Lipstick gave way to lipgloss a few years ago as it was deemed to make one look older. I never really got on with the gloss, especially as it has the habit of finding its way into the creases of my lips, which wasn’t exactly attractive.

So I’m delighted that make up director, Peter Phillips, has edited the original recipe for Chanel lipsticks and Chanel Rouge Coco is the wonderful result. It delivers hydration, pigment and silkiness and is as far removed from a conventional lipstick as you can get. It melts on the mouth.

There are 37 shades, so something for everyone. Go try. Price £21.

I mentioned in a previous blog that I had been away on a mind, body, soul weekend.  Much as I love yoga, even I would find 8 hours a day a bit much so I decided to tap into a couple of workshops instead.

The first was Love Your Body Love Your Life, the presenter Beverley Drumm (pictured), an ex Management Consultant who completely changed her life and now runs inspirational classes in Nia Technique and Kundalini Yoga, both slow to catch on in the UK but making their presence felt.

Beverley began the presentation by asking how many of us in the room (about 35 I guess) loved their body and their life. I wasn’t surprised to see only 2 hands rise.  In fact, I was surprised that any were raised at all. Isn’t that so sad?

What is it about society today that says we all have to be so perfect and that we need to have it all? I think, as women, we are always looking for something else in our lives - and I’m no different here - but perhaps we should sometimes just stop and smell the coffee, by giving thanks for what we have in the here and now. The future doesn’t exist, only the present is real.

Come on ladies, celebrate who you are, embrace your unique gifts and talents and live a joyful life.  It’s the only one you have. Don’t like the way you look? Then see an image professional who can help you discover who you are and dress authentically. That’s what we’re here for.

http://www.nianectar.co.uk/

for more information about Beverley and her inspirational, holistic workshops.

Just come back from something we should all do more of - a weekend away with your girlfriends. Pampering, yoga, fabulous lectures, great food and brilliant instructors all allowed us, individually, to get the most of the time we had away from our normal routines.

I can never believe the price of this fantastic holiday (I go every year so am well known to the organisers) as the quality of everything on offer is so high. Check it out:

http://www.fitnessfiesta.com/mind_body_index.php

I’ve already booked a pampering weekend in July in the newly refurbished Met Hotel in Leeds. Can’t wait.

Then you need to listen to my being interviewed by the fabulous Karen Knott. Karen is also passionate about women in their 50’s and is instrumental in coaching them to grow, develop and realise their ambitions.

To find out more, hear what we had to say by clicking on this link

http://bit.ly/aSxbzN

Picking up on my lipstick theme, it seems that peachy type lipsticks are the new colour for this season. Matched with purple eyes. Very interesting combination. I tried it, thinking it wouldn’t work, and actually it looked quite good. I still look better in cool colours but a change sometimes is as good as a rest, especially if you don’t have a specifically extreme colouring, which I don’t. 

Pastels are back after a long time off the shelves so this lighter lipstick is a good look. Utility clothing and sportswear as outer wear, track pants for example, are also big so this more natural look is a good one if you can wear it well.

The rule is still pretty such the same, whatever our age, so concentrate on eyes or mouth but not both. Wearing glasses does seem to require more blusher for some reason, so apply a little then adjust with more if you need to once you pop your specs on.

Be aware that if you have very dark hair and very pale skin, a light lipstick may well make you look positively ill. In this case, opt for a deeper shade and don’t overdo the eyes.

Ever had the dilemma where you want to look really spectacular but you only own simple clothing? Well, Simone Micallef is on a mission to help. Featured in Vogue magazine, and with her creations worn by film stars such as Sophie Okonedo ( see her tonight on BBC’s Mrs Mandela) for the Premier Night of Hotel Rwanda, she has captured the art of jewellery transformation. This is what she has to say:

Simone designs and produces all her work by hand. Her designs are singular but varied and have numerous roots in her own life and experience but, overall, they reflect her concern to bring out the beauty of the materials she works with. Her clients appreciate the magic of the metal and stones with which she communicates and many are faithful clients for long periods of time, enjoying the changes in focus and style as they occur. She works on the precious metals so that the two elements come to complement each other and to form an organic whole. As a result, most of her pieces are unique in some degree, just as stones tend to be. Women may try many of them but recognise their own when it comes alive on them. Finding the right home for each piece gives Simone the greatest pleasure. All the necklace stones are carefully selected, redrilled and burred and then individully knotted to maximize their quality and longevity and each one is hallmarked.

If you’re interested in finding out how to own one of her fabulous pieces all for yourself, go to www.simonemicallef.com and PLEASE tell her that you read about her on this blog. Remember too that Valentine’s Day is coming soon. A hint in the right quarters may not go amiss!

Looking at a photo of Audrey HepburnI realised just how she was stylish but stylish in her own unique way. Not for her, the voluptuous, sexiness of Marilyn Munroe or the handsomeness of the other Hepburn, Katherine, but just the simple, chic and elegance of her own made her tiny frame gorgeous, Because she almost did not try to be gorgeous.

That’s what unique style is all about. Not trying too hard and certainly not trying to be someone else. As Annie Morrow Lindberg once said “the most exhausting thing you can be is inauthentic.

With that in mind, I am currently in the process of putting together some Art of Style workshops. They will be held in Central London, close to the West End and all its shopping, at intervals throughout the year. I’m keeping the numbers small so we can really concentrate on honing in on your own unique style. Are you an Audrey waiting to emerge into the style spotlight? If so, call me.

If you want some harmony in your life, a sleeker body and a calmer mind but have no money or time to go to the gym, you might want to check out Body In Balance. This is a brilliant channel on Sky ( channel 275) with some great teachers, such as the Kundalini Yoga guru Maya Fiennes pictured, Shiva Rea, Katy Appleton and Caroline Sandry to name but a few. The practices are varied and interesting and cover all levels of ability. I’ve become a huge fan and I’m sure you will too if you enjoy yoga, pilates, tai chi or aerobic workouts. Not a Sky viewer? Then check out their website www.bodyinbalance.tv. As it starts at 6am every day, you have NO excuse!

It was the monthly gathering of the Feel Fab at 50 social group last night, with 4 new members braving the heavy snow to check us out - they loved it. One of our lovely ladies looked particularly spectacular and really trendy. On being pressed, she sheepishly told us where she purchased her outfit and how much it cost. The coat, £10 from Peacocks and the dress £5 from Primark. She is 57 years old and looked amazing. Just shows it can be done if you put time, effort and knowledge into your shopping.

Many of my clients assume shopping is easier if you have a great figure. The answer to that is ‘no, it isn’t’. Being average size and weight can bring too much choice which can be as overwhelming as not enough. Hilary Alexander, from The Telegraph, likens it to love. I’m paraphrasing but in essence she says that finding the right person and keeping the relationship strong takes hard work and effort but is easier than being with the wrong person. It takes perseverance, commitment, energy and effort. Finding the right garment or outfit is pretty much the same but knowing where to look and what does and doesn’t suit you makes all the difference.