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 SHOPPER TIPS: TOP COLOUR TRENDS FOR AUTUMN

I love the colours of autumn. With the falling of the leaves and changing of the season come deep oranges, burnt reds, dark purples and more. For those within the seasonal colour palette of autumn, this is your time to shine! Let your skin shine with these colours all around us.

For those of us within different seasonal colour palettes, we can still wear these colours, but need to be mindful of the tones to make them suit us.

To celebrate the changing of the seasons, I’ll share with you my top colour trends for autumn and how to try them depending on your season.

If you don’t yet know your colour palette, I share my tips on finding yours here, or book a colour clinic for a personalised and confidence-boosting session in London or online.

How to wear red this autumn

Seen across an array of catwalks, this show-stopping colour is one I am pleased to welcome to the darker days. Shining brightly as the weather often makes us want to stay in over a hot cup of coco and a movie, the colour may have a great effect on our mindsets.

What tones of red to use based on your season

Depending on your season, the tones of red to use will vary. From deep and rich, to bright and light, knowing the perfect shade will make a huge difference.

How to wear red as an autumn

Autumns need to look for deep, rich and warm reds. Think dark brick red, with an almost purple undertone. You can play with red lipstick, shoes, or all out with a red suit. Of course, starting with some accessories, like a pashmina or red ankle boots can be an easy way into the colour.

How to wear red as a winter

Fuchsia and bright icy pinks are more suited to your skin tone, as well as brighter cooler reds. With your contrasting features, you’ll want to look for deep yet bright undertones. A brighter red scarf could work to take you through to winter, while you may want to opt for some red boots for the rainier season (and to add drama to any outfit!).

How to wear red as a spring

With a warmer undertone than winters, springs look best in bright and strong colours. Think of poppy reds as inspiration. A red bag is always a great go-to accessory no matter the weather, while you can dive in head first into the colour of the. Pair with yellow or rose gold accessories, and you’re ready to paint the town red.

How to wear red as a summer

Summers have cooler undertones with soft features, and will suit more pastel or soft red tones. Pairing your red garments with lighter neutrals will help to soften the red that can be a tricker colour for you. Pinks are more suited to your colours, so this may be a more approachable way to implement this colour into your wardrobe. Why not add some edge with a leather shirt over your wide legged jeans and combat boots?

How to wear grey this autumn

For those of my client who love to wear black, they can be disappointed that this colour doesn’t fit within their season. That’s why charcoal or deep grey can be a solution for them. Grey can be a variety of tones, and it can be used as a neutral under your more unique or statement colours.

While for some, you may be jumping at the thought of a grey colour, the ways in which this tone can be used can be full and perfect for professional looks, should you need to. Make sure you pair it with your statement colours such as pinks, teals, or purples, to really shine.

How to wear charcoal as an autumn

Deep and rich charcoal and deep browns are a go-to neutral for you. You can also move into a lighter charcoal as long as it still provides a deep and rich tone for your skin. An elegant and structured jumper are excellent additions to your wardrobe for this time of year.

How to wear charcoal as a winter

Winters suit black unlike any other season, and you will shine with this rich deep colour, like charcoal. Grey needs to be as close to black as you can find, and will match with icy blues, bright pinks or emerald green. A classic grey suit trouser for work, or for a special occasion or black tie event, a strapless floor length dress in deep charcoal could look beautiful on you with a pair of emerald shoes & jewellery. For a more casual look, pair a charcoal pair of wide legged charcoal jeans with sneakers and turtleneck bodysuit.

How to wear charcoal as a spring

Charcoal is a trickier colour for you wear but paired with bright light colours you can play with this autumnal trend. Lighter grey may be a better solution for you, pair a light grey trench with pastel pinks or bright blues to really make a statement.

How to wear charcoal as a summer

A softer charcoal will look perfect on your skin tone, when matched with pastel yellows or pinks. A pair of soft grey sneakers paired with your favourite jeans and pastel coloured top are great for day to day, or why not try a midi skirt paired with heeled boots and a pink body suit for a unique look.

How to wear pink this autumn

You guessed it – the Barbie movie has been taking over and with that comes the fashion. While pink is a fun, bright, and engaging colour, it seems to be a little bit marmite. Some love it, some hate it! If you want to try out pink this autumn and feel your true Barbie-self, now is a great time to play with it.

