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Colour Analysis Blog

Choosing to go cruising?

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The adverts on are TV already: book your 2024 summer holiday now!  Not that I mind watching images of sun-soaked beaches or glorious European castles, of course, and the change in weather has me dreaming of warmer climes and holidays, too.

Increasingly, cruise holidays are becoming a popular choice and for an ever-widening cross-section of people.  Disney Cruises from Southampton, for example, are specifically designed to appeal to families with young children, not a demographic who would traditionally have considered a cruise.  And the list of popular destinations is interesting.  I spotted this article in Good Housekeeping which listed our top ten cruise destination searches during 2023: Norway topped the list, followed closely by Italy and Spain.

If you’re thinking of booking a cruise, I have a few tips for you.  Not all cruise lines or cruise holidays are the same and a little advanced planning will help ensure you don’t spend your whole holiday worrying about whether you’ve packed the right things!

 

What to pack for your cruise holiday?

Dress-codes, in-cabin facilities and activities all vary between ships and cruise lines.  Take something as simple as ironing or laundry services: some ships have self-service launderettes on board, some only have the (paid) housekeeping laundry service.  Many seem to have banned irons (including travel irons) as they are a fire hazard (where they are available, make sure you take a cotton tea towel to iron through to protect your clothes from whatever the last person left stuck to the iron!).

Then there’s the baggage-limit presented by flying to join your ship. If you’re leaving from a UK port, you will be able to exploit the (almost) unlimited baggage allowance that cruising offers.  However, if you’re flying to your departure port, you will be limited to whatever your airline’s luggage limit is.  That can bring a whole new dimension to your packing.

Making the most of your carry-on bag is another great tip.  When boarding your ship, you will usually leave your baggage in the terminal and walk on with just your bag – and it could be a few hours before your cases are brought up to your cabin for you.  Most cruise ships seem to operate an informal dress code for dinner on the first day out, so you may not need to squeeze an evening dress into your handbag.  However, planning the contents of your carry-on bag to get you through your first day without your other cases can be a real asset.

 

My essential cruise tips

The packing essentials for any cruise should include:

  • Something to change into that meets your ship’s dress code for dinner
  • A simple first aid kit, and your own medications
  • A light jacket, cardigan or pashmina that can get you through unexpected weather
  • A waterproof jacket in case excursions encounter rain
  • Comfortable shoes (whether you’re spending your time on- or off-board!)
  • Sun and insect protection
  • Chargers for your devices; check if you will need adaptor plugs on board

Of course, this list is also a useful prompt to ask your cruise line what their onboard conditions are.  For example, many check electrical items (like multi-plug extensions and adaptors) for surge protection, as this can be a hazard on board.  Anything that is confiscated will be returned when you disembark but better to know the limits in advance!

 

Help in planning your cruise wardrobe

If the idea of packing for a cruise is putting you off, the good news is that I can help!  Typically, I offer help and advice on:

  • Shopping for your cruise: help with covering your ship’s dress-code and the activities you’ll be enjoying.
  • Utilising your existing wardrobe: you may already have your cruise outfits; I can help you plan them.
  • Capsule wardrobe planning: how to get multiple looks from the least combination of clothes.
  • Tips on packing and storing your clothes so that you and your wardrobe arrive looking your best.
  • Make the most of your carry-on bag so your first day on board is smooth sailing.
  • Planning for the weather: from departing in English weather to arriving in Alaska or the Caribbean, I can help make sure your wardrobe will cope.
  • Colour and style consultation: if you’ve never been colour- or style-analysed, this essential service can help get all your wardrobe planning off on the right foot.

 

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser, planning your first fly-cruise trip, or are a seasoned traveller departing from a home port, my advice can help make your holiday. 
Find out more about my cruise wardrobe planning services here.

What is colour? What is colour analysis?

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What is colour?

I can’t believe I haven’t written about this before! I am not an expert on the science behind colour, but it is fascinating where the current thinking has evolved (from Aristotle to Isaac Newton in 1671 to several other theorists in the 1800s and then others since). Also, to note how mathematicians have studied colour too.

