Fine tune you’re best Image

I thought I’d start the New Year with what I think are my 5 BEST Image making tips that I reckon will make a big difference to your wardrobe, and of course the way you look.

Let’s start with Image maker 1.

Don't wear the wrong colours

If you have already had your Colours done, and you are sure you’ve had a correct assessment, I bet there are still some Image Breakers lurking in your cupboard. That is clothes that aren’t in your colours.

My top tip is get to know your colours really well. ‘There are only 16million plus colours after all.

Only wear or buy your correct colours. I spend a lot of time assisting my clients to know their colours and provide ways to help them learn them.

I bet you’re still hanging on to things that are not in your season. I know it’s hard to part with something that you’ve spent your hard earned dollars on, but why wear something that doesn’t do you justice?

Image maker no 2.

Get rid of your old clothes. 

Get rid of those old clothes that are still lurking in your cupboard. 

There's always room for another cull and there is never room for something that doesn’t belong in your closet. You’ll feel much happier when you make more space and you’ll even be able to see the garments in your wardrobe much better.

Image maker no 3

Sort your clothes into 2 separate wardrobes.

Separating your closet into your Summer and Winter things is also very freeing.

Having room to move will give you a better sense of order and help you to see the potential especially when it comes to creating new looks.

Image maker no 4

Create new looks

Did you know you can become more creative when there is less clutter around you?

Imagine a more “capsule “type wardrobe. Less is sometimes best. I encourage you to do some more mixing and matching.

Create different outfits with the clothes you already own. You can make outfits that looks new and fresh just by mixing things up a little.

Try all the looks you can create with one top for example. How many bottoms does that one top go with?

Experiment with different shoes, bags and jewellery. Make a casual outfit more formal by adding a jacket, different shoes and make up.

You’re clothes need to be multi-functional. Doing these things will make you realize you have more than enough clothes to wear and there is no need to go out shopping for something “new “at every new season.

I always say “how many outfits can you wear in 365 days of the year”? Most people tend to wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time anyway.

Image maker no 5

Throw away everything that is ill fitting,

Most of us have fluctuating weight. Usually it’s sort of up or down a size.

If you find there are items in your wardrobe that are a really bad fit and make you look frumpy, it’s time to put them in the recycle bin. Find garments that fit well and are flattering to your body shape.

So there you have it, my New Year‘s Wardrobe resolutions. All I need to do now is go and tidy mine up as well.

So happy Culling from Your Colours style for 2025.

10 must haves to sass up your wardrobe this Spring

With a glimpse of Spring shining through, you may have, like me, been out shopping already to sass up your wardrobe.

Nothing sparkles like new

Yes I know it’s a noble deed to shop your wardrobe, recycle and repurpose your clothes but I’m sorry, no matter how much I think I have enough clothes to last me to the end of days, there is always room for a brand new item to inject into every new season.

Start with what you already have in your closet.

If you’re the organized  type (which I am not), pull out your outfits that will serve you well this season.

Grab those basics or those items on the must have list that you already have and check out their wear ability. If they’re still looking fresh and lovely place them on the bed and create as many outfits and ideas as you can. Who knows after this exercise you might be happy not to shop or buy anything new at all.

Always remember there are only so many days in the year and only so many different outfits we can wear anyway, so there is no need to over buy.

Cull, cull, cull.

If you have time (which I don’t) now is a good time to cull out of your wardrobe any unwanted garments.

Ones you’ve not worn, grown out of (don’t wait until you grow back into again, it barely happens) or are looking a bit shabby.

If they are good enough to pass on or sell, do that. Why waste a good garment.

Item No 1.

White jeans.

I find nearly all my clients young or old are predominately wearing casual clothes.

So my no 1. pick is white jeans. I like to wear them all year round. Find your suitable whites and choose the right seasonal fabrics with stretch or no stretch in your best styles.

Item no 2.

Denim Jeans.

Dress them up or dress them down. Denim jeans are forever in fashion so  find your best brands and again be sure to choose your right colour denims.

Item no 3.

White T shirt.

Nothing looks fresher than a white t shirt with jeans, pants or skirt.  They can look so smart and lovely also very dressy with the right accessories.  Just try not to spill beetroot on them.

Item no 4.

Coloured T shirt.

Another must have staple is the coloured Tee. Go anywhere, go with anything and remember in your colours you have such an array of choice why wouldn’t you have more than one in the mix.

Remember when you see them on special, they usually come in a mix of colours, and when you know your colours well, you will find it easy to choose.

Item no 5.

The Sun dress

On those stinking hot days what can be cooler than a light and airy dress. Strappy or straight a soft linen dress is so chic. Remember the shift dress is very flattering for all shapes.

Item no 6

A stylish sun hat.

