The Island Prep Chronicles: A Tale of Color Stories, Lip Gloss, and Mild Panic
Once the island was officially a go, the next big question was: how on earth do we prepare for three weeks on a tropical island… on television? Cue the dramatic music.
The prep phase, while full of excitement, also came with a fair amount of “what are we even doing?” energy. There were so many things to consider: clothing, hair, makeup… and yes, a healthy dose of existential fashion crisis.
The Great Wardrobe Adventure
We began with clothing, which — believe it or not — brought up a surprising amount of anxiety. What’s island-appropriate? What’s comfortable, sexy, breezy and flattering under the glare of TV lights? What says “approachable expert” and not “I got lost on my way to a beach wedding”?
The answer? A lot of trial and error. Some epic shopping. And possibly an entire economy’s worth of returns.
One thing we knew for sure: we needed to make it easier for people to tell us apart. As twins (or just two women who seem to share a psychic connection and confusingly similar energy), we’ve spent a lot of time being called the wrong name. So, we each developed a “color story” — yes, it’s a thing, and yes, it’s fabulous.
I went for rich burgundy and soulful purples — think sultry sunsets and hibiscus blooms. Celeste leaned into serene teals and turquoise — the colors of deep ocean magic. Both of us anchored our palettes with crisp white and classic black. Voilà: coordinated but unmistakably distinct.
Make-up Meltdowns (and Miracles)
Next came the beauty logistics. When we first asked the channel about hair and makeup support, they said: “Oh, we won’t have anyone there for that.” (Insert a very long pause.)
Now, while we’re not exactly high-maintenance gals, the thought of going full DIY glam for three weeks on an island — with humidity, wind, and zero clue about TV makeup — was mildly horrifying. We love a natural look, especially in our work, but we also knew that under camera lights, “natural” often translates to “washed out ghost.”
So we made a plan. We hired a wonderful makeup artist (shoutout to our glam fairy godmother) to give us a crash course in television-ready makeup. She taught us which products to bring, and how to do just enough to look polished without feeling like someone else entirely. And — importantly — how to touch up between scenes without smearing mascara across our temples.
Then… a beautiful plot twist. The channel came back and said they would, in fact, provide a hair and makeup artist on the island. Cue the collective sigh of relief.
And thank goodness they did, because Shauna was a total goddess. Calm, professional, and endlessly patient, she helped the entire treatment team get ready each morning and stayed with us throughout the day, doing magical touch-ups and reminding us to blot (but not wipe — important distinction).
The Takeaway?
Prepping for the island taught us so much — not just about foundation shades and breathable fabrics — but about how to honor both our individuality and our shared vision. We learned how to show up feeling like ourselves… just with better lighting and maybe a little setting spray.
There’s a quiet confidence that comes from being prepared, from taking the time to figure out what makes you feel most you. And while island prep involved more packing cubes, makeup brushes, and wardrobe debates than we ever imagined, it was also kind of beautiful.
Next stop: the island itself. Stay tuned — this adventure is just getting started.
