Step by step Colour analysis

Colour analysis has gone through many changes over the last decades. 

Some changes are not so good because the colour drapes some consultants are using are a bit dubious and you would have to say open to interpretation. Many colours are added to certain seasons that do not belong.

So let's just go back to basics and highlight a few simple but good and accurate steps to follow a logical path to do a colour analysis and come up with an accurate and good result. 

Tester drapes

What is a good way to compile a set of drapes, to determine skin tone and value?

We start with a warm shade usually peach and then a cool shade usually pink to denote a cool shade, as the first part of the analysis.

Then there is one of each shade in each season. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter yellows, and blues, greens whites and reds. There are 22 drapes in all.

The analysis begins by determining the underskin tone. 

Is your underkin tone warm or cool?

This is done by the very first part of the colour analysis.

A warm cloth is draped over the client wearing no make up and covered hair.

The hair is covered so as not to confuse warm or cool as the hair may throw warm or cool tones.

This cloth is usually a very predictable warm colour like peach.

A cool cloth is a very definite cool pink. These two drapes are a real decider when it comes to determining underskin tone

What you're looking for at this stage is the cloth that enhances the skin tone and face.

For example which cloth makes the skin appear more even without changing the natural skin colour.

Other things to look for are eye brightness, clarity in eye whiteness. Note if the face turns more red, or dark or pigmented.

Skin imperfections become more obvious with the wrong shade. Teeth will look more yellow with the wrong shade. Shadow will appear under the chin with the wrong shade.

Dark shadows around eyes and under the eyes are more noticeable with the wrong colour.

Once you have made a clear decision about warm or cool, you can then eliminate all warm or all cool shades respectively. 

Warm colours are in the Autumn and Spring palettes. Cool colours are in the Winter and Summer Palettes. 

The next step is determining the value. By value I mean depth of shades. 

The stronger shades are in the (cool) Winter palette and the (warm) Autumn palette.

                  Winter blue                                Autumn blue

If you've eliminated all warm colours then obviously you're left with Winter and Summer colours only.

 Summer blue

If you eliminate the Deep value of Winter colours then you're left with the softer more muted shades of the Summer palette.

Just a note here. You can see that doing your own colour analysis is not that simple.

In fact over the years I've seen lots of clients that are just plain confused and have no idea what season they are, no matter how hard they try to work their own colours out.

The most important reason for this is because there are over 16million colours and in fact there are an infinite number of colours. Also because it's only experience that helps you to slot those colours into their categories.

Without some pretty in depth experience you're going to find it difficult to determine what is a warm or cool colour and then what is a Winter, Summer, Autumn and Spring colour.

You can have a guess but it's only a true experienced colour consultant who can really identify all the colours correctly.

As much as it's a lot of fun trying to guess or work out your colours, I strongly suggest investing in a one time colour analysis and get your colours right to start with.

For more expert information please contact us.

You may try the online colour analysis for an accurate colour analysis or of course attend my workshops or one on one colour and style analysis.

Where did the colour theories begin?

Johannes Itten (1888-1967) was a Swiss painter, designer and theorist.

He believed colour could invoke feelings, and I agree. What do you feel when you walk into a strong bold monochromatic office? How do you feel when you visit a warm old country farm enriched with the golden hues of the Autumn Palette?

What colours do you envisage would enhance a seaside apartment, and how do you feel when you are in that space?  Do you feel light, airy, fresh and happy in the shades of the Muted Summer Palette.

Then there are the bright and light colours of Spring and how do we feel at that time of the year, when we experience new growth and blossoms of the bright spring palette?

Itten theorized seven types of colour contrast, contrast by hue, value, temperature, compliments, simultaneous contrast, contrast by saturation and contrast by extension. He explained by using a colour sphere with the primary colours of red, yellow and blue.

He was the first to associate colour palettes with four types of people and labelled these with the four seasons.

What are the four seasons?

After many years the four seasons were developed in the 1950’s.

These four seasons reflect the seasons of nature. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

It was a clever way of grouping the seasonal colours as they reflect characteristics of the seasons they represent. Colours of the Winter season like the black sky, the white ice and grey days, paint a picture of dominant cool clear colours.

The soft muted colours of Summer-clear blue sky, soft yellow sand, soft green grass and the calypso colours that accompany our beautiful summer season.  

Autumn ushers in the mossy greens and the brilliant colours of autumn leaves with the burnished colours of the trees.

Finally the delightful and delicate and bright colours of Spring with the fresh green grass and spring collection of budding flowers.

In relation to people, a particular colour palette with loads of variety can be designated to each person.

How did the four seasons  become 12 or 16 seasons?

After many years, certain colour consultants deemed that 4 seasons were not enough to identify the numerous “types” of people on the planet.

This only managed to dilute and distort a perfectly functional and accurate way of doing colours.

The original stated whether you are warm or cool ie, Autumn and Spring warm or Winter or Summer cool.

Then once that is determined a further breakdown accessed if you were the deeper or lighter of that breakdown.

So simple and so straightforward was this system. The problem was colour consultants failed to “see”the colours against the clients skin, thereby giving a false reading.

Therefore needing more sub categories.