How to wear pink as an autumn

Deep, luscious pinks are best for you. Paired with deep tones or going fully monochromatic will brighten up the darker season. When you look outside at this time of year, there isn’t much pink to pick and choose from, so you may be better suited to a peachier or more coral-colour. Try out a coral lipstick or a pink with an orange undertone for best results! These peachy, abstract ankle boots are a fun and unique accessory for your wardrobe to try out the colour of the year.  

How to wear pink as a winter

Bright pinks and fuchsias are beautiful on your skin and you can go all out Barbie! This one-shoulder maxi dress will let you party the night away in all your glory. Pair with silver platform heels and jewellery for a sparkly look. If you want to start small, a headband or a crossover body bag can be your stepping stone into the colour. 

How to wear pink as a spring

As with any season, all of us can wear any colour, as long as we select the right tone. For springs, however, jewellery in rose gold looks the best on you, playing into the pinkier hues that work with your clothing too. Bright and light pinks work well for you, too, so you can layer your pinks with your rose gold accessories. This light pink longline jacket is an essential for the season, while this pink and rose gold daisy ring is a fun and cute accessory.

How to wear pink as a summer

Barbie must be a summer as pinks across a variety of tones look great on you. Colours you see in Mother of Pearl or softer pinks are your go-to. A pastel pink blouse, hairband, or shoes are all fabulous options to add to your wardrobe for the season. This satin single breasted blazer feels “Legally Blonde” meets “Barbie” in one. While this frilly, lace-trimmed maxi dress could be layered over warmer garments to keep the spring in your step. This dusky pink, fit and flare dress is a party dress that could suit work and play!

I hope you enjoy welcoming a new season. If you want to play with new colours to brighten your wardrobe, I’d love to help.

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 TO LOOK AND FEEL “WOW” IN WINTER, WITH HANDMADE SEASONAL COLOUR HATS

I was delighted to have been taken part into a very special project of the women in business community WoW – Women on Women in collaboration with Italian hat designer, Vitrizia: the WoW hat Capsule, which was conceived as Urban artwear. The beauty of this collection was to showcase that fashion can be art, and specifically in this collection that the hat can be an artistic object to be showcased on the street as an artistic expression for the everyday woman.

The aim of these creations is to be WoW on every woman and Marianna, the CEO of WoW – Women  on Women, together with the designer, realised that working on the colour element was essential to achieve that result and in order to enhance each woman’s beauty.

Being part of the WoW community, and colour analysis expert, Marianna asked for my support in identifying the different seasonal colours for the capsule, to complement women belonging to each of the colour seasons. Each of the four handmade designs can be realised in colour combinations from the 4-seasons colour palettes (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) and has special features to truly help the wearer feel confident and empowered.

Woollen hats are worn during the colder months so this is fantastic time to enhance the beauty of each woman, from day to night, with the headpiece accessory. And getting it right with the right shape and colours is so important to feel unique and confident.

The Diva Headdress

This is a truly standout piece which can work beautifully with a similarly Avant Garde outfit – think oversized coats or more masculine cuts. The piece will definitely help you to stand out among the grey backgrounds of this season, so consider finding the style in your colours and truly go with it!

While it will keep you warm with its open balaclava style, you will also take the stage with its unique styling. Let the hand sewn jewels add a touch of femininity to your masculine outfit, and pop on a pair of heels with wide leg trousers to continue the masculine/feminine look.

The Diva hat in a winter colour combination

The Mimosa Cake Hat

A classic style with a unique edge, this almost beanie-like style gets a dramatic touch of artistic flair with the double topper. I love that this brings a truly unique addition to a classic look, so while it feels the most simplistic of the designs for this capsule collection, you know you will be showcasing your individuality & supporting hand-crafted creations.

I recommend wearing the Mimosa to complement a monochromatic look, as it already is reflected in the hat. You can either add the layered pop of colour to the remainder of your outfit, or let that part shine and complete your look with an outfit all in the colour of the main hat. Monochromatic looks are excellent for keeping a professionals and easy to put together look, and when you know your colours, these should be easily accessible in your wardrobe. Put on a classic-cut coat such as a trench coat or blazer to complete the winter-ready styling.

The Mimosa hat in a Spring colour combination

The Big Kiss

I love this piece so much I had to get it for myself – it’s incredibly unique and you can even add ostrich feathers to make this hat almost like a bejewelled head piece or fascinator. Inspired by early twentieth-century designs, this hat has a rosette to the side of the garment with hand-sewn crystals, you won’t need any jewellery with this to stand out!

