Spring
Once you've discovered your true colours you will find yourself being showered with compliments - this is perfectly normal when you're wearing the right colours. Smile and pat yourself on the back - you can be confident that wearing your true colours will make you look and feel your absolute best!
Your new image will be a gradual process and you will probably have some "wrong" colours in your wardrobe. For example, wearing black too close to your face can actually make you look washed out and do very little to brighten your tone. A way to overcome this challenge is by wearing a garment in one of your most flattering colours nearer to your face, or selecting a piece such as a bright scarf or necklace to bring the right look closer to your face. Another tip is to replace black buttons with gold/brass. Invest in some interesting buttons as they can be recycled over again on a variety of garments. Clothing does wear out over time, but buttons are inexpensive to buy and will last for years and years!
A scarf is the most versatile fashion accessory in your wardrobe, adding a touch of sophistication and glamour to any outfit. They form a vital part of your wardrobe - they are your means of bringing the right colour to your face while you are phasing the wrong colours out of your wardrobe. Visit the COLOUR SHOP for scarves/sarongs carefully chosen to harmonise with your seasonal colours. To make shopping easier, all the scarves are grouped by season category so you can select colours with confidence and combine them effortlessly. See also list of other recommended online suppliers: DETAILS HERE
Spring ladies look best in warm, clear colours, ranging from pastel to medium bright. Avoid dark, harsh colours, as well as blue-based pinks, reds and greys. When choosing items for your wardrobe, remember the colours of springtime - lush greens, the fresh yellow of daffodils and the rich colours of Spring flowers! The Spring palette is warm toned, which means every colour has a yellow undertone. Your pinks are all slightly peach or coral toned, your greens are leaf and lime, your blues have an aqua hue and even your greys have the brightness of a dove rather than being a cold stoney shade. At first glance your swatches can be a little alarming.... a sea of red, yellow, green, turquoise and pink, with apparently not one single sensible colour in it! Yours is the lightest and brightest of the four palettes, and in many ways can be a little daunting when you first start out. But before you panic too much, slow down and have a thorough look at it. Rather than looking at the whole wallet at once, look at one colour at a time and I'll bet you find a few favourites in there - perhaps the colour of a T shirt or a jumper which always gets you compliments. Just think... now you have a whole palette of colours that look that good on you!
If you're feeling a little nervous, the simplest way to start with your Spring palette is to think 'dark neutral, light neutral, splash of colour.' Three colours is where the colours in your palette really work their magic, and contrast (between light and dark and neutral and bright) is your new best friend, so starting in a really simple way with, say, bright navy, cream and a splash of red in a patterned scarf or camisole is a really easy starting place which can be as classic or daring as you choose to make it, based on your own personal style. Once you want to upgrade, try pairing two brights with one neutral for slightly more impact. Remember that for you the magic isn't in piling on colour after colour after colour.
Don't be afraid of wearing your brightest colours top to toe - just don't wear too many of them at once. A bold bright coral party dress can really bring out your sparkle, or bright blue shorts with a turquoise top for a tropics-inspired beach look. The important thing to remember is that whether your look is classic, sporty, girly, outdoorsy or romantic, you can achieve any look you want to, whatever your palette.
Beginning with a print rather than big blocks of colour can be a less intimidating way of getting away with wearing a more than one bright colour at a time. But what if you're looking at a print and some of the colours aren't in your palette? As a rule of thumb, as long as at least half of the print is within your palette, it will be ok, but might not be an absolute wow - if the style is perfect, and you love it though, half is plenty. Once you get over two thirds of the print falling within your palette, no one will even notice the 'wrong' colours, as the whole look will tie together. As a Spring though, it will look best if you try to avoid the most jarring colours for your palette in prints - black, sludge green and mauvey pinks can all look a bit dull and dreary on you and detract from a pulled together look, whereas a splash of a grey that's a bit too deep or a pink that falls onto the cool side isn't going to detract from a great print.
Accessories are your friend. They can add another layer of texture and colour, which bring that lovely glow to your skin tone. Statement scarves can be a great way of incorporating your wow colours into your outfit near your face. Accessories are your friend. They can add a hint of sparkle and shine, which also brings Spring brightness to your skin tone. If you're still feeling alarmed about all this colour, go for something like a scarf to add a little colour on a neutral background of a cream top. Once you've got your confidence you can upgrade to a bold coloured scarf and from there the world is your oyster.
Opt for your neutrals - coffee/camel, bright navy, cream, palest shell pink - in beautiful fabrics which reflect the light and add instant sophistication - a merino or cashmere sweater for instance, or a cream silk shirt. If you want to keep your outfit 100% neutral, don't underestimate the power of adding a bright lipstick or nail polish to add a splash of colour without sacrificing your elegant look.
It’s important not to get so fixated on the colour of a garment that you forget to look beyond that. Does it fit well? Does it reflect your personal style? Don’t compromise these things in your excitement at finally finding something in the perfect shade you’ve been hunting for. The aim of colour analysis is to add the power of colour into your own unique personal style, not turn you into a colour clone.
