I analyze your best colors to bring out your own personal glow.

Archive for the ‘Spring’ Category

Ali

I recently completed a Glowing Color Consultation for Ali, a stay-at-home mom in Wisconsin. She has ash blonde hair, and greenish-gray eyes. She wears black, pink, gray, navy, and white the most.
After evaluating her photos, I determined Ali is a Spring. She should gradually shift her most-worn colors to blush/peach, coral, cream, olive, and light yellow. She can use charcoal gray as a replacement to black and can still wear navy in some instances (especially as bottoms).

Below is a sampling of some items I sent for her to shop in the format of a Color Board. She also wanted some hair color recommendations, so I sent her a couple of examples of a rich, golden blonde.

Ali Spring (Glowing Color Client)

 

Contact me at glowingcolor@gmail.com for a color analysis that will bring out your own unique glow.

Metropolitan Gala 2015

Between my two young daughters (infant and toddler) and my clients, I have been too busy to write my posts on award shows and other subjects. I found this in my drafts from May…hahaha! Enjoy. I’m 1,000 percent sure there were other women I wanted to include in this post, but I’m going with what I have for now. I hope to get back to regular blogging sometime soon.

The Metropolitan Gala is always fun to watch to see who will go the extra mile in fashion just because they can. Fashion opinions on the outfits featured at the Gala range from whether the person was on theme or off theme, whether the outfit is “in”, whether the outfit is impressive, and whether the outfit is considered ugly or too much (even if the person is on theme). I for one, love seeing who is on theme or not, but invariably I always look at the colors they choose and if they are right or wrong based on their season. Here are my favorite looks from the Gala, based solely on COLOR.

Winter

Alison BrieGabrielle UnionVanessa HudgensOlivia Munn

Alison Brie, Gabrielle Union, Vanessa Hudgens, Olivia Munn

Spring

Dianna Agron

Dianna Agron

Summer

Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman

Autumn

Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain

Rachael

Today, Glowing Color features Rachael.

My name is Rachael, I’m a teacher I used to teach English as a foreign language and I’ve taught in South America – Argentina and Colombia and the middle east – Qatar and Europe – Spain and the UK – England and Scotland where I am from. I’m now back in Scotland,  Edinburgh where I went to uni and I’m training to become a high school teacher, teaching social studies and politics in high schools. After living a relaxed traveller lifestyle , I am now attempting to dress more smartly and like a professional but in my own style which is why I’m interested in colour analysis.

Rachael’s Color Interview:

What color do you wear the most? black, grey, and green

What color do you wear the least? light colours

In what color do you feel sexy and/or beautiful? I feel best in dark khaki green

In what color do you receive the most compliments? light colours like blues but perhaps that’s because I don’t often wear them.

Rachael in cooler colors:

Winter

black

red1

green

emerald

Summer

cool lightlavender

Rachael in warmer colors:

Spring

beigebrown paisleyYellow

 

Autumn

orangeburgundy

Rachael is a Spring. She looks best in the light, warm portion of the color spectrum. She did not have many examples in these colors, so I think she will begin to notice a major difference after she goes shopping to incorporate more of these colors in her wardrobe. Note that she feels best in khaki green, which tends to be warm/muted. If she goes a little lighter and warmer (a green with more yellow than brown), she will begin to see the glow. The outfits she did have that fall under Spring could use a little tweaking in color, which I am including details of in her Color Shopping List. She also wants to play around with some different hair colors, so I sent some examples of that as well, as I think she has been going too cool/dark/ash blonde. It probably feels right to be drawn to the Winter colors since they are so bold of a contrast against her hair, but once she finds the exact Spring colors to bring out her own personal glow, the difference will be stark. My eye was drawn to her clothes first in the cooler colors, and I was easily able to rule those seasons out. I am so excited for her to see her Color Shopping List!

lavenderYellow

See the difference?

Contact me at glowingcolor@gmail.com for a color analysis that will bring out your own unique glow.

Pantone Fall 2014 Color Report

Every season Pantone releases the colors that will be popular in fashion, interiors, and everything else. Below is the Fall 2014 color report, and which season should look for which colors.

pantone_fall2014

Winters: Radiant Orchid, Royal Blue, Sangria, Bright Cobalt

Springs: Cognac

Summers: Aluminum, Mauve Mist

Autumns: Aurora Red, Misted Yellow, Cypress

What color are you most looking forward to? How would you wear it?