Don’t leave the house without your hat but be sure it makes a statement and suits your style and face shape.

Item no 7

A Summer bag

To complete your look for the warmer months, what could be more fun and fabulous than a gorgeous colourful and glam handbag. This is a time when you can purchase a non leather bag, perhaps raffia or fabric and something very pretty.

Item no 8

Beautiful coloured pant

With so many prints, silks, flowy pants and patterns available, you can wear something totally different to what you’d wear in the cooler months.

Item no 9

Short sleeve blouse

A short sleeve blouse, is a great purchase in pure cotton, linen or any other light fabric. The main goal is breathability and easy style. Find a cut that flatters your body shape.

Item no 10

Long sleeve shirt

You will find the need for a longer sleeve shirt on occasion and there are so many beautiful choices to make. Lovely silks, satins, stripes, cotton, linen, fun prints are waiting for you to add to your lovely spring/summer collection

I hope this has given you a few ideas as well as some inspiration to get into your spring/summer look

One last thing be sure every item you purchase is in your correct colours. Nothing is more glamorous, beautiful or stylish than wearing your colours from top to toe.

The four Seasonal Colour Palettes

Spring                     Summer                   Autumn                    Winter

Are you confused about Colour?

If you find the seasonal colour palettes confusing, you’re not alone.

Since the 70’s the information about what colours suit you and what the colours are, has gone through many changes.

In this blog I want to outline what the four seasons are and what most colour systems are based upon.

The Four Seasons

As you may or may not know the four seasonal colour palettes are Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

They are just like the four seasons in nature.The temperature value may be different though.

Winter is classified as cool

Summer is classified as cool

Spring is classified as warm

And Autumn is classified as warm. There are two warm seasons and two cool seasons.

Warm and cool Colours

A warm colour or tone is yellow or red based. A cool tone is blue or grey based. Are all blues and greys cool? No they are not. Are all yellow and red tones warm? No they are not.

This is why it’s important the colour consultant spends much time learning about the temperature of each colour. Is the colour warm or cool?

Is this easy? No this is not. The reason being there are over 16 million colours. With time and experience one can learn what category any colour belongs.

What is a Winter Colour?

The Winter Colours are Deep, Strong, Dominant. Black and pure white are the bookends with all the primary power colours featuring.

Primary, red, green, blue, yellow. Don’t forget a pure Orange, a deep Chocolate brown. The darker greys and deeper vibrant pinks are there as well. Very dark navy's, electric blues and ink navy's. 

Originally Beige featured and the icy pale versions of colour, were in the Winter Colours, but I question their right to belong.

What is a Summer Colour?

Summer Colours are cool as well as the winter colours, but are much more muted and subtle than their deeper counterparts.

Summer colours are pastel, muted, soft, but there is the strength of a chocolate brown and a maroon or burgundy. I like to include all cool beiges, soft cool taupes, very soft cool greys, silver and rose gold as well as grey khakis.

There is no orange in the Summer palette, but the cool corals and watermelon pinks belong very nicely.

What is a Spring Colour?

Spring colours are exactly what the season suggests. They are bright and airy. Buttercup yellows and light teals. Lots of warm caramel browns and beige's.

Bright reds with peaches and creams and apricots. Don’t forget the lime greens. Often these colours are confused with Summer Colours because of their value. But Spring Colours appear brighter and more yellow based.

Spring Colours aren’t quiet as strong as Autumn colours obviously.

What is an Autumn Colour.

Again Autumn is another Deep season, meaning these colours are very strong.

They appear to be much heavier than the Spring Colours. Deep warm Browns, olive greens, pumpkins, deep creams. Rich warm purples and deep teal blues. The yellows of the Autumn season are very orangey yellow and the reds are very bright yellow reds.

Still confused about Colour?

So if you’re still confused about your colours, don’t be. Have a personal one on one colour analysis in my studio in Ramsgate Sydney or for an accurate online analysis with lots of moving forward steps try my online colour analysis for an instant result.

Ros at Your Colours and style.  “Be beautiful in your colours”

Your Image Overhaul for 2024.

New year New you

You’ve heard this sentiment a thousand times before but what better time to take a look at your Image than January of every new year.

Are you totally happy with the way you look or do you think there may be a few little tweeks you can do to improve what you see in the mirror?

Let’s face it none of us are getting any younger, and as I cater to the mature woman those usually over 50 or 60 and beyond,  I see lot's of changes that can be made for the better.

So do you think you can handle another checklist for 2024 and see if there are one or two things you can do to improve your look, feel better about yourself and set yourself up to win?

So here is my New Year checklist and if you find something that stands out to you, I’m happy to give you some guidance about the change(s) that you can make, to achieve your ultimate new look.