Of course it’s helpful to turn to Wikipedia for an explanation, and here is an article that usefully summarises what colour is to us, and gives a lot of the scientific background if you read the whole article. Who knew that bees can determine ultraviolet light?

It is interesting to note that not all creatures see colour in the way humans do, and in fact not all humans see colour in the same way.  It seems that it is down to how our eye retina processes colour and then the information is transmitted through our brains. We also know that our brains can be impacted by lots of things, like damage, age and drugs, so add that into the mix! And there is a percentage who cannot see partially or fully either, or get colours “mixed up” (like red/green colour blindness). That’s why I now check out what my clients are seeing when I start a consultation, as I need to know if there’s a difference from my perception that I need to work with.

So, what is colour? We understand that light is white until is is fractured and splits into colour, like when we see a rainbow. Then colour transmits wavelengths that are reflected against objects. The surface will absorb or reflect light depending on its qualities (hue, intensity and value – see below). Black absorbs all the light while white reflects it.

 

What is colour analysis?

With colour analysis (seeing which shades of colour harmonise with someone’s particular skin tone, eye colouring and natural hair colour) we [stylists] are looking at sometimes subtle differences between the shades and it is what the shades do to skin tone when reflecting light onto it.

I mentioned earlier about colour referred to in terms of hue, intensity and value. Hue is the name given to a colour (like red or blue), the intensity is the clarity of the colour (like bright or muted), and the value is how light or dark it is.

When I am colour-analysing someone using my different coloured drapes, I am first determining whether they need “warm” or “cool” tones (that gets explained in the colour analysis), then I will be looking at the intensity (bright or muted) that suits the client. I will have already taken into account the depth of colour (how light or dark they need for harmony with their natural colouring), by looking at the client’s natural features (skin, eyes and hair).

 

If you want to see how this works, and the improvement you can see when someone finds their harmonious shades, do book a ticket for my first public demonstration on Friday 11th August in Ashurst, Southampton here. There are only three tickets left.

Fiona

Your Colour & Style consultant

07469 246722

 

Susan’s season confirmation and rating review

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Initial colour analysis

Susan had been colour-analysed ten years ago as a “Spring”. She was very happy with this and had a wallet of her colour spectrum to help her shop for clothes, glasses frames, accessories like jewellery, bags and shoes, and makeup.

Stop The Clock!

The natural ageing process affects skin elasticity and shine, as well as hair colour. Sadly we can’t “Stop The Clock!”. Nowadays we are more aware of the changes our bodies experience, and there are specialist products for mid-life skin, as well as great hair dyes.

Susan’s story

Susan had decided, about five years ago, to embrace her natural grey as a “fact of life” and with the help of her supportive hairdresser grew the dye colour out over a couple of years.
This was all fine until someone made a comment which made Susan question whether she could still be a “Spring” with her more mature look, so she sought Fiona to answer the question.

What Fiona did

Fiona went to Susan’s home and spent time explaining how her eye colour hadn’t changed (beautiful clear blue eyes) and the natural pigmentation in her skin hadn’t changed. Fiona also explained that she sees different shades of grey in her clients, which she would describe as warm or cool. If Susan had been correctly analysed as a Spring, and Fiona had no reason to doubt that, then Susan’s natural grey would be a warm grey.

Fiona went through the “Spring” colours of her drapes and proved to Susan she was still a Spring and looked lovely in the warm and bright colours, but the way she may now look best was a slight tweak to the shades of her colours. Susan rocked the medium shades now, not the deepest ones of her palette.

Susan said she could see this, and that our time together had been very useful. Not only can she now be more confident with any new purchases, but as the time of year had changed, Susan had just got her autumn and winter clothes out. Fiona showed her what she had that currently worked in her work wardrobe, and together they identified a few key pieces that would give Susan a capsule wardrobe when she is on the lookout for something new. They spent time looking at combinations of colours as well, especially after Fiona explained the “colour wheel” and left Susan with a mini version to remind her of the discussion.

