Student nurse and single mum Emma is given a relaxing break from the books

Despite everything that has been thrown at her, student nurse Emma Tomlinson has managed to keep herself afloat.

Single mum Emma has spent the past three years running up and down hospital corridors while balancing caring for her five-year-old son, Joshua.

After a marriage break-up this year, Emma's mum felt she deserved to know how proud she is to have such a hard-working daughter.

Frances Mair said: "She has worked so hard with her studies, running her home and being a mother to Josh.

"I am an extremely proud mum and I feel she deserves a little bit of pampering and happiness for herself."

When 31-year-old Emma began her training at the University of Hull in 2010, her mum Frances needed surgery.

"I had to have a full hip replacement, due to arthritis, which was hard for me," Frances said.

"Emma was there, the minute I woke up," she said.

Emma, who lives in Wold Road, near Willerby, looked after her mum while she was recovering and cared for her son, who has a heart murmur and suffers with breathing difficulties, while also studying for her degree.

In December, all her hard work will have paid off as she will be a qualified mental health nurse.

Femail sent Emma off to George at Asda, in Bilton, to find a new outfit and to Colour Lounge, in Carr Lane, Hull.

Emma Brumhead, sales assistant at Asda, in Bilton, said: "We showed Emma around the whole store and let her pick whatever she fancied.

Emma said: "She wanted chunky knitwear and daywear but we got her to go towards party wear as well.

"Emma didn't want anything black so we steered her away from that.

"She went for lots of bright colours and was really happy with how much choice there was."

Stacey France at Colour Lounge said: "I began by highlighting the whole eye area.

"I took a gold eye shadow to the inner corner of the eye, blending and shading outwards.

"I applied a dark brown to the socket line and blended the two colours for a soft look.

"I used a mascara and a HD palette on the brows.

"I used a foundation which matched Emma's skintone, followed by bronzer and blusher.

"I finished by applying a brown lipstick."

The winter range from George at Asda is full of warm, cosy knits to get through the frosty evenings and plenty of glam pieces for the party season.

Emma Tomlinson picked up two jumpers, a camisole, bootleg jeans, a coat and ankle boots, available from the current season.

Asda kindly donated a £100 gift card for Emma to spend in store.

Emma couldn't believe that she'd been nominated by her mum, and was thrilled to have a makeover before a trip away to Amsterdam.

Emma said: "It was fantastic, everyone was really nice.

"I've got naturally curly hair, which they straightened so I looked completely different.

"Both of the sales assistants were really enthusiastic.

"I had a lot to choose from because there was a really nice range.

"I was going to Amsterdam the next day, so I wanted something warm.

"Me and my mum are really close and she's had a tough time.

"It should have been her who had the makeover, really."