think about situations.  I believe this is so important and it is wonderful that we are encouraged to be more open about  how we feel.

    As with everything in life, balance is something that creates harmony.  The balance of looking after ourselves on the inside AND the outside makes sense.  

    We can look at this both ways – being the best we can from the outside in and  from the inside out.  

    Taking care of how we think and our self-talk is going to have a positive impact on how we feel.  This will show in our outer appearance.  Our eyes shine, we smile more, our language that comes out of our mouth will be more positive and inspiring  for other people to hear.  If we take care of our inner health, think about what we put into our bodies and exercise we will feel better, have healthier skin, eyes, hair and physiques which shows on the outside.  

    If we pay attention to our skin with our grooming – a good skincare routine, quality makeup plus wear good clothing styles for our body shape, wear colours that suit us and are in harmony with our skintone, hair and eyes we will feel good on the inside …

    • We know that we look good, so we feel good
    • We feel congruent with our personality by wearing colours that we like and styles that suit
    • We feel peaceful because we are comfortable in our clothes and not always worrying that a skirt or trousers are too tight, too loose or uncomfortable
    • We will receive compliments instead of people asking if we are tired or not well (which can happen if you are wearing the wrong colours for you personally)
    • We are able to concentrate on whatever activity we are doing at the time because we know the “outside” is taken care of
    • We can feel excitement about an impending trip or event because we know that we can put together outfits from our wardrobe that will be work for us

    So … Outside In or Inside Out  … It all works.  If we look good, we feel good and if we feel good we look good… BALANCE and HARMONY. 

    Contact Moana Robinson at Beauty Glow to find out more about  working with Balance and Harmony with your own personal style 

     

     

  • Using Your Colour Swatch

    Using Your Colour Swatch


    Explore and Discover Your Colour Options

    Wow what fun you can have using your colour swatch!  I recently pulled out a dress that I hadnt worn simply because I was not used to wearing those colours and kept bypassing it.   I took a good look at the dress with my colour swatch and realised Yes! it is in my colour swatch and it does look good on me – even more so with a bit of red lipstick. This neutral is a great alternative to black.  

    Do you find that you are wearing a lot of the same colour all the time?  Try exploring the colours in your swatch.  There may be colours in your colour swatch that you had not even thought of wearing Be adventurous now that you have had a colour consultation and have your colour swatch.  Remember your colour swatch is a tool and a guide that can save your hundreds of dollars. 

    Take your swatch to your wardrobe or with you to the shops and ask yourself …

    • Does the colour of the garment blend in with the swatch?
    • Is it the same level of lightness or darkness?
    • Is it warm or is it cool?
    • Is it clear or muted compared to the swatch?
    • If you fan the swatch out do all the rest of the colours in the swatch kind of “go” with the colour in the garment you are looking at?

    Your wardrobe will be so much more  versatile with the ability to mix and match if you use your swatch.  Try the following to “tweak” your wardrobe using your colour swatch

    • Try finding colours of similar  colour value and wearing them together such as a light pink with a light blue or a a medium yellow with a medium purple; or you could try putting a few of the richer colours in your swatch together   If they are in your swatch each colour will be right for you.  You can be confident of this.
    • Try putting one of your signature colours (which will be marked on your swatch) in a garment which will be worn near your face with a nice dark neutral – the darkest in your swatch as this will really highlight your face and make the signature colour stand out.

     Have fun and discover some new ideas by using your swatch.  By using YOUR colour swatch you  know that you cant go wrong.

    Contact Moana Robinson of Beauty Glow to find out your colour palette . A full Colour consultation takes 1.5 to 2 hours and you receive

    • Your personal colour swatch with your signature colours highlighted
    • Your personal booklet guide filled with information about your colours
    • The opportunity to ask questions and receive information that is personal to YOU

    Explore the shops and even your own wardrobe with a brand new outlook on colour.

     

     

     

     

  • One Size Fits All

    One Size Fits All

    … or Does It ?

    Have you  seen a pair of jeans that will fit a Size 6 AND a Size 16 ?

