Press Releases . . . . .

Each programme consists of four sessions on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 pm in Debenhams' exclusive Personal Shopping Suite.

For the Autumn programme, starting on 1st September, the topics range from how to put together a capsule wardrobe with expert advice on colour, style and fit, to getting the foundations right with help in choosing the right bra. There is also a demonstration of Instant Smile teeth whitening and an introduction to Smashbox's award winning Glamourous Looks make-up and skincare. The Autumn programme ends on a high note with participants enjoying mini makeovers, special manicures and nail polish treatments.

Then, following up in late October, the Winter programme focuses on outdoor fashion, showcasing the best in boots, hats, coats, jackets, scarves and gloves, and how to put the winter look together, along with controlwear underwear for shapely silhouettes during the party season. There will also be another chance to check out skincare and make-up, along with teeth whitening and nailcare, ending with a Christmas party and fashion show on 1st December.

Tina Gossage of The Beauty Maze, points out this is a fantastic and fun opportunity for women to learn more about what they should wear and how to achieve that up-to-the-minute look. She continued, "We've had such positive feedback from the last programmes we ran with Boots, Debenhams and others, and the Autumn and Winter programmes now incorporate some of those aspects which women asked us to feature."

"We're delighted to be working with Debenhams again. These sessions are a great way for women to get together with each other to find out what works best, supported by "the experts". They give us the confidence to try outfits and make-up looks that maybe we'd shy away from on our own."

The programme price is £35 for all four evening sessions and includes a glass of wine or juice, and canapés. For those wanting to book individual sessions, the price is £10 per session.

Currently, The Beauty Maze is running a special introductory offer for two of £60, for either the Autumn or Winter programmes.

Visit www.thebeautymaze.co.uk for all the details or call Tina on 07849 684586 or Pauline on 07795 037727.

Press enquiries: Pauline Sinkins 07795 037727

Hide this content.

The new workshops follow the success of The Beauty Maze's pilot Spring programme, 'Look Great, Feel Great!'. Over a 6-week period, participants were able to try new make-up techniques, learn the right skincare regimes, and get expert advice from Debenhams' personal shoppers on what to wear and how to wear it. The women also learnt more about hair and how to care for it with Bath hairdresser, Nick Brain, and tried out some different forms of exercise with Aero-tone-ilates of Bath and Fitworks of Bristol.

The Beauty Maze works with retailers such as Boots, Debenhams and others to create a different shopping experience for women.

Tina Gossage, one of the company founders, explains, "We create opportunities for women to try fashion and beauty products and talk to the experts, in fun settings away from the shop floor. All too often, whether we're looking for a new moisturiser, or a special occasion outfit, we're faced with a mind-blowing confusion of choice. Our aim is to help women narrow that down to make the right choices for them, so they're not just 'buying blindfold', as it were."

The summer events trio is covering three different topics: tanning and epilation; holiday make-up; and summer skincare and sun protection. Each session lasts for one hour and customers can either opt for just one (£8 per session) or take all three for £20.

The company is lining up more events for the Autumn and Winter. Pauline Sinkins from The Beauty Maze explained, "Participants on the 'Look Great, Feel Great!' programme gave us some great feedback on what they want to see on The Beauty Maze agenda in future - more events, with a greater variety of topics - a 'pick n mix' if you like. So that's what we're working on. We've got some exciting plans in the pipeline which we'll be revealing later in the summer."

Notes for Editors

1) For the summer programme, there are two options open to people - the Lunch Club from 1 to 2 pm on each date, or the Supper Club from 6 to 7 pm.

2) The topics are: 23rd June - Tanning and Epilation, 29th June - Holiday make-up, 7th July - Summer skincare and sun protection. The Beauty Maze is taking bookings via its website at www.thebeautymaze.co.uk, or by phone - 07849 684586.

3) The Beauty Maze is for women interested in beauty and fashion. It aims to bring retailers and shoppers together to talk to each other, face-to-face to create a new kind of shopping experience where consumers can learn more about products and services before they buy.

