Mary Doyle from Carrick-on-Shannon got in touch with us a few weeks back to nominate her younger sister Paula Gill for a makeover. Her reasons were simple but ones many people can relate to.
“Paula has her 40th birthday coming up in June and she’s typical of us all in that she has nothing to wear,” explained Mary. “She is married to a farmer and lives a very busy life with four children under 12. She feels that everything she has is old, so I thought a makeover would suit her down to the ground and would be something she’d love.”
What Mary wasn’t expecting was to be chosen to come along and be made over too. Paula was delighted when she heard that she wasn’t doing it alone. “It was a great surprise and I was even happier when I heard Mary was coming with me. It’s great to be doing it with my sister.”
Once the two women had adjusted to the shock and organised their work schedules – Mary is a special needs assistant in St Manchan’s school in Mohill, and Paula works for the Department of Social and Family Affairs – it was off to Athlone Town where we had a glam squad waiting to make over the ladies.
The first stop was Nell’s Closet, where they tried on looks for both the big party in June and a day at the races. Drawing on her years of experience, boutique owner Corrina was able to tell both women’s personal styles straight away. With help from her sister Deborah and mum Patsy, it really was a family affair on all fronts.
Look one took no time at all. Within minutes, Mary had chosen a stunning navy dress and Paula found a floral Aideen Bodkin frock that fitted her perfectly. The second look was with Paula’s upcoming hallmark birthday in mind. Both ladies went for bright numbers, with Paula in an emerald green and gold lace dress, and Mary in a baby blue look. As this is a night time look, Corrina paired some diamanté jewellery to pick up the brooches on each dress.
So, what’s the boutique owner’s advice when it comes to accessorising?
“Keep it simple,” says Corrina, “allow the dress to shine and don’t overdo it on the accessories. It’s more elegant that way.” All of the looks were finished with nude heels from Graces’ boutique.
After that, the sisters were whisked next door to Medussa Salon to have their hair and makeup done. Owner Roisin and her colleague Joe did an incredible job on the colour, cut and styles and the two sisters were delighted with their new tresses.
For makeup, Kelly from Eden Beauty created a beautiful look that covered a glam day at the races and took them through to night time. Eden Beauty is conveniently located above Medussa and the two premises have exciting plans to open a third-floor loft space to cater for groups of women who want to come in for days of pampering.
Once the glam squad were through, Mary and Paula made their way to the Radisson Blu Hotel for their photo shoot.
The sun must have known it was a big day for the ladies and kindly decided to burst free from the clouds for the duration of the shoot, which was done on the deck of the hotel, overlooking the banks of the river Shannon.
Overall, the result was fantastic. Both Mary and Paula agreed that they got something from the makeovers, with Paula finding lots of inspiration for her big birthday in June.
“I got great ideas for what to wear for it, as well as for make-up and hair. I tried on dresses today that I would never have tried out before. We’ve had a great day, it’s so great to be spoiled.” CL
With special thanks to:
• Nell’s Closet, 2 Northgate Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath | 090-6477656 | www.nellscloset.ie • Medussa Hair Studio, 2 Church Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath | 090-6479833 | www.medussa athlone.com • Eden Beauty, 2 Church Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath• Radisson Blu Hotel | Northgate Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath | 090-6442600 | www.radissonblu.ie/hotel-athlone • Graces’, 4 Mardyke Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath | 090-6478610 | www.gracesfashions.ieNight Out outfit
Mary (far left)
Dress Moncho Heredia | €179
Earrings €35
Bangle €50
Bag Olga Berg | €69
Shoes €50
Paula (green dress)
Dress Moncho Heredia | €210
Earrings €28
Bangle €59
Clutch Olga Berg €35
Shoes €50
Outfit for the races
Paula (floral dress)
Dress Aideen Bodkin | €275
Headpiece Failsworth | €75
Bangle €48
Earrings €43
Bag €75
Shoes €50
Mary (navy dress)
Dress Obi by Frockart | €225
Headpiece €95
Bag €48
Necklace €30
Bangle €28
Shoes €50
Mary Doyle from Carrick-on-Shannon got in touch with us a few weeks back to nominate her younger sister Paula Gill for a makeover. Her reasons were simple but ones many people can relate to.
