The Fashionista’s Fashionista –Interview with Personal Stylist Cleo Lacey

I’m sure you all now know that I have a deep seated passion for the beauty industry, but my passion knows no bounds when it comes to clothes and looking good. I would say I am borderline greedy when it comes to clothes, but it’s not always easy to chose the right outfit for the right occasion.I really think one complements the other, why take the time and trouble to follow a skincare and beauty regime only to fall at the last hurdle and not dress to impress? Also, what is the saying…“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” With this in mind, I asked the impossibly gorgeous Cleo Lacey, personal stylist and all round goddess, to share an insight into her world with our readers.

Over to you Cleo:

1.) What’s a typical day like for you?

There is no such thing as a typical day, no day is ever the same and that’s because all my clients are so very different and individual. I’m usually at a client’s home going through their wardrobe, or in a shopping centre doing personal shopping. I could be photo cataloguing clients wardrobes, obtaining sought after items for clients, talking at an event, delivering a seminar to a business, being interviewed on the radio, hosting a fashion show or simply sat in my office with a cup of tea!

2.) What can a client expect?

All my clients can expect a professional service from a warm and fun loving girl. Although I take my job very seriously you need to understand that image can be a difficult subject for some and sometimes the change can be overwhelming that tears do appear in the changing room (good tears!) so a cuddle is much needed. A client can expect improved, confidence, self-esteem, a fabulous wardrobe and compliments coming out of their ears! If they want a new job or a promotion or even a new partner, I’ll do anything I can to help them achieve this through improving their image and of course happiness.

3.) How did you become a stylist?

I graduated University with a degree in Business Management and Marketing. I knew I wanted to become a fashion buyer so I did a graduate training scheme with John Lewis. I got a job as a buyer at Ragdale Hall Health Hydro then onto work for the fashion designer Amanda Wakeley in London. Unfortunately due to the bad health of both my parents I had to return home to Leicestershire and decided to put all my knowledge, passion, enthusiasm and determination into running my own business.

4.) How much training was required?

Although I knew what I was doing I am a bit of a geek so I decided to do a course on it so if anyone asked if I was qualified I could say yes!

5.) What do you love about being a stylist?

You get to shop for a living! What more do I need to say?!

6.) What advice would you give an aspiring stylist?

Be 100% that it is for you. It is probably one of the hardest career’s out there to make a success of. Everyone thought I was mad setting up a business in the middle of the recession especially one that is seen to be more of a luxury service than necessity. It has been the hardest 4 years of my life, I lost a fiancé and a home because of it. Nothing worth having is ever easy and you can’t do this for a living unless it’s in you. Fashion, style, dressing people is just part of who I am, it’s not hard, it’s not difficult, it’s easy and simply innate within me. You need determination, self-belief and above all an overwhelming passion and desire for what you do. Not because you think being a personal shopper sounds like a good job or you like buying clothes so you think you can do it for other people but because you love nothing more than the natural buzz you get from seeing a client’s life change all because you’re showing them something different to what they are used to.

The main advice I would give is to stay true to yourself. Trust your heart and keep YOUR values to the front and centre of what you do. Make passion your master and the rest will follow. I can hand on heart say that every single one of my clients I love, I don’t have one horrible, awkward or ungrateful person on my books. They become friends and you form a wonderful relationship with them, who else can say that about their job? I Dreamed, I Believed and I Achieved.

7.) If you could sum up your job in three words, what would they be?

I only need one word… Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Visit Cleo’s website to find out more about her services, and follow her on Twitter 

The Secret History of 4711

Wouldn’t we all like to live in perpetual summer? Days spent basking in glorious sunshine, the warm rays of the sun making everything look and feel better…oh, summer is now but a distant memory, as we are now in the hands of autumn, with its crisp leaves, and darker evenings leading us into winter.Along with all the images that summer evokes, there are fragrances you associate with it, such as lemon and bergamot, both fresh and clean, and lavender, a herb that lulls you into a tranquil state of mind, as if you were lazing in the sun on a warm afternoon. One such fragrance that embodies the scents of summer is the ageless classic eau de cologne 4711.

