THIS season is all about colour blocking. But as well as celebs like Kim Kardashian and Bond actress Lashana Lynch boosting the trend, the Duchess of Cambridge is a big fan.
She is following in the footsteps of the Queen, often seen head-to-toe in one colour. Here’s how to wear winter brights like a royal.
COLOUR consultant Jules Standish explains how to find the shades that best suit your skin tone.
STEP 1: IS YOUR SKIN COOL OR WARM?
IT’S all in the wrist – look at the colour of your veins on the inside of your arm. Hold up your arm in natural light. If your veins look green or olive you have a warm skin tone. If they look blue or purple you have a cool skin tone.
STEP 2: IDENTIFY YOUR SEASON
YOU are looking for colours that make your skin look healthier and more youthful and give your complexion a glow.
Whatever your ethnicity, once you’ve completed Step 1, you can work out which colours suit you by using the Four Seasons Method. If you have a warm skin tone then you will either be spring or autumn.
Spring: You tan a light golden colour, or if you have paler skin you may have freckles and not tan. You can often blush and have a high cheek colour.
Autumn: You tan a dark golden-brown and do not tend to blush. You may have golden brown freckles and your complexion has a rich metallic or bronzed aesthetic. If you have a cool skin tone you will either be summer or winter.
Summer: You might have a pinkish or colourless complexion and probably do not tan. If you do, it is not a golden tan.
Winter: You may either be very fair and have porcelain skin, or have dark and very cool skin. Again, you will rarely tan.
STEP 3: LEARN YOUR COLOURS
NOW you know your season, you can choose the right colours for you.
Spring: Bright gold is your best metal. The shades that suit you best are peach, bright orange, coral, lime green, jade, sunshine yellow, bright turquoise, vibrant violet, tan, ivory, warm grey and bright navy.
Autumn: Antique gold is your best metal, along with bronze and copper. Your shades are brick red, burnt orange, terracotta, ochre, mustard yellow, khaki, olive green, teal, caramel, coffee, chocolate browns, cream and marine navy.
Summer: Rose gold and silver are your best metals. Shades are raspberry red, rose pink, pastel yellow, mint green, cornflower blue, lavender purple, dove grey, pearl white, taupe and cadet navy.
Winter: Silver and platinum are the metals. The best colours for you are burgundy red, fuchsia pink, magenta, plum, neon yellow, forest green and emerald, cobalt blue, ultraviolet purple, charcoal grey, navy, brilliant white and black.
- Jules Standish is The Colour Counsellor at colourconsultancy.co.uk. Hair and make-up by Aimee Adams using Hempz and Bare Minerals.
