The New Year might just be a good time to revamp your make up

Your Image is not the same without a good face of make up

You could wear the most amazing outfit but if your face is not right the whole thing will look below par

So let’s get down to some great ways to improve your make up with some tried and true tricks to applying your foundation.

Here are my 5 top tips?

Tip no 1. Preparation.

Beautiful skin is always the best place to start when applying your make up.

If you apply foundation over dry skin, the foundation will appear dry and flaky. Make sure you have subtle moist skin as your base.

My clients are always asking for a foundation and powder that doesn’t make their face look more lined. Even if you are more mature and have a number of lines and wrinkles, having the right foundations and powders as well as knowing how to apply them will make the face appear less lined and much smoother. Actually it can take years off your appearance.

The first step is prepare your skin. That doesn’t happen overnight. Skin should be looked after from an early age by using the right products and treatments and taking the right care.

Stay out of the sun and wear a sunscreen daily. Have regular facials if you can afford them or have good home care.

Cleanse and moisturise and apply vitamin C serums and retinols so the skin is soft and moist.

Tip no 2. The right colour foundations, powders and concealers.

WRONG COLOUR FOUNDATION

Have you ever noticed foundations that look bad?

The most common problem is the colour. The wrong colour can make the face look heavy and unnatural.

How do you choose the right colours?

Our Colours foundations stick mostly to beige or pink based foundations. Yellow and orange tones have become mainstream and popular but these tend to make the foundation look thick and heavy.

The wrong colours are somewhat better on very young flawless skin, but who has young flawless skin?

The rest of us look better in pink based foundations because skin colour is pink.  

If your face is too red try the beige neutral based colours.

To know if the foundation you choose is right for you, apply a tiny streak of foundation on the base of the cheek.

The foundation should be unnoticeable. This is a good colour match for you.

The same apply’s for powders and concealers. Powders are meant to sit on top without changing the colour at all and concealers are meant to conceal, dark areas and spots etc.

Tip no 3. Apply a tiny tiny amount.

Take a close look at your face in the mirror. Can you see the skin isn’t perfectly one colour.

It’s actually quiet spotted or mottled. This is completely normal. Some people have more pigmentation than others and unevenness.

Not to worry. A good foundation will smooth the skin out to more uniformity, as long as it is exactly the right shade for your skin.

The secret is to apply as little of the appropriate foundation as you possibly can. This can be done by applying a small amount with a foundation brush and then buffing it in with a buffer brush or stipple brush.

Tip no 4. Seal with the right powder or not.

A light dusting of wet and dry powder. Medium skin tone

Powder is a personal choice. A lot of mature women are afraid of powder as they think it settles in the lines and wrinkles.

This isn’t the case if you dust lightly over your foundation and buff it in and also if you have the right colour powder as well. It needs to be somewhat translucent as you don’t want to change the shade of your foundation.

If you prefer a dewier look you can skip the powder, but remember powder is a good setting agent, it dampens shine and allows your make up to be more long lasting.

Tip no 5. The right concealer.

Concealer #500 applied as eyebase and inside eye area and part of the under eye. 

Light porcelain skin colour

Your foundation, powder and concealer trio is the whole base for your make up.

First prep, then moisturise, apply foundation, then powder and finish with concealer for a good palette to work with.

All your colour and definition can be made once you have a good clean face to start with. Begin with the wrong foundation and your make up is all downhill from there.

Light skin tone above. Deep skin tone below. 

If you would like a free make up appraisal contact Your Colours and Style.

Fine tune you’re best Image

I thought I’d start the New Year with what I think are my 5 BEST Image making tips that I reckon will make a big difference to your wardrobe, and of course the way you look.

Let’s start with Image maker 1.

Don't wear the wrong colours

If you have already had your Colours done, and you are sure you’ve had a correct assessment, I bet there are still some Image Breakers lurking in your cupboard. That is clothes that aren’t in your colours.

My top tip is get to know your colours really well. ‘There are only 16million plus colours after all.

Only wear or buy your correct colours. I spend a lot of time assisting my clients to know their colours and provide ways to help them learn them.

I bet you’re still hanging on to things that are not in your season. I know it’s hard to part with something that you’ve spent your hard earned dollars on, but why wear something that doesn’t do you justice?

Image maker no 2.

Get rid of your old clothes. 

Get rid of those old clothes that are still lurking in your cupboard. 

There's always room for another cull and there is never room for something that doesn’t belong in your closet. You’ll feel much happier when you make more space and you’ll even be able to see the garments in your wardrobe much better.

Image maker no 3

Sort your clothes into 2 separate wardrobes.

Separating your closet into your Summer and Winter things is also very freeing.

