Colour Me Beautiful

All About Denim

Jane — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:39:07 +0000

Reassuring, durable, comfortable, sexy, stretchy, stylish, irresistibly indigo and iconic; our relationship with denim has been a loving and enduring one and is still very much alive.

The current ‘double-denim’ look (wearing it on the top and on the bottom) may be a step too far for most of us but the rule this season is that it has to be blue. Thankfully, denim is a great wardrobe staple with something to suit everyone.

Denim to snap up this season

Denim is appearing in all sorts of guises from dresses to jumpsuits to duffle bags but it’s not to everyone’s tastes. If you invest in two new denim pieces only (aside from jeans) then you can’t go wrong with these:

The denim shirt dress - we’ve seen it before but it’s so versatile we’re delighted to have it back. You can dress it up or down and it’s a perfect holiday piece too.

The denim skirt- it’s almost as much of a wardrobe regular as jeans. There’s always a good range of cuts to choose from and it goes with any colour. Find the cotton denim versions for summer.

Forever in blue jeans

Jeans were originally created as men’s workwear until Levi Strauss made some useful changes and put his name to the updated version. In the 1950′s, just as celebrities dictate the latest look in jeans today, film stars like Marlon Brando and James Dean made denim a sought after item.

The great thing about jeans right now is that pretty much any style goes, as long as they look good on you. Our body shape, personality and age all contribute to which styles we wear so here are some basic rules to help you choose the right jeans for you:

Skinny Jeans – tight jeans that fit very closely on the leg

These are best suited to straighter body shapes with little waist definition and small hips. Curvier figures can and do wear them, they just need to take care with what they wear on top as skinny jeans are so close-fitting. Keep in mind that if you are heavy on the hip or thighs then the super-narrow ankle will accentuate those areas.

If you are curvy but have good legs and slim ankles (many round shapes do) then a narrow ankle can work if you wear jeans as leggings, e.g. with soft flowing tops. Hourglass figures should opt for soft and stretchy denim so it won’t fight against the curves. Good for tucking into boots. Generally better suited to younger women.

Straight leg – completely straight on the leg, doesn’t widen at the calf or ankles

In-between skinny and boot cut and easier to get into than skinny! These can work well on triangle and round body shapes as they fit neatly at the top so there’s no excess fabric adding volume around the hip or tummy. The straightness from the knee balances your shape better than skinny jeans. A bit of stretch in the denim will add comfort but too much can make them shapeless. They are also great for petite ladies as the straight style gives an elongating effect. Straight enough to tuck into boots. Good for all ages.

Boot cut – straight at the thigh but flares a little near the ankles

This style never seems to be out of fashion and that’s because it is flattering on most figures. The boot cut is good for balancing out inverted triangle body shapes and wider hips, but don’t go too wide on the leg as that will detract from the slim leg line. It has a softer look than the straight leg and is therefore more flattering for mature figures. Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Aniston are frequently spotted wearing fabulous boot cut jeans dressed up with heels.

Flared – can be a looser fit from the top going down to a bigger flare at the ankle or can be fairly narrow at the thigh and knee then widening at the calf

Despite Joan Collins’ recent statement that she ‘hates’ jeans (Daily Mail 12th April) she was a 70′s jeans icon and still looks great in denim now. Flares have been updated from the original ‘bell bottom’ jeans but they still give us a bit of fabulous 70′s chic. They are generally a looser fit and not as narrow at the top as the previous cuts. This style works best on taller ladies from slim to very curvy, however, you need to think about how loose they are and consequently how much bulk they add to your figure. If you are short then you should avoid flares as they will swamp you. If you prefer a looser fit then the key is to find a more gentle flare that isn’t too roomy. Good for any age.

Boyfriend Jeans – looser fit from top to ankle, generally lower on the hips

These are exactly as it says on the box – a man’s cut made for women. They can be comfy and they are a very current look, however, it is a masculine style so not the most flattering unless you can really carry them off. Generally better on slimmer or younger figures and teamed with heels.

Understanding your body shape is key to getting the right cut of jeans for you. It’s also important to understand how you should wear them so that you dress to compliment your ‘style personality’ as well as your figure. Contact your local consultant to find out how a style consultation can help you.

Do’s and Don’ts with jeans

1. Consider where the waistband sits on you: If you are high-waisted you may prefer a slightly lower waistband to give the illusion of a lower waist. If you prefer a high-waisted jean, don’t tuck-in! If you are low-waisted then low-waist hipster jeans will work for you but take care if you are short in the leg, they will appear even shorter with this style so choose straight leg jeans and slightly higher waistbands.

