Autumn/Winter is around the corner and with it the opportunity to shake up your style, but where should you start?

Whilst we’re inundated with ‘hot new trends’ and ‘what to wear now’ articles it can be difficult to know where to turn, and what to buy. 

We all have that one friend who seems to always look effortlessly stylish. Whatever the occasion they always get it ‘just right’ and seem to be able to look put-together and chic without seeming to have spent hours and hours getting ready. 

What is the secret of these stylish women and how can we unlock those same style tricks to create the same effect with our own wardrobe? 

This is where our Colour Me Beautiful style consultation services come in and in today we’re sharing exactly what happens during a style session with one of our Colour Me Beautiful consultants so that you will know how to translate this season’s trends effortlessly into your wardrobe in a way that truly flatters you.

What is covered in a style consultation?
We may be famous for our Colour Consultation services first and foremost but our expertly trained Colour Me Beautiful  image consultants also know a thing or two about style. 

During their personal styling courses our consultants are trained to understand your style personality, body shape, proportions and scale in order to advise you on which styles, cuts and fabrics of clothing will work best for you, and how to style them in a way that flatters both your body shape and your unique personality and style preferences.

All of this is covered within a style consultation including advice on patterns and accessories and recommendations for which shops are best suited to you. Our consultants will also talk to you about the key trends for the season ahead and how you can effectively translate these into your wardrobe.

What is a ‘style personality’?

Colour Me Beautiful have developed a clever questionnaire which you will complete at the start of your style consultation. The questionnaire consists of 10 questions which will reveal which one of six dominant style personalities you are. 

Style personalities range from creative to classic, romantic to natural and dramatic to city chic - most people have a dominant style personality and then possibly another category that they score quite highly in too. Your consultant will explain what your answers mean and how your personality can be expressed through your style.

How does my consultant determine my body shape? Will I have to strip off?
No! We would recommend you wear clothing to your appointment that allows your consultant to see your body line (or a loose top layer that can be removed in the privacy of your consultant’s studio if you prefer). You will not need to strip to your underwear or be poked and prodded in front of a mirror! Your consultant will assess your body shape by asking you a few questions and assessing you just by looking at you - it’s as easy as that and only takes a few minutes. Our Style Consultation will give you the knowledge you need to wear clothing that flatters and works for you

What should I wear? 
Just choose an everyday outfit that you feel comfortable in, there is no need to get dressed up at all (unless you want to of course, in which case, go for it!)

How will I remember everything?
You don’t need to! During your consultation your consultant will make a note of everything in one of our Colour Me Beautiful style workbooks which you will take away with you at the end of your session. So you can sit back, relax and enjoy the whole process knowing you will have a personalised reference tool to take home with you at the end of the day.

To shake up your style for Autumn book a style consultation with your personal Colour Me Beautiful consultant here. 

It's Trench season!

​A trench is the perfect 'inbetweeny' coat and there are lots to choose from this season.
Of course, Colour Me Beautiful has a few tips to keep you in style...

1. You don't have to stick to the traditional tan if it doesn't suit you. Navy is a good alternative. But there are so many other colours out there too. However, if you plan on having it in your in your wardrobe for years, stick to neutral colours as these have longevity and are more versatile. Camel is big for Autumn 2018. 

2. If you're petite, try a cropped style which will balance your frame. One that ends on your hips or thigh length works best. 

3. If belts don't work for you, tie it at the back. It will pull in the waist and give a little shape without highlighting the bits that you don't want to show.

4. Single or double breasted? If you're likely to fasten it, a double breasted style is very chic. However it doesn't look as good as a single breasted if left open. Consider how you're going to wear it.

5. Avoid flap pockets that are adorned with buttons if you carry your weight on your hips as they will draw the eye down to this area. Go for a style with side pockets instead. 

6. Think about the fabrics you buy. Does it wrinkle? Most people tend to throw a trench over their arm or bag when it gets hot. Be careful not to end up looking wrinkly by buying a trench with high tech fibres which resist wrinkles. 

7. Plaids and checks work well from Prince of Wales to tartans, pretty much any plaid is good for 2018. Of course, it helps to know your body shape and then you can decide which plaid or check will work for you. 

8. Animal prints are back and look amazing in a trench coat. Instantly makes your outfit an outfit. Why not try something new like a snake print. 

9. Glossy fabrics with shine such as a patent leather will not only look good but be perfect for an actual rainy day. 

10. Go for a tweed and use textures to maximise your trench coat chic. Wear with a leather or pleather skirt to get the latest 2018 autumn look. 

Still not sure what is best for you? Get in touch with us here for a personal one-to-one colour and style advice makeover. Click here to learn more about makeovers? It's fun! ​

At this time of year the accessory that tends to get the most wear is usually our sunglasses.
It’s certainly true that the addition of a pair of sunglasses to your look gives you an undeniably cool edge - but how do you go about finding the perfect pair for you?