Press enquiries: Pauline Sinkins 07795 037727

Hide this content.

The programme, 'Look Great, Feel Great!', is the brainchild of Tina Gossage and Pauline Sinkins, founders of The Beauty Maze, a network for women interested in beauty and fashion.

Backed by Boots, Debenhams and others, the programme consists of four 2-hour sessions from the end of March through April, each focussing on a different aspect, with a grand finale at the end of May when participants showcase what they have learnt.

The sessions range from skincare and make-up through to haircare, handcare, diet and physical fitness. Also included in the programme is a tailor-made personal shopping treat with Debenhams.

Pauline said that the programme is targeted mainly at women in the 40+ age group. She explained, "As we get older, most of us know we have to make different choices as far as our appearance is concerned. But with so much choice, it's not always easy to know what they should be. We want to introduce people to a different type of shopping experience, if you like, where retailers and customers work together in a much more hands-on way to achieve the right look for the individual."

Tina added, "A big plus for this pilot programme is that women will get face to face help, from professionals in their field, covering most aspects of their appearance such as skincare, make-up, hair, body shape and style. It's a new - and much more constructive - way of learning how to make the most of your assets."

The programme starts in Southgate Bath on Wednesday 30th March, and continues through weekly sessions in April, with classes being held in Boots and Debenhams.

The Beauty Maze are now taking bookings, either via their new website www.thebeautymaze.co.uk, or by phone 07849 684586. In addition, Tina and Pauline will be in Boots on various dates through March to introduce potential participants to the programme.

Notes For Editors

1) The all-in fee for the Spring programme is £25. Advance booking needed.

2) There are two options open to people - afternoons from 2 - 4 pm and evenings from 6.15 to 8.15 pm. Classes will be held mainly in the Training Room in Boots on 5 dates. The main topics are: 30th March - Skincare - face and body, 7th April - Exercise and nutrition, 14th April - Hair - colour, style, use of electrical products for hair & beauty, 21st April - Make-up masterclass with Boots No. 7, Benefit and other top brands, 26th May - Perfume - how to select one you'll love + a celebration of the finished look! In addition, participants will be booked into a special personal shopping experience, in small groups, with Debenhams Southgate. See the website for more information www.thebeautymaze.co.uk.

3) The Beauty Maze is a network for women interested in beauty and fashion. It aims to bring retailers and shoppers together to talk to each other, face-to-face to create a new kind of shopping experience where consumers can learn more about products and services before they buy.

Press Enquiries: Pauline Sinkins, 07795 037727

Hide this content.

This Thursday, January 21st, sees Neal's Yard naturopath, Liz Season, demonstrating how their organic skin and body treatments can add a touch of TLC to tired winter skin. At the event, Liz will be discussing the therapeutic value of organic skincare and the Neal's Yard passion for a more natural, less synthetic approach to health, beauty and wellbeing. The session runs from 7 to 8.30 pm at St Swithin's Crypt Café, off Walcot Street in Bath.

The theme continues the following Thursday (January 28th), when Boots specialist healthcare consultants will be talking to the women's group about some of the secrets of vitamins and minerals.

The Beauty Maze, started by two friends and former NHS employees, Pauline Sinkins and Tina Gossage, in October 2009, sets out to build a different dialogue between women and retailers.

Pauline explained, "We bring together women who have a keen interest in fashion and beauty, with retailers who are looking for alternative ways of showcasing their goods and services. It's a really good way for women to learn more about what's on offer, without feeling under pressure to buy. We had a great first season, with big-name retailers including John Lewis and Boots, as well as Debenhams, running fashion shows, skin care and make-up demonstrations."

Tina added, "After this onslaught of wintry weather, we're kicking off this season by focussing on events that help people feel a bit better at a time of year when everyone needs a bit of a lift. We've got some really interesting people lined up in the coming weeks, including Benefit Cosmetics, and a designer with some innovative ideas for giving your wardrobe a bit of a lift too.

