This was the funniest makeover session I think I’ve ever done. 

Before

After

Nicola and Anna popped along to the studio for a bit of a makeover. It was really only Nicola that wanted the service because she’s lost a load of weight  -not just a few pounds, more of a 10 stone sort of loss. For a person who struggles to keep her weight stable that astounds me  but enough of that.  

Now it’ll be obvious (or maybe not) that Nicola is in a wheel chair. However when you talk to her you’d never guess. Her wheelchair is really just a different sort of legs for her.  In fact thats what she calls it “different legs” I think that’s the coolest term I’ve ever heard.

"Different legs"

 What does she mean by “different legs” – Oh my – this lady is a powerhouse. I felt exhausted just listening to her. For a start she’s a martial arts expert – seriously – if I had a big crash mat and she had her other chair we would have back flips in these photos. I’m working on it happening! She’s a trail runner – apparently you just change the wheels to big fat grippy ones, stick a set of handlebars on the front and a thingy to transfer power to the wheels and off you go. The techy head part of me  loved learning all about having “diifferent legs”

"Quiet Luxury" make up style

So as you can tell Nicola probably isn’t the sort of  woman who wears a lot of makeup or even gets dressed up very often. When I sent her the style guide she admitted to me that she didn’t own a lot of dresses or fancy dress up clothes because she really has no need for them. “Bring what you have” I said. Her choices were perfectly her – a quirky sense of style that matches her mad life. Christine chose a ‘quiet luxury’ transformation for Nicola. This is a perfect makeup look for the woman who doesn’t wear a lot of makeup and would be overwhelmed with a big dramatic smokey eye and red lip combo. The make up is a subtle polish  to enhance the eyes, lips and cheeks

Are drummers better than pipers?

However the best conversation was whether drummers are better than pipers. Nicola and her friend Anna both play in a pipe band- one is a drummer the other a piper. It was heated debate with no conclusion. 

Now I said it was Nicola who had come for the makeover session however as Anna was there and Christine was there and during our conversations I found out Anna had a ballgown in the car and her violin – there was no way she was getting away unscathed. (She honestly thought she would get away with doing a spot of English paper piecing quilting in the corner -mwha haha) 

Christine worked her magic using the ‘quiet luxury’ look she’s sooooo good at, but then squeezed it up a notch to match in with the style of Anna’s dress. 

Luckily, I just happened to have the church window on the background stand. Anna loved and practically begged me to use it. I’m so glad I did. This is one of may favourite makeover portaits ever. I love it because it was impromptu, I love it because I trusted my gut instinct on how to light it. I love it because creating flattering portraits of curvy women is my big thing. 

I’m always intrigued by the people who come to the studio for makeovers. Most often like Nicola its because they want to celebrate losing some weight and so they feel good about themselves.

But I really want to change that. I want you to come for a makeover even if you’ve gained weight – in fact especially if you’ve gained weight whether its menopausally ( like me) or for other reasons. Makeover portraits aren’t just about getting some fantastic photos of you with a ton of makeup on. Our makeovers are about empowering you – I will always ask you how would you like to be seen. I will help you with what you want to wear and if you don’t have anything  – I’m working on a studio wardrobe of fantastic gowns. Our makeovers are about building your confidence and learning to appreciate you and how fabulous you are. 

it’s my mission to flood the internet with normal women looking awesome and loving who they are right now.