2. Consider the weight of the denim: structure and stiffness of fabrics are not ideal for curvier shapes, they should opt for softer denim. If you want the look without the stiff fabric you can find cotton denim and denim coloured clothes.

3. If you have short legs avoid wide leg jeans and try to avoid flats with your jeans, even a small heel will help elongate the leg

4. Take care with pale denim on the bottom half, if you are short and curvy it can appear to add pounds.

Living In Luxury

Jane — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:40:39 +0000

Living In Luxury

Fabulous Fabrics

When we were little girls we were told to keep our very pretty clothes for special occasions, so the satin party dress, the velvet skirt or the lace trim blouse would only get an airing every now and then. So, the current trend of wearing our ?fancy’ clothes for daytime and night time, work time and play time may seem a little extravagant, but in the spirit of getting the most value out of our wardrobe, it makes a lot of sense.

Before you start adding sequins to your look or wearing a velvet dress to the office you need to know which fabrics look good on you and how to work them.

Silk and Satin

The easiest way to wear silk and satin for daywear is probably with a blouse and to keep the glam factor it should have a nice detail like a bow or ruffle or a hint of a puffed sleeve. A simple satin blouse teamed with jeans or under a shift dress gives you an easy luxury look for daytime. Fluid silks and satins also glide nicely over curves so they are flattering for full hourglass and rounder body shapes.. Be careful if you go for stiffer or layered versions though as they can add bulk.

The light reflecting quality of these fabrics will make them the focus of your outfit so think about where and how you wear them. A satin skirt in a bold shade will attract the eye to your lower half, so beware triangle shapes; you should be drawing attention to the top half of your body instead. Silk trousers can work for some but the styles are generally pegged so ideally better on leaner and/or taller figures.

Great for: Adding classic glamour; flattering curvy figures; layering.

Velvet

Velvet is available in a range of guises and looking much more stylish than we might remember it. You will still find dramatic floor length evening dresses and evening coats but there are some more versatile pieces too. Its rich texture gives the wearer a feeling of real luxury.

Velvet is a more substantial material so think about how it fits with your body. A structured velvet jacket will work best on neat hourglass figures, rectangles and inverted triangles. The ?swing’ jackets will look good on curvier figures. A knee length (or just above) dress is perfect for day wear with tights or leggings and boots. The great thing about this seasons’ velvets are the colours, so don’t just go for black, find one of your great colours and it will have more impact.

Great for: Giving a luxurious feel to your look; both structured and softer lines; jackets and coats.

Sequins and Shimmer

This will bring real ‘wow’ factor to your day wear so enjoy, but don’t overdo it. If you feel it’s appropriate, the sequin jacket is a favourite and easy to slip over a dress or jersey and team with trousers or skirts. There are also ‘body conscious’ dresses, glittering trousers and fun tops in various colours. For more discerning tastes choose a top with a subtle all over sparkle effect or just a smattering of sequin in parts.

As with the satins, this fabric is going to be the attention grabber in your outfit so consider what you can really get away with; over the top shimmer for daytime certainly wouldn’t be appropriate for your job in the city but don’t be afraid to get your shimmer on at the weekends!

Great for: Out-and-out feel good glamour, brightening your day, getting attention!

Other textures

There are other luxury fabrics to consider this Autumn including cashmere, chiffon, brocade and leather. Cashmere is not just for your grandmother’s twin set, treat yourself to a quality piece of knitwear and it will last you for winters to come. Neat knits or slouchy, it’s a luxurious way to keep warm.

Chiffon is feminine and alluring – and generally transparent – so do be careful. For daywear the ideal options are garments with a little chiffon mixed in, say in a sleeve or as an overlay to another material. Brocade textures have a classical feel but can be worked with modern fabrics to keep them current. Leather has been given new life this season seeing modern twists on trousers and skirts and fabulous dresses. Most of these will be super soft leathers but can still be restrictive on curvy bodies so try and try and try before you buy!

Good Foundations

Make-up can work a lot of tricks, but don’t forget that looking after your skin and good grooming will help to keep you looking good throughout the winter months and beyond.

Winter weather can be harsh on the skin so apart from a good cleansing and moisturising routine it’s essential that you give it sufficient protection with a good moisturiser and a foundation.