If you want your face to look good, your eyes to sparkle and your skin to glow, then by all means worry only about your t-shirts, scarves, jumpers, dresses, jackets… But if you want to maximise the other amazing benefit of colour analysis – that of a wardrobe where everything goes, and makes you look effortlessly put together without trying – you’ll need to make the leap and start to move your entire wardrobe over to one that sits fully within your palette. If that sounds a little daunting, just think how wonderful it would be to pull out a top and a bottom and know that they will look great together, or to be able to mix and match your clothes for a completely new look without having to face that ‘ugh’ moment when that apple green top looks unflattering next to black trousers. Just gradually replace clothes with better colours as they wear out.
Your fabric palette is an essential guide to developing a colour co-ordinated wardrobe and can be purchased upon request. See Personal Colour Palette
1 Note your neutrals (swatches marked 'N' in your season palette)– start to switch your basic items over to these colours
2 Add a splash – however you do it, get into the habit of adding a splash of colour to your outfit (swatches marked 'B' in your palette)
3 Don’t fear lipstick! A pretty lipstick will add a little brightness and polish (see details below regarding cosmetics)
4 Prints – experiment with prints if single blocks of colour feel too much
5 Consider exchanging black buttons on your garments with gold-toned metals.
Hair Colouring Considering changing your hair colour? Refer to your season palette for guidance.
Spectacles If you are a spectacle wearer, please remember to opt for WARM metals such as gold, copper, or bronze. Or opt for neutral shades like brown tortoiseshell. Steer clear of blue/grey tinted lenses, opt for brown. Don't forget about sunglasses! They should follow the same rules but can be a slightly larger scale for added style. The right metal in harmony with your complexion can make you shine!
Now you've found your 'true colours' add a little more style to your new image with a Style Consultation
Dressing well and looking good isn't about size, it's about shape. The 'ideal' body shape is evenly proportioned, and this is what we try to emulate when dressing our own body by choosing the right styles, cuts, fabrics and colours to suit us. A style consultation will take you through the various aspects of your image to help you determine the best top to toe style choices for you.
If you have opted for a Style Consultation, you will receive a personalised Style Directory, which is a simple guide to understanding, working with and appreciating the figure you have. Learn which clothes and fabrics will flatter you; and understand scale, proportion posture for a balanced look. Style Directory can be stored digitally on your device/mobile phone (or printed in a booklet format) and is an essential reference guide when shopping for clothes.
Remember how you feel when you know you look good? Getting to know your colours and styles will ensure that you keep that feeling all day, every day. To gain the best results when shopping you will need to know both the styles that suit you as well as the colours that suit you. After all, a great style in a bad colour is not a good purchase nor is a great colour in a bad style. More details HERE
Cosmetics are part of your total look - be sure to complement your wardrobe with appropriate colours. Once you know your season category, selecting cosmetics is so much easier and your cosmetics will harmonise beautifully with ALL the garments you wear. General Guidance for Season Types:
Eye Colours
Autumn/Spring Ladies:
Try: Cream, Soft Brown, Coffee, Gold shades
Avoid: Grey tones
Blushers
Autumn/Spring Ladies: Peach-based blushers
Lipsticks
Your lip colour will stay in place if you first exfoliate your lips, moisturize them deeply, and use a lip liner.
Autumn/Spring Ladies:
Try: Corals, Terracotta, Orange-reds. Avoid: Blue-based Pinks, Blue-red
Dark colours: Deep terracotta will accentuate skin tone and create a dramatic look.
Bright colours: Any shade of coral will make your lips pop and your teeth whiter.
Nude colours: Two shades darker than your natural lip colour.
Alternatively, opt for a light peach gloss that will also help keep lips hydrated.
Introducing Colour & Style's 'Colour Crew'...
Jayne Hall & Deb Leonard are very familiar with colour analysis and the season groups. They understand your colour analysis and can help you choose appropriate shades of cosmetics. Both ladies have been “in your shoes” and experienced a colour analysis, so fully understand the importance of wearing the right colour clothing as well as the right colour cosmetics.
Jayne Hall is a SPRING lady, based in Doncaster, and Deb Leonard is a WINTER lady, based in Sheffield. Both ladies can offer in-person advice, via Zoom, or telephone, to help you choose cosmetic shades appropriate for your season type and supply by post. See how you can create a customisable cosmetic palette with a variety of combinations to create a personalised make-up look to refill and re-use forever!
Please feel free to make contact – these ladies are more than happy to help you!
Jayne is an experiencedctherapist offering bespoke facials using vegan friendly, organic products by Tropic. Enjoy a mini facial with a consultation & make up application at her therapy room in Doncaster. Jayne also provides a variety of relaxing treatments to help you unwind, feel calm and re-balanced. See HOLISTIC HARMONY Contact Jayne 07764 946 004
Deb provides bespoke complimentary make-overs with certified organic and clinically proven skincare. Enjoy a Tropic pamper experience to learn how to apply the best suited products so you look your best and feel amazing. All in the comfort of your own home or visit Deb in Sheffield. Facebook Page: 'Deborah Leonard Tropic' Contact: Deb 07932 622 158