Courtney

Today, Glowing Color features Courtney.

About Courtney: “I recently found your website and am very much enjoying it!  I’ve always enjoyed fashion, but I want to learn to select clothes that really flatter me and my coloring.  Also, as someone who used to be a natural blond and now have dull brown hair, I’m trying to figure out the best hair color for my skin tone. I live near San Francisco, and work in San Francisco.  I’m 32, an attorney specializing in tax law and work with nonprofit organizations and charitable tax planning.  For fun I read, travel, dance, take long walks.”

Courtney’s Color Interview:

What color(s) do you wear the most? Black and white — clean, classic, and everything in my closet mixes and matches.

What color(s) do you wear the least? Blue (all shades of blue I wear rarely).

In what color(s) do you feel sexy and/or beautiful? Sexy – red. Beautiful – coral or peach.

In what color(s) do you receive compliments? Coral or bright pink. 

Courtney in cooler colors:

black gray red hot pink magenta blue  green

Courtney in warmer colors:

ivory yellowpeach orange olive green

Courtney is a Spring. The cooler colors just sit on her, but her glow comes to life in the warmer colors. My eyes go straight to her face when she’s wearing light yellow and peach, but directly to the fabric when she’s wearing blue or pink. My initial thought was that she would be an Autumn, but my eyes kept being drawn to her in the lighter, warmer colors. She can wear some of the deeper, more vibrant warm colors, but the light tones of Spring really bring out her glow. I will also send some hair color ideas to her.

black yellow

See the difference?

If you would like me to do a color analysis for you (includes blog feature with pictures and customized color shopping list with your own personal power color) that will bring out your own unique glow, contact me at glowingcolor@gmail.com for rates. If you do not want to be featured on the blog, let me know!

Golden Globes 2013

The Golden Globes aired this past weekend, so you know what that means–time for another Color Right and Wrong! For my post on the 2012 Golden Globes, go here. Let’s jump right in!

Right

70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - ArrivalsAmanda SeyfriedUS-GOLDEN GLOBES-ARRIVALS Anne HathawayClaire DanesEva Longoria     70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - ArrivalsJessica AlbaKatharine McPhee         70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - ArrivalsSally FieldSalma Hayek  70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals

Alyssa Milano is an Autumn and looks gorgeous in this citron/saffron-hued gown. Amanda Seyfried is a Spring and looks pretty in her blush/ivory combo. Amy Adams is a Spring and looks fantastic in her pale-nued mermaid gown. Anne Hathaway is a Winter and looks stunning in white. Claire Danes is a Spring and is gorgeous in red. Eva Longoria is a Winter and stuns in black. Jennifer Lawrence is a Spring (her natural hair color is blonde) and looks fabulous in this coral-red gown. Jessica Alba is an Autumn and looks beautiful in her shimmery peachy-coral gown. Katharine Mcphee is a Winter and hits all the right notes in black. Olivia Munn is a Winter and is on the mark in her dress. Sally Field is an Autumn and looks regal in her navy gown. Salma Hayek is a Winter and gets it right in black. Zooey Deschanel is a Winter and this red looks great on her.

Right and Wrong

1151858_ET_Golden_Globes_WJS_0470th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - ArrivalsJennifer Lopez70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals

Connie Britton is an Autumn (her natural hair color is brown) and though this metallic gown reads warm, it is a bit too light for her. A deeper gold would have looked awesome. Halle Berry is an Autumn and like Connie, is  wearing a gown that reads warm but is too light. Isla Fisher is an Autumn and again we see an example of warm tone but too light (this is an absolutely gorgeous gown though). Jennifer Lopez is an Autumn and while the nude works, the white read of the lacy design distracts. Kaley Cuoco is a Spring. Her gown is the correct color for her season, but her makeup is way too dark. Lea Michele is a Winter. White works for some Winters but it’s hard to tell here since she overdid the tanning. Lena Dunham is a Soft Autumn meaning brown is in the ballpark, but she needs a brighter brown. Rosario Dawson is a Winter and while her mint gown is cool, it is way too light for her. Taylor Swift is a Spring and this chocolate gown is too dark for her.

