Jordan’s guide to getting ‘cover’ ready
Local Women columnist Jordan Arnold gives us her top tips on how to transform your look from drab to fab.
What a lovely surprise I had at the end of April when I received a message saying I was going to be one of the cover girls for this month’s issue of the magazine. Yes, I’m there! Go back and have a look. Can you spot me? Good!
Whilst the shoot was tremendous fun and the photos, shot by the wonderful Khara Pringle, turned out absolutely beautiful, I can assure you that the reality of the getting-ready process was anything but glamorous.
Unfortunately, the photoshoot with the other lovely ladies took place on the evening of a particularly busy day for me, so I stole moments, where I could, amid work and frantically rushing around, to try and transform myself from a tired and pale little gremlin to something slightly more presentable.
These things happen. Sometimes we have the luxury of getting ready with plenty of time and nothing to worry about apart from keeping our prosecco glasses topped up. Other times, such as this occasion, getting ready needs to be bashed out ultra-efficiently. So, here’s the plan of action and a cheat sheet, if you will, for those instances where you need to quickly transform from drab to fab with fairly little time:
1. Preparation is key
The night before, I made sure my hair was washed, legs were shaved, toenails were painted, skincare was done and, crucially, all my stuff was ready to rock. In my case, this meant packing, well, a literal case. I started work at 5.30am and wasn’t home in the 12 hours from then till the shoot so I brought everything I needed with me – checking and double checking the packing list. Whether you’re also packing a bag to get ready on the go or it’s a case of having stuff laid out on your dresser, have everything you need prepped the night before. Outfit, underwear, jewellery, makeup, hairspray…don’t leave anything to the last minute, because we all know it’ll be the one time you can’t find a certain item.
2. Don’t give yourself extra options
Leading on from the above, be brutally fussy in your night-before prep. Decide upon everything and commit – right down to what shade of lipstick you’re wearing. Don’t overcomplicate anything in the quick-getting-ready process by having unnecessary decisions to make. Time is money, people! Or, in this instance, time is minimising our stress levels. Invaluable.
3. Get yourself some tan-in-a-can
If you haven’t yet discovered body makeup, you have been doing yourself such a disservice because, OMG, there is nothing handier and nothing that will drastically change how you look and feel more immediately. And it’s idiot-proof (says me, a tanning idiot). No streaks, no waiting 8 hours to shower it off and as well as adding a gorgeous colour, it also blurs and smoothes the appearance of skin. Like a filter, but in real life. Lots of brands have their own versions of this product and it’s one thing I totally swear by when I need a quick pick-me-up.
4. Perfect your go-to styles
When it comes to hair and makeup, only putting in the time and practice will aid you in getting a fast and effective routine down pat. What works for me may not work for you, but one thing I highly recommend to fellow long-haired ladies who love a bouncy blowdry look, is to buy a heatless roller. I don’t know what I was doing with my life before I purchased this godsend of a product, it has been a total game-changer. It was cheap (like, a few pounds), you can put it in your hair in 5 minutes then leave it and get on with your day. Then when you take it out – voila!- effortless, bombshell hair. Whether big bouncy locks are your jam, or not, having your own personal go-to hairdo and makeup look that you can bash out with minimal effort and max impact will make your glow-up transition so much speedier.
5. Comfort and confidence are key
There’s no point going through all this prepping, planning and preening if 5 minutes post-transformation you’re going to be picking at uncomfortable knickers or nursing sore feet in heels you can’t walk in. It’s 2025, ladies. Whilst we want to look good, we’re not doing it at the expense of our physical or mental wellbeing! Choose clothing, footwear, makeup and hairstyles that make you feel the most ‘you’. Then, dawn the number one accessory any covergirl needs – a confident, genuine smile. That, and a well-earned cocktail.
*also applicable to birthday girls, party girls, girls being their finest on first dates & et al.