Whilst Fiona was there, she showed Susan how she could make some new outfits and how to use her scarves to make some wardrobe pieces work better.

Conclusion:

  1. We should not need to change our palette (if we have been correctly analysed) as we age, but the way we wear it may change.
  2. Further consultations with your image consultant are never wasted as there’s always more to learn.
  3. Fiona gives confidence and excitement to getting your clothes and wardrobe the best for you, and she will be helping Susan look for new pieces when the time is right, now we are clear about Susan’s best colours.
If you would like to see how Fiona makes you love your clothes and look your best, please get in touch for your personal consultation. It will definitely be worth it. Call or message Fiona on 07469 246722.

Going Grey … Gracefully? Lynne’s story

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Our natural colour

I always admired others who had dark locks, as I thought their hair stood out. Mine, on the other hand (being “mousey”), I felt was “something and nothing”. (We are never happy with what we have, are we!) However, when I reached the 40 mark, I realised that I was lucky, as any grey I might have was better hidden, and some I knew were paying quite a lot more at the hairdressers to have theirs coloured.

As we age

So, it’s a problem we will all face, actually, whether our hair is fair or dark, and it is a question that crops up a lot with my clients – shall I just go grey gracefully (as many were forced to do during lockdowns) or what?

What I say to my clients is that Mother Nature isn’t cruel, and we will go a grey that suits our natural skin pigmentation, be that a “warm grey” or “cool grey”, so leaving your fate to nature isn’t a bad option. It is, of course, all about how you feel about it and of course adjusting our self perception when we look in the mirror.

Why I created the “Confidence With Colour & Style Cards”

But, I wanted to write this blog to highlight another issue which was brought to my attention again recently, and is exactly why I created the “Confidence with Colour & Style cards”.

Lynne’s story

Lynne recently acquired her “Summer” box, and told me that she had read through them all, enjoying being reminded of her  colour analysis experience, which had been a few years ago, and how some of the messages in there had been given to her at the time (although she couldn’t remember what jewellery colour suited her). I know there is a lot of information that is given at a colour-analysis session, and that it is hard for most people to remember it all, which is exactly why I created these boxes of cards. However, there is also more in the boxes than most people will be told at their colour analysis session, as it is meant to help people go beyond their initial experience, and give them some more things to consider, especially for those that take a while to go back to their image professional for more.

Now Lynne was currently in the hairdresser’s and texted for advice on hair colour, as she thought she had been told to avoid “ash blonde”, at all costs, so usually went for a warmer colour each time since her colour analysis.  Funnily enough, hair colour isn’t covered in the Cards “Starter Set”, but I advised that Ash Blonde was in fact a good choice for her as a Summer, and although she had already chosen today’s colour by the time I had replied (an hour later), she had decided to go away from the usual warm tones. As soon as Lynne got home, she reported her first compliment: “It makes you look younger.” Boom!

The moral of the story is that had Lynne not looked at her new box of cards, which is a new item available for clients who have had some input from a stylist, she might not have thought to question her hair colour. Somehow she had got the wrong end of the stick all those years ago – which of course can happen when communication is involved – and wasn’t reaping the full benefit of having had a consultation with an image professional. This too is the point, that she did not go back regularly to her consultant, or they might have been able to correct that misunderstanding sooner.

So, ladies and gents, hair colour is important to looking your best, and you do need to know what colours suit you if you are paying to have some colour added. Of course, some hairdressers are good at advising but not all give advice and leave it to you to choose.

Read my tips for aging skin here.

If you would like to know what suits you and why, please get in touch!

Fiona
Your Colour & Style Consultant

07469 246722

New Year, New Hopes

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New hopes and resolutions

As we turn our attention to new hopes and resolutions now a new year begins, have you set any goals that involve a new career or career change, or maybe getting your first professional role, or perhaps you’re thinking of retiring this year?

Different life goals

Maybe you’re thinking about a different kind of life goal: like getting married or starting/increasing your family.

Colour can help!

