PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR MOOD USING COLOUR

I was having a conversation with some friends and clients recently, talking about the weather (which has been quite depressing lately), and it was interesting to see the different perspectives people had. Some were saying, "This weather makes me feel depressed, so I wear black," while others (myself included) were expressing the opposite view: how wearing brighter, bolder colours can actually help us feel better on dark, grey days.

And it’s true—when we’re feeling low or when the weather is bleak and dreary, we should react by embracing colour. I’m sure you’ve heard of Colour Psychology, which suggests that colours have hidden meanings and can influence not just the way we look but also the way we feel.

So, here are some examples.

What effect can colour have on our mindset?

Psychologists and marketers have dedicated countless hours to researching how colours can affect the mind, and this is just a brief summary of some of the research I’ve found, with a focus on specific colours. Colours can significantly impact our moods and also how others respond to us. Research by Keith Jacobs and Frank Hustmyer in 1974 found that colours can even alter our heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.

Understanding these basic elements of how people respond to certain colours might help you choose colours that not only make you feel good but also align with the mindset or response you’re seeking. Whether you’re aiming for a particular mindset or hoping to elicit a specific reaction from others, considering the impact of colour can be incredibly useful.

Black – the discriminated colour

Let’s start with black, a colour often associated with negativity, yet it’s one that many gravitate towards. Black is often worn to convey authority, elegance, or sophistication. However, it can also evoke feelings of sadness or detachment, especially in darker, gloomier weather. But black doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom—it can be balanced with a pop of colour or an accessory that adds vibrancy and lifts your mood.

Even if black isn’t traditionally considered the “right” colour for a client’s skin tone, it often makes them feel great. If black boosts your confidence, then by all means, incorporate it into your day—especially if you have important meetings or need to record a professional video for your business. Adding a hint of another colour, such as green or blue, can introduce a touch of personality to an all-black outfit.

image source: from luxe with love

Something I always recommend with black is using different textures and fabrics. Black on black can look a bit flat, so adding layers with different textures or patterns is a great way to make an outfit look more polished.

Pink – for warmth and nurturing

Pink is often associated with warmth, love, and nurturing qualities. Wearing pink can evoke feelings of compassion and calmness, making it a great choice when you need to feel more connected to those around you or when you want to introduce a gentle, soothing presence into your day.

image source: nicole bozzani

While cool, darker colours such as black and navy work well as base colours for pink, you can also pair it with warmer oranges and reds to make a real statement. For a more professional look, greys and whites work well, while a cobalt blue or even greens can be other unique options.

Purple – for creativity and inspiration

Purple is linked to creativity, luxury, and spirituality. It’s a colour that can stimulate the imagination and inspire you to think outside the box. If you’re feeling stuck or uninspired, incorporating shades of purple into your outfit could help reignite your creativity and add a touch of sophistication to your look.

image source: sydne style

Colours that complement purple include mustard yellows, blues, and greens, while more neutral colours such as black and navy blue are excellent base colours. In this look, the addition of a pop of purple makes a more simplistic navy outfit feel more creative and fun.

Red – for energy and confidence

Red is a powerful colour that exudes energy, passion, and confidence. It’s the perfect choice when you need a boost of self-assurance or when you want to make a bold statement. Wearing red can increase your heart rate and stimulate excitement, making it an excellent colour to wear on days when you need that extra push.

image source: jadore fashion

Red can pair beautifully with pink, as in this outfit, and can calm the red significantly. For a more paired back option, consider creams, blacks, or navy.

Blue – for calmness and stability

Blue, a colour I love to wear and is known for evoking feelings of loyalty, stability, and tranquillity. It’s a great choice when you need grounding, as it can bring a sense of calm and truthfulness to your day. However, blue can be a tricky colour to wear, so consider your skin tone and which shades of blue work best for you to feel confident and serene, while deeper tones can be strong and powerful.

image source: the trend spotter

Yellow - for happiness and optimism

Yellow is a beautiful, happy colour, and one I can’t mention without bringing a smile to my face. I’m sure many others feel the same. This is a colour that brings happiness, optimism, and joy to your outfit. However, it can also evoke feelings of instability, as it’s such a bright colour. Wearing an all-yellow outfit can be challenging, and it might be over-energising for the workplace. But if you’re working from home, yellow can be a fantastic choice to boost your energy levels.

Yellow can be tricky for some skin tones, so I recommend having a colour consultation or trying different shades near your face to see which ones brighten you rather than drain you.

image source: 40+ style

In this outfit, you can see how blue and yellow have been brought together, adding the stabilising effect that blue can have on yellow. If you’re hesitant about wearing yellow in this way, try a yellow bag or perhaps yellow shoes for a fun pop of colour!

Green – for freshness and success

Green is an intriguing colour to wear! It’s associated with healing, hope, and success. It’s also a great colour to wear if you spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen, as it’s known to cause the least amount of eye strain. Incorporating green into your outfit can bring a sense of freshness and harmony, making it an excellent choice for business meetings. The association with success can also provide a sense of security to those you’re meeting with.

image source: savvy southern chic

Deep greens can be a great starting point if you’re new to this colour. Lime greens and bright greens can be quite bold, but if they complement your skin tone, they can be fantastic. I love the use of the lilac with the green in this outfit—it’s perfect for a personality-filled work outfit.

