Jun 25, 2018 | face shape, hair, Style, Uncategorised
Clients will often ask me about their most flattering hairstyles so I thought this months blog should be dedicated to our hair and how we decide to style it. When considering a radical change for your hair there are a few considerations I always suggest before commiting to something new.
Do you have the name of a good hairdresser? One whose opinion you trust and someone who can cut your hair with good effect? If not, I suggest asking for a recommendation from someone you’ve seen whose hair you like. Even if it’s a stranger, bite the bullet and ask. No-one is going to take offense at you saying that they’ve got great hair so what have you got to loose! Next, consider your lifestyle and style personality. It’s no good opting for a high maintenance style if you’ve just had a baby and the likelihood of you brushing your locks is a reach before you even think about blow drying it! Style personality is crucial here too, as a classic myself, I would find it really difficult to cope with an asymmetrical style or one that forever looks dishevelled.
If you find it difficult articulating to your hairdresser the exact look that you want to go for then why not take some time before your appointment to collect some pictures of the types of colours and styles that you want to emulate. That way, there can be no miscommunication about what you want in terms of layering, feathering, low lights, highlights etc.
At Styled In Colour we concentrate on 5 fundamental face shapes, and each one brings with it a consideration for which styles will suit you best. Your hairdresser will be able to guide you on this in more detail but here’s an overview to assist with your initial research.
The Oval face is balanced, the forehead is slightly narrower than the cheek bones and it slopes inwards from the cheekbones to the chin. Most hairstyles will suit an oval face shape but additional considerations need to be made in relation to neckline and age and what the hair can easily do.
The Square face has a wide forehead and the cheekbones and jaw are all in line. The jaw is angular in appearance. Hairstyles for the square face are all about softening the angles and giving the appearance of width at the cheekbones. Width and volume to the upper part of the face work well. Curls and layering are great for softening angles. Avoid straight bobs and heavy straight fringes.
The Rectangle face is long and narrow with a square shaped chin. Hairstyles need to give the illusion of widening and shortening the face whilst softening the jawline. Any layered style works well. A fringe will always help. Add some fullness around the ears along with a softly layered crown. Avoid long straight styles with a centre parting.
The Inverted Triangles have a wider temple and forehead, narrowing down to a small chin. Hairstyles need to add volume and interest to the jawline. A one-length bob that finishes just below the ear lobe turned in or flicked out works well. Light and feathered fringes also work. Avoid short, cropped hairstyles that finish above the ears.
Finally we have our Round face shape, in which the cheeks are full and the edges of the face are rounded. The hairline across the forehead is often rounded too. Asymmetric partings and fringes work well. A light feathered style will break up the fullness of the face. Avoid big perms or rounded bobs.
It goes with out saying that the colour choices you make for your hair have a significant effect on what outfit colours harmonise best with it. If you are at all unsure then why not book in for a complimentary colour session in which we can work out your colour dominant before recommending what make-up colours will harmonise with you the best.
May 15, 2018 | Accessorize, Style, Summer, Uncategorised
With warmer weather and the promise of dryer days we can have a re-jig of our Capsule Wardrobes and remove all evidence of those dark and cold days by re-housing Winter boots, bulky sweaters and thermal jackets in to the loft to make space for all our Spring/Summer essentials. The school playground is a place where many of us find ourselves both morning and afternoon and why not add a bit of Va Va Voom to your look with the introduction of a colourful jacket, a rainy day mac in your best shade or even a statement umbrella (living near the Pennines there is always the threat of rain no matter what the month)!
There’s no time like the present to add a splash of colour to your outfit to lift your spirits and get your endorphins firing. By wearing colour it can have a direct effect on your confidence and mood and it can make you look younger, fitter and healthier when choosing colours that naturally harmonise with your natural colouring.