The Big Kiss in a summer colour combination

With this hat, I like to wear it with a structured coat for formal meetings, or with a leather or denim jacket to relax the look. Then pop on my favourite cropped jumper, a pair of black or dark jeans and high heeled boots – mixing together the elegant styling of the hat with a more informal outfit.

The Ruler

A fun, quirky, and unique design, this hat brings together a scarf and a hat together in one! I absolutely love the additional textures in the neck piece that transform this hat, that truly is a piece of art for the modern woman to wear. It uses inspiration from the eighteenth century, framing the head and the neckline, you’ll truly feel like Queen Elizabeth I with a contemporary colour twist.

The Ruler in an Autumn colour combination

I love to play with the inspiration of this outfit and truly go full-romantic styling. Think long floaty dresses, that encompass the feeling of a royal queen. If that’s a little too feminine, then consider the fabrics that feel royal such as satins, velvets, and suede! It would work beautifully with a velvet suit, or perhaps a square-necked long sleeve jumper, long overcoat and midi skirt that continues to be a go-to piece for this season.

As an Italian personal stylist in London, I love supporting fellow Italian designers create pieces that help women stand out from the crowd, and continue to support independent, hand crafted creations that are sustainable. It was a real pleasure to be a part of this project, and you can get your own pieces from this collection by going here and if you want to learn all about the colours that work for you so you can confidently curate a wardrobe you love, please get in touch to book your colour consultation.

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.

WHY BE PRIMARK WHEN YOU CAN BE GUCCI?

You want to look effortlessly stylish, but your patience is short, and you struggle to find a great fit, in that ‘wow’ colour.

So, you end up in the same bland colours you’ve always worn with no inclination to spend your precious time-off on shopping trips that leave you in despair.

Your wardrobe is bursting with clothes you never wear because you didn’t really know how to choose. Some items have the tags still attached after your disastrous impulse buys.

A personal colour analysis is the answer to your problems – delivering a valuable service that saves you time, money, and stress.

At your consultation, you will learn the exact colour palate from 16 seasons (rather than the usual 4) that perfectly matches your skin tone, so you will look radiant and feel amazing. When you feel good on the inside, it shows on the outside.

You’ll also learn how to buy less, wear more using my unique method, saving you money and creating a beautifully arranged closet. Your sustainable wardrobe is not only good for your finances, it’s great for the environment too.

You’ll be encouraged to try new options which push you out of your comfort zone, enabling to develop your own sense of style and increase your confidence.

You’ll get tailored advice on the latest trends, so you’ll be able to enjoy the shopping experience.

As an extra benefit, you will also get a personalised make-up session enabling you to perfect the complete look for your skin type and tone.

Your personal colour analysis consultation will save you heaps of time and money by enabling you to purchase the ideal clothes that make you look and feel self-assured, elegant, relaxed or funky – whatever works for you.

You can save the cost of this service (£185) in your first shop simply by having the right information and confidence to make the perfect purchases every time and cutting out the wasted hours in store.

Get in touch to find out more or book an online consultation and get your wardrobe ready for autumn/winter 2020.

One of a style, because you are one of a kind.

Stefania

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.

BRIDAL STYLING: 50 SHADES OF...WHITE!?

Nothing to do with the famous "GREY" , don't worry! But if you think that there is just one shade of white I am afraid you are wrong.  

If you are going to get married and you are looking for your Wedding dress then take into consideration this article, maybe you'll discover what your best shade of white and it'll help to identify the perfect dress and complements for your Big Day!

Like any other colour, actually, even white has several and different shades : there are indeed cool whites and warm whites, there is the pure white, the greyish white, the pearl white, the off-white, the champagne, the ivory (that can be yellowish or pinkish) and I could go on with the list.

Nowadays there is such a huge proposal of Wedding dress styles and colours that you can get lost! Maybe you have a clear idea of what you want : if you are a classic and a traditional bride you would probably go for a pure white dress, while if you are a fashion victim maybe you would go for the last trend colours (2016 for example is the year of blush for the wedding dresses!); but it's not just a matter of personal taste : the right white, like any other right hue, can make your eyes shine bright, can illuminate your face and make your skin looks like porcelain; while the wrong shade of white could make you paler, highlight the dark circles or simply it wouldn't enhance your characteristics enough. Honestly, it is not just the shade but the mix of colour and fabric (shiny, matt, plain, embroidered, embellished, and so on...) that can really make the difference! But let's go on talking about the colour now, that is our real subject.

Still confused about what I am saying? Maybe some pictures will help! 

