Know Your Color Style

Part 1 in a series by Karen A. Stevenson, President, Studio K Salon

That is what this article is all about.  Step by step on a continuous basis, we will uncover the recipe to looking great!  Exuding a positive sense of presence comes from knowing what colors to wear, what type of clothes best fit your lifestyle and personality, the particulars of tailoring clothes to flatter your body style.  Make-up and application, hints on the appropriate color of make-up, the length of a tie, what is the best formula for socks and hose, hair color, style and ease to best fit your face; attitude, confidence, and feeling good about you.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?  After all, it isn't really true that people are born with that natural beauty.  Sure, some people have it easier than others, but in all actuality, the knowledge to looking your best comes form understanding the how-tos in life.

Let's start with the bottom line.  You're not going to feel good about how you look if you believe in your heart that you won't.  Having an open mind and daring to take the first step is the beginning of the journey into improved appearance.  If you struggle in the area of feeling good about how you look and feel, or if you want to define and sharpen your appearance, understanding the formula will change who you see in the mirror dramatically.

In the beginning, there is color.  Color is exciting.  It brings out your personality, your attitude and can cause you to either look like a powerful, energetic go-getter, or, it can create a look that is tired, drab and mousy.  Educating yourself in the correct color is the foundation for all the rest of your outer image.

Before you go racing out to the store to purchase all sorts of colorful shirts and blouses, analyze yourself in the mirror and ask yourself these simple questions:  Are you light and soft, or dark and bold?  Light and soft people are those with light hair such as blonde, or strawberry blonde.  People who are dark and bold have brown, black, or deep red hair.  It is imperative you analyze this according to your natural hair color, not the color you may have changed it to.  Men and women with white or silver hair must ascertain what hair color they had previous to their hair turning white to discover if they are light and soft or dark and bold.

Next, look at your eye color.  Again, light and soft would be blue or green eyes, dark and gold eyes would be hazel and brown.  Light and soft people keep their balance and overall best appearance by continuing with their natural looks of light and soft near their face.  This doesn't mean you can't deviate from the 'rule of thumb' on occasion, but that is not what we are trying to accomplish here.  We are attempting to accomplish your best appearance.

So soft pastel shirts, blouses and scarves tend to keep your consistency and keep your theme of natural softness.  thus, dark bold colors would take away from your softness and overpower your face.

Dark and bold people keep their balance and overall best appearance by continuing with their dark and bolder features.  Thus the deep jewel tones, and more dominant colors will keep your looks consistent near your face and accent your deep eyes, hair and complexion thus creating balance, and consistency.

Next month we will talk about what particular colors are best to wear.  That too has much to do with your natural hair color as well as complexion.  Not everyone can wear deep purple if they are dark and bold, and certainly not everyone can wear pink if they are light and soft.  Take one step at a time, and your looks will improve, purchasing clothes to wear will become easier, your wardrobe will make more sense, and you will feel better about your appearance.