Legend has it that that 4711 was created in 1792 by a Carthusian monk and given as a wedding present to Willhem Muelhens (a cologne and perfume manufacturer and designer). Thought to be a miracle water for the inside and out, the monk’s “auqa mirablis” made such an impression on the entrepreneur, that upon his return to Cologne, Germany, he opened a factory and began marketing the water as a cure-all health drink. Two year after its creation, Cologne was occupied by French troops, and so as to bring order where chaos ruled, all of the houses were numbered. Muelens house was given the number 4711. During the Napoleonic era, all internal medicinal recipes were to be made public knowledge, and Muelhams, desperate to protect his secret declared his creation to be a fragrance and the rest, as they say, is history.  Over 220 years ago this fresh, light and zesty fragrance was worn by women who wished to evoke elegance and style, and it is as fresh today as it was then.

Too good for summer alone, 4711 is one of the true originals and long may it continue to be.

Sarah x

Visit their website and like them on Facebook 

Beauty CV Advice!

Oracle Beauty Jobs, Beauty CV Advice

Beauty CV Advice

Your CV has 10 seconds to make a great first impression.

And so does your competitions…..

The beauty industry has many talented beauty professionals, so how do you make yourself stand out from the crowd?

It’s all about personal branding and not just being another CV that reads the same as the last one.

It is well accepted that people buy from people they like and the beauty industry is no exception, take a look at our CV tips and make sure your CV stands out from the crowd!

CV tips:

• On average an employer will spend around one minute to read your CV, and so it is vital to keep it short and sharp and no   longer than two pages.
• Include a picture and make sure you look well groomed, employers like beauty employees to look the part. For example if you are a makeup artist, an employer would expect you to wear the product that you are selling and wear it well. It’s surprising how many CV s don’t include a photo, but this automatically increases your chances of being remembered out of a pile of other CVs.
• After your name and contact details include a personal profile, this is where your `personal branding` is important. Here you should take the opportunity to briefly mix your personal qualities with your job specific skill sets. If you get this right, employers will read on to the rest of your CV, which means you’ve got their attention. Remember you only have roughly 10 seconds for your CV to make an impression, and your photo and personal profile will be seen in those first 10 seconds, so it’s crucial that you make sure you stand out within this first section.
• Do your homework, what we mean by this is make sure you know about the company you are applying to for the job, and make sure you tailor your CV to the application. Employers love the personal touch; it shows thought and effort and once again will make you stand out from the crowd.

At Oracle Beauty we believe we can give you the tools to make a great first impression along with providing you with excellent preparation and interview skills needed to secure the right position.

Create a FREE account to get the most from Oracle Beauty:

• Upload your CV
• Create your CV from scratch
• Upload a photo and professional video
• Manage your ‘jobs by email’
• Private Messaging Service with employers
• Apply for Luxury Beauty Jobs

Click here to create your beauty Jobseeker Profile and start searching and applying for Luxury Beauty Jobs today.

www.oraclebeauty.co.uk – See more at: http://http://oraclebeauty.co.uk/Beauty-CV-Advice/

Turn Back the Hands of Time—Indeed Labs Retinol Reface

Wouldn’t we all like to turn back the hands of time? It’s my never ending quest too. Although I’m happy in my own skin, a little bit of a confidence boost can help you look years younger and I am a firm believer that every little helps.

I am no stranger to Indeed Labs products, as I have used Hydraluron, Snoxin, Nanoblur and Okrapeptide (phew!) It was of little surprise that when I saw their new product, Indeed Labs Retinol Reface, I fell instantly in lust with it, after having rated all of their other products so highly. Indeed Labs are a Canada based company who first came up on my radar when they introduced Nanoblur a few years ago, and have been creating very simplistic and no fuss creams/serums to target specific areas on the face.

Devised over 40 years ago, retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and was initially used as a treatment for severe acne. While it helped to cure acne, dermatologists noticed it also had miraculous effects on the skin: sun spots and wrinkles also faded. It works by re-starting the production of collagen, and we all know this is what our skins need to remain plump and youthful. It also safeguards the skin from collagenase, i.e. an enzyme triggered by sunlight that breaks down collagen.

