"A strong positive self image is the best preparation for success." - Joyce Brothers, American psychologist

When I tell people that I am an image consultant, I can almost mind-read their response. Inevitably, they are thinking "She must be a bit vain". Well guess what, I'm not vain but I do care about how I look and how I appear to others.

Vanity is defined as "the excessive belief in one's own abilities or attractiveness to others". Image, on the other hand, is defined as "the personal facade that one presents to the world". So we can safely assume that image and vanity is not the same thing.

Vanity is when you believe you are better than you are. Image is actually how other people see you and it includes a variety of factors, amongst them what you wear; personal grooming; tone of voice; the vocabulary that you use; and your facial expressions.

Given that we have just 15 seconds to make an impact on someone when we meet them for the first time, we had better believe that image matters and that caring about our personal image is actually sound business sense. People make assumptions about us based on limited information.

We can be assessed on a single physical characteristic because our appearance is seen to reflect who we are, what we are and what is important to us. So forget about vanity and use your personal image to make a positive, powerful impact on others.

I have just published my first book called Change Your Image, Revamp Your Life.

What is a Personal Brand?

1. WHY (Why are you doing what you are doing and what is the purpose)?
2. WHAT (What are you going to offer and what are you going to do achieve your goal)?
3. WHO (Who are you going to do it with)?
4. WHEN (When is your deadline - when are you going to establish and market your Personal Brand)?
5. HOW (How are you going to promote your Personal Brand so that others recognise you as the OBVIOUS EXPERT)?

DO YOU KNOW WHICH COLOURS SUIT YOU BEST? DO THIS FUN QUIZ AND FIND OUT!

Colour is one of the best weapons in our armoury of beauty aids! To make the most of our looks, it's important to know which colours best suit our skin tone, hair and eye colouring. Although only a personalised colour consultation can confirm for sure which colours are right for you, we all fall into a colour season and there are some guidelines that we can follow to immediately enhance our personal appearance. Take this quick and fun quiz to find out if you are likely to be Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter:

1. Is your natural hair colour?

a) Strawberry blonde/light brown

b) Ash blonde/mid brown/ cool grey

c) Red/auburn/salt and pepper grey

d) Dark blonde/dark brown/silver grey

2. Which describes you best?

a) Friendly, open and bubbly

b) Reserved, considerate and gentle

c) Analytical, earthy, rebellious

d) Direct, creative, powerful

3. Which house appeals to you most?

a) Light and airy house with large open kitchen

b) Elegant house with understated decor

c) Cosy period house with rustic charm

d) Contemporary, spacious house in a fashionable city

4) Which gems suit you best?

a) Aquarmarine and light emeralds

b) Amethyst and pearls

c) Amber and topaz

d) Diamonds and rubies

5) How does your voice come across to other people?

a) Friendly with a tinkling of laughter

b) Softly spoken with strength behind the reserve

c) Husky and inquisitve with attention to detail

d) Direct and to the point

So which season are you likely to be?

• If you answered mostly A, it's likely that you are Spring. You will suit the fresh, crisp colours of nature such as bright green, rich orange, buttercup yellow, light peach and dark golden brown
• If you answered mostly B, it's likely that you are Summer. You will suit softer, muted, cool shades such as soft pink, rose brown, icy blue, soft lilac and true grey
• If you answered mostly C, it's likely that you are Autumn. Your colours have a warm, rich, golden undertone and include dark coral, pumpkin, moss green, orange and rust
• If you answered mostly D, it's likely that you are Winter. You will sparkle in vivid, primary colours and those with strong contrasts such as bright pink, blue grey, black, royal blue and royal purple

HAVE A FACELIFT IN JUST 10 MINUTES WITH NU SKIN TECHNOLOGY

New You Image Consulting is now offering clients skin care treatments using the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa. The results of these treatments are amazing! Within just 10 minutes, skin is visibly tightened, firmed and lifted resulting in refreshed and energised skin, and a more youthful complexion.

Using a small, hand-held Galvanic Spa Instrument combined with specially formulated treatment gels, the skin is gently massaged to focus cellular energy and enhance circulation.