Wrong

70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - ArrivalsJessica ChastainJodie Foster70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - ArrivalsJulianne MooreKelly OsbourneKerry WashingtonKristen Bell1151858_ET_Golden_Globes_WJS_15Lucy Liu1151858_ET_Golden_Globes_WJS_15Nene LeakesNicole Richie

Debra Messing is an Autumn (her natural hair color is brown), and black does nothing for her. Hayden Panattiere is a Spring. This pink gown reads too cool for her. Jessica Chastain is an Autumn and this seafoam gown is ALL WRONG. Jodie Foster is a Spring and this deep, icy blue is a miss in color for her. Julianne Hough is a Summer so the gold accents of her gown are wrong for her. Julianne Moore is an Autumn. Black=blah. Kelly Osbourne is a Spring (her natural hair color is blonde) so this look is too cool for her (I absolutely love her entire look by the way, it just isn’t making her glow). Kerry Washington is a Winter and looks washed out in this sheer nude. Kristen Bell is a Spring, so this silver is off. Kristen Wiig is an Autumn and looks sickly in her black gown. Lucy Liu is an Autumn, so this secret garden is wrong. Marion Cotillard is a Winter and the orange dress was too warm for her (this photo makes it look more red, but it’s orange). Nene Leakes is an Autumn; this black and white frock does nothing for her. Nicole Richie is a Spring; this pale blue is simply wrong.

If you would like me to do a color analysis for you (includes blog feature with pictures and customized color shopping list with your own personal power color) that will bring out your own unique glow, contact me at glowingcolor@gmail.com for rates.

Anya

Today, Glowing Color features Anya (name changed to protect privacy) from Seattle, Washington. Anya loves fashion, nature, health,nutrition, reading, researching,exercise, animals, music, and science, among many other things. She describes herself as a sort of a jack of all trades, or as her friends and teachers have referred to her, a walking encyclopedia.

Anya writes,

I’ve been reading your blog and you are spot on with your work. So I would definitely trust your skills.

Anya’s Q&A:

What color do you wear the most? Blues, pink, greens, light purples. I also like white and gray. My favorite colors are in the light to medium spectrum.

What color do you wear the least? Well my friends and I agree I look like a zombie in mustard yellow, rust, muted olives, caramel browns, camel/yellow beige, most browns. Except there is one brown I can wear, it’s a coolish cocoa rose brown one…

In what color do you feel sexy? Pretty much the same colors I said I wear most. But light-medium only. I don’t really feel sexy more like cute or beautiful but I think that  has to do with my personality.

In what color do you receive the most compliments? Turquoise, aqua, true greens, emerald greens, lime green, blues, pinks, light purple, coral, peach, pastels, clear bright springy colors, and easter colors.

Anya did not want her photos shown on the blog, so you’ll have to use your imagination a bit. Anya is fair-skinned with shoulder-length golden-blonde hair and vibrant green eyes. Anya is a Spring. Anya tends to dress more like a Summer; she gravitates toward those colors. She was definitely on track when she mentioned she stays in the light to medium tones. Also, do you notice anything about her response to the colors she wears the least? They’re all Autumn colors. Anya is an example of a Soft Spring–a warm season, but she does not do as well with the deeper warm colors of Autumn. Anya definitely glows in many of the soft, warm colors that blossom in Spring.

Although you cannot see Anya’s photos, there are some useful tips  to be gleaned here. Just because you feel you may not look good in a certain range of colors does not necessarily mean you should aim for the complete opposite. Sometimes you simply need to go lighter or softer, etc.

If you would like me to do a color analysis for you (includes blog feature with pictures and customized color shopping list with your own personal power color) that will bring out your own unique glow, contact me at glowingcolor@gmail.com for rates.

Summer Colors-White

Nothing quite evokes a summery feel than crisp, cool, white.

If you are a Summer, then there is no limit to how and how much you can wear white this summer. This is your time to shine! Tops, bottoms, dresses, swimsuits, whatever you want to do (that isn’t dated and tacky), GO FOR IT!

If you are not a Summer, white can still work in different doses. We all know that white looks great against a summer tan or naturally darker skin for contrast purposes, but that does not necessarily mean you will glow. Just ask me, an Autumn, who looks a bit like Death in white. Mm-hmm. Listen to her. Me.

If you are a Winter, you can wear white much like Summers, but it may be a bit too much contrast to wear as a top for you darker-featured cool beauties. Instead of wearing all white like Summers, mix white with a bold, cool, jewel tone color to give you maximum glow.