Orange – for energy and fun

The final colour I’d like to highlight is orange. This colour is a good middle ground between red, which is often seen as too passionate for the office, and yellow, which can be overly bright. Orange is excellent for these times, as it brings energy, fun, and warmth. It’s a vibrant colour, similar to yellow, but it suits a wider range of skin tones and is perhaps less daunting. Orange can stimulate enthusiasm and boost your energy levels, so if you’re feeling a bit sluggish, adding some orange to your outfit could make a difference!

image source: color me courtney

A great way to wear orange is to base your entire outfit around it, with accents of black or green. If this feels too bold, start with an orange scarf or shoes—just a small touch of the colour can give your mindset a positive boost!

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: HOW TO COMBINE COLOURS FOR DIFFERENT STYLE PERSONALITIES

Natural style colour combinations

As the name suggests, natural personalities tend to go for more natural colours. Think neutrals such as blue, beige, brown, white and cream. To add a bit of definition you can add small accents through accessories and jewellery, while bringing a more monochromatic look feels best for you. There should be no bold contrast in your outfit, where you tend to keep your neutrals and monochromatic looks together.

For inspiration, if you want to find more ways to create colour combinations you will love, you can look to celebrities such as Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Anniston, while designers such as Armani are excellent for your wardrobe and outfit mood board.  

Where I would recommend adding a spot of your bold accent colours from your season, is through shoes, a piece of jewellery, but perhaps not with your bag as this may detract you from your more natural styling.

Classic style colour combinations

While Classic style personalities also love neutrals, they stick with beige, caramel, white, black and navy blues. They also love adding colourful accents with accessories, jewellery, and perhaps a bold red lipstick – keeping with the classic stylings. Classics can wear colourful looks, but tend to feel more comfortable in monochromatic looks with one active colour only. You can enjoy a classic look with minimalist prints here too, such as stripes of polka dots.

For inspiration for your Classic styling, look to the classic French style where black and white, or navy and white, are then elevated with red accessories and lipsticks. For celebrities, Kate Middleton embodies everything a Classic style personality looks for, and you can take designer inspiration from the likes of Chanel.

Make sure to find the right red lipstick and hues for your skintone so you don’t feel washed out, this is very important for that statement Classic lip!

Romantic style colour combination inspiration

Romantic style personalities are a little more daring. They pair up to two active colours with their neutrals in a balanced and harmonious way. They do this by using their analogous colours , with patterns and prints, especially florals, in soft contrasts. Romantic personalities also love adding colourful splashes with lipsticks in pinks and red hues, as well as their accessories.

For a celebrity to look to for style inspiration, I can highly recommend looking at Natalie Portman and Nicole Kidman who opt for Romantic styles with their red carpet looks. For designers, take a look at Valentino, Zimmermann, as well as some of the Dior stylings (who also have a mix of Classics, too).

With the likes of Bridgerton taking such high praise and their latest season, we may start to see more Romantic stylings coming to the high street, so make sure to take a look in your local stores for your top picks such as floral gowns, and even hints of lace.

Creative style colour combinations

Creative style speaks for itself – they really love being creative with their colour combinations! They feel their best when they mix different colours and create clashes with their colours, patterns and styles. They can create outfits with three or even four active colours in a single outfit, with the colours being analogous (such as red and pink, or green and blue together). They also may consider creating colour combinations with complementary colours like red and green.

For celebrities to look at for inspiration, take a look at Sarah Jessica Parker, and fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana or Gucci.

When you are looking at creating your wardrobe with a Creative style, you want to ensure you have plenty of colours to choose from, as well as abstract, unique patterns to add into your looks.

Dramatic style colour combinations

Finally, the Dramatic style personality love to make an entrance. Levelling up from the creatives, you make not want to wear active colours, but instead want to enjoy the contrast and boldness of the colours you wear. For instance, black and white with purple lipstick feels like a perfect colour combination for a Dramatic style personality.

For a celebrity, look no further than Lady Gaga, who is the epitome of Dramatic styling! When it comes to brands, you will want to get inspiration from Alexander McQueen and Elsa Schiapparelly, who are loved by the Dramatic style personalities.

When it comes to your accessories, you can look at bolder colours in your colour seasons, but make sure they feel like they are bold and contrasting to the outfit.

So, what colour combinations are you gravitating towards?

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: THE ROLE OF MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING IN PERSONAL STYLE

Beyond just enhancing our features, makeup and hairstyling have the ability to sculpt, accentuate, and illuminate our unique features.

Something many of my clients find the most transformative from my colour clinics is understanding the ways in which they can use their hairstyles and make up to transform their confidence. We’ve all been there – gone to a hairdressing appointment and left feeling on top of the world (or in some cases ready to run and hide!). Understanding your face shape and colourings means you can play with the hairstyles that would accentuate your features in the best possible way, and the colours you may want to try out.

Face Shape and Colour Analysis

Imagine your face as a blank canvas, understanding your face shape is similar to knowing the contours of your canvas – it lays the foundation for creating harmonious makeup and hairstyles. From heart-shaped to oval, each face shape offers its own set of opportunities to play up your best features.

Our colour clinics take this concept a step further, helping you discover the hues that complement your unique skin tone, eye colour, and hair shade. By mastering these fundamental principles, you'll be able to play with makeup looks that enhance your natural beauty and hairstyles that frame your face beautifully.

The Art of Makeup

Makeup is more than just a cosmetic; it's a form of self-expression. Whether you prefer a natural, barely-there look or a bold, statement-making style, the key lies in understanding how to play with the colours available and with confidence.