In an ideal scenario you would need to make a lifelong commitment to using a retinol based product.  It will take anywhere between two to six months for any real visible differences to show.

With all this in mind, I was prepared to try it out and having read so much about its ability to literally turn back the clock; it was a commitment I was only too willing to make. However, my one concern with using a retinol based product was that it can be very drying. After all, it was originally created to eradicate acne. Retinol Reface is unique in its formula as it contains three differing forms of retinol.

What Indeed Labs Have to Say:

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A is considered to be one of the most effective ingredients in helping to reduce the appearance of visible signs of aging.  Retinol Reface contains not one but 3 forms of retinol to help deliver softer, smoother looking skin, while targeting the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet.  Unlike many other retinol products, Retinol Reface is moisturising and non-irritating: no peeling, dryness or redness.

Directions:  Apply a small amount of Retinol Reface after cleansing.  Use only at night.

Retinol RA (Rapid Action). Is an exclusive rapid action formula to accelerate retinol activities for rapid results, and in doing so helps to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles.

Retinol Micro-spheres. A soft pure retinol encapsulated in plant based microspheres that slowly release over time. This retinol has a low irritant potential while maintaining efficacy.

Retinol-like peptide. A multi-faceted, anti aging peptide that provides the same benefits as traditional retinol without irritation or discomfort.

What I have to Say:

I noticed upon application that it does offer a reasonable amount of moisture, and two pumps were adequate to cover my face and neck. I applied it a night as recommended, and followed it with my night cream over the top as usual and waited for the results!

I did after suffer from a few breakouts for the first two weeks. Though, as opposed to being concerned, I was reassured that it working to reveal fresher and more rejuvenated skin by increasing cellular turnover.  One month on and the breakouts are no more. My skin looks to have more of an even tone, devoid of the redness or tightness I had expected from a retinol product. All things considered, I will continue to use it, as it as I like the way my skin is looking and if the hands of time can be frozen for a few more years all the better!

So watch this space…

Sarah x

Visit their website and follow them on Twitter 

A Day in the Life of: Debbie Sleeman

This is a lady who oozes glamour and shares my deep love of shoes (we often send one another photos of the shoes we desire and crave). She’s a wonderful ambassador for the industry with her passion and drive. She is a multi-skilled, and while being a therapist to the stars jetting off around the world, she runs more than one business and finds time to a judge at beauty pageants.

With her bubbly personality, remarkable outlook on life, her deep love of the industry is truly infectious. From whatever walk of life they may come from, Debbie treats her clients as if they are worth a million dollars and this is the secret to her success, as they always leave feeling as if they were after this diva in heels works her magic on them.

Debbie’s day is different to my other features, as she is so bubbly and full of life and love of the industry, I felt it was only fair for you all to see what an amazing and determined woman she is. Her piece is more of a glimpse into her whole being and why she is sought after in her chosen field…

Here’s Debbie’s Day:

I’m sat on the balcony in Mexico writing this, listening to the waves, and thinking “I don’t want to leave”.
The good thing about beauty is that there are so many doors along the way that you can open: you can travel the world, teach, become a salon owner, freelancer, product rep, and beauty blogger, makeup counters, and spa work—the list is endless. The fact is I don’t know any other career where you can have so many ventures to choose from. Call me old fashioned or just a complete professional but the thing I really don’t agree with is girls doing a course for half a day and setting up a beauty business. I don’t agree with it all because I think before you set up a beauty business you should learn about consultations, what could go wrong, contraindications , and client care. I did a 3 year beauty course and even after that I wasn’t ready to set up a business. You should always start at the bottom then work your way to the top and develop your skills learn from others, you then have the credibility, in my eyes, to have a good beauty business (but that’s just my way of thinking). I love nothing more than having people to look up to, to aspire to someone who has a story behind them, who deserves that success to inspire others.