If you are a Spring or Autumn, stay away from white as a shirt, blouse, button-down, dress, pattern-background, anything too close to your face. If you simply must wear white, try a white skirt or shorts with a warm, bright top. Yellow or orange work, so does navy and some of the warmer purples. Always warm it up with gold-toned jewelry.

Or, bring white into your home with linens and flowers. So serene.

If you would like me to do a color analysis for you (includes blog feature with pictures and customized color shopping list with your own personal power color) that will bring out your own unique glow, contact me at glowingcolor@gmail.com for rates.

Golden Globes 2012

Hi guys, I’m back! I’m here with the Right and Wrong from this year’s Golden Globes. Some women hit it right on target, color-wise, some were dead wrong, and some were right AND wrong. Let’s jump in.

Right


Nicole Kidman is pitch-perfect here. For those who don’t know, Nicole was a natural red-head as a child, then her hair naturally lightened to blonde as she got older. Nicole Kidman is a Spring, and she has everything in place here. Light hair (even if it’s dyed, it’s still light and warm), ivory gown with golden accents…homegirl is straight winning here.


Rooney Mara is a Winter. Although her hair is not naturally this dark (it is a rich brunette color), it works on her. Only Winters can get away with and glow going black like this. This combined with the all-black sleek gown is a winner for Rooney.


Though Dianna Argon is a blonde, it is a dark & dirty blonde which along with her coloring, makes her an Autumn. She is wearing an almost perfect shade of red for warmer skin tones. The lacy cutout designs throughout the gown show her skin and give the dress an even warmer effect. Gone head, boo. We see you.


Viola Davis is an Autumn, and Autumns stun in deeper shades of red to burgundy. Viola’s chocolate skin is radiant here.


Mary J. Blige is an Autumn; more specifically a Soft Autumn (meaning she can share some of the colors that Springs should normally wear). Even though the styling of this dress isn’t quite executed as nicely as I would have hoped (toward the bottom, the gown looks like murdered and bleached fry kids), the rose-gold color is still lovely on her golden bronze skin. I would have loved it if she went with gold jewelry and toned down the harsh highlights, but luckily it did not detract from her overall look.

Wrong


First things first. Emma Stone is a natural blonde. Further, Emma Stone is a Summer. That means everything about this ensemble is wrong for her (for glow purposes). She needs something lighter and cooler-toned. This dress is too “heavy” for her. Now, the overall picture is pleasing to our eyes because we are looking at the actual colors contrasting from her hair and the dress and that DOES provide a pleasing effect. However, if we look at her face (notice how you’re not drawn to her face, mainly the COLORS of her hair and dress), you can see that she looks way too pale and faded in this dress.


Red is a tricky color for blondes. Generally, reds look best on the “darker” seasons of Autumn and Winter. Reds work for blondes when the blonde is a Spring, and then it has to be precisely the right red (red accents are stunning on Springs). Reese Witherspoon, however, is a Summer. Summers do not glow in any shade of red whatsoever. Reese does not look bad, but this gorgeous red dress is just sitting on her, being a leech. With a powerful color like red, you have to wear the red and not the other way around (which happens way too often).


Sarah Michelle Gellar is an Autumn. Everything about this is wrong. She sure looks happy about wearing it though. Moving on.


Charlize Theron’s darker coloring and naturally dark-blonde hair make her an Autumn. The dyed hair (highlights) she has here are too cool for her tone. The dress is both too light and too cool for her skin, and the styling just generally gives off a look of hot mess.


Natalie Portman is an Autumn, so this screaming fuchsia dress is an instant NO. She’d have been better off with the entire gown in that deep red (the accent color at the top of the gown) and having the accent fuchsia.

Right and Wrong


Angelina rarely gets it completely right with her colors. She usually looks washed out to hell for red carpets. Angelina is an Autumn, which means the cream dress is kind of right. But though some Autumns can wear cream beautifully, for other Autumns cream is just too light to sufficiently warm them up. Angelina is still looking like an ice queen here. Now, she doesn’t look bad to me. I love the look and the contrast; it is just that these colors do not warm her up and bring out her glow at all. If the dress had more of a golden tone, and the red was either a bit warmer or deeper, she’d have had that glow.