With a plethora of shapes, shades and sizes to choose from we’ve put together our definitive guide to choosing the right sunglasses for your face shape to make your next sunglasses purchase your savviest yet.

Defining Your Face Shape
The first thing you need to do is DEFINE your FACE SHAPE, so here goes…

Round - the width and length of your face is roughly the same (like Emma Stone)

Square - strong jawline and broad forehead (like Jennifer Aniston)

Oval - balanced face shape with a chin slightly narrower than your forehead (Julia Roberts)

Inverted Triangle - your forehead will be significantly wider than your chin (like Reece Witherspoon)

Rectangle - your cheek bones, forehead and jaw will be in-line and your face is longer than it is wide (like Meryl Streep)

Opposites Are Attractive
The key thing to remember when selecting your sunglasses is that in order to balance the shape of your face you generally need to choose the opposite style of frames. 

So for example, if you have a square face you are better choosing sunglasses with a more rounded style of frame as this will soften and complement your features. On the other hand, if you have a round face shape then a more angular frame will work best for you as it will offer some definition and balance.

The exception to this rule is for those of you with a heart shaped face - you actually need to mimic your face-shape with your frames.

The Key Styles
Here’s a round-up of the most common glasses styles and who can wear them…

Wayfarers - the classic Ray-Ban style, Wayfarers have been a staple sunglasses style for decades. This style will work for you if you have a ROUND face shape.

Round - another classic sunglasses shape, from big bug glasses to the smaller-styles, round glasses tend to come in a wide variety of sizes. They will work best for you if you have more angular features so those with a SQUARE face shape will look great in these. If you have a RECTANGLE face shape a more oval style will work for you with wider arms that break up the length of the face. Do remember to keep your proportions in balance too; the larger the face, the larger the sunglasses should be.

Aviators - from the days of Top Gun to now, Aviators will never go out of fashion and will work beautifully for you if you have a INVERTED TRIANGLE face shape as they follow a similar shape. Be aware of the weight of your frames with this style. If you’re petite/have delicate features then avoid heavier frames as these will over-power your face.

Cats Eyes - add an instant touch of Hollywood glamour with the timeless Cats Eye style of sunglasses. The upward angle of this style works beautifully to balance a ROUND face shape and if you opt for a frame that has a softer curve (rather than anything to angular) then they will also work well to add width to a RECTANGLE face shape.

If you have an OVAL face shape then you can wear whatever you like, so mix it up and have some fun! Your only considerations are the size and weight of your glasses to ensure they harmonise with your features.

A Final Word On Colour
Whatever your face shape, do think about the COLOUR you choose for your sunglasses and use your colour palette to guide you. As your glasses are worn on your face it is vital they’re in a shade that perfectly complements your colour characteristics.

For one-to-one colour and style advice get in touch with your local Colour Me Beautiful consultant here. ​

If you’re thinking about taking the plunge and booking a Colour Consultation then this blog post is for you.
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It’s all very well for us to talk about ‘getting your colours done’ - but what do we actually mean by this and what happens during your Colour Me Beautiful session? 

Read on to find out…

Who conducts my colour consultation? 

Our amazing Colour Me Beautiful Image Consultants! All personally trained by us with the knowledge needed to ensure you have a wonderful, educational and interesting colour session. 

All of our image consultants have been through extensive colour training which qualifies them to effectively analyse your colour characteristics and advise you on which colour category you fall into and how to wear your colours.

Where will my consultation take place?
​
This is up to you, you can go to our Central studio in The Feel Good Factor or to one of our consultants studio near you. We will help you to find the best location for your consultation.  We also have consultants that will travel to your home for a small fee. Just Contact us!

So what actually happens during my 90-minute consultation?

Your session will start with a chat with your Colour Me Beautiful image consultant. They will take you through what colour analysis is, how is works and describe our six dominant colour categories to you before telling you which category to fall into and therefore which colours will suit you best. After this they will use gorgeous coloured fabrics to determine what your sub categories are before presenting you with your palette of 42 personalised colours.

Do I need to arrive make-up free?

It's up to you! If you don’t wish to arrive make-up free then your consultant will discuss your skin tone with you instead. Of course, if you do want to remove your make-up when you arrive, you can book a Makeup Prescription which includes the application of a natural, daytime make-up in your best colours so you’ll leave looking fabulous too. Best of all, the Makeup Prescription is only HK$500 when added to the Colour Analysis consultation.

How will I remember which colours suit me?

As part of your consultation you will be shown all of your colours and different combinations using special fabric drapes to demonstrate the impact they have on your overall look. To help you remember everything you will receive a swatch wallet containing all of your colours and your consultant will make some notes with key things to remember as well as your favourite shades and colour combinations.