And so we now have a further diluting of each of the four seasons, calling Spring warm, light and bright. Summer cool, light and soft. Winter bright deep and cool and Autumn warm, deep and soft which is just a further explanation of what these four main categories are. It’s just a repetition of what they are.

Further confusion with the seasonal colours.

Sadly now we have thousands of interpretations of what each of these colour breakups look like.

If you search it out each colour analyst will have different colours in each palette, and in fact most have a combination of all the seasonal colour palettes included in each category, with the colours from each of the spring, summer, autumn and winter palettes.

This leads to ultimate confusion for the client and a colour palette they adhere to with a real miss mash of colours and a totally uncoordinated wardrobe.

 I see these clients after a while and they are not adhering to their palette at all because the palette may only have some of their colours and many wrong colours.

My final analysis on colour.

Stick to the four seasonal colour palettes.

Find accurate colour palettes that identify colours this way.

Winter colours are Cool, blue based, strong, primary and bold. They include black, white, all greys, Deep deep chocolate brown, extremely pale icy colours for contrast and the rich primary colours.

Summer colours are also cool, soft, muted and contain the deep colours of milk chocolate brown, beiges, taupes, soft grey, soft denims, burgundys, mint greens, soft emeralds, lemon yellows, muted pinks and purples, wedgewood blues, light blues and soft muted navys

Autumn colours are rich and deep and warm. Pumpkins and ochres and rich warm purples and golden yellows and warm golden browns and creams and teal and muted blues and rich warm burgundys as well as orange reds and all oranges.

Spring colours are similar to Summer colours and are often mistaken because they are the less intense, versions of colours, but they are much brighter due to the warm component and yellow base. You have lime greens and soft warm corals and peaches and warm browns and warm caramel browns and yellow beiges. Bright blues and bright greens and bright yellows are the happy colours of Spring.

This is just a small sampling of the colours that fit into the four palettes. All I know as an experienced colour analyst your colouring will suit one only of the four seasonal colour palettes. From there the rest is easy just start wearing ALL the many many many colours in your beautiful palette for a beautiful and colourful and co-ordinated functional wardrobe.

For more information contact Your Colours and Style.

What’s all the fuss about colour?

Colours is making a big time Comeback and I’m all for it, because colour is the key to our Image Success.

I mean who doesn’t want to look younger, more vibrant, more attractive, more stylish and chic?

It’s a no brainer when it comes to fashion, colour can quickly transform your appearance.

So what’s all the fuss about and why are so many stylists and of course colour consultants and Image Consultants, hopping on the colour bandwagon?

Colour is so exciting.

I do think the most elegant, beautiful and stunning women know how to dress in their colours.

Think of the stars of the 50’s in those amazing gowns and extravagant wear, looking absolutely breathtaking in their gorgeous colours.

Colour is not only the most exciting way to dress but also the most individual way to dress.

Wearing your colours will make you not only more beautiful and stylish, but more creative as you learn how to use your colours well and create great colour combos and accessorise in an interesting manner.

How does a colour analysis work?

As a colour consultant the first thing I explain to my clients when having their colour analysis is what to look for in the draping.

Wrong colours highlight shadow, lines, dullness, redness, pigmentation and other flaws in the skin. They make our teeth look more yellow, the whites of the eyes not as white and our hair duller.

The correct colours even out the skin. They bring brightness, less shadow, lines and wrinkles.

Pigmentation, redness and aging are all less noticeable in the right colours. Our teeth look whiter, our hair looks brighter, when we wear our colours.

It’s really good to learn how to “read” your colours as you’re draped and a trained colour consultant should be able to point these things out to you.

This understanding helps immensely then when you’re shopping on your own with your own seasonal colour swatch.

Have a colour analysis

The first thing to do to learn about your colours is to have a colour analysis.

This can be done online or in person

It’s just a simple 15 minute process that will change your Image world and transform your look overnight.

The consultant starts with a warm (coral) drape and then a cool (pink) drape to show the client how warm and cool reflects on their skin.

At this stage it should be obvious to the consultant, who informs their client, what each shade is doing and how it shows on the skin.

You have draped the warm and the cool and then you will go on to drape 4 red, blue, green, yellow and white colours in each season.

One of each, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter drapes are only necessary as every colour belongs in only 1 of 4 palettes.

The analysis uses colour groups from the 4 seasons.

Every colour has a value of either Cool Dominant which is classified in the Winter range of colours.

The Summer colours are classified as cool (blue based) muted colours

Autumn shades are yellow or red based warm strong colours.

Spring shades are warm also and yellow based but are much lighter than the Autumn colours and often appear brighter than the Summer shades.

Every single one of the infinite number of colours can be placed into 1 of these four categories.

This is the best place to start with colours.

Every client fits into only ONE of these categories.

It is impossible to be able to suit warm and cool colours at the same time.

Colours are warm and cool and neutral, not people. This is where some confusion has crept into the colour world.

Another confusion is when certain colours are placed into the wrong category of colours, so best to find a consultant that is experienced with working with colours.

If you have for example one of every green, 1 spring, 1 summer, 1 winter and 1 autumn green as you drape the consultant will be able to see just how each colour reflects upon your skin.

As they drape you with each colour component eg. All the reds, yellows, reds and blues, a pattern should form as in the same season will appear as the most flattering.

