WATCH NICKY'S CHALLENGE ON OUR EXCLUSIVE FABULOUS VIDEO: TURN A DIVORCEE INTO A DATING DIVA

AFTER going through a divorce last year, single mum Emily Marley has met a new man – and now she’s ready to rock!

But after three years of marriage followed by all the stresses of a relationship break-up, Emily has forgotten what it’s like to feel sexy.

“When I was married, I was so busy with work and the children that I didn’t spend as much time as I should have done focusing on my appearance,” says Emily, 34, from Crowborough, East Sussex.

“As a result, I feel bored and not very happy with the way I look.”

Emily wants to feel more attractive to boost her self-confidence after the split from her husband, but she’s so busy juggling two jobs and three children that she doesn’t get time to think about looking good.

“I work four days a week in a marketing agency, and as a beauty therapist in the evenings and at weekends,” she says.

“I’m up at 6am every morning to get the kids ready and drive them to school, and I don’t usually get to bed until well after midnight.

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"I’ve been living in jeans and shirts because they’re easy to wear, but now that I’m back on the dating scene, I need a glamorous look that doesn’t involve too much fussing in front of the mirror."

As stylist and 10 Years Younger presenter Nicky Hambleton-Jones explains: “Low maintenance needn’t mean low on style and glamour.

"Looking sexy can be simple – the key is to choose your best features and know how to flaunt them.”

Emily is a size 10, but after having three kids, feels self-conscious about her tummy.

So Nicky suggests a loose-fitting sequinned top, nipped in at the waist with a belt over high-waisted trousers and gorgeous heels.

“Layered with a belt, the top accentuates Emily’s hourglass figure, drawing attention to her slim waist and away from her stomach.

"The long slim-fitting trousers teamed with heels give a funky twist to the look and add inches to Emily’s legs, too,” says Nicky.

Emily absolutely loves the look. “I feel taller, slimmer, sexier and ready to go out feeling confident again,” she says.

For more tips read Top To Toe by Nicky Hambleton-Jones (Hodder & Stoughton, £16.99).

 

NICKY ON MAKE UP “To complement Emily’s new rock chick fringe, we applied silver eyeshadow and lashings of mascara. The rest of the look is neutral with just a light sweep of blush on the apples of the cheeks to warm up Emily’s complexion.”

NICKY ON HAIR “Emily’s fringe had grown out and her hair was also looking lank and shapeless. To update her style, we gave her a statement look with this season’s eyelash-skimming fringe. To give the hair more movement and shape, we’ve added layers and taken a little off the length, finishing with Mark Hill De-Frizz Texturizing Polish.”

NICKY ON CLOTHES “If you want to add glamour to plain black trousers or a pair of jeans but don’t have the time to mess around with accessories, a top with sequin detailing like this is perfect – especially cinched in at the waist with a belt. Add a pair of high heels and you have the perfect sexy date outfit.”

NICKY ON CONTOURS “High-waisted trousers are tummy-flattening worn under longer tops like this. Emily’s trousers give her a sleeker shape for that extra confidence. The bold top is another trick – you’re so busy looking at the sequins, you’re not thinking about what lies beneath!”

 

EMILY'S SHOPPING LIST

Top, £28, Dorothy Perkins
Jeans, £75, All Saints
Belt, £15, Miss Selfridge
Shoes, £149, Kate Kub

 

STOCKISTS

All Saints (0870 428 3500, www.allsaints.co.uk)
Dorothy Perkins (0845 121 4515, www.dorothyperkins.com)
Kate Kuba (020 7499 2626, www.katekuba.co.uk)
Miss Selfridge (0845 121 4517, www.missselfridge.com)

 

Words: Georgia Barlow. Photography: Lancton. Backstage Photography: Alicia Clarke. Hair: Mark Hill (www.markhill.com). Make-Up: Armand Beasley at www.armandinternationalltd.com assisted by Christiana Trigo for Clinique