When it comes to the fabulous, fast-moving world of fashion and beauty, staying in style means staying in touch. And now Alesha Dixon, former face of chart-topping girl group Mis-Teeq and star of TV’s Strictly Come Dancing, is on hand to help you do just that. Dazzling dancefloor diva Alesha is going online. Her mission? To take the mystique out of staying chic for smart girls who want all the essential, up-to-the-minute tips and goss on star style secrets.

The gorgeous Alesha is getting ready to answer your questions in a live webchat and talk about the Sure Girl Style Exchange a platform for smart girls to swap tips on what’s hot and what’s not. In a glittering career that’s taken her all over the world, she’s hung out with some of the planet’s most sensational celebs. If anyone’s qualified to deliver the real, exclusive inside info on how they stay so glam and gorgeous it’s Alesha. So get online, check out her chat and keep on top of the trends that really count.

For more information visit www.bebo.com/whatmakesyousweat

H: Katy Pullinger, Host

A: Alesha Dixon

 

H: Hello and welcome to the Lifestyle Show, I’m Katy Pullinger.  Now when it comes to the fabulous, fast-moving world of fashion and beauty, staying in style means staying in touch. So I’m delighted to be joined by former face of chart-topping girl group Mis-Teeq and star of TV’s Strictly Come Dancing, guys Alesha Dixon is in the house, welcome Alesha, thank you so much for joining us today

A: Pleasure

H: Now when they told me that we were going to be talking about fashion, gossip, make-up, I thought well that’s going to be a tough day at the office!  It’s only what we always do, sitting on the sofa at home having a gossip.  So you know, what do you think about fashion at the moment, what do you feel is the hot trends going on right now?

A: Hot trends, wow.  I know that the hot colour right now seems to be yellow

H: There’s a lot of it about isn’t there?

A: Yes

H: Colours in general are really bright for summer

A: I think so yes, bright colours and not being scared to wear bold colours I think is really important as well. And if we don’t get the sunshine we can make up for it with our clothes you see

H: Exactly and the whole kind of neon thing that you’re demonstrating rather well today, which you know

A: I’m very pink!

H: Which you know is everywhere as well, neon, you know because it’s bright and I think it goes a lot with the festivals as well doesn’t it?

A: Yes – I bought a pair of neon pink shoes about three years ago which I’ve not been able to wear because every time I get them out of my cupboard I’m like on my God they’re so bright, but for the fact that as you say neon’s coming back

H: Yes

A: Hopefully they’ll get some use

H: So what are your kind of general fashion habits?  Do you like shopping for a start?

A: It depends

H: Yes

A: I do like shopping, but sometimes it can be quite stressful and hectic

H: Yes

A: So I like to sort of make sure I’ve got a day free, I can take my time.  But I’ve just discovered shopping online

H: It’s brilliant isn’t it?

A: I really -

H: You don’t have to go anywhere

A: I really wish I hadn’t discovered it!  It’s dangerous

H: Do you know what I love about online shopping?  When it actually arrives you feel like somebody sent you a present!

A: Yes

H: That’s really sad!

A: And it comes so nicely presented and so efficient – I’m very impressed with that.  But no I like going shopping with my mum, or my girlfriends sometimes.  I think you can make a day out and have some lunch

H: Yes, do the lunch thing, yes

A: Yes I love that, but I think it is physically quite stressful but actually if you look at it -

H: It’s a sport!

A: Yes if you look at it like exercise, you’re killing two birds with one stone

H: And when you find your bargain, you know it feels like you’ve won the lottery ticket

A: Absolutely

H: But what I love as well is girls, if we find a bargain and you’re wearing it out and you’ve got an amazing dress or something and someone says oh that’s great, you can’t help but go “it cost me a tenner, found it in the sales”

A: I know!

H: We should just take the compliment and go “I know”

A: But I think it’s really nice that you can prove that you can still look really great on a small budget

H: Yes

A: I think that’s really important because I think so many girls feel a pressure to have to wear the designer clothes

H: Yes

A: I very rarely buy designer clothes. Very, very, very rarely. I much prefer high street

H: Yes

A: And I think there was a program on quite recently that demonstrated designer versus high street, and the audience picked the high street not knowing that it was high street

H: Oh yes, they do that in the magazines quite a lot

A: Yes

H: Asprey versus -

A: Yes and I think that’s really, really great, it just takes the pressure off everybody and I think you know all credit to the high street shops as well

H: Yes exactly

A: Yes

H: They’re doing it for us on a budget.  Now we’ve actually had loads of questions coming in for you today as well

A: Cool

H: So we are going to be hitting those in a moment, just tell me about your make-up tips, because you have the most beautiful skin and I don’t know if you can see that yourselves out there -

A: Oh God!

