Colour Confidence Boost Look & Feel Amazing
Unlock Your Inner Colour Queen: Discover Your Best Hues
Right, let’s talk about colour. I know, I know, I bang on about it like a broken record, but trust me, it’s important. Colour is powerful stuff, my friends. It can make you look and feel amazing, or it can do the exact opposite. It’s like that secret ingredient that can transform a good outfit into a fabulous one and a magic potion for your confidence. This week I’m sharing some simple tips and tricks around colour to help you make the most of your wardrobe.
Now, I get it. Colour analysis can sound a bit, well, ‘prescriptive’ for some. You might be thinking, "Lisa, I'm not a fashion victim, I just want to wear what I like." And you absolutely should! But the truth is, some colours are your BFFs, while others are more likely to drain you and make you look like death warmed up.
We've all got those colours that make us glow, right? You know the ones I mean – the ones that make your eyes sparkle, your skin look radiant, and you feel like a million dollars when the compliments roll in. Colour has the power to transform how you look and feel.
How to Choose Colours That Make You Glow
Now, I get it, not everyone’s a colour enthusiast. But hear me out. We’re not talking about ditching your entire wardrobe and becoming a rainbow-coloured unicorn. Some of you might be thinking, “Black is my colour, leave me alone!” “Lisa, I love this colour, it makes me happy.” Now, I get it. And you know what? That's awesome! Because dressing for joy is all about happiness and looking fabulous going hand in hand. However, if black is making you look more Morticia than marvellous these days, it may be about just making a few small tweaks to enhance your natural radiance.
Let’s face it, as we age, our skin tone changes. Those bright colours that once made us glow might now be a bit, well, overpowering. But fear not, there’s hope! We’re not destined for a life of pensioner pastels and boring beige. We can still wear those colours we love; we just need to know how to make them work for us, rather than against us.
Let’s say you’ve got gorgeous grey hair; the wisdom highlights and glitter strands are here to stay and you’re craving those vibrant colours you rocked in your younger days. But when you look in the mirror, it's like the colour is wearing you, not the other way around. Sound familiar? Well, fear not, my friend! You don't have to keep being a slave to the hair dye or sacrifice style as you get older. There are ways to work with what you've got and still look fabulous.
Beyond Black: Find Your Signature Colours for Effortless Style
“What if I don’t like the colours that suit me?” This is a real fear around having your ‘colours done’ for many people. But the truth is, I can show you how to work around any of that. For many finding their best colours is like discovering a secret superpower. It’s about enhancing your natural beauty, not restricting your style.
I know what you’re thinking, "Lisa, if I discover half my wardrobe is wrong for me, I’ll have nothing to wear!" So, what happens when you realise that half your wardrobe is a colour crime scene? Don’t panic, there are ways to rescue those beloved items, it’s about knowing how to work with what you’ve got. We'll get to that later.
But first, let’s talk about how to spot a colour crime scene. Imagine this: you’re wearing a top, you look in the mirror, and you’re not quite sure if the colour is making you look a bit…well, washed out. That’s your cue to investigate. There’s a little trick called the ‘blink test’. Hold the colour under your chin, close your eyes, and then open them quickly. If you notice the colour before your face, that’s a red flag, it might be time to rethink your wardrobe choices.
Another giveaway is if you find yourself reaching for the makeup bag to compensate. A sudden urge for a brighter lipstick, the bronzing balls or a heavier foundation? Yeah, that colour might not be your bestie.
So, what can you do if you’ve got a wardrobe full of colour culprits? Here are some tips to help you work with those not-so-flattering colours:
1: Avoid wearing the colour near your face, keep it to your bottom half
2: Do not wear it in block colours, try patterns instead. Look for patterned fabrics that are mostly in colours that do suit you then a bit of what doesn’t won’t hurt.
3: Use the colours that don’t suit you in accessories and keep them to around 10-20% of your outfit
4: Use the right coloured jewellery and scarves as an intermediate step between the wrong colour and your face
5: Use makeup particularly a bold lipstick to bring the colour back to your face
6: Wear the colour as a layer rather than the main focus of your outfit
7: Choose your glasses in the right colours so there is always something on your face that suits you
8: Do not wear a wrong colour on a body part that you want to detract attention from
9: Use scoop or v neck lines to keep the colour away from your face
10: Consider wearing a sheer fabric so that the colour is not as strong
11: Wear the colour at night-time when the lights are dimmer
12: Make friends with the dye pot
Age-Defying Style: Wear Colours That Flatter Your Skin Tone
Dying tips
With all dying you need to bear basic colour theory in mind. Generally white or lighter fabrics give a crisper, clearer result.
Think about the colour of the fabric that you want to dye - for example if you were using a red dye on a yellow top, it could potentially come out as orange. You can't use dye to make fabrics lighter, but you can use bleach to lighten a colour if it’s too strong. Soak the garment in a watered-down bleach solution until you get the desired effect.
You can buy cold water dyes for synthetic fabrics and there are dyes that you just pop in the washing machine for natural fabrics. However, be warned that even natural fabrics are often stitched with synthetic thread so the stitching might not take.
You can buy leather or suede dye and use it for handbags, shoes or belts etc.
You could use acrylic paint or nail polish on jewellery like wooden beads for example.
At the end of the day though, my caveat is always if you love a colour then wear it with confidence even if it doesn't love you. If it brings you joy that’s all good, just be aware that it might not be particularly flattering.
Colour Psychology: How Hues Can Boost Your Mood and Confidence
And before we wrap up let's talk very briefly about the psychology and science behind the colour magic. Because yes, there is science! There’s a whole world of colour psychology too, but no time for that today. As you know I think it’s fascinating stuff. Colours can evoke emotions, influence our mood, and even affect our behaviour. Red is energetic, blue is calming, and yellow is cheerful. It’s all about finding the right colours to match your desired vibe.
So, there you have it, a crash course in colour. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun with it and experiment. So, next time you’re shopping, take a moment to consider the colour and how it makes you feel. And remember, the best colour in the world is the one that makes you feel amazing. Then if you're still feeling lost in the world of colour, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help you unlock your inner colour queen!
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