Remember many years ago being invited to one of those “color me beautiful” parties? The hostess would lay different colored scarves across your shoulder so they would drape near your face and everyone would discuss what “season” you were and what color palate you would look the most attractive in. What ever happened to those fun gatherings? Do you know what colors suit you best?
The book “Color Me Beautiful” was written by Carole Jackson back in 1980. Carole had her own color palate analyzed by a color palate professional. Inspired, she then studied how color can enhance people’s skin, hair and nails. She began holding classes and went on to write other books about make-up colors and skin tone as well as color palates for men.
The basic premise was that people fall into four different types of skin colorings, which are best complemented by wearing certain colors. The types are divided into seasons: winter, summer, spring and autumn. There are no absolute rules so sometimes a color that is not in your season may look just fine but the categories give you some guidelines to follow.
Winter: Is considered a “cool” color and those complexions look best with blue- based colors. Winters typically have hair color that contrasts greatly with their eye color so they have a more intense appearance. Winters look best when wearing strongly contrasting colors. Winter colors choices might be hot pink, emerald green or royal purple.
Summer: Is the other “cool” color besides winter but different from a winter person, their hair and eye color are less in contrast with each other so the person appears softer and less intense. Summers in turn look best when they wear more gentle less dramatic colors such as periwinkle blue, rose pink or plum.
Spring: Is the first “warm” palate and is based on yellow tones. Springs look best in brighter gold type colors and that are more intense colors. Colors such as coral, peach or lime green are examples.
Autumn: Is the other “gold” toned palate but it is based more on a deeper gold than spring. Autumns look best in colors that are “warm, soft and deep.” Colors such as brick red, caramel and forest green are examples.
If spending time each morning evaluating your best color choices feels like too much work, there is an alternative. According to Yolanda Wikiel at realsimple.com there are four colors that everyone looks good in. Eggplant is a versatile color that is similar to wearing black. True Red is in the center of the color spectrum so it is neither too warm orange or cool cherry. Indian Teal enhances the flush color in one’s face. And Mellow Rose (pink) acts like a neutral tone.
It would be fun to go to another “color me beautiful” party but it is also good to know you always have some standby colors to get dressed in.
sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_analysis
http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/wardrobe-basics/4-universally-flattering-clothing-colors-10000001584157/page2.html
Michele is an R.N. freelance writer with a special interest in woman’s health care and quality of care issues. Other articles by Michele are at www.helium.com/users/487540/show_articles