Bring back the bling!
Tone it down? When TOWIE’s Gemma Collins was given a make-under, were we the only ones to prefer her old look?
She’s known for her larger-thanlife style – orange make-up, big hair and those famous curves crammed into an array of glittery outfits. But The Only Way Is Essex’s Gemma Collins – alias ‘ The GC’ – discovered that less can sometimes be more when she took part in an upcoming episode of a Channel 5 ‘make-under’ show.
Gemma showed up to meet the team of stylists and make-up artists on Celebrity 100% Hotter full of her trademark bravado, declaring, ‘My wardrobe is full of over-the-top outfits. Everyone in Essex wears bling. If you’re not wearing bling, you can’t come in!’ She admitted her style is not to everyone’s taste – but she just doesn’t care. ‘I get criticised the whole time, but I just laugh at it. I’m famous, they’re not, get over yourself, honey. If I was just like everybody else I wouldn’t be sitting here right now.’
Yet 36-year-old Gemma admitted she was nervous to meet the styling team, acknowledging that her look could be seen as a bit much. ‘The longer I’ve been in TOWIE, the worse it’s got. The bigger the hair, the more sequins, the brighter the lipstick. I have to be flamboyant, as I have a character to live up to.’
First, the team took to the streets to put Gemma’s look to a public vote. She scored a disappointing 4.2 out of 10, with one viewer commenting, ‘If she toned it down, she would be a lot more beautiful.’
Gutted, Gemma admitted, ‘If anyone found out in Essex, I’d get thrown out of the county!’
And it took some doing to get her to tone down her make-up. ‘Is there a life without bronzer and lipstick? Would I even exist?’ she wondered out loud.
But she admitted, ‘I need to class myself up.’
The team chose to style Gemma in a grey tweed Prince of Wales suit, with a cute T-shirt and leopard-print heels. Her make-up was softer and more natural, and she sported a honey-blonde wig – as her own hair is so damaged from home bleaching.
When Gemma’s new look was rated by the street judges, she came in at an average of 8.8. And she was delighted.
‘ You’ve made me a blonde, but a sophisticated blonde. You have given me inspiration and I can’t thank you enough!’ she gushed.
We’re not sure about it, though. You can take the girl out of Essex, but can you truly take Essex out of a girl like Gemma? We say bring back the bling, babe! l Celebrity 100% Hotter, 25 Jan, Channel 5, 10pm