Beauty is something I can say I have always wanted to do—since I was around nine years old. Once I had left secondary school I enrolled in a two year hair and beauty course. I passed (although ask me now to do a trim or a plait and I’m lost). I realised early on that beauty was definitely something I felt confident in. After completing the course, I stayed on at college and completed my level 3 beauty which I loved, it was all the advanced techniques, body treatments, electrolysis, advanced anti-ageing facials, and nails. At the time I loved doing nails, but I now choose to stay away  from them, as it’s not my area and I prefer to stick to what I know I’m good at rather than a treatment that’s just not me. I’m a perfectionist in the treatments I carry out.

In my college days of 2002 we had to complete a work experience placement for two weeks and seeing as my boyfriend of two years at the time lived in London, I was planning on moving to London to be with him.  I decided to find a salon in London to work, and I secretly hoped they would offer me a job when I finished my course. My dream came true and they offered me a job once I completed my level 3 beauty, it was my first salon job and I loved it. The three years leading up to me working in a salon finally felt real: I had my beauty column in the diary and clients. I was in my element. The salon was owned by two stunning girls, Carly and Dannielle. They were twins, both models and amazing beauty therapists, I remember I looked up to them both and always thought one day I want be at their level.  But, I was just out of college and only knew the basics; I had lots to learn and couldn’t wait! The girls would often let me watch them carry out treatments so I was constantly learning and improving my skills.

I was working at that salon for around eight months when I applied for, what was at the time, my dream job.  I dreamt of being a beauty therapist on board ships ever since I had discovered that this kind of job existed in a perspective college magazine. Now, being a spontaneous Gemini, I called Steiner (who are the company who have contracts on virtually all the Cruise Ships) and asked them to send me an application form. I kept this form for a few weeks, and then after a bad day I filled the form in, posted it and off it went to Steiner HQ. I waited for what seemed like forever, however it was only a week later that the offer of an interview came though the post.  I literally couldn’t believe it, and not one to pass on an opportunity, I decided to go ahead and have the interview. There were around twenty-five girls there all for the same job roles and not all English, as some had come from as far as South Africa. The interview process lasted a full day and consisted of an exam, which was performing treatments and being assessed on that treatment, and then at the end a one-to-one interview.  I was interviewed by the managing director of Steiner, and to be honest I didn’t really expect to get job I was applying for but little did I know at the end of the interview he said “congratulations you have been successful we will write to you with a start date”. My response was oh my god can I kiss you! Looking back now – while embarrassing, it’s funny as twelve years on I would never say that now. I guess it comes with age and experience, but luckily he laughed it off and saw how happy I was (after all I was only 17 and had been given my golden ticket around the world!)

I didn’t drive to Steiner, my granddad who lived in London dropped me off and so after the interview process the realisation of what I had been through all day and the fact that I had just been offered my dream job sank in I started crying . Although, I had to make a choice. My boyfriend at the time didn’t have a clue I’d even applied for this job or my dream job was to travel around the world. Never one to pass up an opportunity, it was obvious I had to go for it. My family were really proud of me, and when I broke the news to my boyfriend he was understandably upset but he supported me, as he knew my career meant the world to me. Back then it was as important to me as it is now twelve years on.

I had around nine weeks of intensive training, and it was not an easy ride. We had to stay in a hostel in Watford, and when I first stepped foot in there I cried my heart out. It was awful, and a million miles away from my home comforts, but I guess I was stronger than I thought I was. I pulled myself together, completed the training, and waited get my flight details for the ship that was waiting for me you. When you sign up, they match your personality to a cruise ship so never know where you’re being sent. Luckily for me I had been given the Elation ship which was a party ship – they got my personality right there (thankfully). I was being sent to LA and my ship would go around various ports in Mexico. I was so excited. I said goodbye to my roommates (who I had lived and bonded with in Watford), my mum and dad and all my family. Looking back now, nine months goes by so fast but I was a 17 year old girl so it felt like years.

So as you can see Debbie is one determined woman. She knew at an early age what she wanted and went for it- what an inspiration to us all!

Make sure you follow her on Twitter and like her on Facebook