Green
The green ribbons in Hong Kong were first spotted being worn by taxi drivers, to support both sides of the protest. Green has been known as a symbol for nature, growth, and life since the beginning of time. We can find blue in nature all around us, and is considered a soothing shade. In modern times green has its own definition, meaning that something is organic and natural. Green is associated with prosperity, wellness, and recognition.

Does your favourite colour represent you? Often we naturally gravitate towards the colours that look the best on us. Go with your instinct and choose colours that you feel drawn to! Or you can always come in for a consultation with one of our Colour Me Beautiful consultants, a colour analysis will teach you which colours make you look your best.

 

Have you noticed anything different?

Our website has had a total makeover! We have completely redesigned the layout to make it clearer and easier for you to learn about our consultations, training, and how to buy our cosmetics online. Now you can easily browse our services to see exactly what we offer, colour, style, cosmetic, and corporate services. Whether you're looking for consultations for yourself or for a friend, there's something for everyone.

With 85 consultants throughout Asia, we decided it was time they had their own news feed. Our Consultant News will keep you up to date on what the ladies and men of Colour Me Beautiful are up to now. In this blog we cover it all from event photos, to promotions, and even interviews. Learn what it's like being a Colour Me Beautiful image consultant or find a consultant for your own makeover!

Your clothes are one of the first things that people can see about you that can be used to make a first impression. Who you are can be conveyed through your fashion choices, which is why we have style personalities to help us choose clothing that represents us. If you are someone who likes to look polished and sophisticated, your clothes should reflect this by looking structured, clean, and pressed. Whereas if you are a more laid-back or natural type, it would be safe to assume that you would like something comfortable and easy to wear. 

Everyone has a unique look and dressing to embrace your personal style will make you feel comfortable and confident in your choices. While most of us don't have daily photos taken, in the life of a celebrity it is just the way things are! By having so many photos taken on a daily basis, we have the ability to very clearly see the progression of someone's style. 

Yesterday, Victoria Beckham tweeted a photo of the dress she wore on her first date with hubby David Beckham.  She wore a cute belted shift dress, which wasn’t at all the ‘blingy’, flesh-revealing looks she wore a few years later, nor the groomed elegance she has achieved now. The dress isn’t particularly high fashion either, considering she was a member of the biggest UK girl band The Spice Girls at the time.  It is a very sweet dress though and it reflects her youth and perhaps the fact that she was only just gaining celebrity status. It may also suggest that she hadn’t really found her own style yet.

Our clothes reveal not only how styles have changed but how you have, or haven’t, developed your own style and gained confidence in your look.  When you revisit old photos you can see why you dressed a certain way during a certain period of your life from being at school, your first job, university, travelling, marriage, being a mum, and so on.  Whatever path you took, your clothes will have reflected your lifestyle at that time and how you wanted to express yourself in your clothes at that time.  You may have had periods where you couldn’t afford to dress quite how you wanted so perhaps you didn’t bother at all or you got creative with what you had, shopped second hand or rummaged through mum’s or even grandma’s wardrobe. Or, maybe your career got you stuck in a groove of wearing particular colours or outfits and you didn’t know where to go with your style outside of work.

The important question is, are you happy with your style now?  Do you feel good in your clothes and do you know what you look good in?  When you look back at how you dressed five, ten, twenty or more years ago, do you feel your personal style has progressed in a good way? Do you feel your clothes reflect your personality and who you are now?

Sometimes looking back can nudge us forward. It can highlight whether we have got into a bit of a rut and that maybe we just need a bit of a change. If your style is still working for you, and we mean style, not fashion, that’s great. However, if you are feeling a little flat in the fashion department then it’s time for a review and to decide whether your style still fits who you are, your age, your lifestyle and your personality.

Need help discovering your personal style? That's what Colour Me Beautiful does! Have a look through all of our consultations to learn about unlocking your style potential.

White is this season’s hottest trend and freshest shade. White is a shade that often denotes new beginnings, it can look incredibly smart (think crisp white shirt or shift dress). There are so many shades of white to choose from, there is something out there for everyone. 