From the perfect nude lipstick to a mesmerising eyeshadow palette, each product becomes a tool in your artistic arsenal, helping you play with makeup in new ways.

I love helping my clients walk away from a colour clinic with me with a fresh face of make up that they love, in the colours that make them shine. They can have a go-to look for every day, and then more glamourous options understanding the lipsticks, eyeshadows, blushes and bronzers that will make them glow.

Framing your Face with your Hairstyle

It is important to understand your face shape if you want to have hairstyles that will accentuate your look. You’ll also want to think about your lifestyle when choosing a hairstyle that suits you best. You may want to go all out with a layer-filled look, but if you only have 5 minutes every morning, then this may not be the best option.

As general tips, those with heart-shaped faces may gravitate towards hairstyles that add volume around the jawline, balancing out the broader forehead. Meanwhile, individuals with oval faces have the flexibility to experiment with various lengths and textures, embracing versatility in their hair journey.

As a personal stylist, I believe in the transformative power of makeup and hairstyles. Beyond just providing a service, it's about fostering a collaborative journey of self-discovery and empowerment. By incorporating face shape and colour analysis into my consultations, I ensure that every client receives a bespoke experience tailored to their unique features and personality.

By embracing the principles of face shape and colour analysis, you can unlock the full potential of your beauty and express yourself with confidence. Remember, the most beautiful thing you can wear is your smile – but a killer lipstick and fabulous hairstyle certainly don't hurt!

PERSONAL STYLING TIPS: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A COLOUR ANALYSIS?

Have you ever seen someone and thought they look particularly radiant and stunning?

Well, that could be because of the colours they are wearing!

Indeed, the colours we wear through an outfit, whether it is clothing and accessories, make-up and jewellery, have the power to either enhance or drain your appearance, it all depends if we wear colours that complement our features or not.

And the truth is, we all want to look our best, no matter whether we’re popping to brunch with friends, heading to a meeting, or sitting for a virtual interview. And this is where colours can come to play.

I love seeing the quick transformation the right colours can make for my clients. While, of course, I would say that, as a personal stylist that specialises in colours, I’d love to challenge you to pick up some colours in your wardrobe and really look at what they do for your skin tone.

Do they make your complexion bright? Perhaps they make your eyes pop and your skin look healthier somehow? Or do they somehow make you look pale, or even accentuate wrinkles and dark circles? (which, of course, we don’t want!).

This is the power of knowing the right colours for you!  And a Colour Analysis (or as we call them at One of a Style a Colour Clinic) can help you find the right palette of colours that will make you feel and look your best, every day.

What are the benefits of a colour analysis?

Make shopping easier

After a Colour Clinic with us, you will be given a pack of your own hand-picked colours in a wallet that you can just pop in your handbag.

This selection of colours will be your go-to reference that you can quickly pick out from the racks every time you go shopping. This way, you’ll be able to confidently pick out your colours, saving you time and money.

Know the colours that go together

Not only will you now be able to shop more effectively, you will also be able to mix and match colours that work together! Your palette will have your neutrals as well as the standout colours within your selection. This will help you more effectively put together outfits that work, rather than wondering if certain colours will pair well.

With the neutrals you will be able to bring in one other colour from your palette and know it will complement the base colour within your outfit.

Not only clothes

Within our Colour Clinic, we provide also advice on how to “wear” your best colour through make-up, hair, jewellery and accessories, as clothing is not the only way to wear colours, besides many of our clients admit that they feel confident with wearing black or neutrals (and confidence, for us, is what personal styling is about!). This additional element of our Colour Clinics have been created so you can walk away knowing which shades to select in every aspect of your personal style.

When you walk away from one of our Colour Clinic, you will have had professional and insightful support throughout your session. You will be able to confidently walk away knowing that people will wonder why you seem to shine in every outfit!

If you’d like to boost your confidence when dressing, and save yourself time, stress, and money when shopping for clothes and make-up, or when going to the hairdresser, please get in touch to arrange a Colour Clinic with us.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: HOW CAN I ADD MORE COLOURS TO MY WARDROBE?

As spring is welcomed here in the UK, the colours are bright and abundant. This is usually the time when people yearn to add colours to their outfits. If this feels alien to you, and you are wondering where to start with colours, then I am here to help.

If you are just beginning to dip your toe into adding colours to your outfits, or haven’t yet tried to do so and are feeling overwhelmed, then here are my tips for adding colours to your wardrobe.

Play with colours that match your neutrals

If you want to make your colours feel appropriate for a look, investigate the colours that work with your neutrals. As a part of a colour clinic with us, we provide the base neutrals and complementary colours to work with them in your very own colour palette. This can be taken with you in your handbag so you can quickly pick and choose colours that go together.

If you don’t yet have one of these, here are a few of my favourite complementary colours that go with specific neutrals:

Colours that work with black:

Considered one of the most versatile neutrals, black is in fact one of the hardest colours to wear. Breaking up this basic colour with an additional colour within your colour wheel will make a huge difference to your look.

Some of my favourite colours to put with black are:

• Dusty rose

• Fuchsia

• Green

• Metals (copper, gold, silver, platinum)

• Lilac

• Red

Colours that go with navy:

Navy is a great base colour in particular for professional outfits as it isn’t as harsh as black.