The best place to start for a top to toe transformation is at the top, obviously.

So how’s your hair? Did you know that I recommend a change of hair cut, style, colour to nearly all my clients?

And did you know a new doo can literally alter your appearance, make you look 10 years younger, make you look more attractive and in general change your image completely?

Note how this Russian stylist has made all the difference with this lovely hairstyle and colour and of course having the client wear the right colours for her underskin tone.

So if you need some colour, cut, style advice all you need to do is send a pic of your head. That is a head shot. You know from the neck up. I’ll send you a few pics for you to take to your hairdresser.

Next step is the face.

Oh yes and the make up in the right colours is a real game changer. If you’ve noticed some really bad looking make up on celebrities for example, I can guarantee they are in the wrong seasonal colours make up.

Remember Colours make up is in the seasonal make up colours. So it takes all the guess work out of choosing the right colour make up.

The next step is wearing your seasonal colours.

Even if you’ve had your colours done with me and are pretty good with your colours, I’m certain I can help you fine tune that wardrobe even more. At least add some more pizazz and scope and inject some things you’ve not thought of before. Always start with your colours.

This lovely client, was wearing just the wrong colours on the left and switching to the right colours in her wardrobe changed the way she looked completely. Note the difference in body shape as well.

If you feel you’re not sure about your colours or if someone has not done your colours correctly, please have them checked until you’re happy. There are some interesting information around colours these days.

Lastly putting the whole thing together, can add that final bit of flair to your style.

Having an outside opinion is always a powerful thing to do and especially with a colour specialist so what are you waiting for?

Get your colours right check out the check list and contact me if you need any help.

Ros Your Colours and style.

Step by step Colour analysis

Colour analysis has gone through many changes over the last decades. 

Some changes are not so good because the colour drapes some consultants are using are a bit dubious and you would have to say open to interpretation. Many colours are added to certain seasons that do not belong.

So let's just go back to basics and highlight a few simple but good and accurate steps to follow a logical path to do a colour analysis and come up with an accurate and good result. 

Tester drapes

What is a good way to compile a set of drapes, to determine skin tone and value?

We start with a warm shade usually peach and then a cool shade usually pink to denote a cool shade, as the first part of the analysis.

Then there is one of each shade in each season. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter yellows, and blues, greens whites and reds. There are 22 drapes in all.

The analysis begins by determining the underskin tone. 

Is your underkin tone warm or cool?

This is done by the very first part of the colour analysis.

A warm cloth is draped over the client wearing no make up and covered hair.

The hair is covered so as not to confuse warm or cool as the hair may throw warm or cool tones.

This cloth is usually a very predictable warm colour like peach.

A cool cloth is a very definite cool pink. These two drapes are a real decider when it comes to determining underskin tone

What you're looking for at this stage is the cloth that enhances the skin tone and face.

For example which cloth makes the skin appear more even without changing the natural skin colour.

Other things to look for are eye brightness, clarity in eye whiteness. Note if the face turns more red, or dark or pigmented.

Skin imperfections become more obvious with the wrong shade. Teeth will look more yellow with the wrong shade. Shadow will appear under the chin with the wrong shade.

Dark shadows around eyes and under the eyes are more noticeable with the wrong colour.

Once you have made a clear decision about warm or cool, you can then eliminate all warm or all cool shades respectively. 

Warm colours are in the Autumn and Spring palettes. Cool colours are in the Winter and Summer Palettes. 

The next step is determining the value. By value I mean depth of shades. 

The stronger shades are in the (cool) Winter palette and the (warm) Autumn palette.

                  Winter blue                                Autumn blue

If you've eliminated all warm colours then obviously you're left with Winter and Summer colours only.

 Summer blue

If you eliminate the Deep value of Winter colours then you're left with the softer more muted shades of the Summer palette.

Just a note here. You can see that doing your own colour analysis is not that simple.

In fact over the years I've seen lots of clients that are just plain confused and have no idea what season they are, no matter how hard they try to work their own colours out.

The most important reason for this is because there are over 16million colours and in fact there are an infinite number of colours. Also because it's only experience that helps you to slot those colours into their categories.

Without some pretty in depth experience you're going to find it difficult to determine what is a warm or cool colour and then what is a Winter, Summer, Autumn and Spring colour.

You can have a guess but it's only a true experienced colour consultant who can really identify all the colours correctly.

As much as it's a lot of fun trying to guess or work out your colours, I strongly suggest investing in a one time colour analysis and get your colours right to start with.

For more expert information please contact us.

You may try the online colour analysis for an accurate colour analysis or of course attend my workshops or one on one colour and style analysis.

Where did the colour theories begin?

Johannes Itten (1888-1967) was a Swiss painter, designer and theorist.

