Handy Andy

Jun 19 2008 by Hilarie Stelfox, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Handy Andy

We asked you to nominate one of the men in your life for a make-over. Our winner, 29-year-old Andy Hughes, was nominated by his work colleagues, who felt that he deserved a morning of pampering and a new look. HILARIE STELFOX took him shopping

ANDY HUGHES is the first to admit that he’d never put himself forward for a make-over.

Nor does he have much interest in fashion or style.

But we aimed to change all that with a morning of skincare, hairdressing and shopping for a new style.

When Andy’s colleague Stella Fulton nominated him she wrote: “Andy has had the same look for all of the seven years I have known him. When I saw the make-over competition in the paper I looked across the office and thought he was a likely candidate and it was a good opportunity for Andy to have a complete restyle.”

Andy, who works in the financial services department of Huddersfield University, thought Stella was joking when she told him she was entering him in the competition to win a prize package of £200 to spend at town centre fashion store Bronx; £150 worth of skincare from the new No7 for Men range at Boots; and a haircut and restyle at Rubens.

“I told her not to, but she went ahead anyway,” said Andy, 28, who proved himself to be a good sport because, after a little gentle persuasion, he finally agreed to take part in our make-over.

The morning began with a visit to Boots, where No7 consultant Marjorie Shaw showed Andy how to use the new No7 For men products that were part of his prize. The perfume counter consultants also put together a sports bag packed with fragrances and gifts.

Like many men, Andy says he only uses moisturiser when his skin is feeling dry, usually after shaving. “I’ve got one little tub of cream that has lasted for about a year,” he confessed.

Marjorie, however, was determined to show him the benefits of a proper, daily skincare routine - using everything from the exfoliating Energising Face Scrub and Protect and Perfect Anti-Ageing Serum to the Anti Fatigue Eye Stick and Anti-Shine Lotion (prices between £6 and £16.75).

“That’s the first facial I’ve ever had,” said Andy, who was in for a day of new experiences.

At Rubens hair salon in Westgate stylist Tom Scott suggested a new way for Andy to wear his hair. He normally keeps it short, with the front gelled up. Tom went for an artfully “choppy, messed-up look”, taking Andy’s fringe and sweeping it across his forehead.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever had my hair washed before having it cut,” said Andy.

With the new hairstyle in place we headed for Bronx, the designer brand menswear shop, also in Westgate.

Andy usually wears a smart suit for work and shies away from casual clothes that he perceives as being too trendy or showy. “I like dark colours,” he said.

So we chose a selection of brighter, bold designs for him to wear for our photographer.

“I don’t spend much time or money on my clothes,’’ said Andy. “And I like value for money. I think that comes from working in purchasing!’’

Having entered into the spirit of the make-over Andy was happy to try anything that we suggested, from the latest in distressed, embellished jeans from Tough and local brand Mish Mash to a brightly striped K-Swiss hoodie.

When Stella and a group of office colleagues turned up to see the new-look Andy they were delighted.

“His hair’s fantastic and he looks great in the clothes. We never realised he was as muscular,” said Stella.

In fact, Andy is a real-life fitness and action man. In his spare time, when he’s not helping his girlfriend to renovate their home in Newsome, he competes in athletics events, trains in the gym and plays squash and football.

He’s originally from Doncaster and is a member of the Wombwell Sporting Athletics Club, near Barnsley, but trains at the Stadium Health and Fitness Club in Huddersfield.

Andy’s a graduate of Huddersfield University, where he studied business studies and administration. He is also studying to become a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply, a professional qualification that he hopes will enhance his career.

Perhaps it’s no wonder that Andy has had the same style since graduating and starting work at the university. He’s just been too busy.

But he’s never too busy to be a good colleague and Andy is clearly popular with his fellow office workers.

“Andy is lovely. He is so helpful at work; he is always there to help anybody, without moaning.

“We’re always shouting: ‘Andy I need help’. When I saw the competition in the paper I thought it would be a nice thought to help Andy for a change and get him a re-style,” explained Stella.