Some of my favourite colours to put with navy are:

• Pink

• Red

• Orange

• Lime green

• Mustard yellow

• Gold

Colours that go with beige:

Perfect for the warmer months, beige is a light, airy colour that can be an excellent neutral in your wardrobe.

Some of my favourite colours to put put with beige are:

• Rust

• Aqua green

• Burgundy

• Olive green

• Mauve / lilac

• Pastel pinks

source: In an Elegant Fashion

Start with the extremities

There is nothing more daunting than an entire outfit full of colours. This is why for those of you who want to dip your toe into adding colours to your looks may be stepping back.

The first way to approach colours can be starting with your extremities – such as your hands, feet or head.

These smaller areas of your body can take on a little dash of colour, while the rest of your body remains neutral, permitting for that colourful flash to be more approachable.

Shoes & bags are often the best place to start as they come in so many different colourways and patterns. Shoes can be covered gently with wide-leg trousers or bootcut jeans meaning the colour peaks out.

Bags can be swapped out easily between outfits (as long as you remember to swap out your essentials!) so you can play with whatever look you feel like. Take a bold bright bag one day, and more composed look with a colourful handle the next.

Another option is to add a colourful headband, scarf or earrings, which can also quickly and easily be swapped depending on the occasion.

Break up the colours with your layers

Now you have your neutrals and your accessories set, you can look to adding additional pieces to your outfit. You can break up the colours in your outfit by wearing layers such as a blazer, a jacket, or even hosiery.

For example, if you want to bring a dash of colour to a summer dress, you can pair a neutral dress with a colourful blazer. You could also add an underlayer to your dress such as a thin long sleeved mesh top in one of your colours.

For your two-piece, why not add a colour through a slogan tee under your neutral suit? Pick out the colours from the tee and pop on a pair of shoes or a bag which has a colour that is in it.

Monochromatic looks

Just like your neutral suit feels less daunting than a bright one-off dress, you may find that monochromatic looks can be an excellent solution for adding colour to your outfits.

Picking one colour and seamlessly utilising it across your outfit can be a beautiful way to make an outfit feel approachable yet bright and inviting.

Consider a green suit, or match a pink dress with pink shoes and accessories. Picking out different levels of the colour can make it more dimensional as a look, too.

If you are looking for someone who can help you discover the perfect colours for you to add to your looks so you can shine, our colour clinics can be an excellent solution.

And if you can't meet us in person, we could help through our Online Colour & Style Clinic.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: TOP COLOUR TRENDS FOR AUTUMN 2022 (and how to style them)

As the seasons change, the catwalks and shops will show off the latest trends. From colours to shapes & styles, you may want to invest in a few current pieces to update your wardrobe.

What are the top colours to add to your wardrobe for your season and how can you style them?

Here are my favourite colours for Autumn 2022, and how you can make them work in your wardrobe, so you can invest wisely!

Zesty Lime – perfect for Springs

A bright and fun colour to add to your wardrobe that works perfectly for springs this season. Plus, it will add a dash of brightness to any look.

It can feel like a daunting colour, due to its brightness, but when you use it appropriately, it can truly make you shine!

I love that such a bright colour is coming into fashion for an often darker season, so using it to brighten your wardrobe as you add more layers, and welcome darker mornings and evenings, can bring a spring to your step!

How to try lime green this Autumn

If you want to add a dash of lime green to your outfits, you can do this with your accessories such as your handbag or even your shoes. These accessories can last a long time, so investing in the pieces you want to wear throughout the years to come will mean you can play up your outfits no matter the season.

Another option, particularly for Autumn as it gets colder, is with your layers. A unique cashmere jumper, or even a blazer can be a good option for the colder days, and in lime green you’re sure to make a statement and a big smile to your face.

Lilac – perfect for Summers

Lilac is a strong contender for my favourite colour for Autumn 2022. This almost pastel colour is a feminine and easy starting colour to add to your wardrobe as it's not too obtrusive. As it is quite feminine, it may feel like a tricky colour if you are a more abstract or edgy dresser, but you can make it work for you, if you use the right materials like leather or strong cable knits.

How to wear lilac this autumn

To fully embrace the femininity of this colour, you can look at investing in a lilac silk midi skirt (pair with tights and knee high boots for this time of year to remain warm, and it will last all the way to the summer as you change up your accessories and shoes!). You could also invest in frilled, long-sleeved blouse in lilac to pair with wide-legged trousers, or even with your lilac skirt for a monochromatic look.

For a more edgy look, why not try a lilac leather jacket and pair with combat boots, or invest in a leather trench coat in this on-trend colour.

 Burnt orange – for Autumns

Burnt orange is a truly Autumnal colour, and I love it! It can be a rich addition to your wardrobe no matter the time of year, but during this season it can be reflective of the gorgeous changing leaves around us. I'm delighted it's hitting the catwalks for 2022/23.

Whether it’s in your eyeshadow, or in your clothes, this rich colour is an elegant colour that can work from day to night.

How to style your burnt orange colours this Autumn

As it is such a warm, rich, and intense colour, you may want to go all out and wear it as your entire outfit such as with your dress paired with gold jewellery and deep rich accessories. If this feels like too much, dip your toes into the burnt orange colour trend with your heels – such as these almost metallic heels, or these burnt orange ankle boots.

You can also never go wrong with a handbag, so why not simply change up your outfits and add this on-trend colour to your looks through an elegant, burnt orange handbag?