Everything in the draping should agree so that you can see that only ONE season comes up as the best season for you.

What a colour analysis is not.

In the past we have been told to determine your colours by your veins, or your hair or eye colour.

This is not an accurate way of telling your colours and should be avoided as a guide.

The hair needs to be covered and the drapes are accessed by your UNDER skin tone.

It can become very confusing, so I would suggest you find a good colour consultant with lots of experience and good reviews.

If you would like more information about having your colours done and having an accurate colour analysis please contact your colours and style.

Colour is making a big comeback

Colours are making a big comeback. By that I mean people are having their colours done again and there seems to be a lot of interest in it.

You know colours was all the rage in the 70's.

Perhaps we're tired of dull and dreary. After all colour can lift one's spirits.

But aside from the euphoric state of being colour can create, why would you be enticed to completely change your entire wardrobe?

What's all the hype about colour anyway?

What is a colour analysis?

A colour analysis is a draping system that applies cloth to the subject to determine which category of colours suit the person's underskin tone.

It's a simple process that requires the analyst to use fabrics from different colour categories to get the "season" of colours right.

Once the season is determined, the client becomes aware of the colours they can choose within their season.

Because there are millions of colours, it's important to be able to learn how to choose those that suit you. This of course is something the analyst guides you in.

3 Important reasons to wear your colours.

There are lots of benefits to wearing your right colours, especially as you age, but I just want to talk about the major reasons why you'd be inspired to make the change to wear your colours all the time.

Reason no 1. Colour is probably the most powerful way to transform the way you look overnight.

You can transform your look immediately by simply changing your hair colour, make up colour and clothing colours.

This is the major benefit to wearing the right colours.

Imagine looking more attractive, younger and more well groomed.

Reason no 2. You'll look more stylish by wearing the right colours.

Is there more to style than just the latest fashion, or the right cut?

There certainly is.

Have you ever worn an outfit that's you're style but just didn't feel good in it? It was

most certainly not the right colour for you.

Your colours blend and flow with you and will create your best style.

If you wear your colours they look like they belong to you. They are a part of you. Hence this is your style.

Reason no 3. You're wardrobe will be well co-ordinated and functional.

Is you're wardrobe messy and disfunctional?

It's stems from a missmatch of different seasons and colours that are not compatible with you.

It can be depressing to step into a wardrobe like this. Full of clothes but nothing to

wear. I call this Image anxiety. How to have no confidence in what you wear.

If you want a wardrobe that's functional, stylish and beautiful get the colours right and do a really thorough wardrobe cull.

So let's make 2023 the start to a functional, stylish and fabulous wardrobe you'll love stepping into and stepping out looking you're best.

For more colour and style tips or answered questions contact us.

7 top tips to sparkle this Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner. Here are 7 sure proof ways to sparkle this

Christmas in just 7 days.

7 Steps in 7 days for your transformation

Tip no 1. You know what it is. “Colour”. As a colour consultant, I cannot express the

importance of wearing the right colours.

Colour has the power to change your persona completely and instantly.

From drab to fab. Chunky to slimmer, Older to younger, messy to immaculate.

You’re colours is 80% or more of the fashion equation.

So if you haven’t had your colours done, I urge you to do it now.

If you have had your colours done and are still not fully knowledgeable ask for help

from a professional and learn all you can about your colours.

Tip no 2. Let’s start at the top. You’re crowning glory.

We all know how we feel when we get our hair right.

So is it time for a “new do”? Could you do with some changes to the colour and

style?

A lot can change after a visit to the hairdresser.

Discuss a new hair colour. Ask your colour consultant about the colours that best

suit your skin tone and get your hairdresser to work with your best colours.

Next tackle a style that enhances your face shape as well as gives you an up to

date style.

We can all look much younger just by having a more contemporary look.

Certain styles are aging. For example too many tight curls can have an aging

effect on some women. Styles that drag your face down are aging as well as

styles that don’t suit your face shape. Ask the hairdresser for a new style that suits

your face shape. If you’re not happy with the last 3 cuts, it’s time for a change.

Remember most older women look better with shorter hair styles.

Tip no 3. What will you wear for the festive season? What sort of occasion is it?

Formal? Casual?

Find an outfit(s) that suit your colours first, then think about the occasion and then

choose a style you know suits your body shape. Consider fabrics as well as cut.

Some brands will sit better on you because they are well cut. Oh and yes, try to

shop well in advance, to avoid a panic purchase. They are usually not the best

option.

Tip no 4. Your Skin. Nothing looks lovelier than glowing healthy skin. Ask about my 

7 days to stunning skin blog and see the difference that you can make with a

healthier lifestyle in such a short time. It really is astounding. You’ll be amazed at a

much more glowing face. An excellent skin product can change your skin in just 7

days. I recommend to all my clients Ciencia 8 anti aging skin care. Naturally

beautiful, award winning and made in Australia. This skin care definitely has the

power to change your skin.

Tip no 5. Make up. There's a lot of ways you can do your make up. Major tip is to

wear the colours in your season only.  For example, just getting the right colour

foundation can take years off your look.  Your Colours and style has make up that

is listed in your seasonal colours to make choosing your make up simple.