But be careful wearing white, you can't hide from stains while wearing this colour! With some of our great tips on wearing white, you can be sporting this fabulous summer hue in no time.

Guidelines for getting your whites right:

• The first rule with whites is to make sure they look fresh and white, not yellowed or grey.  Make sure that you wash your whites separately from other colours and use special laundry detergent to keep them looking bright and new.

• If you’re wearing white on its own you need to think carefully about your skin tone to make sure you don’t look ‘transparent’.  If you have warmer undertones in your skin you need to wear the warmer, softer whites such as ivory or creams.  Icy white will work against skins with cooler undertones but overall the softer whites work best on most of us.
• Think about the fabric; different materials create different effects.  If you want to achieve a soft, romantic look then choose pieces in Indian cotton, linen, chiffon, lace or soft knits, for example. If you want to create a bolder look then go for stiffer fabrics such as crisp cotton and tailored pieces. It will also, of course, depend on which fabrics suit your style and your body shape.
• Your white garment will attract the eye, so think about how and where you wear it. If your hips are your problem area then wear your white jeans with a tunic that covers that part of your body.  If you want to steer attention away from a bigger bust then avoid clingy, translucent or crisp white tops and go for deconstructed draping fabrics.
• White can look striking for evening wear, if you can carry it off.  White looks glamorous in silk and satin, taffeta, lace and shimmer such as icy white sequins or paillettes.  However, whilst it will make some look radiant it will make others look washed out so consider the effect it has on your complexion when you hold the garment close to your face.
• The white work shirt is a great staple but don’t go for cheap material, go at least mid range if you can. Thin shirts that are almost transparent are distracting and don’t look professional in the work place.
• Take care of your whites and they will look good for longer. Make sure you have the right products such as stain remover and the right detergent to maintain your garments and always wash after every wear.

White on white is the look this summer but not everyone can carry it off.  The idea is that you layer and mix different fabrics in your whites but if all white doesn’t work for you, you can still keep it simple and elegant by mixing it with other neutrals like creams, light coffee shades or greys.  

For those of you who prefer to add colour, pick just one good shade and keep your accessories to a minimum to maintain a neat, fresh look. Do you know your perfect shade of white? Or which accent colours will work with your complexion? A colour consultation will teach you everything you need to know to have you looking your best!

If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to do the seasonal wardrobe change and have a bit of a spring wardrobe audit.

The best way to check out what you have, what works and what doesn’t work in your wardrobe is to go through each item of clothing piece by piece.  Allow yourself at least a day to do this.

Put your clothes into three piles:
Pile 1:  Clothes you will keep
Pile 2:  Clothes you might keep
Pile 3:  Clothes that must go

How do you decide?
Is it the right colour?

• If the answer is yes, then ask yourself if it is the right style. If it is then it goes in Pile 1.
• If it’s the right colour but the wrong style, can it be altered or worn differently to make it work?  If it can, it goes in pile 2.

Is it the right style but the wrong colour?

• Can you wear it with a complementary colour from your palette?  Do you have accessories like a necklace or scarf that will make it work?  If yes it goes in Pile 2.
• If it’s the wrong colour and the wrong style, it goes in Pile 3.
• If it’s not your current size and you haven’t worn it for a year it goes in Pile 3.

Pile 1 – Clothes for keeps

• Organise garments by categories: coats, jackets, suits, skirts, trousers, blouses and shirts. Group them by colour within these categories to help give you ideas for combining clothes.
• Button up jackets and coats, and pull up zips, so that garments hang straight before you put them in the wardrobe, all facing the same way.
• Don’t put anything back in the wardrobe unless it’s clean
• Don’t overcrowd your wardrobe

Pile 2 – Is it worth keeping?

• Check every piece against what you have in your wardrobe to see whether it is worth keeping.  You might find that a jacket in the wrong colour, for example, can be made to work for you if worn with a top that you’ve decided to keep.
• Can you update some items? A skirt that isn’t quite this season’s midi length nor mini could work simply by shortening the hem.  Changing buttons on a jacket can give it a new lease of life.