Cobalt blue – for winters

For a cooler tone that works on your skin, while remaining bright and colourful for the seasons to change, cobalt blue is the perfect pick for Winters this season.

Cobalt blue should be a go-to colour in your wardrobe as a winter, so I was excited to see this colour across all of the Autumn/Winter 2022 fashion shoes.

How to wear cobalt blue this Autumn

You can bring this beautiful, bright yet deep blue into your wardrobe in a unique way with a suit! Perfect for those of you who prefer a more androgenous look, that can pair with different blouses, and be changed up based on the top or bottom. 

For a warm and easy to throw on option, this long-sleeved mock-turtleneck belted jumper can be worn at any time of day. While these slide-on heels with a black heel have a dash of cobalt blue that can just add this pop of on-trend colour to your outfit.

These are just four of my favourites, on-trend colours for Autumn 2022, and I hope you’re feeling inspired to try out these colours in your wardrobe too!

If you'd love someone by your side to help you find the perfect colours, new trends, and outfits to suit your personality, body shape, and colouring, please get in touch.

SEASONAL LIPSTICKS - HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT COLOUR LIPSTICK FOR YOUR SKIN TONE

As we start to take off our masks, many of us may be jumping at the chance to get to try out some new lipstick shades, but which colours work best for us?

When I help my clients with a colour analysis, we go through the “seasons” to discover which works best for their colouring – these are easy to understand and discover, and once we have found out their season, we can then find out the colours that work perfectly for them. This isn’t just with clothing, however, which is transformative enough, but it also is with make-up and particularly with lipstick!

Here’s my guide to the perfect shades for you, based on your season – if you haven’t discovered your season yet, you can book your very own colour analysis session with me that I can hold face to face or online!

Lipsticks for Summers:

For my summer clients, you usually have cool undertones with low contrast between hair and skin. Light and soft or muted colours are great for you!

For them, I Iike to use the Duo Lipstick col Petunia by Arbonne the pink/matte side as a bold option (as you can see in the first photo below) and the same lipstick col Petunia on the light/glossy side for a more natural effect (second photo below).

Best Lipstick Colours for Springs:

Springs tend to have clear colourings, with warm, golden undertones. When it comes to make up, the best colours for you are light and bright.

For my Spring clients I like to use the smoothed over lipstick by Arbonne in the colour GUAVA  as a bolder option (first photo below) and the duo lipstick col Jasmine  by Arbonne for a more natural option (second photo below).

Top Lipstick Colours for Winters:

Winters have cool undertones and tend to work best with deep colours, their skin, hair and eyes have quite a high contrast between them, the make up I often recommend for winters is deeper in hue.

For a bold lipstick option, I often use the smoothed over lipstick col Peony (photo 1 below), while for a more natural option I usually go for the lip gloss colour Calla both by Arbonne.

Lipstick Colours for Autumns:

Finally, my Autumns, which are warm with golden undertones, and have usually a deep overall colouring and low contrast between skin, hair and eyes. Soft, deeper and warmer hues work beautifully on them and I like to find amazing for them the duo lipstick col Azalea as a bolder option (photo 1 below), while the smoothed over lipstick colour Lily for a more natural effect (photo 2 below).

As you can see, the right colour make-up can work perfectly to uplift and brighten your face, and when you do discover those colours that work for you, it not only boosts your confidence but also saves you money. If you’ve ever put on make-up or clothes and just feel like they’re not quite right but can’t put your finger on it, it may be because the colour isn’t the best fit for your skin tone and colouring. Understanding these little tricks can help, which is why I love doing what I do so much.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: THE GIFT OF (THE RIGHT) COLOUR

With the arrival of Spring, and lockdown being lifted, clothing brands are reacting with colour – and boy do we need it in our lives.

Something I love about what I do is helping my clients find clothes more enjoyable, with a focus on the colours that work beautifully for their skin, personal style, and personality.

So, what are the new trends in terms of colour, available to us during Spring 2021, and which colours can work best for you? Let’s dive in!

Ice cream sorbet colours

While we may only be in spring and ice cream may not be as enticing as in summer, ice-cream pastels have been a colour trend coming through fashion shows for 2021. As the name suggests, these colours have cool features, which means they work particularly well on people with cooler skin undertones.

From pinks to purples, these pallets are a great way into this fashion trend for summers and winters, depending mostly in the saturations of the hues, and will match amazingly well with silver! While if you believe, or you know, that your features are warm, but you’d still love to go for ice cream sorbet colours, don’t despair, you can find ways to “fix” them through a nice match with one of your best colours, especially neutrals (like browns, beiges, greys, navy blue..) that usually goes with pretty much everything.

Yellows

A perfect colour for welcoming the sun is yellow, and this softer hue is a gorgeous colour to embrace in your wardrobe if you want to dip your toe in bright colours without overwhelming yourself. However, be careful, yellow is not an easy colour to wear. I personally recommend this colour for lighter skin tones such as Spring and Summers. Try out the soft yellow tones with a scarf, or go all out with a comfortable spring-ready light jumper, or dress for brunch with your loved ones.

Whereas Autumns can opt for a more golden tone, or even mustard (that will be available too) and Winters may want to only wear soft yellows as an accessory rather than all over.

Monochromatic white

I love a monochrome outfit – using one colour or shades of the same colour – it can work beautifully for a pulled together, professional look. Spring/Summer 2021 appears to have fallen in love with white monochromatic outfits and this can be a stunning way to welcome a warmer season. Consider keeping the look clean and minimal, with a small number of accessories – like metals - both gold and silver work beautifully with white, one making it warmer and the other cooler, so it can be your way to make your monochromatic white outfit truly work for you.

