Face of the Future 2010

Name: Laura Meakin

From: Aqueduct, Telford

Age: 27

Reaching the finals of Face of the Future 2010 proved a real boost for Laura after a tough year that saw the single mother undergo heart surgery.

Laura said that even if she didn’t win the title it was just fabulous to have some me-time and a day of pampering.

Laura, mum to five-year-old Archie and a law student at university, has struggled with her health for most of her life with doctors blaming a variety of reasons, including asthma.

But in November last year she was rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack.

“My heart rate kept going up, even just sat watching television,” she said.

“After the tests, the doctors concluded in February that it was a problem with the electrics in my heart so laser surgery would be carried out in May. It was quite a shock, but I was glad that they were finally doing something about it. The surgery itself was a complete success.

“I feel like a new person, and that I can do a lot more now than I could before. It was a worry all the time leading up to the surgery and during it because of Archie, and it was important that he knew that his mummy would be fine.”

“The photoshoot was brilliant. The dress choice was perfect and the photo scene settings were spot on. Everyone looked amazing.”

“I said when I got back home that it was just nice to have a ‘me’ day and get pampered. Just that day alone gave me such a boost after the year I’ve had. Even if I don’t win, it will be a really good ending to what has been such a bad year.”

Laura wears: an emerald green dress from Debut from Debenhams, £100

Hair: Inspired by this beautiful dress, we wanted to share the same mood of extravagance.

A classic look with a 2010 twist. Creating this look couldn’t be easier. Plait away the front section of the hair and tightly pull the rest of your hair into a side ponytail. Curl this hair and backcomb through to create a more daring, distressed look that is bang on trend.

Make-up: Green is very much a colour for the season for make-up, and has been seen a lot on the catwalk. I co-ordinated bright emerald green shimmering eyeshadow, which focused the look on the eye area but also acted as a touch of drama to add to the dress.