Practice, practice, practice. Find a few make up styles that suit your face and the

way you like to wear your make up. Try something different from time to time, but

do get some make up styles you’re happy with.

Tip no 6. Accessorise. How often have you noticed a woman wearing stunning

jewellery or a fabulous scarf? Well you can do the same. Find your signature

pieces of jewellery and accessories, bags, shoes. Something that is uniquely you

and something that gives your outfit a lift. The plainest outfit can go to a whole new

level with a colourful scarf or a beautiful pair of earrings. No need to spend a

fortune either on these added trinkets.

Another thing to remember with jewellery. Some people suit chunky jewellery and

other suit fine jewellery. There's no rhyme or reason to this, you just need to try

and see which suits you best.

Last tip no 7. Energize and exercise.  This one is along the same lines as the

stunning skin. Get healthier this week. Avoid alcohol, excessive coffee, processed

foods, sugar and up the exercise to bring that blood supply to your skin. Try some

cardio and weights to balance out your program.

For more information contact your colours and style

How to wear the right colour make up, especially as you mature

Can you believe that so many women have anxiety about make up?

So much so, that by the time they come to see me for their colour and style analysis and make up session, they seem completely confused and at a loss about what really looks good on them anymore. So why is this the case?

If you’ve ever gone shopping for make up you know  it’s not easy. How would you know what to look for if you have no idea where to start? And what are you looking for anyway?

It’s interesting, when we were younger we had so much more confidence about make up and actually everything. I mean we just used to slap on any old thing and wear whatever we wanted and off we’d go. Well that’s because in general most of us looked a whole lot younger(of course) and more attractive back then. It’s a youth thing.

Sadly we all age but there are things we can do to combat the aging anxiety dilemma, by learning a few tricks and finding what works for us.

A little bit of knowledge about make up and clothes goes a long way

Unless we’re make up artists or live in the image world, we tend to think, make up, style and fashion is not our line of expertise and we go through life blindly uninformed about the simple things we should know about the simple art of dressing. 

We all wear make up, and dress ourselves every day so why not learn what suits us best?

As a personal stylist, who specializes in colour, I love to help women with their make up.

After all colour is the key to great make up as well as what to wear and just being so much more stylish and attractive.

So I want to share with you some simple ways to have a make up regime that’s not only lovely but so easy and quick to do.

Unless you’re a very qualified trained make up artist and most people are not, you really don’t want to fuss too much about make up anyway. You can adapt make up to your style and your skill level. The majority of women I meet are happy with looking well groomed, younger and more attractive in their make up.

These are the top tips to a make up regime that you will love because of it’s ease to adopt.

Not all women want to wear much make up so if you’re that type then make your regime very simple.

Remember though, the older we get, the more make up we tend to need for some cover up and for colour especially.

Step 1. Always start with moisturized, hydrated skin. Nothing is more aging than dry skin. Spend time caring for your canvas.

Step 2. If you wear foundation, find the right one for your skin colour. You should not be able to see it on your skin very much at all. Colour makes ALL the difference. YCS (Colours Cosmetics) is geared towards your skin. The tones of the foundations suit all women. Be mindful it’s more of what flatters, tones into and smooths your skin tone out.

Pay less attention to the colour of the skin than the underskin tone. Your face may look red or orange or pigmented. These are not flattering skin tones, so you’ll need a colour to tone these down.

YCS Foundations will suit all skin tones so my products go on more depth of colour, rather than skin tone. EG, Fair Medium or dark.

Step 3. Find a good concealer. It’s all about covering and concealing certain things on our face, not the whole face. Dark lines, dark eyes, creases, dark circles all can be erased out and minimised.

This is a real age defying way of doing your make up and bringing light to the subject. Grab a lighter concealer again in your skin tone. I prefer pink or beige bases for that.

Step 4. Colour .When you have your colours done,you’ll know for sure all the blush, eyeshadow and lipstick colours that suit you as well as eye and lip liners etc. There is a plethora of colours you can use, lots of variety, just check with your colour specialist.

Step 5. Define. As we mature our frame lines disappear. Lines around our lips and eyes. Make up is fabulous for subtly bringing those lines back.

Step 6. Be subtle. Yes subtly bringing those things back. Think about it. What is the worst kind of make up on mature women?

Dark, harsh and garish colours. Be subtle-you’re a mature woman not a council bus.

YCS Cosmetics or Your Colours Cosmetics has been around for many decades. This make up became popular in the 70’s when women first started getting their colours done and they needed someone to define make up by season.

We know there are millions of make up colours around so being able to shop for make up by season just makes our choosing so much simpler.

YCS is also top quality, produced in the USA, ethically made, not tested on animals and paraben free.

It is also 100% hypo-allergenic attesting to the quality of the ingredients. And gentle for millions of women worldwide that have enjoyed the products for decades.

If you would like to try these products feel free to order online or call for more information

It’s also an affordable price and easy to apply.

What's sabotaging your Image?

What not to wear. It's just as important as what to wear and it's another way of looking at your image and style to make some leaps forward in improving the way you look.

Today's blog is all about the 20 most common Image mistakes, I've come across in almost 20 years as a personal stylist and colour consultant.

