Your Colors? Relax, It's Simple!
By Carin G Hansen
Although the hype about what colors are in your color palette and what "season" you are has become passe'... there is still validity to the concept of wearing colors that are complimentary to your coloring. Trying to make each of us fit neatly into a season doesn't really work. Additionally, it is overwhelming to have 30+ "best' colors. There have been other color "systems" but generally, in the end, the information we are given is still overwhelming - either in concept or implementation - or both.
The simple concepts in this article will give you the knowledge you need to make color choices easily and with confidence.
The place to begin is by choosing two neutrals. These will be the building blocks for the rest of your wardrobe. Just a review: neutrals are black, white, cream, gray, brown, beige and navy. You can choose a third neutral based on a particular fashion season's colors. An example of this is beige - a color of coffee with milk. The name for this neutral this season is "sand" - and it is the "in" neutral this spring and summer. However, if sand is not one of your better neutrals (based on the criteria that follows), you don't want it to be one of your two principal neutrals.
In order to know which of these will be best on you, compare the contrast between your hair color, eye color and skin tone. (Use your current hair color if you color your hair.) A great contrast between these three will allow you to wear black and pure white. If you have moderate to little contrast, gray, cream, brown, beige and navy are your best choices.
Just what do I mean by contrast? Here are a few examples:
Great contrast:
Example #1
Hair color - dark brunette to black
Eye color - light green to hazel
Skin tone - fair
Example #2
Hair color - white blonde
Eye color - blue
Skin tone - olive
Moderate contrast:
Example #1
Hair color - medium brunette
Eye color - brown
Skin tone - fair
Example #2
Hair color - red/auburn
Eye color - blue
Skin tone - fair
Little contrast:
Example #1
Hair color - medium brunette
Eye color - brown
Skin tone - medium
Example #2
Hair color - medium blonde
Eye color - hazel
Skin tone - medium or fair w/freckles
The same criteria is used to determine your primary colors, which is the second step. Choose three to five primary colors. Those of you with greater contrast will look best in bright, vivid colors (jewel tones) or "ice" pastels. "Ice" simply means pastels that have more white in them than color.
Mid-tones such as true pastels, aqua, and orange-reds or pink-reds (these can be a bit tricky, so try them out to see if a red leaning more to orange or a red leaning more to pink is better on you) are good choices for those with moderate contrast.
Muted tones from peach to apricot to caramel tones and brown tones (again try these out) will make a statement on women with little contrast.
There are a few "universal colors" that look great on nearly everyone. These are royal blue, periwinkle, pale (pistachio) green and coral.
One exception to this method of choosing colors is black skin. Although women with black skin generally have little contrast between the hair, eyes and skin tone - these women always look best in black and pure white as their neutrals. Vivid tones are best for their secondary colors.
Each season the "trendy" colors change. Here's a quick list of this spring and summer's trendy colors by their Pantone name. You can see samples of each of these at: http://ko-te.com/en/fashion/color-trends-2014-spring-and-summer.
Freesia, Placid Blue, Violet Tulip, Hemlock, Sand, Paloma, Cayenne, Radiant Orchid, Violet Tulip and Dazzling Blue.
You can wear ANY color if it is not directly against your face or you change your makeup for the day - even trendy ones. Choose one or two a season as your secondary colors. Use them frugally - and make sure you don't spend much money on items in these colors.
Keep it simple and have FUN!
Carin Hansen has been helping women, of all ages, look their best through articles, blogs, books, seminars and workshops for much of her life. Her natural talent for combining color, clothing styles and body types enables her to create a personal fashion signature for each client. Carin is also an actress, model and small business owner who is a passionate advocate for those journeying through cancer. As a cancer survivor of 19 years, Carin is very aware that every day on earth is a gift from God - not to be wasted. In Carin's book titled "A Woman's Cancer Journey Primer" she shares her cancer story along with advice on how to manage many of the health and beauty challenges women face on their cancer journeys. Please visit Carin's website at http://www.bridges2beauty.net and click on the resource page for a variety of articles, beauty tips and homemade skin care recipes.