Pile 3 – Dispose of clothes as you see fit

• Give them to a friend
• Sell expensive items and those that are still current and good quality
• Arrange a clothes swapping (swishing) party
• Donate them to charity

Finishing Touches
Before you put everything back in your wardrobe, vaccum and dust it and perhaps place some moth repellent products at the bottom.  To preserve the shape of your clothes, you will need the correct hangers

• Sturdy wooden hangers for jackets and coats
• Wooden hangers with clips for skirts and trousers
• Padded hangers for lightweight and delicate luxury fabrics
• Basic plastic hangers for blouses, shirts and lightweight summer dresses

Confused? Don't worry! Colour Me Beautiful is here to help you sort out your wardrobe troubles, check out our list of consultations.

Denim is durable, comfortable, sexy, stretchy, stylish and here to stay.  Denim is part of every woman’s wardrobe, whatever her age.   This season’s looks are not just about your favourite jeans, however, the skirt, jacket and various other denim pieces are yours for the taking.

For some time denim jackets have been a no no because we left them behind with the eighties, but not so this year.  You can put on your denim jacket and feel confident that you are spot on trend.  A denim jacket is like your best friend and is the ideal Spring/Summer cover up. It’s soft and comfy, lighter than a leather jacket and goes with pretty much everything. You want to get the right shade of denim, somewhere mid-wash works for everyone and will be more versatile.

For the bottom half you can go for darker denim, infact the darker the better. Mid to dark denim looks more current and is more forgiving on curves.   Just find the right cut for you whether A-line, pleated, pencil, mini or midi.  Be careful with the weight and stiffness of the denim, you want it to fit comfortably and flatter your figure.   The longer length styles are a great staple for spring and summer. You will be a bit more restricted with the mini in terms of where you can wear it.

You will also see smocks and shirt dresses which are super versatile pieces to have in your wardrobe (see link to an earlier blog on the shirt dress at the bottom).  Other creation are  boiler suits and bikinis – not so versatile and you probably want to avoid them altogether!

The season’s denim pieces are available in every price band and more expensive isn’t necessarily better. Find what suits you and your budget.

Think about what other colours you can wear with your denim.  If it’s a top or a scarf, basically anywhere near your face, make sure it all works together in terms of your colouring.

Dressing in spring can be tricky, is it time to pack away the coats and bring out your summer favourites? Transitional pieces are the perfect solution for when the weather is less than predictable! These pieces help you to be prepared for a whole range of weather possibilities, from warm to suddenly cool, or sunny to a sudden downpour!

One of the most versatile fashion pieces this spring is the statement sweatshirt. It’s not as heavy as a knit and not as light as a T-shirt. It’s perfect to snazz up a pair of jeans with some heels or you can wear it with a skirt (pencil, A-line, full and mini). Mixing this sports-luxe look of the season with the ladylike trend creates a nice ‘relaxed-feminine’ look.  It is the perfect top to see you through from an early spring chill to a summer cover up.

The new look slouchy trench coat will look chic as well as keeping you dry in unexpected rainfalls and cooler evenings. It is less structured than the traditional trench so it is better suited to milder weather when you want lighter layering and more breathable fabrics. Wearing it open and loose as if you have thrown it on at the last minute will look effortlessly chic.

Neat ankle boots are the ideal, versatile footwear for ‘in-between weather’. They will work for both rainy and sunnier spring days too. In milder weather, team them with sheer or light opaque tights (because the legs aren’t quite ready to go bare yet) and a skirt with layered tops. If you buy a really smart pair they will be acceptable for work (depending on the company and sector, of course) and you will be spot on trend too.

Find the best transitional key pieces for you this season with a Style Update.

Colours are for everyone!

We all look different and consequently look better in some colours more than others. How do you know which colours look best? Along with your hair and eye colour, your skin colour and skin tone (coolness, warmth and depth in colour) will dictate which colours suit you.  The personality of the individual is also a big influence on colour choices, of course, but you can’t deny that there are some colours you instinctively know make you look either utterly amazing or truly awful.  Certain shades will complement not just the colour but the tone of your skin wonderfully, and others will make your skin look dull and even cast shadows on your face.  Also, you need to consider that the texture of your skin changes over the years which means the colour and tone will change slightly too.