See if you can identify with one or many from the following list.

1. A wardrobe full of clothes with nothing to wear. This is top of the list for an  image offender and one issue that leaves women with a great deal of Image Anxiety.

2. Having trouble co-coordinating outfits.

3. Hate Shopping. Another easily avoidable problem I'll talk about in my Image Solutions

4. Looking old and frumpy. Sadly there are an huge number of women that are looking and feeling this way, when they don't have to.

5. Lots of colours that don't go together. Don't feel bad about this one. With an infinite number of colours how can you know how to co-ordinate?

6. An huge amount of black. Many women use black as a default colour because they're of the misconception it goes with everything, is slimming, chic and stylish.

I'm here to bust all those myths.

7.Looking bad in everything. Sad. Every woman can look good at every stage of her life with the right information.

8. Confusion about colour. It was said before. With over 16 million and more colours how can you expect to know about colour without training?

9. Used to look good in a colour but not anymore. Have you noticed, as you've aged something has changed? Yes your hair colour, your skin colour, your body shape? What you thought looked good when you were young, at a time when everything forgivingly  looked awesome on you (or so you thought) no longer does. Fact is it wasn't quiet right then and it's even less right now.

10. Not knowing your style. This is another one that can be solved with a little body, style, shape and fashion knowledge.

11. Online shopping is unsuccessful. If you don't know what to do in store, how are you going to shop any better online?

12. Hate choosing outfits just before you go out. Here's that image anxiety again. If you have a closet full of items that don't suit you, you're never going to be comfortable choosing outfits.

13. Clothes in the wardrobe with tags on. There's a few reasons for that. You may have way too many clothes than days in the year or that outfit just is not right for you. Plain and simple. Save some money and get the right information about what suits you the best.

14. Too many clothes. Even if you have some fabulous clothes in your wardrobe, having them all stuffed in will hinder your options to choose right. Often your best outfit is hiding.

15. You're make up is outdated. Are you guilty of wearing the same Carnaby Street make up you wore when you were 16? That was decades ago and the ridiculousness of it has increased as you've grown older. Time for a revamp.

16. Hair colour is a disaster. I would say at least 80% of my clients could benefit from a complete hair colour update.

17. No Image Confidence. Well that's understandable, because you don't look your best. Imagine how you're going to feel when you have the tools to have a total revamp?

18. Had colours done by different consultants with different opinions and you're still confused.  Your right colours are the key to your Image success. But if your colour consultants are confused what hope do you have? Have a colour analysis with a professional colour consultant that know's what they're doing.

19. Had wrong colours with a colour consultant. You know something is not right. You're not wearing ALL the colours they recommended and your swatch is a mismatch. Get an accurate analysis.

20. Have zero style. Again start with the right colours, the rest is common sense and will fall into place. Most outfits you see that don't look stylish are simply in the wrong colours.

How did you go? Did you see yourself in one or more or all of these problems?

If so I urge you to come for a professional Colour and Image consultation and have a top to toe Image transformation with Your Colours and Style Sydney.

If you're not in Sydney I can help you with an online analysis as well.

Contact Your Colours and Style Sydney.

How to choose your slimmest Colours

They say “you can never be too rich or too slim”. I’m not sure about that, but as a professional colour consultant I know there are certain colours that make you look slimmer.

Most mature women I know crave a more slender outline and one that doesn’t make us appear fat and frumpy, but can the colours we wear, help us to achieve that goal?

They most definitely can. So what would be your most slimming colours?

Is Black the most slimming Colour?

If you ask women what is the most slimming colour, the most outstanding answer would be black.

But is black the most slimming colour?

No it isn’t and here are 2 reasons why.

1. Black is a non colour that sucks up all the light. There is no reflection from the colour black. This makes the colour appear dark, dull and heavy. It’s a misconception that black is light and slimming.
2. Because black absorbs all light, the garment will have no “flow”. Flow means areas of light and shade. It appears to be completely block, again giving an“heavy” appearance.

But the misconception that black is your most slimming colour has gained lots of support. Sadly not everything you read is true.

How can colour make you slimmer?  

It ‘s true colour plays a key role in helping us to look slimmer and more together. Especially when we wear our colours from top to toe.

Your colours will make you look lighter and brighter.

This works by allowing light onto the subject. The light that you need to draw to yourself. 

Wearing your colours from top to toe gives the illusion of slimness.

Without this colour cohesion an outfit can appear to look messy or sloppy.

Wearing colours from different palettes can cut the body up and also add unwanted weight to you.

Eg. If you wear a top from one colour palette and a pant from a different colour palette, you look mismatched,cut in half and that line across your middle adds "weight".

This can also happen by adding black pants to everything.

Always wear the right colours

If you always wear the right colours from top to toe, you’ll look taller and therefore slimmer.

The right colours for you will also attract the right light to you as well.

How do you choose the right colours?

Now that you realize, wearing your colours can make you look so much slimmer and more co-ordinated and more stylish, how do you go about finding the colours that suit you?

There are an unlimited number of colours. Easily in excess of 16 million. That’s one of the major reasons why people find it difficult to differentiate between the right colours and the wrong colours to wear.

I would always recommend a good colour analysis from someone who has been gaining good reviews for accurate colour analysis work and preferably someone who’s been in the industry for many years.