Freemans

Foundation really is a must-have product as it performs several tasks:

- Evens out your skin tone
- Works as a barrier to stop the skins natural oils from dissolving your make-up
- Helps protect your skin from the elements
- Provides a perfect blank canvass on which you can add your favourite colours

Prime Your Skin

As we get older various blemishes, broken veins and unwanted hair can appear where we really don’t want it. This is all part of the ageing process but it doesn’t mean we have to put up with it.

Red colouration before priming, no foundation

After priming with foundation

Using a skin adjuster underneath your foundation can help create a more even look.

The colour me beautiful
Neutral Skin Adjuster is perfect for any skin discolouration or shadows on the face.

Our Mint Skin Adjuster will help reduce redness in broken veins or blemishes. Skin adjusters or ‘primers’ will guarantee a smoother finish.

For top expert advice on applying your make-up and choosing the right foundation and cosmetic colours for you book a colour me beautiful Make-up Lesson with your local consultant Jane Cooper.

It’s That Time Of Year Again!…

Now is a good time to start planning your Christmas gift shopping. The better you plan, the less likely you are to go over budget.

Giving a colour me beautiful service for Christmas offers a unique experience and advice that will last a lifetime. Prices range from £15 to over £200.

Tel: 0118 932 1312 Mob: 07875 931650 email: pjcandjt@live.co.uk

Travel Light, Travel Bright: your colourful capsule holiday wardrobe

Jane — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:00:44 +0000

On The Case

For most events in life a little planning can go a long way and that goes for your holiday packing too. The last thing you want as you anticipate your well-earned break is a stressful week of packing…then unpacking, then re-packing!

So, before you even dig out your suitcase you need to draw up a basic list. Write a column for every day of your trip and for each day write down what you might be doing (sightseeing, sporting activity or just relaxing). In each column write roughly what you are likely to wear. This will quickly show you that you can wear the same pair of trousers or skirt, for example, at least twice and that you can pack lighter than you think.

Begin With The Basics

Your basics are those items that you will wear more than once such as a pair of trousers, a skirt and a jacket. Use your list to pick out these basic pieces and lay them out on your bed. You may want most of these basics to be neutral or a mix of neutral and colours, depending on your preferences.

When your selection is laid out on the bed you can work out different outfit combinations and therefore you will see which items will be the most versatile. Along with the basics you should have a couple of cotton tops for daytime and two that you can wear day or night which should be something a little more ‘special’, perhaps with a little extra detail, that you can dress up or down. You most definitely want a couple of dresses in two different, fabulous colours.

Capitalise On Colour

Holidays are the perfect opportunity to really enjoy wearing colours as they always look more fabulous in sunnier weather and we’re not limited by work dress codes. Don’t feel you have to be ‘matchy, matchy’, clashing colours can look fabulous.

Some great colour combinations this season are orange and pink or purple with green or turquoise. If clashing your clothes is a little too much for your taste just bring strong colours in to your accessories. A great pair of green shoes and matching handbag and a chunky orange bangle will set off a neutral outfit beautifully.

White can be a super neutral against a tan, but check whether you suit a bright bluish white or a softer creamy white against your skin. To get your colours right it’s important to select the right ‘shade’ or ‘tone’ in each of your best colours so that they really complement your colouring.

The Week Beach Holiday List

Here is a basic packing guide to make your planning easier. Assuming laundry is not available you will need the following:

*1 pair of jeans
*1 pair of cropped or soft palazzo trousers
*1 pair of shorts (neutral)
*1 skirt (neutral)
*2 dresses (2 different colours)
*1 kaftan (colour-for beach or over trousers during the day)
*2 daytime cotton tops/t-shirts (different colours)
*2 smarter tops/t-shirts (different colours)
*1 cotton strappy top (white or colour)
*1 summer cardigan OR pashmina (either can be a neutral
or a colour)
*1 light summer jacket (neutral)
*1 pair of flip flops (colour)
*1 pair of comfortable shoes (e.g stylish trainer or ballet
pumps in a good colour or a neutral)
*1 pair of pretty sandals (neutral or a strong colour that
matches or clashes well)
*1 pair of heels (neutral or metallic or bold colour)
*3 bathing suits/bikinis (in most flattering colours)
*1 hat (good colour or neutral)
*4 days of underwear (you’ll do a wash every other day)
Take at least one colour set and one neutral; include a
strapless bra)
*1 town/evening bag (matching/clashing well with colour
shoes or neutral)
*1 travel bag which can double up as a beach bag

To Bare Or Not To Bare?

Jane — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:03:57 +0000

What Are The Dress Codes?