He believed colour could invoke feelings, and I agree. What do you feel when you walk into a strong bold monochromatic office? How do you feel when you visit a warm old country farm enriched with the golden hues of the Autumn Palette?

What colours do you envisage would enhance a seaside apartment, and how do you feel when you are in that space?  Do you feel light, airy, fresh and happy in the shades of the Muted Summer Palette.

Then there are the bright and light colours of Spring and how do we feel at that time of the year, when we experience new growth and blossoms of the bright spring palette?

Itten theorized seven types of colour contrast, contrast by hue, value, temperature, compliments, simultaneous contrast, contrast by saturation and contrast by extension. He explained by using a colour sphere with the primary colours of red, yellow and blue.

He was the first to associate colour palettes with four types of people and labelled these with the four seasons.

What are the four seasons?

After many years the four seasons were developed in the 1950’s.

These four seasons reflect the seasons of nature. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

It was a clever way of grouping the seasonal colours as they reflect characteristics of the seasons they represent. Colours of the Winter season like the black sky, the white ice and grey days, paint a picture of dominant cool clear colours.

The soft muted colours of Summer-clear blue sky, soft yellow sand, soft green grass and the calypso colours that accompany our beautiful summer season.  

Autumn ushers in the mossy greens and the brilliant colours of autumn leaves with the burnished colours of the trees.

Finally the delightful and delicate and bright colours of Spring with the fresh green grass and spring collection of budding flowers.

In relation to people, a particular colour palette with loads of variety can be designated to each person.

How did the four seasons  become 12 or 16 seasons?

After many years, certain colour consultants deemed that 4 seasons were not enough to identify the numerous “types” of people on the planet.

This only managed to dilute and distort a perfectly functional and accurate way of doing colours.

The original stated whether you are warm or cool ie, Autumn and Spring warm or Winter or Summer cool.

Then once that is determined a further breakdown accessed if you were the deeper or lighter of that breakdown.

So simple and so straightforward was this system. The problem was colour consultants failed to “see”the colours against the clients skin, thereby giving a false reading.

Therefore needing more sub categories.

And so we now have a further diluting of each of the four seasons, calling Spring warm, light and bright. Summer cool, light and soft. Winter bright deep and cool and Autumn warm, deep and soft which is just a further explanation of what these four main categories are. It’s just a repetition of what they are.

Further confusion with the seasonal colours.

Sadly now we have thousands of interpretations of what each of these colour breakups look like.

If you search it out each colour analyst will have different colours in each palette, and in fact most have a combination of all the seasonal colour palettes included in each category, with the colours from each of the spring, summer, autumn and winter palettes.

This leads to ultimate confusion for the client and a colour palette they adhere to with a real miss mash of colours and a totally uncoordinated wardrobe.

 I see these clients after a while and they are not adhering to their palette at all because the palette may only have some of their colours and many wrong colours.

My final analysis on colour.

Stick to the four seasonal colour palettes.

Find accurate colour palettes that identify colours this way.

Winter colours are Cool, blue based, strong, primary and bold. They include black, white, all greys, Deep deep chocolate brown, extremely pale icy colours for contrast and the rich primary colours.

Summer colours are also cool, soft, muted and contain the deep colours of milk chocolate brown, beiges, taupes, soft grey, soft denims, burgundys, mint greens, soft emeralds, lemon yellows, muted pinks and purples, wedgewood blues, light blues and soft muted navys

Autumn colours are rich and deep and warm. Pumpkins and ochres and rich warm purples and golden yellows and warm golden browns and creams and teal and muted blues and rich warm burgundys as well as orange reds and all oranges.

Spring colours are similar to Summer colours and are often mistaken because they are the less intense, versions of colours, but they are much brighter due to the warm component and yellow base. You have lime greens and soft warm corals and peaches and warm browns and warm caramel browns and yellow beiges. Bright blues and bright greens and bright yellows are the happy colours of Spring.

This is just a small sampling of the colours that fit into the four palettes. All I know as an experienced colour analyst your colouring will suit one only of the four seasonal colour palettes. From there the rest is easy just start wearing ALL the many many many colours in your beautiful palette for a beautiful and colourful and co-ordinated functional wardrobe.

For more information contact Your Colours and Style.

What’s all the fuss about colour?

Colours is making a big time Comeback and I’m all for it, because colour is the key to our Image Success.

I mean who doesn’t want to look younger, more vibrant, more attractive, more stylish and chic?

It’s a no brainer when it comes to fashion, colour can quickly transform your appearance.

So what’s all the fuss about and why are so many stylists and of course colour consultants and Image Consultants, hopping on the colour bandwagon?

Colour is so exciting.

