THE SIMPLE WAY TO FIND YOUR BEST COLORS

Every time I try to introduce my clients to new colors, they freak out. I remember this one client who swore she would never wear a bright red-orange top. She was even hesitant to try it on. When I convinced her, she looked at herself in the mirror confused; she was accepting the idea. Although not 100% sold, she still bought the blouse. When she wore it to work the next day, she got SO MANY compliments. 

Here's the thing about color: We may not realize it immediately but the wrong colors will drain our faces, darken our under eye circles, and even highlight wrinkles. The right colors will brighten and liven up our faces. Wearing the most flattering colors is a true game changer in style, but determining which colors are best can be a complex process. Why? Because there isn't ONE definitive answer. However, the below describes a simple way to help you get started. 

THE BASICS

Coloring is most widely broken down into four season based categories ( Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer). However, this formula is too complex. Most people fall into the broader categories of Warm, Cool or Neutral. These describe your undertones, not your skin tone. People with warm undertones have yellow, peach and golden colors under their skin. In contrast, cool undertones are pink, red or bluish. The Neutral category combines both. I know, super confusing, but to determine your best colors all you have to know is your undertones. 

DETERMINE YOUR UNDERTONES

The simple quiz below provides some simple techniques. 

Q.1)   Looks at the inside of your wrist, what color do you veins mostly appear?  For the best results try this under natural vs. fluorescent lighting.

A. Blue

B. Green 

C. Somewhere in between 

Q.2)   What colors do you tend to wear most? 

A. Orange, Brown, Green, Yellow, Beige 

B. Blue, Magenta, Red, Purple, White 

C. A mixture of Both 

Q.3)   Place a white Piece of Paper next to your face. How does it look? Remember: For the most accurate results please conduct this test in a well-lit room. 

A. It looks like all of the colors of my face have been washed out. My face looks dull and my under eye shadows seem darker. 

B.My face is bright and I look alive. 

C. I don't see much of a difference. 

Q.4)   Whats in your jewelry selection? Earrings & Necklaces.

A. Mostly Golds 

B. Mostly Silvers 

C. A little bit of both. 

Q.5)   Which Celebrity do you identify most with in terms of skin color, eye color, etc? 

A. Scarlett Johansson, Beyonce, Eva Longoria, or Jennifer Lopez, 

B. Kim Kardashian, Rosario Dawson, or Alicia Keys 

C. Lupita Nyong'o,  Kerry Washington, or Jessica Biel  

If you Answered: 

Mostly A's : You are Warm

For warm undertones, your best colors will likely be earthier autumn tones. These include brown, orange, green, and yellow. Break the rules by choosing alternatives to cool colors. For example: If you want to wear red, wear an orangey red.  If you want to wear blue, choose an aqua as it leans more towards green. 

Mostly B's: You are Cool

For Cool undertones, your best colors will likely be dynamic and bold tones like red, blue, magenta, and purple. Break the rules by choosing alternatives to warm colors. For example: If you want to wear green choose a bluish green if you want to wear yellow choose a deep pale yellow that will stand out against your skin.

Mostly C's: You are Neutral

Neutrals have all the fun. They can experiment from both the warm and cool pools.

DON'T STOP THERE

While your undertones offer a great starting point to determine your best colors, there are always exceptions. Even if you don't fit the neutral category, continue to experiment. One great way to do this is by trying the drape test: Grab 4-5 warm colored fabrics (Orange, Brown, Green, Yellow) and 4-5 cool tones (Blue, Magenta, Red, purple). In a well-lit room place each fabric against your face. As yourself, which colors brighten your complexion most?  Always remember great styles is about intuition, so don't stay stuck on the rules. Form your own opinion. 

Psst, feeling overwhelmed and like you can’t do this all on your own. Check out The Wardrobe Revamp where I coach you through building a functional closet you absolutely love.