I was listening to an interview this morning on BBC Breakfast with the iconic Vidal Sassoon, who still looks absolutely brilliant at 80 plus which just goes to show there is no excuse for anyone to stop taking pride in their appearance. But that isn’t what struck me. He was asked if he was checking out the female presenter’s hairstyle. His reply – ” No, I was checking out her ankles”. Both presenters thought he was referring to a masculine desire to mentally overview the female form but he was not. He explained - to create a hairstyle that flatters the wearer you need to be aware of the rest of the body, its proportions and bone structure. He likened it to creating a new building in the middle of an existing older city. The building needs to fit in with the rest of the architecture but it also neds to be visually unique and striking.

Yippee!!!! I’ve rarely found any hairdresser or top class stylist that asks you to stand so they can appraise your overall look. Not only should they be doing this, but they should also be asking pertinent questions about your lifestyle so that the hair style they provide will not only look fantastic but it will appropriate for your work, fit in timewise with your routines and be as easy or difficult as you can cope with.  If only there were more stylists like Vidal, our hair salons would be less scary places to visit. After all, your life really is in their hands.

The Sassoon team has the following credo:

We believe that perfect beauty is different for every woman and that achieving it need not be a daily struggle.

That’s why we never mass produce but always tailor the look: Considering the individual’s unique features and needs when conceiving their cut and colour.

We never concoct styles that just wash out, but cut a shape that stays in the hair, making it quick and simple to recreate every day.

Realising perfect beauty – individual and practical – is our goal.

This is Sassoon. This is Hair Design.

http://www.sassoon.com/about/index.php

Sounds good to me.

or does no-one really care anymore how they dress for important events? No, let me re-phrase, as this unprecendented rant from me only applies to the women amongst us, not the men.

I attended a wedding at the weekend. It was tails but no top hat, so quite formal. ALL the men, including the small boys (under 10 years old) were in suits and ties looking really handsome. The women? A few were badly dressed, and I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt by saying it was probably due only to the fact they had little idea of  what suited them, but the majority had made no effort at all. Well, unless you call wearing faded jeans and a once white T-shirt, trying!  I spotted fit-flops teamed with a faded, long cotton skirt with a ripped hemline, too tight maxi dresses worn with ridiculously placed fascinators, dated suits with the 90′s shoulder pads, really bad hairstyles and the most prevalent of all, the ultimately dated accessory – a cigarette dangling from every pair of lips. I actually felt quite disheartened for the wedding couple before we even entered the beautiful Norman church. The bride and groom both looked fabulous but the female side of the congregation let them both down.

If we can’t be bothered to make an effort for what should be the most exciting and happy day of someone’s life, when will we? What are we saving ourselves for, or is it just all too much effort? I know we’re in a recession but it didn’t stop women looking glamorous in the war did it? Come on ladies, pull yourselves together.

A comment in an article in The Telegraph got me thinking about scent. Perfume to be exact. There are now so many zillions of fragrances launched every week that’s it’s actually difficult to know where to start. Gone are the days when you recognised  immediately the in-vogue aromas of Poison, Opium, CK One, Rive Gauche or Chanel No 5 and who was wearing what. I like the idea of a signature fragrance but even with the choices on offer, you still seem to come across someone else who loves your favourite and wears it often.

Since I gave up smoking a few years ago, the fragrance industry has held less appeal for me. I think I used to use it to mask the smoke battling under the illusion no-one would know I had a filthy habit – in reality I probably gassed everyone within a large radius of my presence ! My husband, also a reformed smoker, rarely touches aftershave now for the same reason. So I decided to do a little research of my own to see if the perfume industry is still as vital and active as I once thought.

Yesterday I attended the Beer Festival at my local pub. I checked everyone I met, which I admit was quite a number throughout the proceedings, to see if they were wearing perfume. The result: only one older man who wore a slightly overpowering cologne. Wonder who’s buying it then?

I must admit I do have a favourite but I sometimes forget to apply it. It’s Sa Majeste La Rose by Serge Lutens. Heavenly, if you love the smell of fresh roses. But please don’t go and buy it. Find your own!

I have a really busy life and a husband who is not keen on holidays in the UK or abroad. This means it’s often difficult for me to switch off completely, forget about my lovely clients, my writing, my teaching and my business generally.

So following up from my Spa break last weekend I have made a concerted effort to do no work – unless you count writing this blog as working. I have met up with friends and colleagues for coffees and days out, attended daily yoga classes and stretched my body into shape, read a brilliant novel, bought a bright pink  YSL lipstick (I LOVE it)  and generally done nothing more strenuous than my daily Killer Sudokos, another passion.  I’ve knocked alcohol on the head for the last few days, though the weekend beckons and so do a couple of glasses of wine, and ate supremely nutritious food (apart from a couple of heavenly cappuccinos and a piece of divine walnut cake). The only TV I’ve watched is my beloved cricket – Test Match against Pakistan and the fantastic Eoin Morgan, so no depressing news, police dramas or sensory stimulation. How do I feel? Fantastic. You should try it. I might not be able to keep it up but for a few days it really is heavenly.