Whether it be a colourful new handbag, light-weight summer scarf, bright and colourful ballet pump or simple statement accessory you have many options for starting your day at the school gates with flare. I guarantee that this will put a spring in your step and a smile on your face no matter how many arguments you’ve had to referee over brekkie!
Nov 15, 2017 | Clothing, Fashion, Style, Wedding
During my Capsule Wardrobe Workshops we spend a little time on how to carry out a successful wardrobe audit in which you are left with clothes that you look and feel good in. For those “maybe” pieces that you’re unsure of, there could be a solution in the form of a reputable dress maker.
I was recently tasked with the job of finding a full length dress for a black tie event that I’ll be attending later this month. Unfortunately, there was nothing to be found that matched my requirements of flattering, floor length and not black. I did have a dress which I’d been lucky enough to source as a bridesmaids dress 7 years ago (see the picture above) that was both floor length and colourful but the straps on it weren’t particularly flattering (making my shoulders look even wider than they are in their natural state)! A little bit of brainstorming with my style rules to hand and I found the perfect solution of having the dress altered by making the straps less “Grecian” and more “Halter-neck”. A trip to a fab local seamstress later (Michaela Sneddon at Measured and Made) and not only did I find that this was possible but I was also inspired to add a contrasting colour to the hem of the dress to lengthen it. Obviously, floor length for me is quite a challenge so this idea not only created my first ever floor length dress, aside from my wedding dress, but the clever idea of adding a contrasting colour worked to achieve a colour block which actually has the effect of making me look a little shorter, win-win!
I was able to chat through my ideas with an expert who could tell me if it was possible and the cost of having the work done was cheaper than buying a whole new outfit. I also get to wear the dress again which appeals to my Yorkshire inherited, no waste, state of mind!
The black tie event is quickly approaching and is a big deal for Styled In Colour as I’ve made it in to the final 3 for the “Creative” category in The Made In Bury Business Awards. I promise to share some pictures from the night in my December newsletter but there’s a sneak preview of the dress in the picture above (I’ve purposefully not shown the contrasting colour as I thought it might be fun for you to take a guess)!
For anyone who hasn’t signed up to receive my newsletter yet but who would like to be added to the mailing list, simple drop me a line to styledincolour@gmail.com.
Finally, for those of you who are interested in my Capsule Wardrobe Workshops, I have dates available in the New Year, simply call or text on 07941739347 or drop me an e-mail to the address above.
Sep 17, 2017 | Accessorize, Make Up, Style
Here at Styled In Colour, I’m so lucky to have access to the inspired Colour Me Beautiful (CMB) make-up system which allows for us to use only the products we suit in one handy compact. The magnetic colour box allows you to only buy what you need and this saves so much money over time where you simply replace the items you’ve used up and don’t have any products to waste. Gone are the days of only using one or two colours from your compact and throwing out the rest because they don’t suit you. The launch of our brand new magnetic compact sees the introduction of lids for each and every product so that you can travel safe in the knowledge that they will not be damaged. This also allows for the launch of our fabulous new cream blusher that also doubles up as a lip gloss making way for eyes, cheeks and lips to be catered for in one handy capsule compact!
Because our make-up range is prescribed specifically for you and your colourings, this ensures that the colours you use will be extremely flattering, making you automatically look younger, fitter and healthier. CMB products are all mineral based and are both cruelty free and paraben free so can be used on the most delicate of complexions.
To find out more about the CMB make-up range, then why not pop along to my make-up masterclass launch here at Styled In Colour on the 1st October between 3pm and 6pm where I will be demonstrating the power of these products on 3 lovely volunteers during the course of the afternoon, whilst launching my brand new make-up masterclasses which will start later that month.
Please drop me a line to styledincolour@gmail.com to let me know that you and your friends are coming and I can be sure to stock up on plenty of fizz!