Having room to move will give you a better sense of order and help you to see the potential especially when it comes to creating new looks.

Image maker no 4

Create new looks

Did you know you can become more creative when there is less clutter around you?

Imagine a more “capsule “type wardrobe. Less is sometimes best. I encourage you to do some more mixing and matching.

Create different outfits with the clothes you already own. You can make outfits that looks new and fresh just by mixing things up a little.

Try all the looks you can create with one top for example. How many bottoms does that one top go with?

Experiment with different shoes, bags and jewellery. Make a casual outfit more formal by adding a jacket, different shoes and make up.

You’re clothes need to be multi-functional. Doing these things will make you realize you have more than enough clothes to wear and there is no need to go out shopping for something “new “at every new season.

I always say “how many outfits can you wear in 365 days of the year”? Most people tend to wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time anyway.

Image maker no 5

Throw away everything that is ill fitting,

Most of us have fluctuating weight. Usually it’s sort of up or down a size.

If you find there are items in your wardrobe that are a really bad fit and make you look frumpy, it’s time to put them in the recycle bin. Find garments that fit well and are flattering to your body shape.

So there you have it, my New Year‘s Wardrobe resolutions. All I need to do now is go and tidy mine up as well.

So happy Culling from Your Colours style for 2025.

10 must haves to sass up your wardrobe this Spring

With a glimpse of Spring shining through, you may have, like me, been out shopping already to sass up your wardrobe.

Nothing sparkles like new

Yes I know it’s a noble deed to shop your wardrobe, recycle and repurpose your clothes but I’m sorry, no matter how much I think I have enough clothes to last me to the end of days, there is always room for a brand new item to inject into every new season.

Start with what you already have in your closet.

If you’re the organized  type (which I am not), pull out your outfits that will serve you well this season.

Grab those basics or those items on the must have list that you already have and check out their wear ability. If they’re still looking fresh and lovely place them on the bed and create as many outfits and ideas as you can. Who knows after this exercise you might be happy not to shop or buy anything new at all.

Always remember there are only so many days in the year and only so many different outfits we can wear anyway, so there is no need to over buy.

Cull, cull, cull.

If you have time (which I don’t) now is a good time to cull out of your wardrobe any unwanted garments.

Ones you’ve not worn, grown out of (don’t wait until you grow back into again, it barely happens) or are looking a bit shabby.

If they are good enough to pass on or sell, do that. Why waste a good garment.

Item No 1.

White jeans.

I find nearly all my clients young or old are predominately wearing casual clothes.

So my no 1. pick is white jeans. I like to wear them all year round. Find your suitable whites and choose the right seasonal fabrics with stretch or no stretch in your best styles.

Item no 2.

Denim Jeans.

Dress them up or dress them down. Denim jeans are forever in fashion so  find your best brands and again be sure to choose your right colour denims.

Item no 3.

White T shirt.

Nothing looks fresher than a white t shirt with jeans, pants or skirt.  They can look so smart and lovely also very dressy with the right accessories.  Just try not to spill beetroot on them.

Item no 4.

Coloured T shirt.

Another must have staple is the coloured Tee. Go anywhere, go with anything and remember in your colours you have such an array of choice why wouldn’t you have more than one in the mix.

Remember when you see them on special, they usually come in a mix of colours, and when you know your colours well, you will find it easy to choose.

Item no 5.

The Sun dress

On those stinking hot days what can be cooler than a light and airy dress. Strappy or straight a soft linen dress is so chic. Remember the shift dress is very flattering for all shapes.

Item no 6

A stylish sun hat.

Don’t leave the house without your hat but be sure it makes a statement and suits your style and face shape.

Item no 7

A Summer bag

To complete your look for the warmer months, what could be more fun and fabulous than a gorgeous colourful and glam handbag. This is a time when you can purchase a non leather bag, perhaps raffia or fabric and something very pretty.

Item no 8

Beautiful coloured pant

With so many prints, silks, flowy pants and patterns available, you can wear something totally different to what you’d wear in the cooler months.

Item no 9

Short sleeve blouse

A short sleeve blouse, is a great purchase in pure cotton, linen or any other light fabric. The main goal is breathability and easy style. Find a cut that flatters your body shape.

Item no 10

Long sleeve shirt

You will find the need for a longer sleeve shirt on occasion and there are so many beautiful choices to make. Lovely silks, satins, stripes, cotton, linen, fun prints are waiting for you to add to your lovely spring/summer collection

I hope this has given you a few ideas as well as some inspiration to get into your spring/summer look

One last thing be sure every item you purchase is in your correct colours. Nothing is more glamorous, beautiful or stylish than wearing your colours from top to toe.