Can I come with a friend?

Absolutely! Most consultants are very happy for you to bring along a friend - you could even book in for a joint consultation and make it a fun day of colour, make-up and chat!

Find your local Colour Me Beautiful here.

Do you love Colour and/or Style? If you would like to learn more about how to do Colour Analysis and/or Styling based on body shapes, contact us! Click here to find out how to become an Image Consultant!

Navigating Spring weather can sometimes be tricky as it changes so often (sometimes within the course of a single day!)

It isn’t cold enough for a heavy layers but you still need an outer layer to keep the chill out of those freezing air conditioners. 
​
This season there are a lot of lightweight outerwear options. We’ve already taken you through what to look for in a trench coat (you can read that post here), so in this post we thought we’d give you the lowdown on a couple of other key outerwear trends; Blazers and Bombers.

If there’s one wardrobe item that is synonymous with Spring, it has to be the trench coat.

The trench coat dates back pre-World War 1, when it was designed as an alternative to the heavy greatcoat that Army officers wore. It was adapted to be worn in the trenches, hence where the trench coat got its name.

Since then it has evolved and developed as times and fashions have changed and it is still a mainstay of many a wardrobe across the world. But do you have one on your coat rail?

Not only is a trench coat an iconic fashion item, it is also incredibly versatile and the perfect solution for those Spring days when a Winter coat is too heavy, but you still need an extra layer to keep you warm. 

As always, there are a plethora of trench coats available this season in different variations on the classic style. Here’s what to look for when choosing yours…

Fabric

The fabric you choose for your trench coat is key to how well it will fit. If you have a straight body shape (Rectangle, Inverted Triangle) then a heavier, more structured fabric will work best - those with curves need to opt for a softer, more fluid fabric that will skim their shape.

Beware of the Belt

Trench coats will usually come with a belt to cinch you in at the waist. This is great if you have natural waist definition (Hourglass and Triangle body shapes in particular will look great with in a belted trench coat to show off the waist). However, if you have a straight rib-cage and little waist definition, or tend to carry weight around your waist (Oval body shapes) you should avoid belts ideally. As this isn’t possible with most styles of trench coat, try belting yours at the back instead.

Details

Some trench coat styles will feature lots of buttons and large collars/lapels. If you have a full bust avoid details like these as they will overwhelm your top half, instead, look for styles that have fewer details to create an uncluttered look.

Colour

Traditionally trench coats have been in a neutral Taupe/Stone shade - this is a great colour to add accents to but there are now lots of choices available. The two key colour stories for Spring/Summer 2018 are bright and bold OR pale and pastel. Choose a colour that falls into your dominant colour category rather than a neutral to give your look a real lift.

For 1-on-1 advice on colours and styles that work for you, get in touch with your local Colour Me Beautiful consultant here.

Let’s get sociable! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter - pop over and say hello!

Do you love Colour and/or Style? If you would like to learn more about how to do Colour Analysis and/or Styling based on body shapes,  contact us! Click here to find out how to become an Image Consultant!

First of all let’s talk about COLOUR - this season your denim needs to be DARKER so here’s how to wear it depending on your dominant colour category.

LIGHT & SOFT -  dark denim will be too heavy for your colour characteristics so weak it away from your face and break it up with another colour from your palette.

DEEP - you look great in dark, rich colours so you can wear dark denim on it’s own or in contrast with another colour.

WARM - medium-depth colours work best on you so pop something one or two shades lighter with your dark denim to even things out.

COOL - inject some contrast into your dark denim to harmonise with your colour characteristics.

CLEAR - dark denim will look great on you worn with a vivid accent colour from your palette. Of course, we are not talking jeans only this season, but dresses, shirts and jackets too.

If you aren't sure what your dominant is, come in for a Colour Analysis!

Now let’s talk FIT - choosing the right texture of denim will have a huge impact on how well it fits you. As well as skinnies there are some more relaxed styles of jeans around this season and getting the right fabric is essential to them looking and feeling good.

If you have a CURVY body shape (hourglass, triangle, oval) you need to opt for a softer denim, or one that has some stretch in it to accommodate your gorgeous curves.

Those with a STRAIGHT body shape (lean column, rectangle, inverted triangle) should opt for a denim that has more weight and structure to it as this will follow your body line beautifully. Detailing around the hips/bottom area to create shape and balance proportions will also work well.

Whatever shade or style of denim you opt for this season it is essential that you feel comfortable and confident. For personalised advice on which styles will work best for your body shape, lifestyle and style personality get in touch with us at Colour Me Beautiful to discuss booking in for a Style Consultation or full Image Makeover.

You’ll be strutting into Spring in style!

Do you love Colour and/or Style? If you would like to learn more about how to do Colour Analysis and/or Styling based on body shapes,  contact us! Click here to find out how to become an Image Consultant!