<a href="http://EzineArticles.com/8475052" rel="nofollow">Source</a>
Although the hype about what colors are in your color palette and what "season" you are has become passe'... there is still validity to the concept of wearing colors that are complimentary to your coloring. Trying to make each of us fit neatly into a season doesn't really work. Additionally, it is overwhelming to have 30+ "best' colors. There have been other color "systems" but generally, in the end, the information we are given is still overwhelming - either in concept or implementation - or both.
The simple concepts in this article will give you the knowledge you need to make color choices easily and with confidence.
The place to begin is by choosing two neutrals. These will be the building blocks for the rest of your wardrobe. Just a review: neutrals are black, white, cream, gray, brown, beige and navy. You can choose a third neutral based on a particular fashion season's colors. An example of this is beige - a color of coffee with milk. The name for this neutral this season is "sand" - and it is the "in" neutral this spring and summer. However, if sand is not one of your better neutrals (based on the criteria that follows), you don't want it to be one of your two principal neutrals.
In order to know which of these will be best on you, compare the contrast between your hair color, eye color and skin tone. (Use your current hair color if you color your hair.) A great contrast between these three will allow you to wear black and pure white. If you have moderate to little contrast, gray, cream, brown, beige and navy are your best choices.
Just what do I mean by contrast? Here are a few examples:
Great contrast:
Example #1
Hair color - dark brunette to black
Eye color - light green to hazel
Skin tone - fair
Example #2
Hair color - white blonde
Eye color - blue
Skin tone - olive
Moderate contrast:
Example #1
Hair color - medium brunette
Eye color - brown
Skin tone - fair
Example #2
Hair color - red/auburn
Eye color - blue
Skin tone - fair
Little contrast:
Example #1
Hair color - medium brunette
Eye color - brown
Skin tone - medium
Example #2
Hair color - medium blonde
Eye color - hazel
Skin tone - medium or fair w/freckles
The same criteria is used to determine your primary colors, which is the second step. Choose three to five primary colors. Those of you with greater contrast will look best in bright, vivid colors (jewel tones) or "ice" pastels. "Ice" simply means pastels that have more white in them than color.
Mid-tones such as true pastels, aqua, and orange-reds or pink-reds (these can be a bit tricky, so try them out to see if a red leaning more to orange or a red leaning more to pink is better on you) are good choices for those with moderate contrast.
Muted tones from peach to apricot to caramel tones and brown tones (again try these out) will make a statement on women with little contrast.
There are a few "universal colors" that look great on nearly everyone. These are royal blue, periwinkle, pale (pistachio) green and coral.
One exception to this method of choosing colors is black skin. Although women with black skin generally have little contrast between the hair, eyes and skin tone - these women always look best in black and pure white as their neutrals. Vivid tones are best for their secondary colors.
Each season the "trendy" colors change. Here's a quick list of this spring and summer's trendy colors by their Pantone name. You can see samples of each of these at: http://ko-te.com/en/fashion/color-trends-2014-spring-and-summer.
Freesia, Placid Blue, Violet Tulip, Hemlock, Sand, Paloma, Cayenne, Radiant Orchid, Violet Tulip and Dazzling Blue.
You can wear ANY color if it is not directly against your face or you change your makeup for the day - even trendy ones. Choose one or two a season as your secondary colors. Use them frugally - and make sure you don't spend much money on items in these colors.
Keep it simple and have FUN!
Carin Hansen has been helping women, of all ages, look their best through articles, blogs, books, seminars and workshops for much of her life. Her natural talent for combining color, clothing styles and body types enables her to create a personal fashion signature for each client. Carin is also an actress, model and small business owner who is a passionate advocate for those journeying through cancer. As a cancer survivor of 19 years, Carin is very aware that every day on earth is a gift from God - not to be wasted. In Carin's book titled "A Woman's Cancer Journey Primer" she shares her cancer story along with advice on how to manage many of the health and beauty challenges women face on their cancer journeys. Please visit Carin's website at http://www.bridges2beauty.net and click on the resource page for a variety of articles, beauty tips and homemade skin care recipes.
<a href="http://EzineArticles.com/8475052" rel="nofollow">Source</a>
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