I do think the most elegant, beautiful and stunning women know how to dress in their colours.

Think of the stars of the 50’s in those amazing gowns and extravagant wear, looking absolutely breathtaking in their gorgeous colours.

Colour is not only the most exciting way to dress but also the most individual way to dress.

Wearing your colours will make you not only more beautiful and stylish, but more creative as you learn how to use your colours well and create great colour combos and accessorise in an interesting manner.

How does a colour analysis work?

As a colour consultant the first thing I explain to my clients when having their colour analysis is what to look for in the draping.

Wrong colours highlight shadow, lines, dullness, redness, pigmentation and other flaws in the skin. They make our teeth look more yellow, the whites of the eyes not as white and our hair duller.

The correct colours even out the skin. They bring brightness, less shadow, lines and wrinkles.

Pigmentation, redness and aging are all less noticeable in the right colours. Our teeth look whiter, our hair looks brighter, when we wear our colours.

It’s really good to learn how to “read” your colours as you’re draped and a trained colour consultant should be able to point these things out to you.

This understanding helps immensely then when you’re shopping on your own with your own seasonal colour swatch.

Have a colour analysis

The first thing to do to learn about your colours is to have a colour analysis.

This can be done online or in person

It’s just a simple 15 minute process that will change your Image world and transform your look overnight.

The consultant starts with a warm (coral) drape and then a cool (pink) drape to show the client how warm and cool reflects on their skin.

At this stage it should be obvious to the consultant, who informs their client, what each shade is doing and how it shows on the skin.

You have draped the warm and the cool and then you will go on to drape 4 red, blue, green, yellow and white colours in each season.

One of each, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter drapes are only necessary as every colour belongs in only 1 of 4 palettes.

The analysis uses colour groups from the 4 seasons.

Every colour has a value of either Cool Dominant which is classified in the Winter range of colours.

The Summer colours are classified as cool (blue based) muted colours

Autumn shades are yellow or red based warm strong colours.

Spring shades are warm also and yellow based but are much lighter than the Autumn colours and often appear brighter than the Summer shades.

Every single one of the infinite number of colours can be placed into 1 of these four categories.

This is the best place to start with colours.

Every client fits into only ONE of these categories.

It is impossible to be able to suit warm and cool colours at the same time.

Colours are warm and cool and neutral, not people. This is where some confusion has crept into the colour world.

Another confusion is when certain colours are placed into the wrong category of colours, so best to find a consultant that is experienced with working with colours.

If you have for example one of every green, 1 spring, 1 summer, 1 winter and 1 autumn green as you drape the consultant will be able to see just how each colour reflects upon your skin.

As they drape you with each colour component eg. All the reds, yellows, reds and blues, a pattern should form as in the same season will appear as the most flattering.

Everything in the draping should agree so that you can see that only ONE season comes up as the best season for you.

What a colour analysis is not.

In the past we have been told to determine your colours by your veins, or your hair or eye colour.

This is not an accurate way of telling your colours and should be avoided as a guide.

The hair needs to be covered and the drapes are accessed by your UNDER skin tone.

It can become very confusing, so I would suggest you find a good colour consultant with lots of experience and good reviews.

If you would like more information about having your colours done and having an accurate colour analysis please contact your colours and style.

Colour is making a big comeback

Colours are making a big comeback. By that I mean people are having their colours done again and there seems to be a lot of interest in it.

You know colours was all the rage in the 70's.

Perhaps we're tired of dull and dreary. After all colour can lift one's spirits.

But aside from the euphoric state of being colour can create, why would you be enticed to completely change your entire wardrobe?

What's all the hype about colour anyway?

What is a colour analysis?

A colour analysis is a draping system that applies cloth to the subject to determine which category of colours suit the person's underskin tone.

It's a simple process that requires the analyst to use fabrics from different colour categories to get the "season" of colours right.

Once the season is determined, the client becomes aware of the colours they can choose within their season.

Because there are millions of colours, it's important to be able to learn how to choose those that suit you. This of course is something the analyst guides you in.

3 Important reasons to wear your colours.

There are lots of benefits to wearing your right colours, especially as you age, but I just want to talk about the major reasons why you'd be inspired to make the change to wear your colours all the time.

Reason no 1. Colour is probably the most powerful way to transform the way you look overnight.

You can transform your look immediately by simply changing your hair colour, make up colour and clothing colours.

This is the major benefit to wearing the right colours.

Imagine looking more attractive, younger and more well groomed.

Reason no 2. You'll look more stylish by wearing the right colours.

Is there more to style than just the latest fashion, or the right cut?

There certainly is.

Have you ever worn an outfit that's you're style but just didn't feel good in it? It was

most certainly not the right colour for you.

Your colours blend and flow with you and will create your best style.

