As soon as the island was formally a go, the following huge query was: how on earth will we put together for 3 weeks on a tropical island… on tv? Cue the dramatic music.
The prep part, whereas full of pleasure, additionally got here with a good quantity of “what are we even doing?” vitality. There have been so many issues to contemplate: clothes, hair, make-up… and sure, a wholesome dose of existential vogue disaster.
The Nice Wardrobe Journey
We started with clothes, which — consider it or not — introduced up a stunning quantity of tension. What’s island-appropriate? What’s comfy, attractive, breezy and flattering beneath the glare of TV lights? What says “approachable skilled” and never “I acquired misplaced on my approach to a seashore wedding ceremony”?
The reply? Lots of trial and error. Some epic purchasing. And probably a whole financial system’s price of returns.
One factor we knew for certain: we wanted to make it simpler for folks to inform us aside. As twins (or simply two ladies who appear to share a psychic connection and confusingly related vitality), we’ve spent a lot of time being known as the mistaken title. So, we every developed a “colour story” — sure, it’s a factor, and sure, it’s fabulous.
I went for wealthy burgundy and soulful purples — assume sultry sunsets and hibiscus blooms. Celeste leaned into serene teals and turquoise — the colours of deep ocean magic. Each of us anchored our palettes with crisp white and traditional black. Voilà: coordinated however unmistakably distinct.
Make-up Meltdowns (and Miracles)
Subsequent got here the sweetness logistics. After we first requested the channel about hair and make-up help, they mentioned: “Oh, we gained’t have anybody there for that.” (Insert a really lengthy pause.)
Now, whereas we’re not precisely high-maintenance gals, the considered going full DIY glam for 3 weeks on an island — with humidity, wind, and 0 clue about TV make-up — was mildly horrifying. We love a pure look, particularly in our work, however we additionally knew that beneath digicam lights, “pure” typically interprets to “washed out ghost.”
So we made a plan. We employed a beautiful make-up artist (shoutout to our glam fairy godmother) to present us a crash course in television-ready make-up. She taught us which merchandise to convey, and learn how to just do sufficient to look polished with out feeling like another person fully. And — importantly — learn how to contact up between scenes with out smearing mascara throughout our temples.
Then… a wonderful plot twist. The channel got here again and mentioned they’d, in truth, present a hair and make-up artist on the island. Cue the collective sigh of reduction.
And thank goodness they did, as a result of Shauna was a complete goddess. Calm, skilled, and endlessly affected person, she helped the complete remedy group prepare every morning and stayed with us all through the day, doing magical touch-ups and reminding us to blot (however not wipe — vital distinction).
The Takeaway?
Prepping for the island taught us a lot — not nearly basis shades and breathable materials — however about learn how to honor each our individuality and our shared imaginative and prescient. We realized learn how to present up feeling like ourselves… simply with higher lighting and possibly slightly setting spray.
There’s a quiet confidence that comes from being ready, from taking the time to determine what makes you’re feeling most you. And whereas island prep concerned extra packing cubes, make-up brushes, and wardrobe debates than we ever imagined, it was additionally type of stunning.
Subsequent cease: the island itself. Keep tuned — this journey is simply getting began.