     NO …

    It is the same with styling consultations.  There is not a “One Size Fits All” recipe for looking great.  This is why a personal styling session is so important.  EACH individual person is so unique.  I am using jeans as an example because these days walking into a jeans shop to buy a pair of jeans means more than knowing your correct size.    As well as Size there is Type of jean – Rise, Cut and Colour (or type of Wash) – Here is some information for you about choosing jeans:

    Rise

    The rise is measured from the middle of the crotch seam to the top of the waistband and can create your perceived waistline

    • Low Rise – Sitting a few inches below the navel (Best for women with long legs), great for women with a “boyish” figure or straight up and down figure (“I” shape)
    • High Rise –  Sitting just above the navel (Best for Pear or “A” shaped women) For petite builds this fit also accentuates the waits and elongates the legs, good for women with bigger hips
    • Mid Rise – Sitting just below the navel (Good for women with long legs) also good for women with bigger hips

    Cut or Style

    • Skinny Jean – Suits most shapes apart from Apple or “O” shapes
    • Bootcut Jean – Probably the most flattering cut for everyone, depending on the shoe you are wearing. designed to kick out at the bottom and are quite fitted at the top
    • Flared Jeans – Flattering on round or “O” shapes (however they will shorten your legs)
    • Straight Leg Jeans – Look good on most body shapes; and then there are the …
    • Boyfriend Jeans – usually quite loose and look best on “boyish” or straight figures or round “O” shape figures

    Wash

    Dark Denim – Will look good on everyone, especially women with thick thighs and this is the denim (sometimes called the “Rinse”) which makes the legs look longest also

    Stone wash, Distressed and Vintage Washes can add bulk visually to heavier women and there is even “whiskering” detail on jeans which can draw attention to areas of the body such as thighs.  Then there is where the pockets are placed, detail or lack of detail, topstiching colour … many, many variables which is why …

    As in jeans shopping your Colour and Style consultation is going to be especially for YOU.  No two people are identical.

    Moana Robinson from Beauty Glow takes pride in the fact that she loves to focus on you as an individual and although the process for each consultation is similar the advice given will be personal to YOU.  Contact Beauty Glow for a session that is a fit especially for YOU.

     

  • Changes in Lifestyle

    Changes in Lifestyle

    How Have you Changed Over the Years?

    Lifestyle changes may mean you have put on  weight and/or your skin may have become dull.   It is always helpful to have the support and encouragement of someone who has your best interests at heart.  Enlisting an expert can help you cope with changes to your lifestyle.

    Style and Clothing – Fashion and style can become stressful if you dont know where to start.  Here ere are a couple of tips:

    1. As you go to put something on in your wardrobe if it doesnt “rock your boat” put it aside – Your personal stylist can help you work out why it is you always bypass this item of clothing.  
    2. Choose some favourite pieces and keep them in your wardrobe.   Is there a common theme with these clothes? Do they work for your current lifestyle?
    3. A personal stylist can give you ideas on how to wear those favourite clothes. They can help you work out why they are your favourites. By making changes you can feel as though you have a whole new wardrobe.
    4. Experiment with your clothes, try  some mixing and matching, try different colours, see what is trending these days and most importantly what is  comfortable and “feels right”.  
    5. Even in countries where changes in seasons are not very distinct it is nice to have seasonal changes in your wardrobe – usually  bright colours in summer and more subdued, subtle colours for winter depending on your colour palette.
    6. Innerwear is as important as outerwear.  Determine your right size and have a professional fitting.  Changes to your lingerie can also make a difference to your whole look.  Just like the foundation for a house, if our foundation garments are good it creates a much better shape.

    Makeup and Accessories – Makeup enhances natural beauty and is a way to express yourself. Eyeliner and/or a quality mascara and a bold lipstick that matches well with your skin tone is one way to make changes to your look.

    Accessories from bags to foot wear, necklaces, bracelets and earrings help you to achieve a stylish look to go with the changes in your lifestyle.

    Skincare – Not all individuals have the same type of skin, some have oily skin and others can have dry, sensitive or normal skin A product range that works for you will be individual and this is why it is good to have a range that you can “try before you buy”.  Not every range suits every person and this is a personal choice.  Ask the advice of a Beauty Therapist. Skin changes as we age and as well as skin types there are different skin conditions to cope with.   If you are trying a product out give the range at least 28 days for skincare to work as our skin renews every 28 days. 

    For advice on coping with style, skincare and cosmetics to go with changes in your lifestyle contact Moana Robinson from Beauty Glow.

     

  • Make A Statement

    Make A Statement

    Make A Statement About YOU

    I recently completed a Style Challenge set by one of my Trainers Imogen Lamport from the Academy of Professional Image – one of the challenges was to wear a statement necklace  as seen here Style Challenge No. 1 (this necklace was bought for me by my daughter Molly) .  Wearing a statement piece of jewellery is a simple way to say something about yourself especially if that piece of jewellery has  special meaning to you.

