COLOUR THEORY
I used a 70s trick to transform wardrobe from drab to fab – it’s totally changed way I get dressed, raves fashion expert
Plus how you can find the best colours for you at home
AS Gen Z rediscovers the trend of knowing your colour type, Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale goes back to the original colour consultancy to check hers out
MY wardrobe looks like a rainbow has exploded in it.
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You name a colour and I’m pretty sure I’ll have something that shade in there.
And while I do like a neutral, I’m certainly not afraid of going bright.
That said, I have no clue what colours actually “suit” me.
So with colour analysis filters now popping up all over TikTok, I am intrigued.
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These filters show a series of different colours like a rainbow with space in the middle for your face.
As you scroll through them, you can see which set most compliments your skin tone.
The countless filters, which have been viewed more than 1.4billion times on the app, have taken social media — and especially Gen Z — by storm.
But this is far from a new phenomenon.
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In fact, the trend first exploded in the late Seventies with Colour Me Beautiful, the seminal book on the subject by highly regarded colour consultant Carole Jackson.
It taught people which hues suited them best based on their skin tones, hair and eye colour, categorising them into either spring, summer, autumn or winter types.
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Decades later, the Colour Me Beautiful movement is still going strong, with 220 consultants around the country, though they now categorise people as light, deep, warm, cool, clear or soft.
I make an appointment (£160 for 90 minutes) with colour consultant Angi Jones to test it out.
When I arrive at her house, she places a multi-coloured collar around my neck to get a feel of which shades suit my face.
We can instantly see that warm, brighter colours look best on me — my skin glows more, my eyes sparkle — while paler shades do nothing for me.
Angi explains this makes me “clear”, with elements of “warm” and “deep” — which means I would have been “autumn” on the old categories.
Next we narrow down exactly which shades work for me by holding countless swatches up to my face.
The winners are blush pink, ruby red and warmer blues, while I’m to avoid pastels like lilac which, ironically, is the colour my nails are painted.
I can see why.
As soon as we hold it against my face, my skin looks dull and my eye bags more prominent.
This is due to my fair skin tone. Cooler tones emphasise the bluey undertones of under-eye circles.
For neutrals, Angi recommends I stick with soft white, navy, mahogany, brown and black — a huge relief, considering black is a staple of mine.
And she tells me gold is my go-to for jewellery.
I never wear silver, so this is music to my ears.
With my 90 minutes drawing to an end, I’m given a handy fabric wallet with my best colours.
I found the whole experience great.
Angi made me feel really comfortable and I can definitely see the appeal, especially if you’re someone who really struggles with colour and what to wear.
And while I am a big believer in wearing whatever you feel best in (which is why there is so much colour choice within each category), it has made me think twice about wearing certain shades again and my lilac blazer has stayed locked away in the closet.
While the TikTok filters can give you a flavour of what shades may suit your skin tone, this is much more in-depth and I’d say more accurate.
Getting your colours done is an investment that will last decades.
Once you know yours you will never go wrong again.
And those in the industry say that the service is more popular than ever.
“In all my 20 years of practising as a Colour Consultant I have never seen so much demand for this service,” says independent colour consultant Jules Standish.
“Having a colour analysis is a wonderful way to feel good in an instant because discovering your best colours really can have the same effect as a face lift, making your skin glow.”
She adds: “What’s interesting is how many young people are wanting to have their colours done!
“With so much choice of what fashion to buy, knowing your best colours is a wonderful guideline to purchasing outfits that suit you.”
- Colour consultations start from £160 for 90 minutes. See .
HOW TO FIND HUES THAT FLATTER YOU
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THE first thing to do is see if you have a cool or warm skin tone . . . by checking what colour your veins are.
You need to do this in natural daylight.
If you have blue-tinted veins and a rosy undertone you’re cool.
Green-tinted veins and a golden undertone means you’re warm.
Adele and Nicole Kidman would be seen as cool toned, while Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce would be warm.
The white paper test is also a great way of finding your colours.
With no make-up on, hold a piece of white paper underneath your chin.
Then using a mirror, see how it has affected your face.
If your face looks brighter and rosy, then you’re cool. If it leaves you looking colourless, you’re warm.
You can also do the jewellery test. If gold makes your skin look healthier, then you are warm toned. If silver makes your skin pop more, then you’re cool.
You will know if a colour is right for you if your skin looks glowy and your eyes sparkle. It is the wrong colour if it makes you look washed-out and reveals under-eye circles.
COOL SKIN TONE
IF like Adele and Nicole Kidman you have a cool skin tone, you should wear lavender, emerald, bright blue, charcoal grey, purples, ice blue and pink.
Avoid oranges, yellows, red, gold.
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WARM SKIN TONE
IF you’re warm like Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce, you should wear reds, rust, turquoise, oranges, browns, navy, warm greens and corals .
Avoid icy colours such as pastel shades, dark overpowering colours and rosy or berry undertones.
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