 It’s so easy to get the colours wrong. A colour analysis literally takes less than 30 minutes. Always use the draping method and I prefer the original 4 seasons analysis from the Colour me Beautiful days.

Since then so many changes have occurred with various colour systems that can be quiet confusing.

I do know that if you practice wearing colour all the time, you have a good chance of getting your colours right over time.

Note which colours you get lots of compliments for and also the ones that make you look younger and more vibrant.

For more colour advice contact Your Colours and style.

8 good reasons why I stopped wearing black at 60.

I know black’s had a pretty good wrap since Coco Chanel made it chic, stylish and mandatory in the early 1900’s.

Among her now-classic innovations were the Chanel suit, the quilted purse, costume jewelry, and the “little black dress.”

And then we’ve made a spectacular statement of the LBD ever since.  

Many stylists begin and end with black.

Black dress, pants coats, shoes, bags are our staple and basic must haves, but does black always serve us well?

 I don’t think so. Black is not our best choice when we’re aging.

8 really good reasons why I stopped wearing black at 60.

Black is often the go to colour (non colour) many women are drawn to  when they want to look, professional, well groomed, chic, stylish, younger, contempary, to name a few, but may I point you to some reasons why as a mature colour consultant, I will never wear black again?

1. Black is heavy-it makes us look heavier.

Because black absorbs all light it creates a feeling of “heaviness”.

Most mature women I know would rather have a much lighter appearance. Many of us a carrying excess weight anyway and looking heavier is not ideal.

 We have been led to believe black is slimming but could this be a misconception?

2. Black creates shadow. Shadow around our face, especially ,accentuates lines and wrinkles.

Grab a black garment and place it under your chin. See the shadow under the chin and how much more noticeable lines, wrinkles, dark circles, sagging skin is?

It’s a sure way of adding years.

3. Black doesn’t go with everything.

We’ve been told black is a universal colour and can go with everything?

Actually black is a dominant cool colour and it mixes with other strong or dominant colours like pure white, primary red, green, yellow, blue, green and purple.

Black is strong and therefore goes well with other strong colours. So it doesn’t go with everything, and trying to mix it with everything creates drab outfits.

4.  Black limits your colour choices

If you are a black lover and have a wardrobe full of black, I can almost guarantee there isn’t much else in your wardrobe as far as variety in colours.

Black is very limiting, for the reasons I spoke about in no 3.

Black only goes with a very limited number of colours.

5. Black is boring.

I make this point by saying. Go into a room with 60 other people that are wearing predominately black.

How different or not do they look? You have a sea of dull uninteresting looking people.

How interesting can a black dress look? How different do your 15 pairs of black pants look in your wardrobe?

How often do you buy more black pants when you already have so many?

6. Black is a durge.

Colours create atmosphere.

What atmosphere is created at a funeral, where everyone is traditionally wearing black?

The mood is sombre, sad, serious and depressing.

That’s why I prefer to wear colour to a funeral unless it is traditional or required to wear black.. So unless you’re compelled to wear black, why not wear colour for a brighter mood?

7. Black is harsh.

How many mature women say “I don’t want to look like mutton dressed up as lamb?

Well wearing black is one sure fire way of that being the case because black is a very “hard” colour.

In all my years as a stylist, none of my clients have said they would love to look more harsh or hard.

8. Black is not stylish

Contrary to popular belief, I've seen multiple examples of women looking far less than stylish in black.

In fact sometimes we can actually look quiet sloppy wearing black.

So give it a go. Look at all your black outfits and then try your coloured outfits (in the right colours of course) and see which outfits look more stylish.

There are just 8 of the reasons why I will never wear black again. Oh and yes another reason why, is I have thousands of other colours to wear, that look bright and beautiful. 

When you don’t wear black your colour choices explode.

I promise you it’s more fun, attractive, stylish and beautiful wearing colour instead of black.

If you would like to learn more about your colours, contact Your Colours and Style.

Are you sure you're wearing the right colours? 10 ways to tell

If you're reading this blog you're probably very aware of the power of colours.The

power of wearing the right colours that suit you.

You are very aware you will look younger, slimmer, more vibrant, more stylish and

attractive when you wear your colours.

Have you had your colours done? And even if you have are you sure they have

been done correctly and you are getting the most from your colours?

People's experience with colour.

Over the years as a colour consultant, I've seen a real mix of experiences with

colour.

People wearing the wrong colours. People not wearing any colour at all. People

that are certain they're wearing their colours and are not. People that have had

their colours done correctly but are not utilizing all their colours. People that have

had their colours correctly analyzed but have been given poor advise about how to

choose their colours or have been given swatches with the wrong colours as well

as the right colours. People that sometimes accidently wear the right colours,

People that wear the wrong colours most of the time.

But whatever their colour experience, I know they can always improve on getting

those colours right and bringing their image up a notch or two or three.

10 tips to see if you're wearing your colours all the time.

Firstly let me say that the older we get the more we will realize that certain colours

"just don't do anything for us"

Have you ever noticed that? You'll try on a colour or even a garment you've worn

many times before and suddenly realize, "Yuk" I look terrible in that colour?