Details of all The Beauty Maze events can be found at www.thebeautymaze.co.uk. Sessions run from 7 to 8.30 pm. Tickets are £4 and places can be reserved in advance

Notes for Editors

1) The Beauty Maze is a network which specialises in bringing women of 40 and up together with retailers to share ideas, tips and techniques on how to make the most of themselves.

2) Biographical Note on Pauline & Tina: Pauline and Tina have each held senior posts in the public sector, Pauline most recently as a regional head of communications for the Department of Health, and Tina as Graduate Scheme Manager for NHS Training Schemes in the South West. Both now work as independent consultants in different spheres, Pauline as a strategic communications consultant, Tina as a personal coach and management development consultant for the public sector in England and Wales. They are both married with grown-up children, Tina with a daughter and son, Pauline with a daughter. They both have a passion for fashion and helping women explore their own sense of style.

Press enquiries: Pauline Sinkins 07795 037727

Hide this content.

The prize, donated by Debenhams to the Bath-based women's fashion and beauty network, The Beauty Maze, consisted of a two-hour personal shopper appointment at Debenham's Bristol store, plus £250 to spend in store. Lucky winner, Sue Paulley, will model her new wardrobe with the help of a commentary by Sharon, her "personal shopper".

Mother of two, Sue, who runs accountancy firm, Chartax in Keynsham with husband Nick, says she was over the moon to hear she'd won. She added, "I'd been putting off buying any new clothes whilst trying to shed a few pounds before Christmas, so it couldn't have come at a better time. And I loved the whole idea of having someone as experienced as Sharon help me choose things that were right for me. It's great fun and makes you feel very special."

The Beauty Maze, started by two friends and former NHS employees, Pauline Sinkins and Tina Gossage, in October 2009, sets out to build a different dialogue between women and retailers.

Pauline explained, "We bring together women who have a keen interest in fashion and beauty, with retailers who are looking for alternative ways of showcasing their goods and services. It's working really well. We had a great first season, with big-name retailers including John Lewis and Boots, as well as Debenhams, running fashion shows, skin care and make-up demonstrations."

Tina added, "We've got some great people lined up in the coming weeks too. Neal's Yard who sell those lovely organic natural health and beauty remedies will be with us on Thursday 21st January, followed by Boots healthcare consultants revealing some of the secrets of vitamins and minerals on Thursday 28th - all very appropriate for this time of year when everyone needs a bit of a lift."

Details of all The Beauty Maze events can be found at www.thebeautymaze.co.uk. Sessions run from 7 to 8.30 pm. Tickets are £4 and can be booked in advance

Notes for Editors

1) The Beauty Maze is a network which specialises in bringing women of 40 and up together with retailers to share ideas, tips and techniques on how to make the most of themselves.

2) Biographical Note on Pauline & Tina: Pauline and Tina have each held senior posts in the public sector, Pauline most recently as a regional head of communications for the Department of Health, and Tina as Graduate Scheme Manager for NHS Training Schemes in the South West. Both now work as independent consultants in different spheres, Pauline as a strategic communications consultant, Tina as a personal coach and management development consultant for the public sector in England and Wales. They are both married with grown-up children, Tina with a daughter and son, Pauline with a daughter. They both have a passion for fashion and helping women explore their own sense of style.

Press enquiries: Pauline Sinkins 07793 037727

Hide this content.

Top fashion retailer, Debenhams, are offering the prize in an early Christmas draw being run exclusively for women attending the two evening shows.

The Beauty Maze is a new network which brings women of 40 something and upwards together with retailers to share tips and techniques on how to make the most of their appearance.

For the two November events, the fashion team from Debenhams will be demonstrating how to put together drop-dead gorgeous party wear for the festive season. They'll also be offering women tailor-made advice on what to wear - and how to wear it - according to their own individual body shape.