H: But it’s very smooth and beautiful

A: Oh thanks

H: What do you do for that?

A: Well normally I have a good make-up artist!  I don’t feel like I can do my make-up very well, but I try, and over the years of working with make-up artists I try to pick up tips but for me in terms of routine, the only thing I always do is cream.  Like I always cream my skin in the morning, and before I go to bed, I always take my make-up off.  I don’t really do the whole toning rituals and all that kind of stuff.  I do wear an eye cream, but just a really good moisturiser and again it doesn’t have to be something overly expensive, it could just be good old moisturiser that you can just keep your skin, you know hydrated and I think lots of water as well, lots and lots and lots of water

H: Everyone always says that don’t they? Always water

A: It’s the most important thing.  The thing with me, it’s like when people ask me for fashion and beauty tips, I always seem to go back to the basics, and I think there’s no better fashion and beauty tip than sleep, water, and exercise in moderation.  And eating in moderation, I think that’s the best thing you can do for that inner glow, and that would hopefully 

H: Come through your skin?

A: Come through your skin

H: Exactly, it comes from within. Now we’ve actually got our first question – it’s from Holland!  We’re so international!

A: Holland, wicked

H: Yes indeed.  “Greetings from Holland.  My question to you” – this is from Hannah by the way

A: Hello Hannah

H: “My question to you is do you have a tip for dark brown skin for foundation and colour – and a colour of the summer outfit?  Thank you and ban dac” is what she says in Dutch.  I don’t think I’ve pronounced that properly

A: A tip for make-up for dark skin did she say?

H: Yes she wants – she’s basically saying a tip for dark skin, the foundation I think is what she’s talking about here, and will you be coming to Holland any time soon?

A: Oh I hope so because obviously my album’s coming out in November

H: Brilliant

A: And hopefully the beginning of the year that will take me on a European tour

H: Excellent

A: So yes, I love Holland, it’s a great country.  So hi Hannah!  Dark skin tips -

H: Foundation was her main question

A:  Am I allowed to say make-up specific products then?

H: I guess you are, say whatever you use

A: Because I think Mac do the best range for dark skin

H: Right

A: Really really fantastic, and I think dark skin – don’t try and hide that, like don’t try and wear a lighter foundation, like try and find a foundation that matches your skin, is really really important

H:Yes and I think get the lady in the shop to help you as well

A: Yes try and match it to your neckline as well

H: Yes and you try and do it yourself, you kind of put it on the back of your hand, doing this, and then you come out and see yourself in daylight

A: Yes

H: And you’ve 3 different shades all over your face

A: Yes

H: Make sure that you get the right one

A: Yes and I think sometimes that’s the thing, it’s like people get a colour for their face because they think it’s making them look browner or maybe dark girls would want to look slightly lighter but it’s not matching their neck, so I think it’s really really important that it matches your body but the Mac range is the best I think

H: It is lovely stuff isn’t it, I’m a fan too

A: Yes

H: Question from Claire – she wants to know tips for making your eyes look bigger – do you do anything specific to make them pop?

A: You can make your eyes pop by using an eyeliner in the inside of your eye

H: Ok

A: It’s kind of a little bit – it can be a bit tricky at first, but if you kind of lift – I can’t believe I’m doing this – I’m not even a make-up artist, but I know this trick!  If you life up the eyelid there’s like a eyeline that you can do just under there

H: Right

A: Inside, so rather doing the eyeliner just under there, do it all round and it makes your eyes stand out

H: Is that a particular – do you use the white eyeliner to make it -

A: Not the white one, a black

H: Oh ok

A: Or a brown one on the inside

H: Ok, and it makes them look quite smoky and sexy as well doesn’t it?

A: Yes, I think anything dark on your eyes will always make your eyes stand out more

H: Yes, and definition -

A: And lots of brussel sprouts!

H: I’m sorry what?!