“Paula has her 40th birthday coming up in June and she’s typical of us all in that she has nothing to wear,” explained Mary. “She is married to a farmer and lives a very busy life with four children under 12. She feels that everything she has is old, so I thought a makeover would suit her down to the ground and would be something she’d love.”
What Mary wasn’t expecting was to be chosen to come along and be made over too. Paula was delighted when she heard that she wasn’t doing it alone. “It was a great surprise and I was even happier when I heard Mary was coming with me. It’s great to be doing it with my sister.”
Once the two women had adjusted to the shock and organised their work schedules – Mary is a special needs assistant in St Manchan’s school in Mohill, and Paula works for the Department of Social and Family Affairs – it was off to Athlone Town where we had a glam squad waiting to make over the ladies.
The first stop was Nell’s Closet, where they tried on looks for both the big party in June and a day at the races. Drawing on her years of experience, boutique owner Corrina was able to tell both women’s personal styles straight away. With help from her sister Deborah and mum Patsy, it really was a family affair on all fronts.
Look one took no time at all. Within minutes, Mary had chosen a stunning navy dress and Paula found a floral Aideen Bodkin frock that fitted her perfectly. The second look was with Paula’s upcoming hallmark birthday in mind. Both ladies went for bright numbers, with Paula in an emerald green and gold lace dress, and Mary in a baby blue look. As this is a night time look, Corrina paired some diamanté jewellery to pick up the brooches on each dress.
So, what’s the boutique owner’s advice when it comes to accessorising?
“Keep it simple,” says Corrina, “allow the dress to shine and don’t overdo it on the accessories. It’s more elegant that way.” All of the looks were finished with nude heels from Graces’ boutique.
After that, the sisters were whisked next door to Medussa Salon to have their hair and makeup done. Owner Roisin and her colleague Joe did an incredible job on the colour, cut and styles and the two sisters were delighted with their new tresses.
For makeup, Kelly from Eden Beauty created a beautiful look that covered a glam day at the races and took them through to night time. Eden Beauty is conveniently located above Medussa and the two premises have exciting plans to open a third-floor loft space to cater for groups of women who want to come in for days of pampering.
Once the glam squad were through, Mary and Paula made their way to the Radisson Blu Hotel for their photo shoot.
The sun must have known it was a big day for the ladies and kindly decided to burst free from the clouds for the duration of the shoot, which was done on the deck of the hotel, overlooking the banks of the river Shannon.
Overall, the result was fantastic. Both Mary and Paula agreed that they got something from the makeovers, with Paula finding lots of inspiration for her big birthday in June.
“I got great ideas for what to wear for it, as well as for make-up and hair. I tried on dresses today that I would never have tried out before. We’ve had a great day, it’s so great to be spoiled.” CL
With special thanks to:
• Nell’s Closet, 2 Northgate Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath | 090-6477656 | www.nellscloset.ie • Medussa Hair Studio, 2 Church Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath | 090-6479833 | www.medussa athlone.com • Eden Beauty, 2 Church Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath• Radisson Blu Hotel | Northgate Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath | 090-6442600 | www.radissonblu.ie/hotel-athlone • Graces’, 4 Mardyke Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath | 090-6478610 | www.gracesfashions.ieNight Out outfit
Mary (far left)
Dress Moncho Heredia | €179
Earrings €35
Bangle €50
Bag Olga Berg | €69
Shoes €50
Paula (green dress)
Dress Moncho Heredia | €210
Earrings €28
Bangle €59
Clutch Olga Berg €35
Shoes €50
Outfit for the races
Paula (floral dress)
Dress Aideen Bodkin | €275
Headpiece Failsworth | €75
Bangle €48
Earrings €43
Bag €75
Shoes €50
Mary (navy dress)
Dress Obi by Frockart | €225
Headpiece €95
Bag €48
Necklace €30
Bangle €28
Shoes €50
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