We have just launched a new book called, Colour Me Beautiful (Hamlyn) and the expanded colour section now provides a range of colour profiles for women of all skin tones including Caucasian, Asian, Black or Oriental. Understanding your dominant colouring and knowing your skin tone is the same as knowing you have a high or short waist, a long or short neck or small or large bust; once you really understand what your individual characterstics are you can make better choices in your clothing and make-up.

Consider the people you know and imagine grouping together those with blonde hair, those with freckles, those with dark skin, and so on. Within those 

groups, each individual will have a different eye colour and skin tone and will suit different shades of colours.  When you think of a simple pair of tights in a ‘nude’ shade, what is YOUR nude won’t be a “nude” for your friend who might be Spanish, Caribbean, Chinese or Swedish. So, it was very clever of Mr.Louboutin to create a range of shoes in five nude shades to cater for a variety of skin tones. Many stores now sell a range of ‘invisible’ skin tone hosiery, available in different shades for women with fair, medium and dark skin.  Just the same as clothing sizes and body shapes, one ‘nude’ does not fit all.

So, it is a simple fact that we are all a combination of different hair, eye and skin colourings and within that we all have different skin tones. And thank goodness! How uninspiring it would be if we all looked and dressed exactly the same!

We can help you determine your ‘dominant’ colouring, skin tone and personal style. Get in touch with a Colour Me Beautiful consultant near you to find out more about our one-to-one Colour Consultations.

Get ready for some instant sunshine!  Yellow is a sunny, feel-good colour but you need to get just the right shade for you and have the confidence to wear it.  

Yellow is a warm colour so it won’t compliment you if you have a cool, pinkish skin tone, but if you love it, wear it as part of a print, or in your accessories.  The exuberant yellows will be too strong for certain colourings, you really have to test your yellows against your face to see how much brightness you can take. Remember the acid yellow shades of the eighties? They are back but they are still not easy to wear and not very flattering on anyone so are best avoided! You can mix yellow with other colours in your wardrobe, but you don’t need much to make a statement in this shade – even shoes, a handbag or scarf will set-off your look or just a shot of colour peeking from under a jacket.

If you want to invest in a dress in this colour, keep it simple with not too much detail on the garment and minimal accessories for an elegant statement look.  Yellow with white this summer will look crisp and elegant. Be careful wearing it with black, you don’t want to look like a bumble bee!

Adopt these five colour tips to feel instantly perkier this January:

1.  Wear colour near your face.
If you don’t have any colour in your winter wardrobe, invest in some now!  It really will lift your mood through the cooler weather and also be wearable when Spring comes in. Colour is one of the easiest ways to update your winter wardrobe. 

2.  Apply stronger lip colour.
Lips should be bolder in winter to help you look healthier and more vibrant. In fact, a new lipstick is one of the least expensive ways to add a pick me up in the middle of winter. 

3.  Buy yourself a stylish and colourful umbrella!
You won’t feel miserable pulling out a glam red/pink/vibrant blue umbrella (unlike dull black). What could be better more cheerful than a rainbow or a spectrum of colours umbrella. 

If it is really wet, try a pair of colourful wellies. The original iconic Hunter Wellington Boot is now available in the latest spring shade of Clementine, Jade, Blue Lily and Lipstick. 

4.  Get yourself a mani/pedi in your favourite colours or try something new. 
 Nail colours no longer have to match, go for your two favourite colours! Or try something new with a single nail colour, a dot, stripes or a flower. 

Colours this Spring will be primary, vibrant oranges, nude pastel and of course The Pantone Colour of the Season, Radiant Orchid! 

5.  Start planning your colours for spring!
As the days begin to get lighter and longer you can start introducing some spring colours, so get ready! Try wearing more white, looks great with black to liven up your winter wardrobe and this Spring is all about Black and White looks. 

Do your research. Look at the Pantone Fashion Colour report for the newest and the latest colours for Spring 2014.  

6.  OK, one more just in case you haven’t done it already – get your colours done! Visit Colour Me Beautiful HK and book an appointment to learn the colours that make you look your best. Not only will you save money, you will save time. You won't be buying colours that you don't wear or don't need.