The winner of the prize draw, which is only for those attending the two sessions, will walk away with a personal shopper appointment at Debenhams, plus a £250 winter wardrobe.

Pauline Sinkins and Tina Gossage, joint founders of the business launched in early October, say they are seeing amazing results from the face to face sessions. Tina explained, "We've had some brilliant evenings so far, first with John Lewis and this week with Boots, showing us some really informative skin care and make-up routines, and sharing the tricks of their trade."

Pauline added, "The number of women attending The Beauty Maze events is now growing fast and it's a mark of top retailers' interest in this new concept that Debenhams are sending a fashion team over from Bristol as well as offering this fantastic prize. We've already taken quite a number of early bookings and are looking forward to a great turnout on both evenings."

Notes for Editors

1) Debenhams drop-dead gorgeous party wear sessions are being held at the YMCA, off Broad Street, Bath, on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th November. Sessions run from 7 to 8.30 pm. Tickets are £4 and can be booked in advance.

2) Biographical Note on Pauline & Tina: Pauline and Tina have each held senior posts in the public sector, Pauline most recently as head of communications for the Directorate of Health & Social Care South (formerly part of the Department of Health), and Tina as Graduate Scheme Manager for NHS Training Schemes in the South West. Both now work as independent consultants in different spheres, Pauline as a strategic communications consultant for the NHS, Tina as a personal coach and management development consultant for the public sector in England and Wales. They are both married with grown-up children, Tina with a daughter and son, Pauline with a daughter. They both have a passion for fashion and helping women explore their own sense of style.

Press enquiries: Pauline Sinkins 07793 037727

Hide this content.

Pauline Sinkins and Tina Gossage set up the network to enable women to share, face-to-face, their experience of what works - and what doesn't - in fashion, skincare, make-up and other aspects of their appearance.

Pauline said, "We had almost 30 women from the age of 40 and up come along to the two evening sessions we ran in Bath last week. It was really exciting and confirms without any doubt that there are many other women like us out there with a strong interest in how they look, regardless of their age."

The Beauty Maze. sessions enable women to swap ideas and views, tips and techniques, with top professional help from the "experts" thrown in.

The first week saw John Lewis's fashion advisory team from Cribbs Causeway, Bristol demonstrating how to put together and accessorize a range of Autumn fashions, from how to dress for the great outdoors to slinky party wear.

Tina added, "We learnt such a lot, not just about what colours, shapes and fabrics are in fashion this Autumn, but also about what to wear to suit different bodily shapes and heights, and more importantly - what not to wear! For instance, women with large busts should avoid wearing short sleeves that end on the bustline, as this just accentuates their size."

She continued, "It's great too for women who are short of time because the sessions offer a shortcut to researching what's in the shops, and helping women interpret whether or not it's right for them. Otherwise, with so much choice, some of us find it difficult to know where to start - we just go round and round in The Beauty Maze!"

The Beauty Maze partners are expecting an enthusiastic response from women to the themed evenings they have planned for the run-up to Christmas. Pauline explained, "We're running three sessions next week with Boots No. 7 consultants coming along to show us how to tailor our skin care and make-up regimes to suit our own particular needs. It should be great fun - and highly informative too.

"Then, in the first week of November, we have fashion and beauty professionals coming over from the Debenhams store in Bristol to demonstrate drop-dead gorgeous looks for the festive season."

Notes for Editors

1) The skin care and make-up regime evenings with Boots No. 7 are being held at the YMCA, off Broad Street, Bath on Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd October. Great Looks for the Festive Season sessions (with Debenhams), also at the YMCA, are being held on Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th November. All sessions run from 7 to 8.30 pm. Tickets - just £4 - can be booked ahead (spaces limited) or bought on the door.

