I'm not selling anything - just thought it would be fun.
Not only has it saved me a fortune too, it has taken away a great deal of anxiety and frustration that a lot of us suffer when trying to make the most of our appearance without the know-how and confidence that is gleaned by using its easy formula. By far the biggest benefit has been the stacks of time I have not wasted on decision making when shopping.
We won't necessarily stop impulse purchases (especially at that vulnerable time of the month!), but we will stop making rash mistakes.
Based on a scientific theory used by artists and designers for hundreds of years, it's all about the skin undertone. This isn't the colour you see when you look in a mirror, as you can't see it until you put another colour against it - which will either clash or enhance your whole appearance.
Nature gave us hair, eyes and skin that harmonise totally. There are only four colours of skin undertones in the whole world, so they're simple to identify and then it's a case of analysing which tones compliment or clash. We can all wear all colours - it's the tone that matters.
We spend a lot of time poring over brochures to get the shades exactly right to pull a whole room together - so let's work out how to do it for ourselves.
The right colours bring everything together - your hair honestly does look richer (although if you've not dyed it in the most flattering shade - it can really throw things out - you'll soon see), our eyes seem to shine, so we look much less tired and the skin takes on a much healthier glow - less sallow or brassy. Even facial hair can be flagged up or fade away - it's astonishing!
As a result, less make up is required and we feel better because we look better.
In fact, a whole new world opens up. Trial and error are abolished. When you stay within your Colour Analysis, everything goes with everything and choosing a new lipstick / top / something to wear to a certain conference coming up will no longer be an ordeal.
I'm going to go into it in more detail, but it can't be done in one post, so, for now, this is all you need to know:
Each of the four undertones have been named after the seasons:
Winter - blue based- cold - will give you vivid colouring, with dark hair, very white skin or white with pink tones, beige or brown skin or very dark skin. With dark brown or blue eyes , they're normally easiest to identify. Think Myleene Klass (who started all this off when I wrote about her recently).
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Nicole Kidman - a beautiful 'Spring' (Image courtesy Wikipedia) |
Autumn - the most rare - gold based - warm - ivory, peach skin again but the hair is golden brown, reddy brown. Usually brown or green eyes. These are the hardest to identify. Think Audrey Hepburn.
The first step is to get your hair out of the way (especially if it's not your natural colour) and hold up the nearest thing you can get to a piece of gold based fabric and a piece of silver / grey based one and watch the shadows / blemishes / come and go.
We'll be going into each 'Season' individually, using Bloggers as examples, so feel free to send me a photo (oldersinglemumgmail.com) and I'll post pictures of ranges of colours best suited to each. It won't be possible to classify the least easily identified but it might be to teach you to do it for yourself!
P.S Photos that are very wrong would be good too. Evening dress ones are classic. Please send 'em over and watch this space!
If you're kind enough to have me on your blog roll, please update the link on it to http://www.oldersinglemum.com/ - I'd be really grateful, thank you.
I think this fascinating and so, so clever. I find myself forever buying black, grey or white clothes because colours just scare the pants off me!
ReplyDeleteAm really looking forward to the other posts :) x
So glad you enjoyed it - we'll get you in some lovely colours - and, crucially, knowing which ones!
DeleteOoh I can't wait to hear all about this, it sounds fascinating!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant - I won't let you down :)
DeleteI think I'm a winter. I love red but cool blues are also good on me. Beige and cream make me look sick. I'd be happy to send you a photo of me if you like. (you can email me on midlifesinglemum@gmail.com )
ReplyDeleteYou see you already know! Blue based reds will be great. Yellow / orange ones won't :)
Deletelooking forward to seeing how this goes! I'm rubbish at shopping and tend to stick to just black!
ReplyDeleteYou're easy to do Mary - we'll get you into colour :)
DeleteHmm, so, I have an *idea* of mine now, but I'm so looking forward to seeing what you make of me! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteWell that is a good start - I'll write it in detail as soon as I can get around to it, without the two kids and the students kicking my butt!
DeleteI found this post really interesting! I've got books on this but I'm one of those women who is not an obvious season. I was going to get my colours done last year but it never happened. Might do it for my birthday :)
ReplyDeleteGood post!
Thank you. If you're not obvious then it's best to do that, but glad you are enjoying this for now. :)
DeleteWhat an excellent idea. I'm a winter. Mum had her colours done years ago and was so enthusiastic about the whole thing she paid for my sister and I to get ours done.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a useful thing. I found that garments I'd bought for fun on impulse were invariably the right colour and the 'investment' stuff was all wrong.
Then I once fell out with a hairdresser who insisted I need blonde tones in my hair to 'warm it up'. I believe I uttered the sentence: "I don't need it bloody warm because I'm winter."
Thank you. Glad you approve and understand. And good for you for sticking to your guns - you're absolutely right, of course! And that's the great thing - the confidence it can give you in what is right and not for you, then how your wardrobe can be built / dissected around it. Brilliant.
DeleteI had my colours done about 15 years ago and it was a revelation. I've been thinking about going back sometime because I'm sure my appearance has changed a lot since then! My hair's a lot less red for a start, so I'm fascinated to read your next post.
ReplyDeleteHiya, - Well your skin undertone doesn't change unless you're seriously ill or pregnant, so unless you're up the duff (LOL!!) I expect only a little ageing and fading might be to blame and we can work with that! What were you told? xx
DeleteI suspect I'm Autumn - and I don't mean windy ;)
ReplyDeleteI've never thought about my 'right' colours - would love to know what they are!
So glad to know you're not windy! We'll work them out - it's really worthwhile doing them :)
DeleteThis is brilliant. I had my colours done years ago using the above analysis. Think I still have it somewhere. I think I am a Summer - grey/blue eyes, mousey almost dark/strawberry blone hair and sallow/creamy skin. Turns out muted tones are best for me (I think). X.
ReplyDeleteThank you - you're talking a combination of Summer and Spring there, so we'll have to remind you of whichever, or simplify it for you :) xx
DeleteFab post! :o)
ReplyDeletePS: I have just realised I have missed a whole lot of posts. I do not know if it is due to the URL change but I stopped getting your updates via email. I have now re-subscribed. xx
Thank you - it's just your kind of thing and thank you for re-subscribing too :))
Deletethis is so interesting. i once went on a seminar to do with colour analysis but i couldn't afford to go on and have the one to one consultation.
ReplyDeletei look forward to finding you more and to discover what suits me x x