    Through one of the networking Groups that I absolutely love going to The Y Network I met the talented Kylie Verner who has a business called KCrystals.  Kylie designs pieces of jewellery specifically for each of her clients.  There is a consultation process and the gemstones and crystals in the necklaces have a specific meaning.  Kylie makes the jewellery with love and care and is very conscious of each of her client’s personalities.  Keep an eye out for more about Kylie’s Kcyrstals special jewellery … There is a point of difference that I think is very unique and am working on something to show you how special it is…. You can see my reaction when Kylie presents me with the necklace here  … a happy client.

    Now a bit about Statement Necklaces …

    1. Statement necklaces are most effective if made the focal point of the whole outfit
    2. Wearing a complementary colour to the necklace can really make the necklace “pop” – for example a turquoise necklace can look amazing with a purple top or dress
    3. Take into account what your “Style personality” is – for example if you have a Dramatic Style Personality a delicate necklace just isnt going to feel right.  However if you have a Feminine/Romantic Style Personality a statement necklace can speak volumes about your own individual personality if it is not cluttered with too much other jewellery even if it is delicate-looking and in soft pretty colours.  A statement necklace should reflect you and your personality
    4. The more simple the outfit the more “out there” your statement necklace can be.  Complex prints and patterns worn with a detailed necklace will not do justice to either the outfit or the necklace.
    5. Most statement necklaces are designed to be large and if you have a statement necklace specifically designed for you the designer will take into account your frame and the length that will suit the individual client’s decolletage and face.  Kylie designed my statement necklace with an adjustable length and it turned out that the shorter length worked better for low cut tops and the longer length for higher necklines. This is because the pendant adds length and needs to be taken into account for the overall effect depending on what top or dress is being worn.  It was great that Kylie suggested this as sometimes you cant tell until you try the necklace on with different outfits.

    Hope these few points help – Statement necklaces as with any piece of statement jewellery should be something special as they are making a statement or expression of  YOU.

    For information on accessories, how to wear Statement Necklaces and other jewellery to suit your special outfits or to assess your Style Personality contact Moana Robinson of Beauty Glow

     

  • Value Your Business Image

    Value Your Business Image

    How Do You Value Yourself? Your Business? Your Clients?

    Are you wondering why your business may not be taken seriously? (like this guy in the photo) …No matter what business you are in – It is important that you show that you take your business seriously and dress accordingly.

    There are so many different types of businesses  it really does help with that first impression if your clients can identify with what your business is when they see you.  For example if you were an accountant and turned up for an appointment wearing board shorts and a T shirt how seriously do you think the client would take your business?  If you sell surf boards and turned up for a business meeting you still may dress differently to the accountant but even then board shorts are for the weekend and “time off”.

    To be taken seriously and to charge for your time and services  it is respectful to your clients to show up to a meeting dressing for that occasion.  

    As mentioned in a previous article Confidence with Style your own personal style can definitely be incorporated into your business and it  is a positive if you can incorporate this into your branding.  This can even be done consciously so that people identify your style with your business for all the right reasons.

    Clean tidy attire and  attention to detail all counts for that all important great first impression.  Even if you love to dress casually and your business does not fit with wearing  suits or shirt/tie or formal business attire my advice would be to consider

    • branding with a colour scheme for your business that resonates with you and maybe having some garments embroidered with your logo.  It does not have to feel like a work “uniform” as you could have a variety of different garments that you wear to work
    • Make sure your business image is a change from what you would wear on your  days off and relaxing.  I am talking about really relaxing …  shorts, sweatshirts, singlets, thongs.  
    • Think about the type of business you are in or even if you are a job candidate at a job interview – Think about the type of work you do in your business, or will be doing at the job you are applying for and dress accordingly.  Make sure how you dress is congruent with this.
    • Professional sports trainers and Personal Trainers will be wearing their sports attire as this IS their business.  This would be appropriate dress for them.
    • Think about the person you are meeting with and take this into account also. 

    Imagine this guy has just had a business meeting with a new client.  He cant understand why he hasnt been taken as seriously as he would like to be.  Can you imagine the different reaction  if he dressed in a tidy shirt with (or even without) a logo, a smart pair of trousers and some good shoes other than joggers.  He is good at what he does (lets say for example “a graphic artist”)- He has charged accordingly for his great work and cannot understand why he has difficulty in people seeing his value on first meeting. 

    Visual appearance does count.  It shows respect for your clients, yourself and your business.  You may be incredibly good at what you do but as I always say why make things hard for yourself?  Create that all important good first impression and then the rest is providing that top business value to your clients.  You really can create a great image and still keep your personal identity.  We do not need to sacrifice personal style for a great business image.

    Contact Moana Robinson at Beauty Glow for confidential, friendly and professional assistance and advice.