First of all, it’s essential to consider how much is too much, not just from a work angle but as a personal style choice too. You need to consider the location (seaside, country or city, for example) and the occasion and you also need to think about what looks good on you and how parts of your body look when they are exposed.

The main areas to consider are: upper arms, legs and cleavage. Whatever the circumstances, be aware that as soon as parts of your body are laid bare they become more of a focus, so make sure they are presented how you want them. We all spend time every morning on our hair and make-up, so why not pay attention to how the rest of the body is presented?

Upper Arms

In terms of style, if you’re confident that your upper arms look good on show then go for it. Without being too harsh on yourself, if they are not a favourite part of your body then opt for a bit of a sleeve. It’s important to know what looks good on you and what you honestly can or can’t get away with, and you need to be realistic!

Tips
Short sleeves should not be tight on the upper arm
Sleeves should finish at a narrow part of your arm
Spaghetti straps work best with arms that are in better shape. Make sure you wear either a strapless bra or a good colour bra (matching or clashing with the top is fine). No grey straps please!

Legs

If you have good legs you will feel confident wearing skirts and dresses above the knee, but again, for work you need to consider whether it’s suitable or not. We don’t all have legs like Elle McPherson, so when you do expose them, you want to make sure they look their most attractive.

Tips
Keep them hair free, exfoliate and mosturise them
regularly to keep them smooth
Use a quality self-tanning lotion to give them a healthy bronzed glow and not orange track lines
Think about your leg shape and length and work out what looks most flattering on you
Make sure the skirt hem stops at the slimmest part of your leg

Cleavage

As well as shorter skirts, fashion has brought lower necklines over the years too. There is nothing wrong with a little cleavage for going out, on holiday and so on, but at work, formal occasions or in certain company, you don’t want to make it the focus of attention. Less is more should often be the rule of thumb.

Tips
If you are wearing a fitted shirt, do make sure there is no gaping between buttons
Make sure you wear the right bra for the neckline on your top (i.e. balcony bra for empire neckline etc)
Chains and pendants should be above or below your
cleavage, not dangling in it!

TOP TIP

If you choose to reveal some flesh then make it either cleavage OR legs, not both at the same time!

“What if it’s boring – or if it’s not boring, it might be too revealing, or worse, it might be too revealing and still be boring!” Lily Tomlin

Jane — Sun, 17 May 2009 15:06:16 +0000

Upgrade your Underwear

Raising The Bra

Do you find yourself reaching for a greyed bra most mornings? Once you’ve put your underwear on do you feel less Eva Herzegovina (push-up bra model) and more Nora Batty? Many women think they don’t need to pay as much attention to their undies as they are not on show, but think again; just as putting on a favourite dress or pair of shoes in the morning makes us feel good, our underwear has a huge effect on how we feel and how our clothes look on us too.

Getting the foundations right makes all the difference. When you wear underwear in the right fit and shape, your clothes will look better on you too. Here are some key tips from colour me beautiful to help you get the utmost out of your undies.

Good Foundations

According to statistics, 70% of women are wearing the wrong bra size, which is neither a good look nor good for your bust. The first, most important thing about your bra is getting a good fit that supports the bust properly. If you haven’t had a proper bra fitting yet, book one asap.

The brassiere has come a long way, not only becoming better designed with more style and colour options, but we now have eco-friendly underwear, bras that effuse aloe vera to keep the skin moisturised and cups that you can pump up or deflate depending on your requirements! Whatever your preferences, if you’re guilty of neglecting your smalls then it’s high time you paid them some attention.

*Tips For Bra Fit
- The centre of your bra should fit closely to the breastbone in order to lift and separate
- There should be a smooth line where the fabric at the top of the cup ends and meets your bust. There should not be any ridges or bulging over the top or sides of the cups, even if you are wearing a balconette or lower-cut style.
- The strap around your body should be firm but comfortable and it should be horizontal and not ride up at the back.
- Straps should not cut in or fall off the shoulders. If necessary, choose a style with a wider strap (particularly if you have a large bust)

Enjoy Your Undies

We all love a pretty pair of knickers, but the truth is that most of us opt for comfort over style. According to the Daily Mail (May 2008) “only 34 per cent of us buy matching bras and knickers“.. (which our French counterparts find shocking and funny) “..and 36 per cent still mainly purchase multipacks“. It’s fine to stick with what’s familiar and comfortable, but don’t get lazy. Try to find a brand or two that really fits your bust well and works for your body shape and looks nice too.

