Police officer turned student Viv Sullivan felt 'a bit dowdy ...

"I watched a programme on fostering and Sean and I decided it wassomething we wanted to do," she explains. "Over the years, we'vefostered children who are scarred and damaged, orphans with mentalhealth issues, families, drug addicts and pre-adoption newborns.
It's been great for our own kids, because they've grown up with itand learnt compassion, patience and understanding of others'difficulties."
Apart from helping Viv with the fostering, Sean, also a retiredpolice officer, works part?time as a teaching assistant forchildren with special educational needs.
"When I decided I wanted to study for my degree, he was absolutelyfantastic," says Viv. "I couldn't have done any of it without him."
Ten years ago, they sold their home in London and moved toCornwall, to an eight-bedroom Victorian manse that could house allthe children. Being a busy mother has been at the core of Viv'sidentity for a long time, but the lifestyle switch from city tocountry, coupled with going back to school, made her realise justhow lazy she had become about clothes.
"When I was in the police I was in uniform much of the time, andoff-duty I just relied on T-shirts and jeans fromMarks&Spencer, Dorothy Perkins and Next. I make my own clothes,too, using fabrics I buy on holidays abroad, so I always hadsomething smart if we were going out.
When we moved, there was so much to do, shopping for clothes wasthe last thing on my mind. I need an update on how to dosmart-casual, clothes that I can wear for classes and a few smarterpieces for interviews."
When she graduates next May, Viv plans to do a Masters degree, andthen go into teaching full-time, so I bear this in mind whenrevamping her look.
Hair verdict
"Viv has naturally curly hair, which is quite dry and frizzy," saysPaul Edmonds. "I used Lisse Ultime shampoo and conditioner, as theysmooth unmanageable hair and relax the curl. The cut was quitedrastic, but it was necessary to transform the heavy, shapelesslook and create a more flattering frame for her face.
Long, blunted layers throughout reduce the frizz factor. I usedproducts that smooth the hair during blow-drying, and AlternaStraightening Balm to double the effect. A touch of Lissa Ultimereflexium provided finish and gloss to the blow-dried style."
Make-up verdict
"Viv wanted a natural, fresh day look," says Emma White-Turle, "soI used a light, moisturising foundation, concealer under her eyes,and a dusting of translucent powder.
To complement her warm skin tone, I swept Nars All About Eve 1shadow over her lids and on to the brow bone, defined the socketand the lower lash line in Blondie, then applied gel eyeliner, andmascara. Finally, I added a little bronzer to highlight hercheekbones, lined her lips in a nude shade and topped it off withMac lipstick in a natural colour with a slight sheen."
Hilary's verdict
"Dressing Viv was a lot of fun because she had few preconceptionsand was willing to experiment with a variety of different looks. Imade a series of separates the basis of her new wardrobe - a mix oftrousers, tops and jackets that she can mix and match and layer,and wear for college or for interviews.
I wanted the look to be casual, functional and fun without a hintof 'mutton'. I was also determined to slip in a couple of dresses,which Viv rarely wears, to vary the style diet.
"The printed silk smock from Jigsaw didn't fare well: it can be atricky look to pull off, and Viv felt that it didn't flatter her.But she gave it her best shot. The Noa Noa patchwork maxi, teamedwith the Marks&Spencer cardigan, was a great success.
It showed Viv how straying from her comfort zone could really payoff. She was also enamoured with the Hobbs trouser suit. It seemedto provide the perfect, relaxed solution for crouching down tochildren's level, to gain their confidence, while retaining aprofessional image."
Viv's verdict
"The whole day will stay with me forever. It was beautifullyorganised, and I felt like a princess. My favourite outfit was thestriped linen jacket and trousers from Hobbs. I also loved thetrouser suit by Rodika Zanian; it made me feel sassy and cheeky.The anorak was fun and practical.
"I wasn't sure about the short, red and white printed dress; itfelt a bit 'maternity' and I prefer things a little more fitted. Idon't generally wear dresses and I hadn't ever considered a maxi,but I liked the long 'prairie dress'.
It's a do-anything, multipurpose look, great for college, great forcovering up my legs and light to wear. And the cardigan goes witheverything. I came home on cloud nine; I really didn't need thetrain, I could have floated."