White can be a difficult colour to wear though, and I recommend you opt for a cream if you think you have softer features, as it isn’t as harsh against your skin. While you can wear a bright white if you are a winter.

Try a stunning jumpsuit or go for separates with a lush suit that can make you feel powerful & professional.

Pretty in pink

With previous years showcasing neon hues of pink, 2021 seems to have embraced a more bubblegum shade, as well as lighter shades – and it can be a very fun colour to wear, for the right skin tones. With the multitude of shades, I recommend finding one that suits you and your personality. Light pinks can be beautiful on Springs and Summers, depending on the hue temperatures, whereas the brighter, shocking pink hues can stand up to Winters. Autumns need to stay on warmer and softer tones, like peaches and apricots.

The lighter pinks can work well with white and light denim, whereas darker shades of pink work really well with darker denim or even black. But if you have a more dramatic or creative style, you can have fun mixing pink with greens or blues in your outfits, like some celebrities are showing off proudly.

It can be a very girly colour, so if that is your style go all out and get yourself a beautiful pink dress and enjoy the spring sunshine!

Green Hues

If you are a vibrant colour fan, then this green trend is fantastic for you! If you are an Autumn, you can pick lime greens, which go fantastically with your skin tone, why not try a beautiful halter-dress for Spring to welcome the warmer weather with the green trend? You may gravitate to a flowy, lime green wrap dress (that is a little more on budget), or a lime green bag can be a less domineering step into the lime green trend. 

For Autumns and Winters, the darker green will work very well with your skin tone and I can suggest a structured strappy dress that will transition well into the Spring and Summer, if you are an abstract style of dresser. Whereas, for my Romantic Autumn and Winters a more flowy deep green dress with florals on it will be the perfect addition to your wardrobe.  This stunning Chloe bag in deep green is a great accessory to add to your wardrobe, for a green addition without having to dedicate to a full outfit, too. Whereas my Summers need to veer more towards the teal green tones, due to their colouring, like these leather trousers by PINKO, or this shirt from ASOS.

Vibrant orange

My final favourite colour in Spring/Summer 2021 fashion trends, is vibrant orange. We all need a pick me up, and this daring colour is wonderful for the soul. Different fashion houses have shared a multitude of tones, so expect our high streets to embrace orange too. Burnt orange is stunning against darker and warmer skin, whereas the brighter hues can be beautiful against Spring tones, who can try out this bright trend with a cardigan or jumper, or treat yourself to a perfect long sleeved orange dress.

For the burnt orange, an accessory like a bag or pair of heels can be very versatile (I’ve found a more budget-friendly replica on Asos here if you love those shoes!), or invest in a stunning silk shirt to work well on Zoom calls and when you go out to lunch with friends.

 Bonus – Colour match trend

Feeling a little overwhelmed with all the colours and unsure how to match them with your wardrobe? The stunning yellow colour works beautifully with caramels and browns, as well as your traditional yellows, and is becoming a trend among the fashion-conscious. It’s not a colour combination that has often been seen, so it’s perfect for those of you looking to be a trend-setter! The caramels and beiges in general also work beautifully with white, black, and other pastel tones so can be played with across outfits and seasons.

source: https://www.thetrendspotter.net/fashion-trends-spring-summer-2021/

If you want some help finding those perfect colours for you all year round, not just for a specific new trend, then get in touch, and we can organise a colour analysis or online personal style masterclass to suit your needs, personal style, and wardrobe.

Which colours were your favourite, that you’ll want to try out?

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: HOW COLOUR CAN HELP YOU LOOK AND FEEL GOOD (during the lockdown)

During the lockdown we have been having to, in some cases, completely transform the way we are working, particularly as mumpreneurs. Our business lives are being swamped with online video calls, our kids are with us, and often our partners are also with us. To add to this, an overwhelming amount of emotions we seem to be going through, from highs from being able to spend more hours with our loved ones, to lows where we feel almost trapped within our own homes. I wanted to share a few tips to help build your positive mindset and confidence using something as simple as colour! 

What effect can colour have on our mindset?

Psychologists and marketers have poured countless hours into researching what colours can do to affect the mind, and this is only a small summary of some of the research I have found, particularly focusing on the colours themselves. Colours can greatly affect our moods, but also how people respond to us, with research by Keith Jacobs and Frank Hustmyer in 1974 finding that our heart rate, blood pressure, and even respiration, can be changed just by the colours we see. 

Knowing these basic elements to the ways people respond to certain colours could help you potentially reach for the colours you love, and consider how they’re making you feel. It could also help you if you want to have a specific mindset, or response by others to your outfit, whether another colour may be great to addition. 

Blue – how does this colour affect my mindset?

Blue, a colour I love to wear, and Pantone’s 2020 colour of the year, apparently encourages people to feel loyalty, stability, and tranquillity. It can help when you feel you need to bring some grounding to your life, as it can evoke feelings of truth, and according to psychologists is the most stable colour to wear. Blue can be a tricky colour to wear, so consider your skin tone and think about which type of blues can work best for you to help you feel confident, and bring some of the tranquillity you may be craving at these times to your day.

This blue, soft denim jumpsuit from Warehouse is something I love to wear as it works perfectly with my skin tone, has a belt to draw me in at the waist, but is still comfortable enough to wear when taking my child to the park. It also is professional enough for client calls!

