Beat back to work blues with fashion and beauty tips

Tag : Flannel Fabric

3. Tell people that you are back two days after your actual return.That way, you won't have to rush. It is the telephone andobligations that make people tense. In terms of your wardrobe,devour the new fashion supplements and break down the autumn/winterlook into four categories: colour (mustard, emerald, berry reds,black), shape (modern, minimal curves), hair (sleek) and make-up(dark lips). If you already have a good staple wardrobe, it willjust be a case of adding in extras. Try to do things differently.What have you not worn before? How can you wear that coat in a newway? Finding something fresh can make you the same carefree, happyperson you were on holiday.
Annabel Hodin, personal stylist (020-7431 8761)
4. Freshly polished skin is the best beauty pick-me-up. Face andbody scrubs will get rid of dead skin cells so that skin is freshlypolished and ready for moisturising. Don't worry, you won't loseyour tan. Book in for a pedicure, too, to get rid of any hard skinfrom walking in the sand. And this is the last chance to wearbrightly coloured nail polish before dark winter colours set in. Iuse Space NK Laughter body lotion after a holiday: it instantlybrings me back to the place it was created, the SpanishMediterranean.
Nicky Kinnaird, founder and president of Space NK
5. I defy anyone to deny the ability of hair to transform the wayyou look and feel. Simple but effective, I would always recommend apost-holiday cut - the quickest way to get hair back into conditionis to trim off all the dry, split ends that leave it looking dull.Once hair has been cut back into shape, it will look sleek andshiny without much extra effort.
If you love the sun-kissed highlights around your face and on thetips of your hair, take a photograph of it - that way, yourcolourist has a reference and can recreate the look later.
Diet plays a huge part in the health of our hair: to boostcondition, you need all the B vitamins, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA),fish oil, linseed oil and antioxidants including beta-carotene,vitamins C and E and the minerals selenium and zinc. And keep yourprotein levels high.
Charles Worthington, hairdresser
6. On holiday, I think we usually dress more in tune with who weare, therefore we tend to feel better about ourselves. With this inmind, an important step in prolonging that holiday feeling ischoosing pieces for your everyday wardrobe with which you have anemotional connection. These are usually the “favouritepieces” in your wardrobe - the ones you have had for ever andstill absolutely love because they really suit your body shape andexpress your personality. It's well worth investing in these kindsof pieces so the cut and fabric is gorgeous and will last. Thiswill totally lift your mood.
Maria Grachvogel, fashion designer
7. Rather sad, I know, but I set myself a little challenge to stayin a holiday mood... how long can I stay bare-legged before havingto give in to the inevitable black opaque tights? It is a sort ofpsychological cling-on to the last trace of summer.
There is something so nice about brown skin with grey flanneltrousers or a black lace dress. It makes you feel sort of Italian.If I play it well, and flights permit, I can combine a businesstrip with an extra hour or two of soaking up the sun, which cankeep the momentum. Once, I managed the bare brown leg look untilChristmas.
There must be many rather more important challenges that I couldset myself in this time of economic downturn and political strife.But hey ho. Brown legs do it for me.
Anya Hindmarch, accessories designer
8. If you're suffering from post-holiday blues at the inevitableloss of colour and radiance as you return to work, don't despair -self-tanners are a great and safe way to keep the body glowing, andhave the added benefit of making limbs look somehow longer and morelithe. Just be sure to exfoliate carefully before applying it, toensure that the colour goes on evenly.
If you really cannot bring yourself to leave your face off theself-tanning map, I suggest getting a good, deep pore-cleansingfacial before your next session, as well employing painstaking yetgentle exfoliation, followed by moisturising prior to application.You can always avoid the blackhead-boosting side-effects of DHA (akey ingredient in most non-stain self-tanners) by opting forbronzing powders and golden-toned foundations. These give awonderfully natural result.
If your skin is dry and peeling, a deluxe body-smoothing cream willreplenish and hydrate it. Covering your skin with a goodmoisturiser every morning will also prevent the TEWL(trans-epidermal water loss) that happens as skin gets older andthe intracellular lipid barrier weakens.
Ultimately, a positive attitude will serve you best - you may be inyour first week back at work, but you are also one week closer toyour next vacation.
Marcia Kilgore, founder of Soap & Glory and FitFlop
9. I don't like arriving home the night before I start work as I'mnot relaxed and can't rely on airlines, so I try to phase myself ingradually. In terms of how to boost your skin post-holiday, some ofthe work should have been done while you are away. Wear an adequatesunscreen and, if necessary, a hat. When you return, invest in agood recovery cream and a soap-free cleanser - Dermol 500 isbrilliant. If you are a smoker, make a resolution to stop again.People lapse on holiday, but smoking ages the skin, while excessdrinking can increase the number of spider veins.
Dr Nick Lowe, consultant dermatologist, www.drnicklowe.com
10. Treat your return to work like a new term at school. It is thestart of a new season and a great opportunity to refresh yourwardrobe and get some new looks for autumn. A sharp trouser suit(trousers are essential this season) is a must and there is a greatcharcoal one from our Autograph Essentials range. Wear it to theoffice with a crisp shirt, or a silk top for the evening. A newpair of shoes is another quick way to update your look. Failingthat, treat yourself to a new hairstyle or some new make-upcolours. These will give you a boost and help you to feel incontrol and full of ideas for the first day back at your desk.
Kate Bostock, executive director of clothing, Marks & Spencer