If you wear your colours they look like they belong to you. They are a part of you. Hence this is your style.

Reason no 3. You're wardrobe will be well co-ordinated and functional.

Is you're wardrobe messy and disfunctional?

It's stems from a missmatch of different seasons and colours that are not compatible with you.

It can be depressing to step into a wardrobe like this. Full of clothes but nothing to

wear. I call this Image anxiety. How to have no confidence in what you wear.

If you want a wardrobe that's functional, stylish and beautiful get the colours right and do a really thorough wardrobe cull.

So let's make 2023 the start to a functional, stylish and fabulous wardrobe you'll love stepping into and stepping out looking you're best.

For more colour and style tips or answered questions contact us.

7 top tips to sparkle this Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner. Here are 7 sure proof ways to sparkle this

Christmas in just 7 days.

7 Steps in 7 days for your transformation

Tip no 1. You know what it is. “Colour”. As a colour consultant, I cannot express the

importance of wearing the right colours.

Colour has the power to change your persona completely and instantly.

From drab to fab. Chunky to slimmer, Older to younger, messy to immaculate.

You’re colours is 80% or more of the fashion equation.

So if you haven’t had your colours done, I urge you to do it now.

If you have had your colours done and are still not fully knowledgeable ask for help

from a professional and learn all you can about your colours.

Tip no 2. Let’s start at the top. You’re crowning glory.

We all know how we feel when we get our hair right.

So is it time for a “new do”? Could you do with some changes to the colour and

style?

A lot can change after a visit to the hairdresser.

Discuss a new hair colour. Ask your colour consultant about the colours that best

suit your skin tone and get your hairdresser to work with your best colours.

Next tackle a style that enhances your face shape as well as gives you an up to

date style.

We can all look much younger just by having a more contemporary look.

Certain styles are aging. For example too many tight curls can have an aging

effect on some women. Styles that drag your face down are aging as well as

styles that don’t suit your face shape. Ask the hairdresser for a new style that suits

your face shape. If you’re not happy with the last 3 cuts, it’s time for a change.

Remember most older women look better with shorter hair styles.

Tip no 3. What will you wear for the festive season? What sort of occasion is it?

Formal? Casual?

Find an outfit(s) that suit your colours first, then think about the occasion and then

choose a style you know suits your body shape. Consider fabrics as well as cut.

Some brands will sit better on you because they are well cut. Oh and yes, try to

shop well in advance, to avoid a panic purchase. They are usually not the best

option.

Tip no 4. Your Skin. Nothing looks lovelier than glowing healthy skin. Ask about my 

7 days to stunning skin blog and see the difference that you can make with a

healthier lifestyle in such a short time. It really is astounding. You’ll be amazed at a

much more glowing face. An excellent skin product can change your skin in just 7

days. I recommend to all my clients Ciencia 8 anti aging skin care. Naturally

beautiful, award winning and made in Australia. This skin care definitely has the

power to change your skin.

Tip no 5. Make up. There's a lot of ways you can do your make up. Major tip is to

wear the colours in your season only.  For example, just getting the right colour

foundation can take years off your look.  Your Colours and style has make up that

is listed in your seasonal colours to make choosing your make up simple.

Practice, practice, practice. Find a few make up styles that suit your face and the

way you like to wear your make up. Try something different from time to time, but

do get some make up styles you’re happy with.

Tip no 6. Accessorise. How often have you noticed a woman wearing stunning

jewellery or a fabulous scarf? Well you can do the same. Find your signature

pieces of jewellery and accessories, bags, shoes. Something that is uniquely you

and something that gives your outfit a lift. The plainest outfit can go to a whole new

level with a colourful scarf or a beautiful pair of earrings. No need to spend a

fortune either on these added trinkets.

Another thing to remember with jewellery. Some people suit chunky jewellery and

other suit fine jewellery. There's no rhyme or reason to this, you just need to try

and see which suits you best.

Last tip no 7. Energize and exercise.  This one is along the same lines as the

stunning skin. Get healthier this week. Avoid alcohol, excessive coffee, processed

foods, sugar and up the exercise to bring that blood supply to your skin. Try some

cardio and weights to balance out your program.

For more information contact your colours and style

How to wear the right colour make up, especially as you mature

Can you believe that so many women have anxiety about make up?

So much so, that by the time they come to see me for their colour and style analysis and make up session, they seem completely confused and at a loss about what really looks good on them anymore. So why is this the case?

If you’ve ever gone shopping for make up you know  it’s not easy. How would you know what to look for if you have no idea where to start? And what are you looking for anyway?

It’s interesting, when we were younger we had so much more confidence about make up and actually everything. I mean we just used to slap on any old thing and wear whatever we wanted and off we’d go. Well that’s because in general most of us looked a whole lot younger(of course) and more attractive back then. It’s a youth thing.