Feb 14, 2017 | Clothing, Fashion, Style
Having two children in my midst, Valentines Day takes on a slightly different role these days. No longer do we “go out” for a special evening, fuelled with good food, wine and candlelight. Instead, we recreate all of these things, from the comfort of our own home, content in the knowledge that we don’t have to pay a babysitter, nor do we have to foot inflated prices or wait longer than we’d like in cramped restaurants all trying to create the perfect atmosphere for the masses.
Being predominantly a natural style personality, I’m never happier than when I’m in my comfy’s, so I have to fight the urge on Valentine’s Day to arrive at my candlelit dining room table dressed in my PJ’S and instead invest a little time, energy and thought in to presenting myself in a way that makes me feel special.
We now have a dress code for Valentine’s Day celebrations which is nothing less than smart! The same is true for the menu which is nothing less than 3 courses of our favourite food (if a jobs worth doing)!
Finding the right red is easy when you know what you’re looking for. Personally, when I put “orange reds” near me (the ones that are reminiscent of a tomato) then I look yellow and ill. My cool and pinky skin tones are more suited to the “blue-red” family (reminiscent of a raspberry). If I stick to these rules when selecting my outfits then I never go wrong! Now all I need, is to find that perfect red dress that not only works in terms of colour but fits my style rules too. Fingers crossed I’ll have found it by Valentines Day!
For more information about finding the right colours for you then why not consider a colour analysis session, simply visit my website www.styledincolour.co.uk to find out more.
Nov 26, 2016 | Clothing, Fashion, Style
Looking back to Primary School and High School, I was always in the middle of the back row for class photograph’s regardless of the fact that many of my female friends were sat amongst the front row.
I was Christened late (age 11), a consequence of being the 3rd child in the family and life simply taking over as it does, but I remember how acutely embarrassing it was to dwarf the Vicar whilst standing at the font.
Reaching 6ft 4″ by age 15 was simply awful for my introverted, shy, teenage self, but not only that, shopping became a bit of a nightmare too. I remember trying so hard to follow the fashion trends that were prominent when I was a teenage girl. Some were very easy, the Doc Martin boot which came in men’s sizes to fit my size 10 feet, but others not so forgiving like the Naff Naff jacket with sleeves that would finish just below my elbow or Sweater Shop jumpers that weren’t long enough in the body.
It felt as though every fashion trend was out to taunt me and this just isolated me even more.
I wish I could go back to that 15 year old girl and teach her the skills that I now have in abundance when attempting to dress a larger scale. I would tell her to concentrate on large accessories and handbags to balance out her bigger frame. I would advise on avoiding smaller delicate prints on fabric and instead go bold which flatters a larger skeleton.
I would also tell her to embrace all of those wonderful qualities that makes her unique and different from everyone else and celebrate them. Unfortunately I can’t go back and give my 15 year old self a good swift kick up the behind but what I can do is teach my “unique” children to celebrate every inch of themselves and not concentrate too much on the numbers, for instance: height, weight, shoe size, boob size, willy size, school grades, etc and instead, work towards becoming the best version of themselves. This I feel will give them what we’re all searching for, a glimmer of contentment in a world where it’s become very easy to be swallowed up with self doubt.
I’m going to enlist the help of my friend and colleague Alison White to demonstrate how much of an affect scale can have whilst dressing to flatter our skeleton. Alison won’t mind me sharing with you that she’s 4ft 10″ tall so if you hadn’t gleamed it in the pics above, we really are polar opposites on height and scale.
As you can see above, Alison is dwarfed by larger patterns and larger accessories, they simply don’t “marry” up and harmonise with her delicate skeleton. I, on the other hand look a little like I’m dressing for church in a re run of Little House On The Prairie. The small flower print dress, petite handbag and tiny necklace are just emphasizing my larger than average frame. It simply doesn’t compliment me.
When we dress to compliment our scale, the results, I’m sure you agree, are much more flattering and easy on the eye!
Should you want to learn more about the rules for dressing your body shape for success then why not consider paying me a visit for a style analysis session and help create the best version of you!
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