     

     

  • Confidence with Style

    Confidence with Style

    Confidence is So Much More Than a Dress Size – It’s a Vibe

    As Monique Parker a highly successful Marketing Coach posted on Facebook recently “Confidence is a Vibe”.  Monique has built her brand  which is unique, vibrant and completely Monique Parker.  I saw Monique’s post on the very same morning that I was thinking about business and how most people who are in business ARE the business.  The personal branding carries through and I am a strong believer in your own personal style emerging all the time, constantly through your business branding.

    Confidence is a feeling,  It is an aura that surrounds you and  is an integral part of your being.  Nothing gives others more confidence initially in your business more than YOU the business owner having confidence and pride in how you look and present yourself.

    Monique is a great example of how you can be unique, confident and successful with your own style.  

    This sort of confident style does not happen overnight but it is achievable for absolutely everyone.  It is all a matter of knowing that you have your own style and carry it well… knowing that YOU are unique and there is no-one, absolutely no-one out there who is (as Dr Suess says) “You-er than you”.

    Make yourself memorable.  Have confidence in your own style and don’t wait until you feel you have permission or are at a certain age to portray that style.   There is no better time than right now to be who you want to be, dress the way you would like to dress.  It has nothing to do with dress size, or so many other things.  It is that powerful vibe of CONFIDENCE.  Plus when you are confident there are so many reasons to smile and that glowing smile is a big part of that Confidence with Style.

    Contact Moana Robinson at Beauty Glow for more information on Style Personality and branding.

     

     

     

  • Winner of our Style Day Competition

    Winner of our Style Day Competition

    Taking Time Out Especially for YOU

    We had an amazing day with the Winner of our “Style Day Especially for YOU” Competition.  Lyndi MacRae rose to the challenge and sent in a video to the Beauty Glow Facebook Page and shared her reasons for wanting to win the competition.  In these busy times it is too easy to put ourselves on the back burner and right at the end of our list.  The aim of this competition was to …

    (1) Encourage people to really step out of their comfort zone and feel that joy of achieving something they are not used to doing

    (2) Take a whole day to explore what is possible – see themselves in a different light and step away from the “busy-ness” of life for a day.  Lyndi understands the value of investment in time like this.

    It was a busy full on day but during the time Lyndi had …

    1. Full Colour Analysis with regard to clothing and accessories
    2. Discussion of lifestyle and wardrobe functionality
    3. Body shape discussion and ideas of clothing that would suit body shape plus lifestyle and style personality
    4. Makeup application and tips were given on how to apply the makeup
    5. Shopping trip to look at some outfits and ideas which suited Lyndi’s body shape and colouring – clothes bought were neutrals as a good base to add colours from her swatch
    6. Visit to a shoe store for some quality comfortable shoes with style  suitable for various occasions including business engagements 
    7. Visit to the hairdresser to colour, conditioning treatment and trim with attention on future management of hair for optimum hair health for the style she wished to have
    8. Photo session afterwards from Sumico so that Lyndi could see the transformation and share her special style day 
    9.  total $2.070 in value including vouchers for clothing, shoes, hairstyling, Photography Session Gift Certificate, PR Session with a publicity expert and a Naturopathic Health Assessment

    The benefits of reaching out and then accepting what is offered are sometimes not realised until quite some time afterwards.  Conversations during the day, questions asked and information provided combined with a full on day of Colour and Style Analysis, shopping and hair appointment – not to mention having photos taken and trying on different outfits – all took Lyndi far away from what she usually does in a day.  

    How refreshing though to do something that you do not usually do?  

    How rejuvenating to think of a different way to dress or accessorise?  

    Sometimes it is those little tweaks or wearing the right colours to bring out the beautiful blue in the eyes or  lovely natural skin.  Congratulations to Lyndi MacRae on stepping up and entering the competition.  There had to be a personal challenge as the prize really was amazing.  Taking on that challenge and creating the video is a reward in itself –  Lyndi absolutely blossomed in those hours achieved through her own volition and willingness to learn more about herself .  There are endless possibilities to be achieved when you gain confidence and renewed vitality by taking some time out especially for YOU. 

    Contributors to the Style Day Competition were Moana Robinson from Beauty Glow, Sumico Web & Graphic Design, Passion 4 Health  Hair Design by Lou, Designs to Cherish, The White House Fashions, Sole Sister Shoes, Publicity Genie AND Lyndi MacRae – the “Unstick Chick” (look her up – Lyndi is all about making the “invisible visible”  and is currently working on some great tutorials; Lyndi has marketing solutions to  help Entrepreneurs develop a quality user experience)

  • Bringing Life to Your Wardrobe

    Bringing Life to Your Wardrobe

    Wardrobe Clutter

    Is your wardrobe out of control? Unsure of what suits you best? Can’t decide what to wear every morning? Always shopping, but still you don’t have the right items to wear? Then probably it’s time to sort your wardrobe from scratch. We all know that our wardrobes can become extremely cluttered with clothes and accessories that can be years and years old. The one stop solution to this problem is having an Image Consultant in for an audit or makeover of your closet. The Image Consultant will use their knowledge to help you achieve a clean and well organized wardrobe.