Clients have even told me they have to wear scarves to hide certain colours

because they think they can't wear that colour anymore.

So obviously tip no 1. Is you realize yourself that certain colour just doesn't suit you

anymore.

It never was your best colour, but it's become less flattering as you've aged.

Tip no 2. You get very little compliments in that colour. I know not everyone has an

eye for colour, but if you notice lot's of side whispers when you go out with friends

and a funny look on their face, it could be that cacky coloured top your wearing.

Have you noticed when you're wearing a different top in a different colour the

compliments just keep flowing?

Tip no 3. You look and feel old and tired. It can be a real drain when your wearing

the wrong colour. You catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and you tell your

boss you're not feeling very well and need to go home. The sad thing is they agree

with you.

Tip no 4. Nothing in your wardrobe matches. This is really telling. If you have a

wardrobe full of mismatch colours that don't flow, it's a good sign that there are

many offending colours that don't belong in your wardrobe.

Tip no 5. You seem to be unco-ordinated. You're outfit is just not right. You may not

know what needs to change but you never feel quite well groomed enough.

Tip no 6. You feel a bit "drab". Again you're not sure what needs to change but you

always feel drab. You think it's because your getting older and older women look

drab anyway. (such a lie).

Tip no 7. You hate shopping. There's nothing more of a drag than shopping when

you don't know how to choose colours that suit you. Nothing seems to look good

and everything makes you look drab and sad.

Tip no 8. You bring clothes home and never wear them. Mm this is a bad one.

Liking something in the shop and getting it home and finding it just doesn't really

look good on you and it doesn't go with anything in the wardrobe.

Tip no 9. You mix everything with black. A real give away. Black doesn't go with

everything my friend, even though we've been told it does. Mixing black with

everything is the biggest tell tale sign you know nothing about your colours.

Tip no 10  Because 10 is a round number. You're wardrobe is colourless. If you

know your colours, you'll have heaps of colours in your wardrobe.

What happens when you wear your colours ALL the time

So after reading all the tips to see what happens if you're wearing the wrong

colours, I'm sure you're now motivated to wear the right colours.

It's such a joy and it makes you look younger more vibrant, healthy, happy, stylish,

attractive and beautiful, no matter how old you are.

Shopping is a joy, because you're good at it.

You're wardrobe co-ordinates.

Everything looks good on you

You look more stylish

Your friends stop talking about you haha

You look slimmer

It will be easier to choose your style

You're make up will look lovely

You're hair colour will suit.

You save time, money and energy shopping.

You have buyer satisfaction so you don't have to keep buying and buying.

And in general you'll be known as that woman that always looks lovely.

Whatever your aims or goals are for your image, colour can satisfy, so either have

an accurate colour analysis and learn about your colours.

Or have your colours rechecked today. Either with the online colour analysis  to

check your colours or a one on one with Your Colours and Style Sydney to get your

colours just right.

Here are 5 colours to avoid

Most of us have heard about Colours. Getting your colours done, wearing colours that suit you.

The seasonal colour palettes. Looking good in your colours. It goes on and on.

How committed are people to wearing their colours? Do people really know what colours suit them?

Not really. And there is a whole lot of reasons for that. One’s that I will not go into in this blog.

But the big question is. If you look fabulous, great, younger, slimmer, more attractive in your colours then why don’t you wear them?

Like I said there is a lot I can say about colour, but as a colour professional/specialist, this blog is all about colours that are a big no no when we age.

5 Colours to avoid looking older

So many women have come to me over the years and explained there are certain colours that “just don’t look good on me anymore”

Or "I have to wear a scarf or something to break this colour up because it’s too dark, heavy or dull?"

So today I'm just going to name 5 of the big offending colours every mature woman should avoid if she doesn’t want to look old and frumpy.

See if you relate to any of these.

No 1. Electric Blue.

Why is this colour offender no 1?

Electric blue is bright and strong and it looks just like that on you. It stands out way to much and it’s not the type of attention you’re looking for

No 2. Orange

Orange can either be a primary orange or a warm dull colour. It can either be too bright or too heavy.

Again you don’t want to look too bright or too heavy.

So avoid all oranges. Is there an orange type you can wear? 

Yes there is and your colour analysis will reveal that

No 3. Primary Red.

One of my sayings as a colour consultant is “if it’s too bright it’s not right”.

That’s what I say about MOST reds. Not all but most are too bright.

Think bright red lipstick. Not a good look for an older women.

Another reason why I avoid bright reds is many people just mix it with black.

A very frumpy combo for mature women.

No 4 Bright yellow

Again another colour that’s way too bright. Many clients shy away from yellow for

good reasons. But I always assure them there are some yellows that look fantastic

on them. Yellow can be really fresh and lovely. Especially in their casual wear.

Yellow is certainly a very summery colour so let your colour analysis determine

the best yellows to wear.

No 5 Black

Coming in as the key offender for mature women in colours not to wear is black

I know many think black is stylish, chic, slimming, evergreen, elegant, goes with everything, etc etc. But here is the kicker.

Take a photo of yourself in black.

Take a good hard look at it.

Ask yourself these questions.

Do I look dull? Does the black show shadow around my eyes, chin? Do I appear to

have more wrinkles? Do I look aged? Is this boring on me?

