Landscape photographer Sheila Blake has undertaken some big adventures in her life, not the least of which was immigrating to Canada from the UK as a newlywed in 1966.
The marriage may not have lasted, but Sheila’s taste for adventure remained intact. In the early ’90s, after the son she had raised alone left the nest, Sheila headed back to the UK to manage her uncle’s market garden business in Devon, while he went to Malawi to teach the locals how to construct lime kilns. An enjoyable and challenging year followed, during which she began studying photography.
Sheila became a member of the Royal Photographic Society, and several sorties over the wilds of Dartmoor resulted in a portfolio later exhibited in various galleries in Devon.
On her return to Canada in 1992, during a “welcome home” lunch with some Vancouver girlfriends, one of them casually asked if Sheila would like to join her in sailing across the Atlantic.
“Frankly, I thought I’d either misheard or she’d had one glass too many,” says Sheila. “But, no. She was serious!”
Her friend was about to leave on the Darwin Sound, a 70’ ketch, as part of a 10-person paying crew to sail from St. Augustine, Florida to Portugal.
“When I’d finally recovered my senses, I leapt at the opportunity. What an experience!”
Now living on the Sunshine Coast, Sheila enjoys kayaking, playing golf (“badly”) and occasionally sailing. With a large family still residing in the UK, she has recently purchased a static mobile home close to the Sussex Coast where she grew up. When she visits, she is able to entertain friends and family in her own home away from home.
Sheila was drawn to the INSPIRED Makeover after struggling to style her once-manageable hair. Challenges applying makeup to her changing skin and thinning brows and lashes, after a serious fight with breast cancer, was the tipping point.
“The makeover experience was fun and the people I met delightful,” she says. “Hana gave me a marvellous, layered haircut (and colour), which is much easier to manage.”
Sheila says she gained more than a fresh, updated look.
“I realized that ‘old’ has nothing to do with numbers and everything to do with one’s state of mind,” she says. “I have a 90-year-old aunt who could be taken for a very attractive 65, dancing at her recent birthday party with one of the young band members. I would definitely recommend the makeover experience to any friends who were offered the opportunity.”
WHAT THE STYLIST DID:
HAIR: Using the Shades EQ Gloss by Redken, I brought Sheila’s hair colour to a rich chestnut. I then updated her highlights with a more modern balayage technique using Redken lighteners. I toned her highlights with Redken’s Shades EQ Gloss in a mix of beautiful papaya and vanilla creme tones. I chose Shades EQ because it’s “the colour that thinks it’s a conditioner,” leaving the hair beautifully shiny. It isn’t a high-commitment colour and it’s not going to drastically change Sheila’s colour, so she’s won’t have to deal with roots every four weeks.
For her cut, I decided on a textured bob with a nicely textured fringe. The textured bob is a classy yet fun and free hairstyle. She can wear it smooth when she wants a polished, sophisticated look or add curls and movement when she’s feeling more free-spirited.
MAKEUP: For makeup, I always like to start with a base of primer to fill any fine lines or pores. I added a little dark contouring on the hollows of Sheila’s cheeks, on the sides of her nose and the side of her jaw. Then I went with a cream blush. For her eye makeup, I used a slightly smoky eye shadow to bring out the colour of her eyes and finished with mascara. Sheila’s lipstick is natural and fresh. The overall look is updated and uncomplicated.
Special thanks to the entire INSPIRED Makeover team:
Hair Stylist: Hana Akai of Akai Hair Design, 2559 Quadra St.
Call Hana for details about hair and makeup 250-383-3227.
Visit online at www.akaihairdesign.com.
Hana is an educator for Redken; all the hair products were sponsored by Redken 5th Ave.
Makeup provided by London Drugs, Yates Street, Victoria.
Sheila’s clothing was provided by Blue Sky Clothing Co.
Facial and nails: Shimmer Body & Nail Spa.
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