    Tip #1 Organize

    Take everything out of your wardrobe and sort your clothes into a few piles such as clothes frequently in use, infrequently used, out of season, need some alterations or to donate charity. It might be not easy to do this but sorting out unused clothes is essential to make room in your wardrobe.  A good idea is to then have three baskets handy  labelled (1) Ditch (2) Donate (3) Darn (mending or alterations)

    Tip #2 Pull out your greatest hits

    Once your wardrobe is organized, pick out styles that you know suit you best and will flatter your shape and colouring. Once you have identified your greatest hits line them up neatly in your closet.  If you are unsure whether they do suit you this is where an Image Consultant can give you an honest, unbiased and  professional opinion.

    Tip #3 Save Your Money

    Resist the urge to go shopping. Rather than buying new clothes straight away it is a great idea to enlist the services of an Image Consultant to help compile a list to fill any gaps left tn your wardrobe. The Image Consutlant will take into account your lifestyle and style personality. The wardrobe should be a place you can go to and instantly pick out something to wear for any occasion. If you rush into buying more new clothes you could end up with clutter again with incorrect choices being made. Your Image Consultant can even come shopping with you once that list is made.

    The personal Image Consultant knows how to perfectly organize every wardrobe. Whether you are a woman who is overwhelmed with the amount of clothes you own or who has retired and needs a wardrobe to match a new lifestyle, a woman who wants a post-pregnancy revamp or a woman who is returning to the workforce after being a stay at home Mum for many years.

    For a well-maintained and orderly wardrobe, your personal Image Consultant will assess you and your lifestyle then get you to try on few items explaining which ones will look good and which maybe don’t suit you. Having a wardrobe makeover can definately save your time and money and also save you from making the same mistakes that you made previously. Clearing out your wardrobe can be like a breath of fresh air into a big part of your life.

    Contact Moana Robinson from Beauty Glow for advice on refreshing your wardrobe

  • Personal Styling and Makeup

    Personal Styling and Makeup

    A Personal Stylist Can Help with Wardrobe AND Makeup

    Makeup is something which some women love to apply and others are not so keen.  Do you feel irritated when you go to apply makeup every day or for a special occasion and arent sure that your foundation is quite the right colour – or your eye shadow isnt enhancing your eyes but doing the opposite.   So maybe sometimes you just don’t bother with makeup? The best way to gain confidence with applying makeup is to seek assistance from a professional stylist or makeup artist.. Every season that comes around your skin changes due to weather conditions and/or tanning or losing your tan. Every year that goes by we need to re-evaluate our makeup and skincare.

    A personal stylist is a person who advises you on clothing for your body shape and personal colouring accessories and make-up. It is a recognized profession. Some people are of the opinion that a stylist only handles the wardrobe garments and nothing else. However they do cover every aspect of image from hair styling to makeup, clothing to footwear and accessories.. A personal stylist is a professional certified from a recognized academy and is there to help you with so much.

    The best base for a makeup is a smooth healthy complexion. Here are some tips to get you started:

    1. Remember sunscreen especially in the summer months.
    2. Don’t forget to use cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night with quality skincare products to get flawless and smooth skin.
    3. Go for a light shade while selecting lipsticks for a fresh and natural look to your lips.
    4. If you are unsure about wearing makeup you can use a bronzer instead of blush; it will help your skin to maintain a sun-kissed glow.
    5. Find out from your stylist or makeup artist how to highlight your eyelids but usually two or three colours are going to give you the most contour,
    6. Eyeliner can be worn in different shades. like deep warm brown or soothing blue color.

    Once you have hired the services of a personal stylist you need not worry about special occasions or events whether it is a wedding ceremony, business conference or simply a get together. You can get a different look according to the type of occasion. Your Personal Stylist can help you select the best outfit for the occasion along with the makeup and accessories. They can also give you advice on hairstyles depending on the outfit selected for the occasion.

    Create your own style statement and gain confidence in wearing the colours, shape, style in garments, footwear and accessories plus the skincare and makeup that best suits you and your lifestyle. Contact Moana from Beauty Glow for confidential, friendly and professional advice.