2) Biographical Note on Pauline & Tina: Pauline and Tina have each held senior posts in the public sector, Pauline most recently as head of communications for the Directorate of Health & Social Care South (formerly part of the Department of Health), and Tina as Graduate Scheme Manager for NHS Training Schemes in the South West. Both now work as independent consultants in different spheres, Pauline as a strategic communications consultant for the NHS, Tina as a personal coach and management development consultant for the public sector in England and Wales. They are both married with grown-up children, Tina with a daughter and son, Pauline with a daughter. They both have a passion for fashion and helping women explore their own sense of style.

Press enquiries: Pauline Sinkins 07795 037727

Hide this content.

Pauline Sinkins and Tina Gossage, partners in The Beauty Maze, a new venture launched in Bath this week, say many women reach a crossroads in their lives when face-to-face advice about their appearance from other women in the same boat can be far more rewarding - and fun - than going to a website.

"Of course the Internet - and social networking in particular - are now hugely important methods of communication for many people," says Pauline, "but we feel it leaves a gap in terms of face-to-face communication. And it can be a bit isolating. It's a one-way conversation. Tina and I are on a bit of a mission to plug the gap and fight back with some real social networking. There's still no substitute for a face-to-face chat with like-minded women."

Pauline continued, "Many women reach a point when their children are more or less off their hands, and perhaps they've taken early retirement. Suddenly, they've lost those "natural" social networks, eg chatting at the school gates, or mixing with colleagues at work." And, she added, "that sometimes coincides with losing the plot a bit in terms of how you feel about how you look. Our Beauty Maze sessions are designed to bring women back to enjoy some real - and useful - social networking around making the best of what we've got, and we're creating a fun, friendly environment in which to do it.

"Just imagine a room full of 30 to 40 women, swapping ideas about what kind of outfit to wear for a special occasion, which of the anti-ageing creams work or whether to go for a new hair style to update your look. It'll be a real antidote to all the serious stuff life throws at us. Bliss!"

Tina pointed out that the sessions will also offer some of the best professional expertise around. She explained, "we're throwing into the mix some great fashion and beauty stylists and specialists. For instance, this week we have two of the top fashion advisors from John Lewis at Cribbs Causeway coming along to show us how to put together the latest Autumn fashions. Then later this month, a Boots No. 7 consultant will be along to give tailor-made advice on skin care and make-up regimes to suit individual women."

The Beauty Maze network is being launched this week with two evening sessions at the YMCA in central Bath, on Tuesday 6th October and Thursday 8th October, both from 7 to 8.30 pm.

Notes for Editors

Beauty Maze sessions are planned for: Tuesday 6th and Thursday 8th October, 7-8.30 pm, Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd October and Friday 23rd October, 7-8.30 pm, Monday 2nd November, Tuesday 3rd November and Wednesday 4th November. All sessions will be held in the YMCA Conservatory off Broad Street, Bath. Tickets just £4 entrance on the door or book in advance.

Press enquiries: Pauline Sinkins 07795 037727

Hide this content.

The Beauty Maze, to be launched in Bath next week (week commencing 4th October), is the brainchild of Pauline Sinkins from Bath and Tina Gossage from Emersons Green. The idea is to bring women together to share ideas, tips and techniques about what does - and what doesn't - work for them in fashion, fitness, make-up, skincare and other fields.

The two friends, who previously worked together in the NHS, believe there are many untapped benefits for women in pooling their ideas. Pauline explained, "Most of us have collected some good tips over the years about the best products to buy and what works for us. But it's all too easy to get stuck in a rut or lose our way. We feel if we all get together and share our ideas, whether they're about which anti-ageing cream to buy or how to wear the latest Autumn fashions, we'll all get to benefit from each other's knowledge - and help each other out of The Beauty Maze."

The Beauty Maze meetings will also offer retailers a platform to showcase their latest offerings and the two women have attracted the attention of some big names for their first meetings in October. First off, John Lewis top fashion advisors from Cribbs Causeway will be demonstrating how to put together the latest trends for Autumn and Winter at two evening sessions in central Bath on Tuesday 6th and Thursday 8th October.