How can Yellow affect my mood?

Yellow – a beautiful, happy colour, and one I can’t write without bringing a smile to my face, and I am sure many other people feel the same. This is a colour which brings happiness, optimism, and can bring joy to your outfit. However, it can apparently also bring about a feeling of unstableness as it’s such a bright colour it can be tricky to have an all over outfit in just this shade, and can be over-energising for the workplace. If you’re working from home, however, it can be a great colour to jump to if you need to pump up your energy! 

This is another colour which can be tricky for some skin tones, so I recommend having a colour consultation or putting different shades near your face to see which hues brighten you, rather than drain you.

In this wonderful outfit, you can see how blue and yellow have been brought together, to add the stabilising effect that blue can have on yellow. Then paired with a simple black skirt, but bringing the yellow pop in the shoes helps to bring the whole outfit together. I love that it can be appropriate for work and I truly see how yellow can bring brightness and joy to an outfit. If you are conscious of wearing yellow in this way, I’d recommend trying a yellow bag to add to your more toned down look, or perhaps yellow shoes for a little pop of fun colour!

Green and its effect on mindset

Now green is an interesting colour to wear! It is associated with healing, hope, and success! It’s also a great colour to wear if you are in front of a computer screen as it apparently has the least amount of eye strain. The use of green in an outfit can also bring a feeling of freshness and harmony, so it’s a fantastic colour to use in these times, and when attending business meetings, as its association with success can bring a more secure feeling to the person you are meeting with.

Deep greens can be a great starting point for you to dip your toe into the world of this colour. Lime greens and bright greens are often quite luminescent but can be great if your skin tone works well with it. I love the use of the neutral top with the deep green in this outfit, and it can be perfect for work and for date night – add a leather jacket or jewellery to upgrade to the date and you’re ready to go out!

What does the colour black do for your mindset?

A classic colour, but did you know that black can convey the message of power, mystery, and even professionalism? This is why it can be used in so many professional outfits such as suits and the classic, little black dress! I often find even if black isn’t considered to be the “right” colour for a client’s skin tone, it makes them feel great, so if you feel the same way about black, then go for it and add this professional colour to your day if you have several meetings coming up, or need to record a professional video for your business. Adding a hint of colour such as green, or blue, can add a touch of personality to an all-black outfit, should you feel you need it.

In this all black outfit, something I always recommend doing with black is showcased here perfectly – different textures! Black on black can look a little flat, so adding other layers of black that have a different texture or pattern are a great way to make an outfit look more polished. The arms on this dress go a long way to changing this dress from what could be quite simple, to something appropriate for the office.

Orange and its effects on the mindset

The final colour I’d like to showcase in this list of the top colours to transform your mindset, is orange. This colour is a good go between for red which can be seen as passionate and great for a first date, not so appropriate for the office! Orange, especially in these times, can be an excellent colour choice as it brings through feelings of energy, fun, and warmth. It’s a fantastic colour as it’s bright and colourful, like yellow, but can be worn on many more skin tones and is perhaps not quite as daunting. It also helps to bring a feeling of stimulation and enthusiasm, so if you’re feeling your get up and go has got up and gone, bring some orange into today’s outfit, it could go to help improve your energy!

Image from Edit 7.

As you can see, orange comes in so many shades, and is incredibly “hot” right now in the fashion world. A few ways to use it is like the above where the whole outfit is based on orange with perhaps black or green accents. If this feels a little too much, try starting with an orange scarf or shoes, so you can dip your toe into the colour for a little bit of a boost to your mindset!

I hope these colours have given you some ideas for adding some colour to your daily outfits whilst in lockdown and how they can potentially change your mindset. Do let me know some colours you love to gravitate to, and if you’d like to know which colours suit you best, I’d love to arrange an online stylings session with you!

PERSONAL STYLIST TIP: FIND THE PERFECT RED LIPSTICK

For some, lipstick is a daily essential, for others, it’s a sea of colours and confusion! Whether you are one or the other (or just dipping your toe into the world of lipsticks) I hope this piece will help you find the perfect shade for you, and hope to give you some red lipstick confidence boosting in preparation for International Women’s Day this month.

When I do a colour analysis with a client, we go through the colour wheel landing on the season that best suits their skin, which helps them to find the perfect colours to make them shine. In this article, I share a few tips on helping you to determine which season may be yours, but of course, would love to invite you to join me for a colour analysis should you want to have the benefit of knowing the best colours, fabrics, and make up for you!

Red Lipsticks For Summer Skin Tones

If you are cool-skin toned and naturally ash-blonde, you will probably be in the Summer category, and you are most likely to suit a more primary red with a blue undertone, such as the beautiful deep red shade from Pat McGrath in Elson with a touch of blue undertones, can work pretty well on all skin tones, but particularly works well on those with a Summer season.  

Red lipstick can work well on most cooler toned skin, from lighter to darker shades, as long as the undertone is correct with a hint of blue. You can try a sheer and pinkish red lipstick with Cover Girl’s Continuous Colour in Really Red, which is a lovely option for a less deep and bold colour.

Red Lipsticks For Autumn Skin Tones

Just like the season, Autumns have soft contrasts, and work best with the autumnal colours of the season - think aubergine purple, reds, and oranges. This means finding your perfect lipstick shade needs to be a warmer tone. Consider deep and warm lipstick hues for your selections. Brick reds, deep rich browns, or bright reds that have a brick-red undertone.