Whatever you are planning and whatever you are doing, bringing colour into your life can help!

Colour connects to feelings

There have been all sorts of studies over the years about the best colours to make you feel energised or relaxed, and I know from my own experience of having a blue coloured bedroom that it never felt warm until we re-decorated it pink! There is a definite link between colours and our feelings, and colour can be brought into our lives from kitchen utensils, furniture and furnishings, as well as clothing, accessories and makeup.

Brighten your mood and your life will follow

I think if we are in a place of happiness we generally might be more inclined to dress in colour – especially yellow, orange or red – whereas if we are not in such a happy place we may be more inclined to dress in darker colours like deep green, dark grey, navy and black. Some people, and I am one of them, believe we can alter our state of mind by wearing colour too. So if, for example, you want to be more happy, if you dress in brighter colours, not only may you attract more comments (hopefully compliments) which will cheer you up, but the colours themselves will lift your mood. Try it and see.

So, if you are taking on new, difficult challenges going into the new year, would it be worth having a consultation with me to see how you can brighten your clothes to give you more compliments and confidence?

Colour is not a fad, nor random. It definitely impacts the wearer as well as those around them, and can be used for positive change. I know that from my own experience: the career door opened once I started wearing the best colours for me, and I have never looked back.

 

I look forward to consulting with you to see what your colour experience unfolds.
Fiona

Your Colour & Style Consultant
07469 246722

The importance of knowing ‘your’ colours

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Comfort helps performance

I think most of us are on board with the idea that dressing well can help us do better in a job interview, but could it also help us score better in an exam? Remarkably, yes it could. It comes down to two factors: self-confidence (helping to ensure we bring our ‘A’ game) and comfort (so we can focus on the task in hand). Studies have shown that how comfortable you feel in what you wear has a positive impact on your cognitive performance and helps reduce distractions.

Boost your confidence and comfort

One of the ways we can boost both our confidence and comfort levels is by understanding what colours – and shades of colour – suit our style, our body shape and our personality.

Colour impacts on a number of levels

Colour theory tells us that, as humans, we respond to colours on a number of levels. The most obvious is the visual or biological response, how the light from colours reaches our eyes and is interpreted in our brains. For example, bright colours will usually appear larger or closer to us, where darker or dull colours will seem smaller or further away.

Then we might have a psychological response to colours, often through years of association with a colour. The hint of a blue flashing light in your rear-view mirror and your sub-conscious is already planning your next move; you would respond differently if it was an orange or green flashing light.

A small step on from the psychological is our emotional response to colours. This could be a passion for pastels, because we associate them with the comfort of Grannie’s flowery blouses, to a hatred of purple because it reminds you of that horrible teacher from school with the purple tights. Of course, this varies with colour temperatures, tones and hues, so you might find there is one shade of purple you actually like!

We have a complex relationship with colour

Partly because of our complex relationship with colour, it becomes a memorable feature and the one we will refer to most frequently. “That red car you used to have…”, “Those silver sandals you picked up in Greece…” It also helps to explain the urban legends of the ‘little black dress’ and the ‘lady in red’ (both are feminine, confident and stylish but I’d bet the lady in the red is probably bolder!).

Colour can make you memorable or feel braver, or it can help you disappear into the background. It can make you look taller and slimmer, or like you’re a woman with the confidence not to give a hoot!

What about how others respond to colour?

For all of these reasons, colour is usually the top motivation for buying an item of clothing. But that purchase is based on how we respond to the colour rather than how others will respond to it, or if it will suit our skin tone, hair colour and body shape. To understand the responses of others, we need to step outside of our own reactions and see ourselves as others see us, through the eyes of a trusted friend or an Image Consultant. Yes, you might have picked a ‘statement’ outfit but is it making the ‘statement’ you think it is?

Finally…

Understanding the colours that suit you will mean you have a wardrobe that you can be confident in, where garments will often blend or tone well with each other. You don’t have to worry about whether anything really suits you or feels comfortable; instead you can think ‘how bold do I feel today’?