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• The Look
• The bold, the bad, and the beautifully bashful
• Heaven Scent
• Pouty Power
• Mistakes of Identity
• The Browning Desire

Do you ever feel the urge to have a complete overhaul or to reinvent yourself? I get this desire on a regular basis, particularly as the seasons change and even more so to punctuate life changes, with a change of job, relationship ons or offs, promotions, or even a simple case of the blahs. So far, I've resisted any irreversible transformations and at the risk of sounding like a commitment phobic, progressionally challenged, boring old fart, refuse to chop off my hair and refuse to make any drastic, appearance altering manoeuvres that 'whiff 'of permanence.

Come to think of it, I don't know anyone who's had their long hair cut off and dyed bright red, and is happier with the result for more than a fleeting moment. Of course I blame the supermodels for this kind of impetuous behaviour. Before Linda Evangelista started publicly displaying her "I'm still beautiful despite my butchered hair" versatility, we were content to get a few streaks and a trim every three months. I did dye my blonde tresses red once, and was pleased with the results for a few weeks. That is, luckily it was a rinse and only clung to the cuticles for a couple of months. By the time my original colour reappeared it was a welcome relief. A not so cautious friend, who possessed the most magnificent auburn mane, felt that she was in a life rut and subsequently opted for a shorter, shoulder length 'do'. This didn't do the trick, so a weekly transformation in hair lengths and colours ensued until one day, she turned up with the most horrifying one of all. I thought it was some kind of practical joke when she stood at my front door sporting a dramatic black bob which looked like a costume shop reject wig. Unable to conceal my gulping shock, I cried "get thee to the hair doctor"! Thankfully, the friendship survived and that tragic hairstyle is now just a humorous dinner party anecdote. Another girl I know decided to get her eyebrows tattooed. They turned out a dark blue, heavy, 'bride of Frankenstein' meets 1950's Liz Taylor shape. And to this day, she has never fully recovered. Mistakes like this I can live without, and that is why I thank the heavens for the magic of make-up. Rather than radically and permanently altering your appearance just because you feel a need for change, subtle or dramatic looks can be achieved through varying your make-up style. Instead of just enhancing certain features, make-up can be used as a personality 'morphing' accessory or to transform you into a wonderful piece of visual art. The true beauty with using make-up to define your moods is that you can have a different incarnation whenever your heart desires. So lets play 'dress ups' grown up style.

Creative Visual Sensations

• A good place to get inspiration is from your favourite celebrity and of course fashion magazines. This is a great guideline, as you have a visual image to work from.

• When you feel the change urge coming on, ask yourself, how do I want to feel, and what image best reflects my personality right now.

• Don't forget the whole package; clothes, hair and accessories complete a look.

• Take inspiration from your clothes and what you have available to wear. If I'm stuck when trying to get ready, often I need to decide what to wear first, and then the make-up style will come to me. Vice versa is also true. Sometimes, I can't get dressed until I have my entire face on and hair done. There are no rules with creativity, so you must follow your intuitions.

Making It All Up

Here are some of my favourite looks that will always be stylish and hip. The reason for their longevity is that they are visually pleasing and flattering on a lot of people. And they reflect certain playful and theatrical characteristics that are buried within, just waiting for the right occasion to unleash them, but then again, who needs excuses.

Sex Kitten (inspired by Bardot, Sophia Loren, and Jayne Mansfield)
This look suits all hair colours, and is best suited to long, tussled hair. Eyes are smudged with heavy black kohl flicked upwards at the outer corners of the eye. Dark matte eyeshadow on the lids and false eyelashes complete the look. The face is slightly tanned (bronzer), and a natural blush to the cheeks gives that healthy glow. Pouty lips are achieved by using a neutral lip liner outside the lip line and filling the lips in. Use a light caramel or pinkish brown gloss to enhance pout. Celebrity examples of this look are Pamela Anderson, Claudia Schiffer, Caprice, Liz Hurley and Heather Graham

The Rock Chick
Slightly unkempt, but oh so cool with messy hair in various slashes of colour. Smudged eyes, a pale face and red juicy lips are the key ingredients to this look. Combine with dark cat eye sunnies and you are sure to look like you're in a band. Inspirational rock chicks are Courtney Love, Debbie Harry ('80s version), Gwen Stefani and Christina Aguilera.

Dynasty Diva
This is high glam and high maintenance but great for that special occasion. The look is 'the higher the hair, the closer to heaven' (hot rollers and backcombing essential). Shimmering eyeshadow, black eyeliner, false eyelashes, and lots of carefully blended blush, glowing skin, and strong glossy lips. Inspirational divas are Cher, Lauren Holly, Britney Spears, Catherine Zeta Jones and Heather Locklear.

Silver Screen Siren
A very 'now' look for those big starry nights. This is 1930s inspired glamour. The hair is sleek and wavy (pin curled or rollers) usually with an ornate barrette or diamante clip in place. The eyebrows are arched and elongated to frame the eyes. Eye shadows in smoky greys and pale shimmering green/ silver, then lined with liquid eyeliner and maybe even a diamante on the outer corner. Individual false eyelashes placed along the outer corners of the eyelid. Skin is pale and luminous with a slight hint of pink blush to the apples of the cheeks. Lips are lush and moist in berry shades with gloss to give a pout. Modern day sirens include Charize Theron, Uma Thurman, Chloe Sevigny and Gretchen Mol.

Icy Princess
This look is characterised by impeccable grooming and taste. The hair is sleek and styled whether in an up-do or a tastefully coiffed longer style. And there is no excess with the make-up. The eyes are defined with greys or neutral and the lids contoured carefully with a darker shade to open eyes up. Highlights of ivory under the perfectly shaped brows finish off the eyes. Some soft pink blush and a neutral to strong shade of earthy matte lip colour complete the look. Coolly regal types are Gwyneth Paltrow, Clare Danes, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman

Spy Girl
A slightly updated version of the 'Mod'. Hair is teased and worn wild and wavy or pinned up into a retro beehive style. The eyes are dark and smouldering with black eyeliner and dusky brown shadow. The eyebrows are strong and defined into a high arch. The cheeks are glowing, but the face is rather pale and matte. A beauty spot placed strategically above the lip or on the cheekbone adds to this look. The lips are pale and glossy in neutral shades. Bondesque babes include Liz Hurley (yet again), the original Raquel Welch and Lara Flynn Boyle.

Nouveau Hippy Chic/Flower Child
A natural, fresh and playful look that can be casual or dressed up to match the occasion. The hair is loose, wavy and can be twisted into little knots or caught up with flowers or cute clips. Eyeshadows to try are baby blue and mauve shimmers, lots of mascara or false lashes to make the eyes appear huge and innocent. Add mascara to the bottom lashes as well. Define sockets with a grey or brown shadow and smudge underneath eyes as well. The aim is to make eyes appear large. The skin is translucent with shimmering pink on the cheeks. Lips are stained pink, (no liner) and glossy. Latter day hippy chicks are Drew Barrymore, Kate Hudson, Calista Flockhart and Liv Tyler. And there's more.here's some extra inspirational images. Urban Cowgirl, Geisha Girl, Rockabilly Babe, Girl Next Door, Saucy School Girl, Polished Professional, Fiery Latino, '50s Vamp, Gothic Priestess, Surfer Girl, Skater Chick and so on.

So there you have it, and if after all these temporary image changing ideas you still need to shave your eyebrows off, at least use a fresh razor, but that's another story.