A: Right

H: Lots of Brussels sprouts, right ok

A: I did an experiment once, I did an experiment once and it actually worked, for about two weeks solidly I juiced every day, and I juiced vegetables and I was drinking – I started off with the normal things like carrot, beetroot and apple and ginger

H: The nicer flavours

A: Which is quite a nice flavour, but by the end of the week I was thinking mmm I’m bored of that now, let’s try juicing some brussel sprouts, so we bought brussel sprouts and kale leaves – always mixing it with apple to keep that sweetness

H: Yes ok

A: Celery, cucumber, and I can honestly say when I looked in the mirror, the whites in my eye got whiter

H: White and vibrant

A: They really did, I mean it’s really difficult to maintain it so if you can take a vitamin or try and eat some vegetables every now and then, it does help, honestly

H: And do you know – I’m not a – I find it really difficult to get all the veg in

A: That’s the thing

H: And I now have a juicer

A: It is difficult

H: And it does make you feel brilliant after a juice

A: That’s the thing, I find it really difficult to make sure I’ve got the time to go and buy all the vegetables and all that kind of stuff, but you know just make sure your mum puts some vegetables on your plate and it will make a difference

H: Do you know what that does actually bring in Rupal’s question very nicely, she says “hi Alesha, how do you stay so slim and beautiful?  Can you talk me through a typical eating day for you including the additives.  Thanks.  And what advice can you give me for cellulite because dieting doesn’t work?”

A: Oh God.  Well a typical eating day for me – how long have you got? Because -

H:  Do you vary every day?

A: Yes, I genuine – I am a big eater, I love food, it’s one of my passions, and I’ve never been on a diet because I believe you should be able to eat anything you want in moderation.  I like savoury foods, so I’m more of a savoury girl, but a typical eating day for me would probably be a bowl of cereal in the morning

H: Yes

A: A nice sandwich at lunch or a big salad, and then followed by I don’t know – anything in the evening, could be anything from meat to pasta to –I always eat hearty meals, I never miss meals, I alwayshave breakfast

H: Well that’s the, you know you say that if you skip your breakfast you’re not helping your metabolism

A: No you’re not

H: If you’re having breakfast you’re getting your body going for the day,
A: Yes

H: And you know -

A: Yes there’s this – I think some girls think if they don’t eat then actually they’re going to be losing weight, but actually that’s not the way to do it

H: When all the happens is the next time you have a meal your body stores it

A: Yes, you’ve – it’s really really important to eat first thing in the day.  You’re supposed to eat like a king in the morning, eat like a queen at lunch and eat like a prince in the evening.  Supposedly.  And as for the cellulite thing, well I have it, I exercise, and I still have it, it’s not a problem for me

H: Yes

A: But what – when I notice in myself when it looks less is when obviously I’m exercising more – normally running be3cause running’s one of the best things, and also believe it or not, you know the salt scrubs that you use on your body?

H: Yes

A: If you do that on your thighs it just keeps it stimulated

H: Yes

A: And it does help, it smoothes it

H: Keeps the circulation which helps break it down as well doesn’t it?

A: Yes I mean I don’t know how, you know you get all these creams at the moment that are saying you know it gets rid of your cellulite, I don’t know, I’m not going to sit here and say they work because I’ve never tried them but all I know is running, lots of water and salt scrubs.  And not to worry about it if you have got a bit of cellulite because the majority of women in the country have it and it’s not a bad thing, it really isn’t

H: Yes exactly and you know it means you’re healthy as well

A: Yes

H: You’ve got to have a certain amount of body fat, you know ladies we’ve got to remember that

A: That’s the thing, I’ve always been honest about it, I’ve always said you know I’ve got cellulite and I exercise and I look after myself, it’s not a problem, but there are things you can do to make it not as visible

H: Exactly, exactly.  I’ve got a question here from Elizabeth Procter, she says “I get really hot in the summer and am beginning to buy 100% cotton clothes, as opposed to synthetic materials.  How do you manage to keep fresh and dry when so active?”

A: Oh God.  Oh well it’s dependent on the deodorants that you use I suppose and I do use Sure Girl, I use Sure Woman

H: Yes

A: And it helps, and I think always wearing vest tops, letting your arm pits breathe – yes and just, I think that’s it for me really, just a good deodorant and a top that enables me some space!

H: Let your skin breathe

A: Yes

H: Because I mean you still do a lot of dancing now don’t you?