White, black and beige are not the only colour options so stop being dull and inject some colour into your lingerie! There are so many pretty fabrics and fun colours to choose from to make it much more enjoyable getting dressed! Don’t be afraid to show a colourful bra through a summer top for fun or expose a hint of lace for added femininity. If you invest in colours that look great on you, you will get an instant feel-good boost every morning.

Good quality underwear can be expensive and you don’t have to blow a fortune on it or look like a lingerie model every day, but you should consider that the most delicate parts of your body deserve to be looked after and to look good too!

Colour … Style … Action!

Jane — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:35:43 +0000

There may be grey skies outside, but the big fashion story this season is colour – brighter, jazzier and more startling than ever before. Shop windows are already starting to display yellows, aqua’s, pinks, blues and greens.

After a winter of downbeat dark shades, the brightness and diversity on the rails is going to give the retail fashion scene a lift.

However, all of that that colour choice might lead to some uncertainty, a little hesitation, perhaps even a desire to run back to the comfort of basic black.

Here are a few basic rules on how to pick the right colours for you:

Yellow is on all the dress rails at the moment, and is very popular this season. ‘Light’ ladies can wear primrose yellow. ‘Deep’ ladies can also wear primrose yellow. ‘Warm’ ladies can wear primrose yellow and daffodil yellow. ‘Cool’ ladies may choose to steer away from yellow. ‘Clear’ ladies can opt for lemon yellow, and ‘soft’ ladies, who have a warm undertone to their skin, can wear light gold.

There will also be variations of lime and green, which will mix well with the foliage prints that are about to take over the rails. ‘Deeps’ and ‘warms’ can carry off lime, and ‘lights’ and ‘clears’ can wear apple green. ‘Cools’ and ‘softs’ look great in teal.

If you’re unsure about which colours add harmony and balance to your own natural colouring, contact me to arrange a colour consultation pjcandjt@live.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW …

When you look better, you feel better, and when you feel better, your immune system works at its optimum, which in turn keeps colds and flu at bay.

Investment Sales Shopping

Jane — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:20:41 +0000

When you are happily rummaging through sale items, focus on looking for quality and longevity, not the frivolous and short term. Before you hit the shops, think about what you need, or would really like, to fill the gaps in your wardrobe.

Sales are great for picking up luxury fabrics and evening dresses, but do make sure they are in your colour and in a cut that suits you and a look that fits your style personality. Good items to look for are coats, suits and trousers in classic styles that will work next year and beyond. Beware of hanger appeal and make sure you try every item on!

A good buy is:
• A timeless, well cut and well made item that will last
regardless of fashion trends
• A fabulous luxury fabric item you’ve fallen in love with
and can actually now afford
• An item in your size that fits you properly

Remember it is far better to walk away from the sales with one great piece rather than bags full of clothes that you will hardly ever wear.

Time to Make Do and Mend during the Credit Crunch.

Jane — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:13:59 +0000

During a credit crunch, you’re more likely to think twice about splurging on the latest designer outfits. More and more people seem to be following the advice of making use of what they already have.

During the Second World War, the government issued a pamphlet entitled ‘Make Do and Mend’. The guide gave tips on how to save food and mend clothes on the cheap. Whilst we’re currently not living amidst a war, the same advice can be applied to our current state of recession, as a call for a return to post-war thriftiness may be just what we need.

You may own an old A-Line skirt, which you could unpick and use as a template. You could pin it to some taped together newspaper and make a reusable pattern, or pin it straight to the fabric you’re going to use to make a new skirt and cut around it.

Consulting an image consultant will help you ascertain what style of skirt suits your shape. For instance, if you’re what’s classified as a ‘lean column’ an A-Line skirt will look great on you. If you’re a ‘neat hourglass’ opting for a straight lined skirt may be the better option. Finding out what your best fabrics and patterns are for you to wear, plus what you should avoid, can only be invaluable advice.

Visiting your local charity shop can be a good place to find interesting fabric. Even old-fashioned headscarves, old linen tablecloths, duvet covers and vintage curtains can be made into dresses, skirts or bags. Have a look out for buttons too, as you could replace existing buttons on your garments with some interesting ones found in charity shops. Adding military buttons can update an outfit instantly.

Visit a haberdashery department, local market or a Hobby craft shop and look for ribbons, lace, sequins, feathers, which you could add to a plain coloured jumper.

Salvage an old summer dress by teaming it with a polo-neck sweater and thick tights.

