Dive into your living space or open your closet, and chances are, you’ll be greeted by a dominant color or two. While those may be your go-to choices, are they truly flattering? Fear not, as a wave of apps, consultants, and services is riding in, armed with expert guidance to help you make color choices that enhance your natural beauty.
Welcome to the revived art of discovering your color palette, power colors, knockout shades, or even your very own “season.” In a nod to the ‘Color Me Beautiful’ trend of the 1980s, a fresh wave of consultants and online services is ready to assist you in pinpointing your perfect palette. They caution against the wrong colors, which can make you appear washed-out, and cheer for the right ones that make you sparkle and shine. It might even make a fabulous holiday gift for someone special.
The Personal Palette Journey:
If the term “personal palette” leaves you scratching your head, let style and fashion expert Nikki Steele break it down: “A personal palette is a color scheme that’s supposed to be the best colors for a person to wear in clothing and makeup — colors that will bring out their best self.” These palettes are often categorized seasonally, from winter to fall, encompassing cool to warm tones.
Various services are available online, like Show My Colors, Colorwise, My Best Colors, and Dressika. From uploading selfies to color testing, these platforms aim to make the process user-friendly. On the other hand, in-person services like House of Colour rely on natural lighting and precision-dyed fabrics to determine undertones and seasonal palettes.
Regardless of the method, the promise remains similar – once armed with your ideal palette, you’ll shop smarter, select wiser, and look your absolute best in every outfit. Steele, however, advises taking these results with a grain of salt, as you are the ultimate authority on yourself.
DIY enthusiasts can explore alternatives like the vein test or at-home selfies. Steele suggests examining the vein color on your wrists for undertones, but Lindsey Myers of Created Colorful emphasizes the need for more inclusive methods for different skin tones. Her alternative involves holding different colors up to your makeup-free face in natural light and seeking feedback from friends based on selfies.
The Aging Palette:
Once you’ve uncovered your palette, it remains relatively stable for many years. According to Myers, the colors that flatter you will generally persist, with minor adjustments as your skin cools slightly with age and gray hair enters the picture.
Palette Expansion – From Wardrobe to Makeup Bag:
Your palette isn’t confined to your wardrobe; it extends to your makeup choices as well. Fashion director Zadrian Smith advocates for a personal makeup palette that defines and empowers. Makeup artist Jeanine Lobell suggests turning to TikTok for inspiration, while Smith emphasizes the importance of in-store cosmetics contact for a more accurate selection.
Is it Worth It? Yes, Say the Experts:
Steele emphasizes the importance of finding colors you love, incorporating them into your wardrobe and makeup, and curating your own personal color palette. Wearing colors you love ensures you shine your brightest, regardless of the shade. So, are your favorite colors making you look bad? Discover your ideal palette, and let your true colors shine through. 🎨✨