Sadly we all age but there are things we can do to combat the aging anxiety dilemma, by learning a few tricks and finding what works for us.

A little bit of knowledge about make up and clothes goes a long way

Unless we’re make up artists or live in the image world, we tend to think, make up, style and fashion is not our line of expertise and we go through life blindly uninformed about the simple things we should know about the simple art of dressing. 

We all wear make up, and dress ourselves every day so why not learn what suits us best?

As a personal stylist, who specializes in colour, I love to help women with their make up.

After all colour is the key to great make up as well as what to wear and just being so much more stylish and attractive.

So I want to share with you some simple ways to have a make up regime that’s not only lovely but so easy and quick to do.

Unless you’re a very qualified trained make up artist and most people are not, you really don’t want to fuss too much about make up anyway. You can adapt make up to your style and your skill level. The majority of women I meet are happy with looking well groomed, younger and more attractive in their make up.

These are the top tips to a make up regime that you will love because of it’s ease to adopt.

Not all women want to wear much make up so if you’re that type then make your regime very simple.

Remember though, the older we get, the more make up we tend to need for some cover up and for colour especially.

Step 1. Always start with moisturized, hydrated skin. Nothing is more aging than dry skin. Spend time caring for your canvas.

Step 2. If you wear foundation, find the right one for your skin colour. You should not be able to see it on your skin very much at all. Colour makes ALL the difference. YCS (Colours Cosmetics) is geared towards your skin. The tones of the foundations suit all women. Be mindful it’s more of what flatters, tones into and smooths your skin tone out.

Pay less attention to the colour of the skin than the underskin tone. Your face may look red or orange or pigmented. These are not flattering skin tones, so you’ll need a colour to tone these down.

YCS Foundations will suit all skin tones so my products go on more depth of colour, rather than skin tone. EG, Fair Medium or dark.

Step 3. Find a good concealer. It’s all about covering and concealing certain things on our face, not the whole face. Dark lines, dark eyes, creases, dark circles all can be erased out and minimised.

This is a real age defying way of doing your make up and bringing light to the subject. Grab a lighter concealer again in your skin tone. I prefer pink or beige bases for that.

Step 4. Colour .When you have your colours done,you’ll know for sure all the blush, eyeshadow and lipstick colours that suit you as well as eye and lip liners etc. There is a plethora of colours you can use, lots of variety, just check with your colour specialist.

Step 5. Define. As we mature our frame lines disappear. Lines around our lips and eyes. Make up is fabulous for subtly bringing those lines back.

Step 6. Be subtle. Yes subtly bringing those things back. Think about it. What is the worst kind of make up on mature women?

Dark, harsh and garish colours. Be subtle-you’re a mature woman not a council bus.

YCS Cosmetics or Your Colours Cosmetics has been around for many decades. This make up became popular in the 70’s when women first started getting their colours done and they needed someone to define make up by season.

We know there are millions of make up colours around so being able to shop for make up by season just makes our choosing so much simpler.

YCS is also top quality, produced in the USA, ethically made, not tested on animals and paraben free.

It is also 100% hypo-allergenic attesting to the quality of the ingredients. And gentle for millions of women worldwide that have enjoyed the products for decades.

If you would like to try these products feel free to order online or call for more information

It’s also an affordable price and easy to apply.

What's sabotaging your Image?

What not to wear. It's just as important as what to wear and it's another way of looking at your image and style to make some leaps forward in improving the way you look.

Today's blog is all about the 20 most common Image mistakes, I've come across in almost 20 years as a personal stylist and colour consultant.

See if you can identify with one or many from the following list.

1. A wardrobe full of clothes with nothing to wear. This is top of the list for an  image offender and one issue that leaves women with a great deal of Image Anxiety.

2. Having trouble co-coordinating outfits.

3. Hate Shopping. Another easily avoidable problem I'll talk about in my Image Solutions

4. Looking old and frumpy. Sadly there are an huge number of women that are looking and feeling this way, when they don't have to.

5. Lots of colours that don't go together. Don't feel bad about this one. With an infinite number of colours how can you know how to co-ordinate?

6. An huge amount of black. Many women use black as a default colour because they're of the misconception it goes with everything, is slimming, chic and stylish.

I'm here to bust all those myths.

7.Looking bad in everything. Sad. Every woman can look good at every stage of her life with the right information.

8. Confusion about colour. It was said before. With over 16 million and more colours how can you expect to know about colour without training?

9. Used to look good in a colour but not anymore. Have you noticed, as you've aged something has changed? Yes your hair colour, your skin colour, your body shape? What you thought looked good when you were young, at a time when everything forgivingly  looked awesome on you (or so you thought) no longer does. Fact is it wasn't quiet right then and it's even less right now.