I’ve just returned from a long weekend break with Leisure Plan Holidays. I use them frequently, as they are SUCH good value for money and experts in the field of fitness and looking after yourself (but you can still have a drink!!) 

This particular break was at the newly refurbished Met Hotel in Leeds. I was astounded by the fantastic quality of service I was shown by EVERY member of staff. I know I shouldn’t be surprised as this what hotels are supposed to do, but it’s rare to find it these days. So I can heartily staying there. Some of the bedrooms have seen better days but the food in the Tempest restaurant is to die for.

So having been pummelled, oiled, soothed and reflexologied out I am content with the world AND also the great sale at All Saints, just down the road in the Victorian Quarter!!  More on that tomorrow.

http://www.fitnessfiesta.com/bodycare-breaks.php

I was ecstatic yesterday. I read that Sarah Vine, The Times’  Beauty Editor,  had called in image professionals (a designer, personal shopping advisor and stylist) to help her choose her clothing. You’d have thought that someone in her position would have had all the help and advice she needed from her co-horts in the Fashion department at The Times But no.  Like many of us, she is not stick thin, under 20 years of age and 6 feet tall and shopping for great clothes is a challenge.

It all fell apart when she was invited to The Opening of Parliament. Disaster struck as she accompanied her daughter to school en route to the big event. A velcro fastening caught against her chiffon trousers and that, basically, was that. If you’ve ever had to dress in something you hadn’t planned on wearing for an occasion it wasn’t meant for then you’ll get the agonising position in which she found herself.  When you know you’re not looking your best, it is SO hard to enjoy the moment. And many times, these really special occasions do not come around again. What a shame. What a pity. So to make sure it never happened again, Sarah called in the professionals.

Many people poo poo what we do, but Sarah was hooked. If you read yesterday’s Times’ Fashion supplement, you’ll see what I mean.

Thank you Sarah for your endorsement and to the professionals that did such a great job.

Forget the gym, holding your stomach in or taking to your poolside chair never to sit up again!  Mama Mio’s brand new serious tummy toning cream has been a huge hit since it launched in Debenhams. Two pumps rubbed into your stomach once a day can make you loose inches from your waist, or the very least tighten your wobbly bits. Products in this fun new skincare range all have quirky names and Mama Mio has chosen their ‘Get Waisted’ serum to help raise funds for my charity of choice – Look Good Feel Better (aimed at helping cancer patients worldwide to look fabulous). They are hoping to raise £10,ooo by donating £1 for every bottle sold through their own website or in Debenham’s stores throughout the UK. Its even been given the seal of approval from Weight Watchers magazine. What are you waiting for? You get the bikini body and you’re doing your bit for charity too.

 Get Waisted Body Shaper £35

 http://www.mamamio.com/uk/get-waisted-body-shaper.html

The beauty editors are forecasting that mascara, as we know it, will soon be a thing of the past. We are about to be hit by a wave of serums that not only lengthen but also condition our lashes, something we need at any age but especially as we get older. THE one to buy is RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum which gives you surefire results in 4 days. I’m telling you this so you can get the date of release into your diary. 14th July at Boots price £39.99.  I predict a stampede.

Whether or not you choose to wear make up on a daily basis, as we get older it’s helpful to put some kind of glow onto your skin. Make up artists advise us to look as natural as possible in the summer so the new cheek colour from Clarins has appeared at just the right time.

Clarins Instant Blush Magic Colour is a sheer, potted gloss. Advertised as suiting all skin tones, it intensifies in colour on contact with the skin. Apply a little to the apples of your cheeks with the tip of your finger and then tap gently to spread and blend the colour towards your hairline. Instant uplift! Watch out for it in the shops soon. At £16.50 it’s not cheap but apparently very effective.

I’ve just booked up to see Women Beware Women and the Infinite Variety exhibition at the National Gallery. Why? Because the fabulous actress Harriet Walter is on the case of the older woman. The play, Women Beware Women, is about a 55 year old Duke who marries a 16 year old girl, promising her status and wealth in exchange for sex. But when Livia, played by Harriet Walter, offers the same deal to a young man, she gets rejected and faces public disgust.

If that reminds you of another woman in her 50′s who could have done so much for the power of the middle aged woman, including her wrinkles, you might be right. Yes, Madonna, could have championed our cause but has gone the route of most of our celeb’s trying to keep age at bay by having work done and spending an eternity at the gym.

However, according to the article in today’s Times, cosmetic surgery isn’t all what it’s cracked up to be. Cameramen are struggling to get the correct angles required to show emotions on a face that’s had work done, so perhaps wrinkles will rule after all.

Infinite Variety – a collection of photographs of older women, some famous but not all of them known, is curated by Harriet Walter and runs from 1st July – August 15th. The play, Women Beware  Women is from July 1st – 4th. I’m going on Saturday 3rd for the aftrenoon matinee, so might see you there. Tickets for Thursday 1st are already sold out so you’ll need to be quick .

www.nationaltheatre.org.uk