For even more of a statement, you could invest in something a little more unique with a deep rich brown lipstick, I know it isn’t in the “red lipstick” look, but I had to mention it as it is a shade that works so beautifully on the autumn skin tones!

Red Lipsticks For Winter Skin Tones

If you have fair skin with naturally dark hair, and eyes from very light and icy to very deep, or if your overall colours are dark with cool undertones, then you might fall into the Winter category, which means reds that work for you will be ones with deeper and cooler tones work beautifully for you. Consider scarlet red, such as Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution in Scarlet Spell, which is deep, luscious and perfect for your skin tone! 

You could also work with a beautiful fuscia pink, such as the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine in Fuscia Stiletto which is a very bright pink, and is a great option for you to try if red is perhaps not your colour quite yet. If you're willing to try a vegan and cruelty free option, I suggest the Smoothed Over Lipstick - Peony from Arbonne. I advise steering clear from any reds which are almost brick red, as this will potentially wash you out.

Red Lipsticks For Spring Skin Tones

Warmer skin tones with golden blonde or red hair and eyes with green shades usually tend to be a Spring, which means warm bright reds, as well as coral pinks work perfectly for you. Deeper reds can drain you, so this is one option of red that you will want to step aside from. I love the Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani Matte Lipstick in shade 402 is a wonderful colour, with it’s bright hue, it may feel a little daunting, but practice with it and you will see how fantastic it looks on your skin tone, I promise!

Another option, if coral feels a little too bright for you, can be a bright brick red, then try the Becca lipstick in Rouge, this perhaps would be the darkest red hue that you can use without feeling a little too pale with it, so find the perfect one that makes you shine. If you want to keep a more natural look, still adding a touch of colour, and go vegan and cruelty free, my suggestion for you is the Glossed Over Lip Gloss, Mimosa by Arbonne. 

Whatever hue you choose to go for, preparation is key to making your lips feel lipstick ready! I recommend exfoliating and moisturising before you pop the lipstick on, as this will give it the right base for long wear. I also recommend you try a lot of shades on your own skin to find that perfect lipstick that will make you feel fantastic! If you would like some help to find the right make up to make you feel confident every day, then do get in touch, I’d love to help you with a colour analysis. 

LIFE OF A LONDON STYLIST: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

For Mother's Day, Stefania is going to do a colour analysis for a mother and her two daughters! What a nice gift they have chosen to celebrate! It is nice to see daughters willing to make their mother feel special.. how did you celebrate your mother's day?

EVENTS: THE POWER OF COLOUR

"the best colour in the world is the colour that looks good on you" C.Chanel

Yesterday, Thursday the 12th, there have been a workshop organized by Stefania Bartolomei, about the colour as powerful styling tool!

Of all the styling tools, colour is maybe the most underestimated, yet it has the great power to affect not only our look but also our mood.

As the right colour can, in fact, confer us a healthy look, enhancing our features, making our eyes shine bright and our skin looks like porcelain, so the wrong colour can wash us out, highlighting the eye circles and the skin flaws. We perceive the effects that colours have on us, but most of the time we are not aware of it and we think that the causes of our look, whether it is good or not, are entirely of physical and mental status nature.

Being conscious of what our best colours are can really have an effect on our attitude. as I always say : when you look good, you feel good! And when you feel good, you have more self confidence, so you can be successful and get what you are aiming to, that in the social life as well as in business.

Let's go deeper now into the technical side of the workshop and its subject.

As you probably know, one of the services that Stefania offers to her clients is the colour analysis; the seasonal color analysis (to be precise) is a scientific way to determine's people best colours. 

As in nature, the seasonal colour analysis is based on the 4 seasons : spring, summer, autumn and winter.

These seasons recall the colours that we can find in nature, from spring, with its bright, powerful and warm colours , that become softer and lighter in summer, to autumn, with everything getting warmer and deeper, to the winter, with its crispy and sharp colours and its high contrasts. 

spring

summer

autumn

winter

The colour drapes, used for the colour analysis, recall the properties of the seasons in nature, reproducing the same general characteristics. 

spring

summer

autumn

winter

The same characteristics can then be found in our own features. So, generally speaking, people with light soft coloring would most likely belong to summer, while people with dark colours and high contrasts in their features would most likely belong to winter.

But it is not easy to recognize all this values in ourselves and there can be also exceptions. So it must be clear that this are general rules and that the only way to build up our palette of best colours, in the end, is to have a professional colour analysis.

During the workshop Stefania shown the effect of the colours on our features, whether they are good or wrong, explaining how to recognize our features through 3 values:

• temperature (warm vs cold)

• brightness (soft vs bright)

• light (light vs dark)

giving eventually practical examples on how to make the most of our colours through the use not only of clothes but also of accessories, make-up and hair colour choices. 

At the end of She also did a funny "celebrity game", where people were called to guess the properties, and so the season, of some star, among which Lucy-Liu, Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts and so on... this was lot of fun! 

The workshop has been a great success! The atmosphere was cozy and nice and seen the great enthusiasm shown by the public Stefania will surely plan another one very soon! 

In the meantime, if you want to find out more about the subject and discover what is your season and what are your best colours book your session with Stefania writing at stefania@oneofastyle.com 

Special thanks go to : Veronika Damiani for the make-up of the models; Laura & Kim for being my models.