10. Not knowing your style. This is another one that can be solved with a little body, style, shape and fashion knowledge.

11. Online shopping is unsuccessful. If you don't know what to do in store, how are you going to shop any better online?

12. Hate choosing outfits just before you go out. Here's that image anxiety again. If you have a closet full of items that don't suit you, you're never going to be comfortable choosing outfits.

13. Clothes in the wardrobe with tags on. There's a few reasons for that. You may have way too many clothes than days in the year or that outfit just is not right for you. Plain and simple. Save some money and get the right information about what suits you the best.

14. Too many clothes. Even if you have some fabulous clothes in your wardrobe, having them all stuffed in will hinder your options to choose right. Often your best outfit is hiding.

15. You're make up is outdated. Are you guilty of wearing the same Carnaby Street make up you wore when you were 16? That was decades ago and the ridiculousness of it has increased as you've grown older. Time for a revamp.

16. Hair colour is a disaster. I would say at least 80% of my clients could benefit from a complete hair colour update.

17. No Image Confidence. Well that's understandable, because you don't look your best. Imagine how you're going to feel when you have the tools to have a total revamp?

18. Had colours done by different consultants with different opinions and you're still confused.  Your right colours are the key to your Image success. But if your colour consultants are confused what hope do you have? Have a colour analysis with a professional colour consultant that know's what they're doing.

19. Had wrong colours with a colour consultant. You know something is not right. You're not wearing ALL the colours they recommended and your swatch is a mismatch. Get an accurate analysis.

20. Have zero style. Again start with the right colours, the rest is common sense and will fall into place. Most outfits you see that don't look stylish are simply in the wrong colours.

How did you go? Did you see yourself in one or more or all of these problems?

If so I urge you to come for a professional Colour and Image consultation and have a top to toe Image transformation with Your Colours and Style Sydney.

If you're not in Sydney I can help you with an online analysis as well.

Contact Your Colours and Style Sydney.

How to choose your slimmest Colours

They say “you can never be too rich or too slim”. I’m not sure about that, but as a professional colour consultant I know there are certain colours that make you look slimmer.

Most mature women I know crave a more slender outline and one that doesn’t make us appear fat and frumpy, but can the colours we wear, help us to achieve that goal?

They most definitely can. So what would be your most slimming colours?

Is Black the most slimming Colour?

If you ask women what is the most slimming colour, the most outstanding answer would be black.

But is black the most slimming colour?

No it isn’t and here are 2 reasons why.

1. Black is a non colour that sucks up all the light. There is no reflection from the colour black. This makes the colour appear dark, dull and heavy. It’s a misconception that black is light and slimming.
2. Because black absorbs all light, the garment will have no “flow”. Flow means areas of light and shade. It appears to be completely block, again giving an“heavy” appearance.

But the misconception that black is your most slimming colour has gained lots of support. Sadly not everything you read is true.

How can colour make you slimmer?  

It ‘s true colour plays a key role in helping us to look slimmer and more together. Especially when we wear our colours from top to toe.

Your colours will make you look lighter and brighter.

This works by allowing light onto the subject. The light that you need to draw to yourself. 

Wearing your colours from top to toe gives the illusion of slimness.

Without this colour cohesion an outfit can appear to look messy or sloppy.

Wearing colours from different palettes can cut the body up and also add unwanted weight to you.

Eg. If you wear a top from one colour palette and a pant from a different colour palette, you look mismatched,cut in half and that line across your middle adds "weight".

This can also happen by adding black pants to everything.

Always wear the right colours

If you always wear the right colours from top to toe, you’ll look taller and therefore slimmer.

The right colours for you will also attract the right light to you as well.

How do you choose the right colours?

Now that you realize, wearing your colours can make you look so much slimmer and more co-ordinated and more stylish, how do you go about finding the colours that suit you?

There are an unlimited number of colours. Easily in excess of 16 million. That’s one of the major reasons why people find it difficult to differentiate between the right colours and the wrong colours to wear.

I would always recommend a good colour analysis from someone who has been gaining good reviews for accurate colour analysis work and preferably someone who’s been in the industry for many years.

 It’s so easy to get the colours wrong. A colour analysis literally takes less than 30 minutes. Always use the draping method and I prefer the original 4 seasons analysis from the Colour me Beautiful days.

Since then so many changes have occurred with various colour systems that can be quiet confusing.

I do know that if you practice wearing colour all the time, you have a good chance of getting your colours right over time.

Note which colours you get lots of compliments for and also the ones that make you look younger and more vibrant.

For more colour advice contact Your Colours and style.