Glamablog by Anna Christie - Sydney, Australia

For glamorous thinking women, aged 20 to 100.

Sunday 28 October 2012

When glamour is just not possible

From time to time, fashion editors decide that a photo shoot in the desert, or some other harsh forbidding place, is  a great way to show off some glamorous new clothes or looks.

They parachute a photo crew, make up artists, wardrobe assistants, stylists and a collection of amazing garments, together with some cool-as-a-cucumber models, into a completely unlikely location - usually with very striking effect.

Let me tell you now, however, that glamour in the desert is a very hard thing to achieve. I know this, because despite my dedication to glamour, the past weeks I found it impossible.

I have just driven thousands of kilometres  across the Australian continent, with temperatures of 39-41 degrees nearly every day. Heat, dust, bush fires, blazing sun ... all of these conspire against good grooming.

In conditions such as these, nail polish is about the only grooming aid that stays the distance. Any form of makeup slides immediately off the skin as you perspire. Strands of hair pick up sweat, sun block and dust. The hair becomes matted and unkempt.

One's wardrobe is restricted, by the need to limit the number of clothes, and also because practical clothes are needed.

The solution?

Come up with a "look" that is hardy and practical, but has some individuality or style.