A: I do I’m off to dancing when I leave here, hence the strange clothing

H: You’re in your gear ready to go straight into the dance studio

A: And I do, I left this morning and I packed my bag, I put my little Sure Girl deodorant in

H: Yes

A: Bit of perfume, and you know a pair of socks for my trainers because I’m dancing and I don’t want to you know – and that’s it really, and I’m good to go

H: You’re good to go and handy now the little Sure ones, they’re handy to go in your bag

A: Fantastic because all my friends – today strangely enough I’ve got quite a large bag with me but if my friends see me with a large bag they’re like uh?  Because they’re used to seeing me with tiny bags, and that’s why I love the Sure Girl thing because it’s tiny, it just fits in

H: What about moisturisers, this is from Swet – talking about sweat there, that’s why I said that - Svetlana wants to know about your moisturiser

A: I use at the moment I’m using Bobbi Brown because I think it’s fantastic, the smell reminds me of when you go for a facial

H: Oh nice

A: And it’s beautiful and it just makes my skin feel lovely, but I change all the time, you know I’ll use Nivea, I’ll use Dove, I change, I don’t stick to one particular thing.  I think I’m quite lucky that my skin’s quite normal that I can get away with experimenting.  Clarins is nice, because as I said I like Clarins and Bobbi Brown but I can get equally just a good job from Nivea or something like that

H: Yes exactly

A: Yes

H: And also I think your skin does also change doesn’t it -

A: It does

H: It gets used to something and then you change and you feel like that one’s working better for you, so I think it’s good to mix it up a bit as well

A: Absolutely, yes

H: What else have we got?  Oh Katie, what are your key fashion tips for looking cool this summer?

A: Key fashion tips, looking cool – I think the way to look cool is to be yourself

H: Yes

A: And not to feel the pressure to have to follow something.  I honestly have always believed that.  I think the minute you try to look like someone else or -

H: Yes

A: Or do what other people are telling you, it doesn’t – it’s not natural to you.  I think the way to look cool is to put on something and you look in the mirror and think this is nice, I feel comfortable.  Butin terms of the actual styles I think just don’t be scared to experiment with colours.  Don’t feel the pressure to always have to wear you know, be dressed up all the time

H: Wear what someone else -

A: You can be cool looking casual

H: Is wearing -

A: Yes.  I mean occasionally, it’s very rare for me to open a magazine and copy somebody but I have to be honest I really did like the Lily Allen style when she did the dresses with the trainers

H: With the trainers, yes

A: I was out in America recently and I found myself, I bought these gold trainers

H: They’re brilliant

A: And I put it on with this really cute pink dress, I was like yes thanks Lily!  Because it was a really nice style

H: It’s nice to be inspired by people a bit, it’s nice not to completely look exactly like them

A: Yes exactly

H: Otherwise you end up with a whole load of people who look exactly the same, which is a bit not great

A: Yes

H: Now we’ve got a question from Heidi, she wants to know “what is your favourite item in your wardrobe” other than your gold shoes which you’ve got on right now

A: God that’s a good question – my favourite item in my wardrobe? Well I just had a wardrobe clearout actually, so -

H: How many bags?

A: Loads but I got my mum and my friends round to pick clothes and then the remaining clothes I gave to my friend to send them to Nigeria as well, so the clothes, I’m all about recycling and not throwing clothes out

H: Not throwing them away

A: Because you can always find a way to customise or give to somebody else to wear.  But probably a dress I’ve got, a Betsy Johnson dress, it’s pink!

H: Do you just love it?  Is it that dress -

A: It’s pink and white -

H: That makes you feel fabulous every time you wear it?

A: I just think, I love pink, I think it’s a girly colour, and it’s pink and white, kind of really feminine, beautiful, figure-hugging dress, comes down to the knees and it’s gorgeous.  Betsy Johnson, if I was going to pick a designer would be my favourite because she’s not scared, once again to experiment with flamboyant things and really colourful, bright colours that are very feminine

H: Yes.  And what about stuff that you travel with because obviously you must travel quite a lot

A: Yes

H: Which kind of goes with your holidays too – what do you find packs the best?

