No woman could fault the commitment to flawless-looking hair and makeup from upbeat stylist and personal shopper Stacey Beatson during ISO. Editor Trudi Brewer shares her fashion inspiration, lockdown workout, shop-ercise and why she stopped eating during lockdown.
For so many ISO was a great time to relax and unwind. Not for stylist Stacey Beatson - she was busier than ever, posting fashion and beauty inspo, on the daily. Here’s what life is like now she is back to her regular day job shopping up a storm.
How did your job change in lockdown?
Before lockdown, I was struggling to find appointments for my clients and fully booked until July, and within a matter of a few days, my diary was empty. What looked like an incredible season, with some fantastic fashion coming into stores, ended abruptly. However, my clients adapted quickly to online wardrobe editing, and also online shopping, so I was able to work most days online. It took a few weeks to get into the swing of it, and embrace technology. My hands were itching some days as clients tried on looks, and I was unable to tuck or tweak it here and there. I could only watch from a distance and give instructions. It felt like they were doing all the work as they edited, styled, photographed, and then reorganised their closets.
“Maybe, this pandemic has seen a sea change in the fashion industry. New talent and innovative brands will shine with the shift in traditional media -difficult times give people a moment to shine a little brighter.”
A snapshot of Beatson accessory collection
What have you learned from being in ISO or your bubble?
My career is perfect for me, I am out and about each day, and immersed in fashion. I used to think I would be thrilled living life as a hermit – but I don't believe that anymore. I missed the people contact, the fashion and beauty retail, and my café lifestyle. Maybe, this pandemic has seen a sea change in the fashion industry. New talent and innovative brands will shine with the shift in traditional media -difficult times give people a moment to shine a little brighter, also I have seen an influx of young stylists creating some amazing content on social media, which makes me smile – it's their time to shine.
What have been your beauty go-to's during the lockdown?
I ran an Instagram style, and beauty boot camp throughout April, encouraging people to evolve their style and to take some time throughout lockdown to think about their wardrobes. Designed to keep the fashion love flowing, and for me to highlight the fashion brands that I love and hopefully help them get some traction and sales post lockdown. I have had some incredible feedback on the boot camp, the highlight for me, was the shop-ercise videos – I think people enjoyed the light entertainment.
“I should have been born a princess, I am so used to being served my meals and coffee, so when I had to cook, I didn’t – so I didn’t eat for a while. But then I got sick and felt rundown, so I made an effort with cooking and self-care.”
We too enjoyed Beatson’s shop-ercise videos, check them out below
What are you looking forward to most now life is getting back to a new normal?
Change is good. Even though I have felt challenged in many ways, it hasn't hurt me. I have learned a few things about myself and so many other women, we're incredibly adaptable creatures. So many people have made sacrifices and have gone through tough times during the isolation period that I can only be grateful and count my blessings that I have come through this time well. There have been tears, there have been moments of extreme feelings of loneliness, and I know through doing boot camp many women in New Zealand live alone and were facing similar feelings. There are opportunities, and some great ones if we look for them and are open to them.
We were impressed with your attention to detail, great hair and makeup each, what were you beauty go-to's in lockdown?
Most mornings and enjoyed my usual beauty routine. I ran out of lots of things, including my Dermalogica Cleansing Gel and Elta MD Broad Spectrum Sunscreen. I did improvise with other cleansers (including using soap and a body sunscreen – applied to my face), my face felt like I need a peel. I have used my Tatcha The Rice Polish Gentle Foaming Enzyme Powder, which I use regularly, and I was down to my last little drop of L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation. So I was thrilled I could restock my beauty buys, including MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Powder, which was also on its last legs. Before lockdown, I stocked up on Elle Effect Tan, and Anastasia Liquid Liner – talk about priorities. I think I was one of the few people who didn't go to the supermarket to buy food – I stocked up on self-tan and makeup.
Some of Beatson’s go-to beauty buys
Tatcha The Rice Polish Gentle Foaming Enzyme Powder, $115. Elta MD Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, $78. L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation, $35. Anastasia Liquid Liner, $38.
What are you enjoying most about lockdown level 2?
Eating out with my friends – this is one of the things that I have missed the most. My hair appointment at Biba, and getting my ladies bits waxed at OFF & ON (my legs were disgraceful in ISO). I missed cafes, the takeaway coffee, the restaurants, with my friends over a glass of champagne. I should have been born a princess, I am so used to being served my meals and coffee, so when I had to cook, I didn't – so I didn't eat for a while. But then I got sick and felt rundown, so I made an effort with cooking and self-care. With regards to returning to work – I believe it will take some time for the industry to settle into a new normal. This next month looks a lot like Christmas with bookings. However, it will mean digging deep; it will mean providing impeccable service and also offering alternative options to what we have done in the past. It will mean that we have to be even more innovative and we as New Zealanders are great at that.