I could go on, but I rest my case.

Black is not flattering on older women and black does not go with every colour. In

fact it really only truly goes with the dominant cool colours.

Hope you've enjoyed this blog.

Try this and see for yourself and give me some comments about what you find.

Love to hear from you Ros Your Colours and Style

My top 10 things to personal shopping

Looks like you can go shopping again!!!!!

But before you hit the mall running, let’s talk about the 10 top things I as a personal shopper consider for my clients to get them the best bang for their bucks.

And how those 10 things ensure success each and every time we go shopping with lot’s of happy purchases, the clients just love.

I mean let’s face it, who wants to employ a personal shopper and come home with nothing or worse still come home with things you’re still not happy with and will never wear?

You’re quiet good at that yourself that’s why you may need a personal shopper.  

A personal shopping experience is meant to be something you could not do on your own. Right? Or at least an experience that helps you to shop better in the future.  

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A PERSONAL SHOPPER.

What are the 10 most important things I consider when shopping with my clients.

1. YOUR COLOURS.

THE most important, necessary, mandatory thing I consider is the colours that suit the client. I WOULD SAY COLOUR IS 80% OF THE STYLE EQUATION. The difference between wearing the wrong colour outfit and the right colour outfit is ridiculous.

I cannot stress how important the colour component of your wardrobe is if you want to look your best.

Why do I say that? Because most women are not reaching their true image potential and it’s always because they can improve when it comes to wearing the right colours.

Unless you have had a correct colour analysis with accurate colour swatches you will have clothes in your wardrobe in the wrong colours. It always happens. And when the client clears the wrong colours out, they and their wardrobe change, dramatically.

2. YOUR WEIGHT

 Gained a few kilos lately? Or has your body shape changed? Body changes are a fact of life and a really important thing to factor in when you dress and when choosing styles that are the most suitable for you to wear.

 Women over 40 especially may notice a few extra bumps and lumps. Your weight determines which styles suit your body.

 Have you noticed when you lose just 5 kilos, how much better an outfit will look?

 3. YOUR AGE

“Mutton dressed up as lamb”, is something most mature women don’t want to be. So how to dress appropriately? One major mistake women make is showing too much skin. They forgot to look in the mirror and realise their once taut and toned arms and legs are no longer. That’s why we have things like knee length dresses and not mini’s. Check out my other blogs about being “Age Appropriate”

 4. YOUR SIZE

This one is pretty obvious. I am not going to dress a 60 year old woman that is a size 20 in the same styles as a 60 year old woman that’s a size 8.

A smaller frame will look much neater in her dress. Now being a size 8 is just a pipe dream for most of us, so best to know that we can find styles to flatter every shape and size. It’s all about knowing what designs of clothing are your best option.

5. YOUR HEIGHT

Style is all about proportion as well. You may be a short stout rectangle or a tall pencil thin rectangle and in the case of a shorter larger frame woman, you could almost be a square shape.

Obviously the style of dress for a taller slimmer woman is not the style of dress for a shorter fuller shape woman with maybe a very full bust. It’s great that dressing your shape can give the illusion of a more balanced frame, and there are style for every shape and size.

6. YOUR PROPORTIONS

 As mentioned with height, style is about providing a balanced well-proportioned look. Think about width of shoulders, bust size, hip size, leg length, neck length etc all the body measurements that make up your proportions play a role in your style summary.

7. YOUR STYLE PERSONALITY

 I may have 2 women of the same age, size, height, weight and colours but I will dress them in completely different outfits. One woman may be quiet and sophisticated in nature, the other woman playful and outlandish. I will let the clothing match the character.

8. THE BUDGET

 I love budget shopping. I really get a kick out of looking fabulous for a few dollars. I’m that one when I get a compliment to say. “Oh and these earrings only cost me $3.

It’s amazing, how knowing your colours can help you put the whole look together and can be a really fun adventure of finding those cute and edgy little bargains that make “your signature style” so unique.

9. YOUR CURRENT WARDROBE.

 Going shopping? No. Hang on a minute. Before you go anywhere, take a look at what’s in your wardrobe first.

You can revamp an existing wardrobe if you’ve been diligent to cull the wrong colours first. Last seasons outfits become “new” again if you see them with fresh eyes when the calendar ticks over. If your wardrobe has ONLY the right colours, creating lots of outfits becomes easy.

Grab a belt, put that outfit with boots. Try a different cardi or jacket over the top. Cinch the waist in, let the shirt out, roll the sleeves up, turn the collar down. The main thing is get creative. Try a new hairstyle. Add a different statement piece of jewellery to make the outfit brand new. You’re only limited by your imagination.

10. Last and final tip. YOUR ACCEPTANCE TO CHANGE.

This last tip is a big one. You’re so used to seeing yourself a particular way and your impression of yourself is very strong. Some people love change and some people will oppose it with every fiber in their body. Which type are you? Be aware of that whenever you make any real changes in your life.

If you’re a resister, take it easy. Be kind to yourself. Make gradual changes you can live with and love and then tackle the next change. If you don’t change you’ll stay the same and who wants that?

If you have any questions contact Your Colours and Style always happy to help. Happy Shopping!!!