DESCRIBED by her friends as “kind, caring, wild, and always smiling”, Michelle Tullett was nominated by her good friend Anita Manton for The Irish Field Christmas makeover. Having spent her life working with horses, at 61 years old Michelle is as game as ever, backing young thoroughbreds and riding out every day at trainer Michael J. Browne’s yard. “I love horses more now than I did when I started,” she tells the team. “I hope I’ve left a positive mark on every horse I’ve ever touched.”

I’d be lying if I said Michelle walked in with swagger and a laugh, she was admittedly nervous and didn’t have too much positive to say about herself. It didn’t’ take long however before award-winning make-up artist Rebecca O’Sullivan of rebeccaomakeup.com put Michelle at her ease and began to work her magic.

Make-up

Rebecca is a specialist in natural make-up and explained: “It’s about making people confident and comfortable to look like themselves.” Working with Michelle’s enviable cheekbones and bright eyes, Rebecca enhanced Michelle’s natural features. A rather shocked Michelle said of her new look: “It’s amazing, I’ve never seen myself like this before!”

Hair next. I think I can safely say the whole The Irish Field team would have loved to have taken a chair at Lotus in Kildare and have stylist and owner Jonathan Gayson give their manes a pull. Michelle has a naturally beautiful hair colour, full of highlights, so a cut and blow dry was all that was needed for a really sophisticated look.

Lotus is a super-friendly spot and Jonathan has some great products to give your locks a lift. Michelle and accompanying friend Marie Lane were gifted Lotus goodie bags and the team were treated to one of their divine bespoke hair masks. The Irish Field’s own Robyn Codd even got a go on the bespoke Lotus ‘Curls on the Go’ portable curling tool. A pretty handy little device and a great gift idea if you know someone always on the run after a hard day on the gallops. Lotus offer gift vouchers too, which could make someone’s Christmas.

The Kildare Village experience was next and to say we got the five star treatment is an understatement. While deputy director of personal shopping Clara Halpin whisked Michelle away with a glass of champers, the team were treated to delicious macaroon and coffee, and a good look around the stunning interior of the Kildare Village private apartment and personal shopping suites.

Resplendent

As we tucked into our Parisienne treats, we watched armfuls of glorious clothes be carried into Michelle. When it was time for the first reveal, it’s safe to say it was a proper gasp moment. Michelle looked resplendent in a beautifully cut royal blue Ella Boo dress from Curated by the Design Center. As the outfits changed, Michelle shone more and more, and Clara’s eye for detail and tailoring meant that every piece of clothing looked haute couture for Michelle.

Following her photo shoot with super talentClaire Nash, Kildare Village and The Irish Fieldgifted Michelle a €500 voucher which in testament to Clara’s exquisite choices, Michelle spent on some of the makeover outfits she loved.

Before the trip home to Co Tipperary, Michelle and Marie were treated to a delicious lunch at Kildare Village and some time to reflect on the day. It’s safe to say we all felt good after such a wonderful experience and Michelle left with a bit more swagger in her step.