Nicky Hambleton-Jones, Photographer: Gianni Diliberto

If you want to start a good debate amongst your friends, ask the question “What’s the definition of style?”  You’ll probably get a few people who immediately relate it to fashion while others say its attitude or beauty.  Some might say its combinations of many things but heavily influenced by one thing.  I thought it would be very interesting to talk with an expert who deals with all of these aspects (beauty, fashion & confidence) on a daily basis to get her opinion.  We decided to catch up with the UK’s “Make Over Queen” Nicky Hambleton-Jones to share her story and hopefully shed some light on this topic.   Nicky was the host and stylist for the hit show “Ten Years Younger” and has become a household name synonymous with the makeover process.  She has written several books on fashion, beauty, nutrition and overall lifestyle.  Her published works are: “Top to Toe: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming Who You Want to Be”, “10 Years Younger”, “10 Years Younger Nutrition Bible” and “How To Be Gorgeous”.

Nicky is also the owner of NHJ Style Consultancy representing over 5000 clients across the UK and Europe.

LOS: How did you get started in styling?
Nicky:  After being made redundant from three city jobs that were pretty uninspiring to start with, I decided to set up NHJSTYLE which was one of its first personal style consultancies which made styling more accessible for normal people.  To begin with, it was difficult to get going and launch with a bang as people had never really been introduced to the idea of having a personal stylist.  But after a while I guess people realised that with their increasingly busy lifestyles, a little help and advice was actually needed.  Eventually, I wanted to expand but found it difficult to find people with the right experience, so I set up NHJ Style Academy to train people who want to pursue a career in fashion and to have the opportunity to work with me.  We are celebrating our tenth anniversary this year!

LOS:  I read that a life coach helped you realize your passion for fashion.  What specifically did she say to help spur your career?
Nicky:  It was after I had been made redundant for the 3^rd time in 2 years – a few weeks before my 30th birthday and felt it was a sign that something else was out there for me.  So I decided to see a life coach who asked me what I was passionate about? My immediate response was fashion, which was a bit of a shock as I had no experience in fashion at all.   So she then asked me what I thought I had a talent for.  I then realised I’ve always had a good eye and interest in fashion and love helping others – it was because of this I decided to set up my own personal style consultancy.

Nicky Hambleton-Jones, Photographer: Gianni Diliberto

LOS:  What is the first thing you assess about a person when you are doing a makeover?
Nicky:  First and foremost, I think it’s really important to find out why your client is looking for a makeover.  If it is that they are feeling stuck in a rut, it’s likely that they have low self esteem as well as a lack of personal style.  By making someone feel good about themselves, you will open your client’s mind to experimenting with different looks that would usually be out of their comfort zone and prove that they can look and feel great.  Body shape is also key when it comes to styling – once you know someone’s shape it’s very easy to pick out styles and textures that will enhance their figure.  It’s also a matter of having fun with all the different trends, patterns and colours.  I also always look at their hair, skin and make-up too as a neglected skincare regime, dated hair and decade-old make-up can take all the hard work out of a fabulous outfit.  It’s the whole package that counts, but if I can transform someone’s style and make them feel good, it’s the catalyst they need to make changes to the rest of their look.

LOS:  Have you ever had a client initially hate his or her makeover, only to realize how much they loved it later?
Nicky:  Some clients are definitely harder to coax out of their comfort zone than others, so you have to work slowly with them and perhaps transform their look over a few sessions, rather than all in one go.  But I have to say that hand on heart I have never failed -  everyone I have styled has loved their new look, even if it does take a bit of time to get their head around seeing themselves in a different light.

LOS:  Beauty, Fashion or Confidence:   Which one of these is the most important factor to creating an overall style?
Nicky: Your style should exude your personality and individual flair, no matter your taste.  It’s this quality that portrays one’s confidence and makes your style appear effortless and unique. Of course it’s important to know how to dress for your shape and understand the importance in looking after your skin – but great style is about feeling as great as you look.  I think of women like Alexa Chung,  Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu and Tyra Banks for whom confidence is key to looking as good as they do.

LOS:  You’re considered an anti-aging expert.  What tips and products can you give our female readers on looking more youthful?
Nicky:  Sun protection is key to preventing premature aging and I cannot express how important it is to wear a moisturiser with at least an SPF25, daily.  If you can protect your skin from the sun, you’ll limit the amount of intervention you’ll need later in life.

It’s really important that you look after your eyes too.  As time goes on, we begin to see a loss of elasticity in the skin as well as first signs of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.  If you haven’t already, you should invest in a good eye cream as it’s important to keep this delicate area really hydrated to avoid loss of elasticity and dehydration.  Try MY AGE Organic Intensive Eye Cream by lavera which contains White Tea to lift, firm and smooth.

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Cell renewal starts to decline as we age and the best way to boost collagen production and slow down the destruction of your cells is to exfoliate the skin twice a week. Whether you choose physical or chemical exfoliation, try and get into a routine which will go a long way to ensuring your skin looks fantastic well into your 40’s.  Karin Herzog’s Mild Scrub has a super fine texture that suits even sensitive skin types.

If you don’t smoke, don’t start!  If you do smoke, give it up as soon as you possibly can!  Smoking is incredibly ageing on the skin. I know it’s a hard habit to crack, but the earlier you give up, the better your skin will look in the future.

LOS:  What absolutely makes or breaks an outfit for a woman?
Nicky:  Accessories make a huge difference to an outfit and it’s these finer details that can give your wardrobe that extra wow factor.  You can transform a simple LBD into an on-trend must-have by simply adding a few luxury accessories or pieces of jewellery that translate the current trends.  Furthermore, experimenting with accessories is a great way to express your personality and to have fun with your style.  By simply adding an edgy necklace, cool belt and sexy heels, your office work outfit will be injected with glamour and ready for the dance floor in no time.

Nicky Hambleton-Jones, Photographer: Gianni Diliberto

LOS:  How would you describe your own personal style?
Nicky:  Colourful, sunny chic!  I love wearing bold, bright colours that boost my mood and make a dull, dreary day seem more promising.  I dress to suit my mood as well as an occasion, but essentially it’s about what makes me feel good.

LOS:  What advice can you give to aspiring stylists reading this article?
Nicky:  To be a successful stylist you really need to have a good eye for styling other people.  Some people are really good at styling themselves but when it comes to styling others they fall short.  So if you think you’ve got an eye for fashion, start by styling as many friends and family members as you can.  Get their feedback on how they feel and you’ll quickly pick up whether you find it challenging or a walk in the park.  If you think you’ve got the talent, enrolling on a course will set you in good stead.  Go to www.nhjstyle.com/style-academy for more information.

To learn more about Nicky visit:

www.nhjstyle.com
www.themakeoverqueen.co.uk
www.twitter.com/NickyHJ
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