Lea Michele is a Winter, so she has the color right. I think the sheer cutout of the top of the dress is making the whole effect “warmer” than it should be, so she is not glowing as she should with a metallic silver. I also think she should have worn her hair down and gotten better make-up done; particularly her lip color which is reading way too warm for her.


Zooey Deschanel is a Winter, so overall, she looks good here. I have issues with her bangs and makeup, but whatevs. The main negative here is though the lemon-lime green at the top of her dress is a striking contrast, it is too light and too warm for her skin, so it ends up almost overshadowing the black and washing her out a bit.


Michelle Williams is not a natural blonde, in case you didn’t know. Her natural hair color is brown, and she is an Autumn. Technically, the color is just about right. Navy looks wonderful on Autumns here. I think there are a few things detracting from her overall look: Her hair color is a bit too light for such a dark blue (though it has golden tones which Autumns should aim for when coloring their hair), and the style of the dress is in frumpy frock territory (I’m sure the velvet doesn’t help the cut of the dress at all either).


Madonna’s natural hair color is a rich brunette and she is an Autumn. This is…an interesting dress. The midnight emerald shimmer of the bottom of the gown is perfect for an Autumn. The silver up top, not so much. It does make for a striking contrast though. If it was a subdued gold color instead of silver, this would have really brought out her glow (along with her darker hair color).


Paula Patton is an autumn, which usually clears the way for yellow to come glow it up. However, this yellow is more of the electric-yellow that Springs wear and glow in. So close though.

That wraps up this year’s Golden Globes red carpet review at Glowing Color. If I missed your favorite celebrity, let me know in the comments!

If you would like me to do a color analysis for you (includes blog feature with pictures and customized color shopping list with your own personal power color) that will bring out your own unique glow, contact me at glowingcolor@gmail.com for rates.

Emmy’s 2011 Right and Wrong

Today I’m going to feature the women of the Emmy’s and see who got it right, and who got it wrong, color-wise.

Right


Kristen Wiig is an Autumn and looks stunning here. See how the hair, face, dress, everything flow? She looks gorgeous here. This is how you do style + color that fits your season.


Katie Holmes definitely got it right in color. Does she look like she rolled out of bed after possibly sleeping in this dress? Yes. But the color is right for her. Katie’s a Winter.


I originally had Kerry Washington under Autumn a while back, but I used the wrong photo to judge her because homegirl is definitely a Winter. This true, classic red is perfect for her.


Elisabeth Moss is an Autumn. I would prefer to see her in a deeper shade, but she has the tone right. It’s a bit too pale for her, but good nonetheless.

Wrong


Kate Winslet’s dress fit like a glove and she is stunting in it style-wise. Color wise, it’s off. Kate is a Spring. Springs can wear red, it just needs to be a more muted, earthy red. Or if she wanted to go bright, a warmer tomato red would have killed.


Right dress, wrong color for Evan Rachel Wood. She’s a Spring and black is too strong and harsh for her.


Amy Poehler is a spring who is bleached to high hell. The dress is all wrong for her.


Not only does Taraji P. Henson look like she came to the Emmy’s in her answer-the-doorbell-for-the-cute-mailman nightgown, but it’s the wrong color. Taraji is an Autumn so should avoid silvery shapeless frocks.


Rashida Jones is an Autumn. The pale pink of the gown washes her out. A shame, because it is a really pretty gown, Rashida’s hair and makeup look nice, but it does not flow. If it were a muted rose-gold in the same style? She would have killed.


Padma, if you remember, is a Winter. She looks dreadful in this color. Awful.

Right and Wrong


Christina Hendricks got the color right. If you remember, Christina is a natural blonde and a Spring. The darker red hair color and heavier/deeper colored makeup is all wrong for her.


Heidi is a natural brunette, and an Autumn. So she got the warm tone right, but the hair color and paleness wrong. Even the paleness isn’t THAT wrong, but she definitely would have looked better in a deeper shade.


Julia Stiles is a Winter (not a natural light blonde). So the dress is correct in tone, but it could be a little deeper in color. That along with her eschewing the golden blonde hair would have stepped her game up.

That concludes the color analysis of the 2011 Emmy’s! What did you think of the fashion? Let me know in the comments!

If you would like me to do a color analysis for you (includes blog feature with pictures and customized color shopping list with your own personal power color) that will bring out your own unique glow, contact me at glowingcolor@gmail.com for rates.