STYLE QUEEN

– Nicky Hambleton-Jones

WORDS: Liv Morgan

The name Nicky Hambleton-Jones may strike fear into the wardrobes of many and leave women running for their strongest anti-ageing cream. For five years, Nicky presented '10 Years Younger', the UK's leading makeover show that promoted rather than shunned the use of plastic surgery. It invited much criticism. Women of all ages watched with mixed fascination, awe and disdain as Nicky straight-talked women from ducklings to swans.

At times the show was cringeworthy and Nicky achieved a reputation of being somewhat incompassionate to the plight of those less fortunate in the 'looks' department. However, three years on, that particular presenting role behind her, Nicky's harsh media persona has dissolved. Relaxed, warm and friendly when speaking to WMB it's apparent this lady has eased into her own skin yet is still as strong and opinionated as ever.

"10 Years Younger was very focused on plastic surgery and these days surgery is taking a back seat and there's so much more you can do that doesn't actually require the knife. As we get older we do feel more vulnerable and feel the pressure around us from those younger in a work environment. If something is bugging you there are solutions out there and I don't think that's a bad thing. A lot of it is to do with confidence... It's not enough to work just on the external but at the same time the external works together with the internal."

Being quite the career chameleon, Nicky lists qualified dietician, TV presenter, writer, celebrity stylist and Avon’s Skincare Expert under her achievements. “It took me a long
time to find my stride. I started off as a dietician and then I went to the city to business school and I never really connected with what I was doing. But since I’ve had my styling business (10 years) I’ve stuck with that and added on to it. I'm enjoying what I'm doing. I'm settled."

Read more about Nicky Hambleton-Jones in in the Spring 2011 issue of WMB, on newsstands now!