Look out for tartan belts or bags, as this key trend can update your look for this season. Perhaps you have an old kilt hanging about that you could turn into a tote bag.

Fix as many of your damaged clothes as you can. Sew on missing buttons, turn up hems. Adjust lengths of sleeves, skirts, trousers or dresses – and if you can’t sew, consider enrolling on a sewing course at your local college, or look out for ‘how to sew’ books at charity shops.

So, enjoy what you’ve got, keep it at its peak, and get more creative. You never know, you may emerge from the Big Squeeze as a more stylish, fashionable individual!

www.imageconsultant.co.uk

Colour In Fashion

Jane — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:13:19 +0000

Fashion tells you that black is ‘sophisticated’, ‘slimming’, ‘stylish’ and ‘sexy’, and because the colour ranges available in the shops are predominately black, that is what people feel they have to buy. But black is actually the total absence of any colour, despite it being the best selling colour!

About 70% of all fashion items sold in Britain are black. When you consider all of the colours available, it makes one wonder why most people seem to shy away from wearing colour, and always seem to wear black. Psychologically wise, it may imply that you are hiding behind the ‘colour’ black.

Having a colour analysis will determine if black actually suits you. You may need to opt for a softer version, such as charcoal, or chocolate brown.

There is no doubt that the colours you wear will have a powerful effect on how you feel, and crucially, how others respond to you. For instance, wearing red will bring excitement into your day. It is the colour of stimulation, showing a sense of exhilaration but also suggesting a demanding character. It is a great colour to wear at the end of the week when your energy level might be flagging.

Pink is a great colour to wear when you are feeling a little off colour, as it gives a flattering lift to any complexion.

When wearing green, whether olive or lime, or anything in between, you show creativity and imagination.

The purple family runs from softest lavender to deepest damson. It is a great alternative, and a more exciting one, to black and navy. Beware that its creative signal does not compromise a situation where you want to appear conformist. Purple is also the colour of spiritualism and meditation. In its lighter forms, the lilacs and soft violets promote a general sense of relaxation.

Blue conveys trust, peace and order – it could be considered safe. Medium shades of blue, such as cornflower, lapis and sapphire, are all great colours to brighten up your wardrobe throughout the year. The lighter shades, such as powder blue, eau de nil, bluebell and sky blue, make wonderful colours for special occasions when a feminine look

You’ll know the colour is right for you when your face appears to be lit from underneath, your skin appears smoother, fresher, and younger; lines and blemishes are minimised. Your eye colour is enhanced, and you notice YOU more than the colour. So give colour a chance, and ditch the black, which can create the illusion of dark circles around your chin or neck, an uneven colour in your complexion, and it standing out more than you!

COLOURING YOUR LIFE

Jane — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:34:01 +0000

· Did you know that most women only wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time?

· That’s where Colour Me Beautiful comes in. By having your colours done, I can show you combinations of colours to make your wardrobe more versatile – based upon your own personal colour palette.

· Plus, why certain shades complement your natural colouring more than others, and an assessment of the colours that suit you best, therefore saving you money in the long run.

· Armed with this knowledge, you will have the confidence to build a wardrobe that is practical, professional and as glamorous as you need it to be.

· Wearing the right colours will make you look younger and healthier. It will increase your self-esteem and make you feel more confident.

COLOUR ANALYSIS

· So, how is this done? Well, the main influence behind CMB’s approach to colour is based upon the work of Alfred Munsell, who was an artist during the early 1900’s.

· He invented a system of colour identification called the System of Colour Notation

· Basically, he came up with 3 characteristics when describing a colour

1. The Hue (Undertone)

2. The Value (Depth)

3. The Chroma (Clarity)

Colour Me Beautiful works with Munsell’s colour system whenever we describe a person’s ‘dominant’ colour characteristic.

· The aim of Colour Analysis is to show you how to create harmony and balance between your own colouring and the colours you wear.

· In order to determine your “dominant” colour characteristic, I look at your physical characteristics (Your hair colour, skin tone and eye colour) and then work out what your dominant palette is.

DOMINANTS

· So, what are the “dominants”? There are 6 to choose from:

LIGHT – DEEP

WARM – COOL

CLEAR – SOFT

I want you all to close your eyes – take yourselves to your wardrobe – open the wardrobe doors – start to take out everything you don’t wear and those items you realise are not a flattering colour on you.

· When you have reached £80 worth of clothes that you are taking out of the wardrobe – open your eyes. That didn’t take long!

· £80 is all it costs to get your colours right in the future – the cost of a Colour Analysis!