Then, later in the month, a Boots No. 7 consultant will be showing women how to tailor their skincare and make-up regimes to suit their own particular needs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 21st, 22nd and 23rd October.

Tina said the pair believe they have created a unique pairing of consumers and the fashion industry in their new venture, making the most of what each has to offer. She added, "Naturally, we'd like to pick the brains of experts but we hope women will come along to tell the "experts" what they're looking for too. At the moment, the relationship is a bit one-way, with the industry leading and consumers following. What's more, the sheer range of new products, ideas and looks being introduced daily, makes it difficult for women to choose what's right for them. We want the voices of women, and especially older women, to be heard as well."

The Beauty Maze partners have an impressive line-up of themes for their Autumn and Winter sessions. Tina explained, "In the lead-up to Christmas, we're starting with hot fashion trends for the season in clothes and make-up, then looking at how to put together some cracking looks for Christmas and New Year parties, with helpful sessions on how to get in shape for Christmas - and what emergency measures to take if you're not! But, most of all, we hope women will just join in the spirit of the events, come along to chat, relax and have a bit of fun."

Notes for Editors

The first Beauty Maze sessions are being held at the YMCA off Broad Street, Bath on Tuesday 6th and Thursday 8th October (with John Lewis fashion advisors). They will be followed by Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd October (with Boots No. 7 consultants). Further sessions will be held on Monday 2nd November, Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th.

All sessions run from 7 to 8.30 p.m. Tickets are just £4 on the door or ring ahead to book (places limited to 40 each evening)

Press enquiries: Pauline Sinkins 07795 037727

Hide this content.

The Beauty Maze is a fun network for women from around early middle age and up. Its aim is to help women learn how to put together a look that brings out the best in them as individuals.

Pauline explained, "We don't want to put any age limits on it. The key thing is that most of us don't lose interest in fashion, make-up, skin care etc. as we get older, but sometimes we lose our way. Or, we get stuck in a rut, doing the same things we were doing 15 or 20 years ago."

She continued, "The idea behind The Beauty Maze is that by pooling all our ideas, swapping tips and techniques, and bringing in the experts to help too, we can all find our way out of the Maze."

The two women have already attracted the attention of some big names for their first meetings in October. First off, one of John Lewis's top fashion advisors from Cribbs Causeway will be demonstrating how to put together the latest trends for Autumn and Winter at two evening sessions on Tuesday 6th and Thursday 8th October.

Then, later in the month, a Boots No. 7 consultant will be showing women how to tailor their skincare and make-up regimes to suit their own particular needs, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 21st to 23rd October.

One of the problems the pair had identified in talking to other women is that the sheer range of new products, ideas and looks coming onto the market daily, make it difficult for women to make the right choices. The Beauty Maze meetings will be a way of interpreting the choice available, with women sharing their experience of what works for them - and what doesn't, for the benefit of each other. As Tina explained, "Not only is it a way of helping women make the right choices, we hope it will be a way of saving money too."

The Beauty Maze partners have an impressive line-up of themes for their Autumn and Winter sessions. Tina explained, "In the lead-up to Christmas, we're starting with hot fashion trends for the season in clothes and make-up, then looking at how to put together some cracking looks for Christmas and New Year parties, with helpful sessions on how to get in shape for Christmas - and emergency measures if you're not! But, most of all, we hope women will just join in the spirit of the events, come along to chat, relax and have a bit of fun."

Notes for Editors

The first Beauty Maze sessions are being held at the YMCA off Broad Street, Bath on: Tuesday 6th and Thursday 8th October; Wednesday 21st October, Thursday 22nd October and Friday 23rd October; Monday 2nd November, Tuesday 3rd November and Wednesday 4th November. All sessions run from 7 to 8.30 pm. Just £4 entrance on the door or book in advance.

Press enquiries: Pauline Sinkins 07795 037727

Hide this content.