A: I don’t really take jeans away with me actually

H: Ok

A: I tend to just stick to day dresses, I think that’s how I work best.  Day dresses and some flat shoes and lots of leggings, I’m quite obsessed with leggings, I like different coloured ones.  That’s why I had such a good time out in Japan because you can get any colour leggings, any colour tights, the socks that they’ve got it on bulk out there so yes

H: Cool.  Now I do want to talk to you about a certain little party that might have been on recently, the Sure Style Exchange party

A: Yes

H: Which a lot of people have been talking about with the Bebo forum

A: Yes

H: Tell us a little bit about that

A: It was fantastic, it was just like a girly day out, it was fantastic and we had, we had hair and make-up, we had clothes and we had food and some drinks and there was a little fashion show that took place as well, and I was doing some of the girl’s hair and make-up for them

H: Oh brilliant, I bet they loved that!

A: It was fan -

H: I bet they didn’t expect you to be doing their hair

A: But they were so sweet, the girls were lovely, they were quite shy but I had such a fun day, and the girls got to customise their own t-shirts and I joined in with that as well, and it was good

H: Were there loads of people there?

A: Really really good – yes great turnout and the girls, they – I think the girls really did learn a lot, what they can do with their hair, make-up tips and how to work with what they already have, I think that’s really important because I’ve – even doing this clothes clearout I found some t-shirts I thought oh you’re a bit old now, mmm what can I do with you to rejuvenate you and keep you, do you know what I mean, and I think that’s what the event really did help with you know

H: Now if anyone watching actually wants to have a look at that Bebo forum you can look at bebo.com/whatmakesyousweat, and people are still talking about it because it was such a good day

A: It was great

H: So you can get all the tips and gossip from everyone that was there as well

A: Yes

H: Sounds like a great day, I’d have loved that

A: It was, we had marshmallows and a little tropical fruit cocktail, and there was a chocolate fountain and as I said the girls, bless them, they did a fashion show at the end with their hair and make-up and their customised tops on, and obviously it was all in conjunction with Sure Girl and it was a great event because I think young girls do feel pressure sometimes and it was just really nice to just help them with that, you know it was girls that were quite shy and giving them a little bit of confidence and -

H: So that they can do it too

A: Yes

H: And have fun with it

A: Absolutely

H: That’s the most important thing

A: Yes

H: We’ve already heard that you’re going to your dance class after this

A: Yes

H: What else are you up to at the moment?

A: Well I just got back from Paris

H: Nice

A: I was out there recording, and I’m off to America at the end of the month for two weeks to record, I’ve got to finish my album by September

H: Ok

A: And it’s coming along really well, and I’ll hopefully have my first single out by November, yes

H: And what kind of style is it going to be, what do we expect to hear from you?

A: Hopefully just great songs, lots of energy

H: Dance fillers?

A: Yes definitely, and also songs that are quite thought-provoking and a bit more down tempo.  Hopefully it will have a nice balance but -

H: And you’ve been writing as well?

A: Yes I’ve been writing the songs, I’ve always done that and I think for me it’s just, I’ve got to this point in my life when I’m back to doing what I started doing and what I love, you know music’s my

everything and I just can’t wait to get back out on the road with a band and for people to come and see my life show and all sorts of things

H: So you’re going to just try and get out everywhere and see everyone and so hopefully we’ll be seeing a lot of you this year then?

A: Hopefully the album will be out in November, and then I’d like to think that we’ll do a tour and a show at the beginning of next year

H: Yes and gosh so much more dancing – do you -

A: Yes Strictly’s Starting soon -

H: Bet you can’t wait

A: So excited, I’m going to be slightly jealous

H: Yes

A: Sitting in the audience watching Matthew dance with somebody else

H: Aah

A: But I’ll be supporting him the whole way

H: Yes, cheering him on

A: Cheering him on

H: Fingers crossed.  Well hopefully he’ll have a dance partner as good as you.  I think it’s going to be a tough act to follow though

A: I hope he has a good dance partner because I’d like him to stay in the competition right until the end

H: Yes

A: Maybe he could try and be the first professional to win it two years in a row, who knows

H: That would be brilliant, that would be brilliant.  Well listen thank you so much for joining us today, it’s really nice to talk to you

A: Thank you

H: And all of you ou8t there remember, as I said before you can have a look at that forum and join in – I think that’s the important thing on this one

A: Yes

H: Join in, get some tips and some gossip at bebo.com/whatmakesyousweat, thanks again to Alesha

A: Thank you so much

H: Thank you, and we shall see you next time.  Take care.

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