Here below as first the more classic of all, the pure white! This is a splendid example, shown in a sateen gown by Elie Saab http://www.pronovias.com/wedding-dresses/2015-elie-by-elie-saab

style CALAMIAN_ Elie by Elie Saab, 2015 collection

I am quite sure you will notice how the same shade of white (pure in this case) has a different effect when applied on another fabric kind, like this chiffon gown by Maggie Sottero for example  https://www.maggiesottero.com

Style DELANIE_Sottero and Midgley collection

It seems even more icy, isn't it? See also how the gown is embellished with silver jewelry applications; it is undoubtedly a wise choice! Usually silver is the metal that work better with the pure/optical white! This can be a useful info for you to complement your dress with accessories (earrings, necklace, tiara, hair pins, and so on..). 

The pure (or optical) white is identified as "cool" colour and it is generally better for people with cool features themselves (black hair or ash blond hair for example) and/or deep contrasts (black hair+black eyes and pale skin)_and I can tell you that the model of this picture is not the best to wear this colour actually. The pure white is usually the best choice for Asian women as well (Chinese and Japanese for example). But be aware that pure white can make your teeth seem yellow! 

Now I want to show your the warm classical white : the ivory. Here below a fine example of an ivory wedding dress from Pronovias http://www.pronovias.com . It is a yellowish one actually. Can you see the yellow shades of the fabric? It is clearly visible on the bottom part of the skirt. 

style TAIR B_Pronovias collection

This warm shades are generally better for women with warm features in their natural colours (like golden or chocolate brown or honey blond hair). Anyway this gown the white lace on top makes this ivory gown a lighter,delicate and less yellowish ivory shade, generally a good compromise for "neutrals" as well (women who have both cool and warm elements in their natural colours); for sure it is not suitable for women with real black hair and pale-pinkish skin tone. 

As I said on the beginning, anyway, there is more than one ivory as well! Here below another example of ivory gown, again from Maggie Sottero collection.  https://www.maggiesottero.com

style RIVIERA_Maggie Sottero collection

This time they added golden elements as you can see, accordingly to the fabric's colour nature; this really makes this gown warm and intense, good for women who have themselves very warm charatteristics (beige to brown/bronze shin, red hair, hazelnut eyes, for example). Honestly, the model they choose for this photo shooting is not the best to wear this dress (obviously I am referring just to her colours, not to her body!).

It is not the rule, anyway, to complement the pure white with silver and the ivory with gold, sometimes silver can work on warm shades as well as gold can work on cool shades, creating nice contrasts, good above all for "neutrals" women;  here an example of silver+pinkish ivory in a gown by Allure Bridals http://www.allurebridals.com/

style 9300_ALLURE BRIDALS collection

And what do you think about this wedding dress from BHLDN? http://www.bhldn.com/

style JOSINA GOWN_BHLDN collection

This pinkish ivory is good again for ladies with warm characteristics, maybe better for the ones with lighter colours (honey blond, light golden brown or red hair) 'cause it is very delicate and it has white pearly applications on the top that make it a bit softer and delicate; it suggests, moreover, the use of pearly accessories and jewelry to complement your total look.

What about this one below,  again from Sottero and Midgley collection?  www.maggiesottero.com . It's still pinkish but more delicate. This seems to me the best pinkish-ivory shade because it is very soft and not totally warm, it can really be a jolly for most of the women and, in my opinion, it can be complemented both by silver and golden elements.

style SORRENTO_Sottero and Midgley collection

Totally different story for this one below from BLHDN collection http://www.bhldn.com/

style LORRAINE DRESS_BHLDN collection

This is another version of a pinkish white again, with grey shades that make it cool and quite muted. It is probably good for ash-blond or light-brown women with light eyes (icy blue or green). I always say "probably" because you can't really determine if a colour is good for you or not unless you put it close to your face and see the effect it has on you and your complexion. Moreover women generally alter their hair colour and sometimes it alter their category as well (whether it is warm, cool or neutral).

The last one is a greyish-white gown, an absolute icy shade of white, complemented by greenish and probably dark silver elements, good for women with cool features and very delicate characteristics, like ash blond hair, icy blue eyes, pale pinkish shin (and this time the model used for the photo shooting seems to be perfect!)

Here ends my article, but there would be more and more to show you! My advice, if you really want to get a perfect look on your Wedding day and find the best shade of white for your dress, is to ask for the help of an expert colour analysist/image consultant... it really worth to try! At least is your Big Day we are talking about and every detail is important and can really make the difference!

Below you can see all the dresses mentioned above, so that you can have and immediate comparison of all these different shades of white!