The Hidden Power of Color
I love color! I love testing
my eyes to color and even staring, not obviously at someone, but noticing what
is so right about the colors they are wearing along with their jewelry, nail
polish and hair color, or what is wrong. What my eyes are seeking is harmony,
color harmony, seeing if the colors they are wearing are in harmony with their
skin.
We can look at someone and
immediately notice they appear to be glowing. What is it that makes them glow?
Their hair style may not be extraordinary, their clothing may not be
outstanding but there is no denying they are simply glowing.
We may look at the next person
and notice they appear sallow, pale, bland or even worse yet, barely visible.
What is it that is making them appear this way? They may be wearing a trendy
and attractive outfit but why doesn’t it make them glow?
What we are seeing is the
profound effect of their color undertone.
The glowing woman got it right and happens to be wearing colors that
have the same undertone as her skin or complexion and the sallow one did just
the opposite. She wore colors with the opposite undertone and missed the boat
entirely.
When you bottom line color,
there are only two undertones that encompass every color…Warm (Golden) and Cool
(Blue).
Understanding and recognizing
warm and cool colors is all the information we need to be able b to begin
duplicating that glow, every single day.
How does that pertain to us
and our practices? Recognizing and
selecting the correct undertone when we select our pigment colors for our client’s
permanent eyebrows and permanent lip color is critical.
Another great example is when you
first see the color of the eyebrows or lips on a woman as opposed to seeing her
entire face or eyes. We should always notice someone’s eyes first. We may think it has everything to do with the
brightness or the depth of the color but it is basically the undertone. Have
you noticed your eyes keep going back to that color that is not in harmony? Now
that I said this, you will notice it even more.
If her eyebrows are too warm
or too cool for her complexion and in the opposite undertone, that feature
becomes dominant and keeps your eyes bouncing back to it. You cannot help it.
This also occurs when a woman is wearing a lipstick that has the wrong
undertone. Your eyes will be pulled to her lips even during a conversation and
you can’t stop! Nothing is more frightful than a blue based burgundy or plum
lipstick on a woman with a warm complexion. It is like nails scraping on a
blackboard. Once your eyes become keen, it will actually almost hurt your eyes.
Yes, I am exaggerating but you get point.
This is not a judgmental exercise! This is simply how you sharpen your eyes so you can select
the right PERMANENT eyebrows and the right lip color for your client. Our
clients are entrusting us to know better than they know what looks well on
them. We are the artists!!!
To figure this out, it is
simple, Take yourself to the nearest fabric store or you can even order small amounts
(1/2 yd.) of the following colors online. Look for polyester that doesn’t fray on
the edges or need to be hemmed.
These following colors are
considered Determinant Colors. These
may not be what your client will run out to buy but they are extremely
effective in figuring out if your client is Warm or Cool. Your client will love this exercise!
You will be amazed how many
people make random purchases and countless, expensive makeup and wardrobe
mistakes. This information is life-long! We are born with an undertone and it
never, ever changes. We may respond to the lighter and brighter colors of our
spectrum but it remains the same. Oh, and no one is both!!!! One will always be dominant. It’s either Warm
or Cool. So, you can see how valuable this information will be for your
client.
It only takes a few minutes!
It’s quick and fun and often surprising to your client and even you. It happens
to me, all the time. We can never make a guess! I always want the fabrics
spread from shoulder to shoulder, across their chests to show me their skin
response. Then, we can proceed with the most flattering of pigment color
selection and have our clients invested in this decision.
Work these sets of colors, one
at a time across your client’s chest, shoulder to shoulder, right under their
chin. Take each set and one at a time
compare the set of colors. Where does their complexion glow? Where do they get
shadows and or dark circles? Is it Black or Brown? If you can’t tell, just move
on. There will be a set that will quickly indicate whether your client is Warm
or Cool.
Cool vs. Warm
Jet Black vs. Chocolate Brown
(be sure the brown is warm as opposed to a dark taupe)
Light Pink vs. Light Peach
Stark White vs. Yellowish
Ivory
Hot Pink vs. Pumpkin
Banana Yellow vs. Buttercup
Blue Red vs. Orange Red
Burgundy vs. Rust
If you happen to carry a
makeup line in your salon or practice, ask your clients to return with all of
their makeup and have a Dump Your Makeup Bag event. It is a great wine and
cheese event and you will sell them the correct makeup. They will love you,
forever. This is simple yet life changing since they now have direction when
they shop.
I hope you have fun with this
tidbit of information. We would love to hear your comments!!!!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy
New Year!!!
Pacemaker ALERT
