Summer’s almost here, bringing with it the usual bikini panic, accessory envy and makeup meltdown. Don’t get left behind with these fantastic on-trend wardrobe, beauty and accessory tips from 10 Years Younger presenter Nicky Hambleton-Jones.

Maire Bonheim chatted to style guru Nicky Hambleton-Jones about the hottest statement accessories to update your summer look, the best summer beauty products and the best way to ban muffin tops.

What are your essential summer wardrobe must haves?

If you want to invest in just a few things to spruce up last year’s wardrobe, I would say one of the key pieces is an oversized clutch handbag – it’s the must-have accessory, so it’s definitely worth investing in something patent, mock crock or a bright colour that will set off any outfit. Platform wedge heels – we get wedge heels every year but this year particularly we’ve got stacked wooden platform heels that are very popular, but also interesting wedge heels, so cut out wedges, narrow wedges and anything that’s a wedge heel is going to update your look. Gladiator sandals, for those with very slim calves and elegant feet – they’re not for everyone but again are a very on trend accessory. Waisted belts, and also stars, spots, stripes are a very key look – and that can be anything from tops to belts to shoes to bags, a necklace, anything that’s got the element of stars, stripes and spots.

What summer fashion disasters should women avoid at all costs?

Don’t flash too much flesh. We’ll get a hot summer day and next thing you know the strappy tops come out and we just get boobs tumbling forth, muffin tops or love handles on show – so think about your body shape when it comes to summer. Yes, it might be hot, but you can still wear something that’s fitted without being too clingy or too short or just too revealing.

What High Street shops are your favourites?

I change from season to season but Zara is always a big favourite of mine because their collections change so regularly and they don’t have a big collection of something so you can get a one-off piece that’s quite unique even though it is a high street store. I think places like French Connection are fantastic for basics, and places like Joy – Joy is great if you want something that’s a bit more eclectic, edgy and different – it’s great but affordable.

What’s your one essential style tip for women of different shapes?

Whatever body shape you are, always try and create a waist, whether it’s with a tailored jacket or a waisted belt. The minute you’ve got a waist, the rest of you will look in proportion and you look curvy, which creates a much slimmer physique.

What’s the worst thing you can do to affect your looks?

The worst things you can do for your skin are definitely sun damage and smoking – that causes 80% of premature lines and wrinkles, so you definitely want to avoid that. Also, wearing baggy and shapeless clothes. That piles the years on.

Would you recommend surgery to everyone or can you prevent ageing with beauty products?

I think you can prevent ageing with beauty products and also by reducing your exposure to UV rays and environmental pollution. That’s the main thing to be honest, and you can do that through great beauty products that are filled with antioxidants and have some protectional factors, and also eating a diet that’s high in antioxidants so you can actually protect your skin from the inside out. Drinking lots of water as well can make a big difference.

What are some of your favourite summer beauty products?

I love Clinique’s Superdefense moisturiser – which has SPF protection but is still quite light, so it’s perfect for summer. Johnson’s Holiday Skin all over glow is great on the body, and Avon have got a fantastic new dual eye cream that’s got sun protection 30 in it for the day, which is great because I think people put SPF in their moisturiser but forget about protecting themselves around the eye area, so I love that. And then don’t forget it’s important to exfoliate your skin regularly. I’m all over Dr Sebagh’s Deep Exfoliating Mask once a week. It gives me a much more youthful glow.

Would you ever have surgery?

If I needed it yes, I’m not against it. But I think you have to be careful about the choices you make and do it for the right reasons.

Have you ever done a makeover that’s gone wrong?

No. I have never failed. All our makeovers on 10 Years Younger have always succeeded. I think we are just so committed and so passionate and so determined to succeed no matter what. So far so good!

What was the most successful makeover from the latest series?

Wow, I have to say this series our makeovers just get better and better – it’s just one amazing makeover after the next. I think one of my favourites is a woman called Marilyn; she’s coming up on the second last programme of the series. She was so stuck in the 80s and had some unbelievable hairstyles, and she just looked so classy and expensive at the end. I didn’t even recognise her; I walked straight past her in the corridor when we were filming. She’s fantastic, but the whole series has got some gorgeous makeovers in it.

You’re supporting the Transition Lenses UV Eye Damage awareness campaign. Why did you decide to get involved?

I’m an avid wearer of glasses. And although 88% of people rate their eyesight as their most valuable sense, 93% of Brits don’t realise that the sun’s UV rays don’t only damage your skin, they can also damage your eyesight and can result in cataracts and macular degeneration.

Is it true geek-chic shades and secretary glasses are making a comeback?

It is true. What’s making a comeback is statement glasses - the bigger the better. Bigger frames also protect your eyes more - you get more coverage around the eye area, so you’re less likely to squint and get crows feet.

Which styles look best on which face shapes?

It’s all about balance and proportion. So for instance if you have a square, angular face shape you want to go for the opposite in terms of glasses, so go for rounded or oval glasses to soften up your face shape. If you’ve got a very long, narrow face go for glasses with an angular, elongated frame to create length horizontally, and that will make your face appear in proportion. If you’ve got a short face then going for frames that have a strong brow line on top of the frame that perhaps don’t have a frame on the bottom of the lenses, will make the bottom half of your face appear longer.

Is it true some cheaper fashion sunglasses could be harming peoples’ eyes?

These days it’s actually regulated that whether you spend a lot of money or not on sunglasses they all have to offer the same amount of eye protection.

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