The new-look Pauline is cool as ice

When Pauline Sargent lost her husband, Tony, to lymphatic cancer in July 2010, she didn't realise how hard it would be to deal with.

As the couple owned an ice cream company together, Sargent's Ice Cream, based in Barton-Upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire, she has worked hard to keep the family business going.

"I'm constantly reminded of Tony," said Pauline, 60. "I thought I would able to get my life back on track after he passed away. I threw myself into work, carrying on the business we had together.

"I expected to be OK after a few months but it's not like that at all. I didn't realise how hard the grieving process would be."

With the summer now here, Pauline is busier than ever with work, meaning she doesn't get much time to herself.

After the tough couple of years she has had, her son, Richard Swift, thought it would be nice for his mum to have a makeover and a rare day off.

"She is a hardworking, self-employed woman who has had a lot to deal with," said Richard.

"As a result of Tony's death, there have been a lot of important dates that have been tinged with sadness. Her birthday is on Valentine's Day, which meant she was thinking about Tony, with his birthday just three days after that.

"Tony passed away on July 21, 2010, which is a couple of days after my birthday."

As if Pauline didn't have enough to deal with, just before Christmas last year, she was the victim of a burglary.

"She doesn't get to socialise much these days because of work commitments," said Richard.

"She pretty much wears the same outfit every day, too, so I thought a makeover would be a good way for her to pamper herself."

JULIA Bilton, creative stylist at Colour Lounge, said: "With Pauline's hair, we brightened the colour up with some soft, golden highlights.

"With the cut, we created more texture to give Pauline a fuller look."

LAURA May, personal shopper at Debenhams, said: "Pauline wanted to make an impact at a forthcoming wedding later this year.

"It was really important for Pauline to feel comfortable in her outfit and get clothes that she would be able to dress up or down. We decided to look for a dress, bolero jacket or shrug and elegant shoes.

"The dress I selected for Pauline was from our Collection range with a dalmatian spot print in blue. The dress was very flattering and the colour looked fabulous on Pauline for the summer months.

"I teamed the dress with a neat blue shrug that finished at the waist. The diamante-encrusted bow on the shoes really gave the outfit that summer wedding feel."

STACEY France, beauty therapist at Colour Lounge, said: "We kept Pauline's eye make-up natural using pink tones to match her skin pigments and adding browns for warmth.

"I applied a light shimmer to her brow bone, followed by brown mascara to her lashes and a brown eyeliner.

"I added foundation to match Pauline's skin tone, before applying bronzer to the face and a pink blusher to the cheek area.

"I finished her look with a matte gloss."

PAULINE went along to Debenhams, in Hull city centre, to choose a new outfit, before heading to Colour Lounge, in Carr Lane, where she had her hair and make-up done.

"I was absolutely ecstatic when I found out Richard had nominated me for a makeover," said Pauline.

"It was a lovely thing for him to do for me.

"I've been so busy at work, with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee earlier this month, so it was nice to take a break.

"It's rare for me to have a day off."

Shoes, £28, from Debut; dress, £50, from Collection; and shrug, £24, from Collection. All items are from Debenhams in Prospect Street, Hull. Call 01482 621377 for the personal shopper suite or visit www.debenhams.com

Hair and make-up by Colour Lounge, Carr Lane, Hull. Call 01482 227755.

Pictures: Before images by Kate Woolhouse; after images by Rob Stebbing