Here at Colour Me Beautiful we love Blues but we also love the Reds, Pinks, Greens and Yellows too! So there are no blue days for us, only colourful ones. Colour makes you feel good!

Colour is the perfect way to lift your mood and wearing beautiful shades when the skies are grey is guaranteed to make you feel brighter. Not only that but wearing the right colours next to your face will also illuminate your complexion too; perhaps now is the time to get booked in for that Colour Consultation to discover which shades will make your skin glow and eyes sparkle?

In the meantime, here are a few colours to consider depending on your mood…

REDS and PINKS

The colours of romance, power and passion - reds and pinks are the perfect colours to opt for if you feel like you need to inject some energy into your look. DEEPS and CLEARS will look fabulous in some of the more vibrant shades that are around currently.

If you’re LIGHT or SOFT opt for a subtler red like Geranium. WARMS will have their choice of Bittersweet and Orange Reds and COOLS will look fabulous in Cassis and Fuchsia.

GREENS and BLUES

Shades of green and blue are often associated with nature and known to create feelings of calm and tranquility. Most shades of blue will look fabulous on you COOLS (you could perhaps even combine them with the pinks mentioned above).

LIGHTS will want to look for more delicate shades like Powder Blue and DEEPS could opt for Dark Navy to complement their colour characteristics. WARMS look fabulous in Olive green and you CLEARS can go bright and bold with Sapphire blue worn in contrast with a neutral shade to give you a pop.

YELLOWS

Some may reserve yellow for the warmer months of the year but we’re all for injecting our own sunshine into a Winter’s day! Yellow is becoming more widely available with stores offering a choice of shades.

You will need to have a WARM undertone to wear yellow next to your face (which you will learn during your Colour Consultation). If yellow is a shade that is in your palette then Mustard is a great shade to opt for at this time of year if you’re WARM, DEEP, SOFT or CLEAR and looks great with Navy or Charcoal.

If you’d like to find out more about Colour Analysis get in touch with your local Colour Me Beautiful consultant HERE.

Do you love colour? If you would like to learn more about how to do Colour Analysis contact us!
Click here to find out how to become an Image Consultant!

Photo by Alejandro Garrido Navarro on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again - SALES, SALES, SALES!

Some of us love them, others loathe them. If you’re lured by the possibility of a bargain-buy this January be sure to check our top tips for navigating the sales to ensure you really are saving money.

Assess What You Already Own

Ever got home from a shopping trip with a new purchase only to discover you’ve already got several other items that are similar? It’s happened to most of us at some point or another. To make sure it doesn’t happen to you, assess and organise your wardrobe before you hit the shops. Store items together so you can see just how many pairs of blue jeans/purple jumpers/red shoes you own. This simple exercise will remind you of the items you already have and highlight where you may need to add something new.

Don’t Impulse Buy

Plan your shopping trip and make a list. Buying things on impulse will lead to items not being worn or discovering you already own something similar (see above!) 

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you make that purchase decision:

Is it in my colour palette? If it is then it’s likely to work well with other items in your wardrobe.

Does the style suit me? Don’t settle for something that doesn’t fit properly just because it’s reduced. You need to look and FEEL great in your clothes. If they are ill-fitting or uncomfortable they will soon be relegated to the back of the wardrobe.

Do I feel FABULOUS in it? Your clothes should make you feel like a million dollars, don’t buy anything that falls below the mark.

Is It Really Value For Money?

Check the quality of the item and ensure if has no defects. Sometimes stores will reduce items because they have faults with them. This may not always be a deal breaker, but it doesn’t hurt to check first.

Would You Pay Full Price For It?

You may have had your eye on something a little out of your price range that has now been reduced by 50% - hurrah! This is what true sales shopping is all about and you should certainly grab that bargain! However, if this isn’t the case ask yourself whether the quality, cut and style would be worth the full price. If not, why not? Perhaps you’re not getting a great deal after all.

Buy Less, Choose Well

You don’t need lots of clothes to look good, rather you need a capsule collection of clothing that can be worn in a variety of different ways in colours and styles that work for you. Don’t be tempted to fill your wardrobe with lots of ‘bargains’. Most of the time it is better to invest a little more in each item and have fewer pieces of good quality clothing to choose from.

Have a Wardrobe Clearout with our expert Wardrobe Weeders and you will know exactly what you need to buy. We also do Shopping Consultations which are wonderful to do during sales. You will not only buy what you need, you will be buying it at a great price! Click here for your appointment, Find a Consultant

Afterwards you will know exactly what suits you and make wise decisions when shopping in the sales.Would you like to learn how to tell people their best colours, fashion, style and image?

Click here to find out about how to become an Image Consultant!Love fashion and working with people? See our certified Colour Me Beautiful colour, style and men's styling training courses HERE.