And Wow on Wednesday
Dear friends. I've just had a colour refresh - style not hair - and it's all good because the colours I've been naturally gravitating towards are indeed my wow colours!
If you think I'm talking in gibberish, let me explain. Regular readers will know I'm a big fan of colour analysis. I was re- confirmed as a spring a couple of years ago, but as I was more concerned then with how I would mix winter and spring colours, I didn't focus on wow colours.
If you have had colour analysis and know your season or tonal direction, a few colour consultants are now offering a colour refresh, using the new Kettlewell drapes.
Kettlewell, whose colourful clothes I wear all the time, has developed its own colour analysis system, offered by a few consultants and at its HQ in Somerset.
I went to see one of the consultants using the Kettlewell drapes, independent consultant Amanda Richardson, whose lovely bright studio, Amanda's Style Magic, is in Kent.
Amanda is very enthusiastic about the new Kettlewell system because it combines both seasonal direction with tonal guidance. A usual colour analysis features one or the other.
The combination gives consultants much more flexibility, particularly with those who are neutral and often find themselves given a season where lots of the colours don't work for them.
She loves the quality of the drapes. "The drapes never lie," she says. "As soon as you see yourself in the right colours, everything slots into place."
It's so true. Amanda has given me my "wow colours," those from the spring palette that suit me best.
Flamingo pink, which I'm wearing as a wrap in some of these pictures, is one of them. It lights me up to the extent that I hardly needed to make the usual edits to the photo of lightening and adding saturation. Good shades make your eyes "pop" and your skin looks more luminous. You have to see it to believe it.
HOW DOES A COLOUR REFRESH WORK?
I went to the session wearing my usual makeup but no lipstick. Amanda started with neutrals and three shades suitable for springs, Bright Navy, Honey and Light Chocolate. I've always steered away from any shades of navy but was astonished at how good the Bright Navy was. The other "wow," Honey, was less of a surprise because a few months ago I bought a pre-loved Kettlewell jumper in this shade and had lots of compliments.
After the neutrals, Amanda selected some blues. I was overjoyed to see that Aquamarine and Chinese Blue were my best blues, my Wows, as they're both quite bright and saturated.
The process continues with green, red, orange and yellow. At the top of the post, I'm draped in my wow colours.
Amanda has matched shades of Avon lipsticks to the seasons. The shade Spring Bling, which I'm wearing in the pictures below, is perfect for me. I also loved Lava Love, Hibiscus and Ripe Papaya. These are warm toned bright colours, ideal for those analysed as spring (and autumn), and often difficult to find.
IN SUMMARY
In terms of my sub-season I am a True Spring, and my dominants are clear and warm, with no wows in the light colours (such as blush or apple mint).
The good thing about the Kettlewell drapes is that you can instantly buy clothes in most of the colours very easily.
I will now be shopping for my new neutral, Bright Navy, as well as Red Coral, which was my best red, and Chinese Blue, one of my best blues.
I already have plenty of clothes in my other wow colours, which include Lemonade, Flamingo Pink, Pink Geranium, Canary, Lemonade and Kelly Green.
The drapes confirmed my suspicion that purple is not a wow colour on me. Violet is my best purple and it's OK, but not outstanding. Purple will always be one of my favourites though, and I will still wear my purples. We can wear any colour as long as we put another wow colour with it, nearer to our face. Some people are purists and refuse to do this. Not me!
Lime was a surprise: I do wear it a lot, but it isn't a wow colour. I could see immediately from the lime drape that it was wearing me, rather than the other way round. But when I wear lime it's usually with another colour anyway.
Below: in pink flamingo and wearing Avon Spring Bling lipstick.
My bag is a sale purchase: it was 50% off at the Cambridge Satchel Company. My skirt was a buy from Kettlewell in 2012.
COLOUR ANALYSIS WITH AMANDA
Amanda offers colour refreshes for those who've had analysis, with a reduced rate for two people.
She also offers full colour analysis.
Colour refresh and full colour analysis sessions include swatches in your colours, to help with shopping.
If you're feeling you've lost your way with your style, maybe because you've got a new job, have retired or have lost or gained weight, Amanda's 6 Steps to Style Success may appeal. This is offered online or face to face and it's a gradual process of discovery, lasting six months.
There are various apps that help us organise our clothes, but using them is time consuming and sometimes tricky.
Amanda offers a service where she will manage your account on her app, uploading details of your wardrobe and accessories, and giving you outfit suggestions. If you don't want to commit to a monthly payment for this, there's a one-off capsule wardrobe option.
Contact Amanda:
Amanda's Style Magic website Instagram
Have you had, or would like, colour or style analysis? Do tell in the comments. Scroll down below the link-up to find the comments box.
Disclosure: nothing was gifted for this post. Sharing my posts with these fabulous sites.
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WOW ON WEDNESDAY
Now it's time for the weekly link-up, Wow on Wednesday.
Bloggers, Instagrammers and YouTubers are invited to share their posts in the weekly Wow on Wednesday link-up. Readers can find new blogs to enjoy and bloggers can find new readers.
LAST WEEK'S FAVOURITES (MOST CLICKED)
Food Favourite: Keto Baked Bacon Wrapped Avocado from Esmé Salon
I had a colour analyse a few years ago. After that I worked so much better support colours and loved my closet much better. I can recommend it to everyone.
ReplyDeleteMe too! It's often hard to see objectively which colours suit us best
DeleteI’ve never had a colour analysis, they do seem like a good idea though xx thanks for hosting Gail x
ReplyDeleteI can recommend it, a lot of fun! xx
DeleteNever had this done Gail. Sounds and looks interesting. X thanks for hosting the linkup. Jacqui x
ReplyDelete