Kick start your wardrobe

Beginning a new year can often be the catalyst to new thinking, new things to try or simply a new image. There’s no doubt that if you look amazing, you’ll feel amazing too!

Here are three ways to kick start your wardrobe if you want to begin a ‘new you’ campaign:

Book a colour consultation (or a review)

Me showing my own colour swatches (there's 48 in a full palette now)

Showing my own fabric colour swatches (there’s 48 in a full palette now)

Never underestimate the power of colour. It really is rather magic. A colour analysis identifies your most flattering shades which even out your skin tone, resulting in a radiant complexion.

Over time, your wardrobe will become more coordinated because everything goes together and shopping mistakes become a thing of the past. You just need the knowledge to get started on your journey.

If it’s been some time since you had a colour analysis and your hair colour has drastically changed, then you may find it beneficial to have a review of your colouring type.

Let your wardrobe breathe and remove the ‘don’ts’

Remove any items of clothes that don’t fit, don’t flatter or you really don’t like. Creating space will enable you to assess what you have in your wardrobe and in turn, build outfits that you really love to wear. Trust me, you will have clothes left! If you’re not quite ready to get rid of them, do still remove them. Take them out of your wardrobe and from daily view. Put them in a suitcase or the loft if need be until you’re ready to say goodbye. Donate to a friend or charity or sell on Vinted or Ebay. If they’re high end, rent them out! Or why not upcycle into another garment or a cushion cover!

Cosmetic clearout

Speaking of wardrobes, it’s not just clothes we hang on to. Be ruthless with your make-up bag too.

cosmetic tube

Morning light foundation showing open pot sign of 12 months

Cosmetics don’t last forever so pull out any that you’ve had for a long while (like that lipstick you’ve had since 1982).

The open pot sign on cosmetics and toiletries indicate how long they’re good for once opened. Anything past this time period and you risk an infection. (I’ve given a broad guide about this previously here, but check your items as the manufacturer and the ingredients is what dictates the timeframe).

Only put items back in the bag that flatter your colouring too.

Ditch the black eyeliner and mascara as it’s not always the most flattering shade. Opt for something softer such as granite pencil or black/brown mascara.

I can show you your most flattering cosmetic shades if you need some help.

Mind the gap!

Once you’ve done these three things, you’ll have a much clearer view of what you have and perhaps what you don’t have.

Use the opportunity to make informed and purposeful choices about what to do next. Just because you’ve created space, doesn’t mean you have to fill the gap!

Remember, you removed clothes because they didn’t fit, don’t flatter and you didn’t like them so you might not have any gaps in your wardrobe. Perhaps with more space you’ll be able to identify that you’re short of a new top or some bottoms. A pair of boots or some jewellery instead. It could provide you with an incentive to organise the area better instead.

If you’re tempted to take advantage of any sales, just remember that these items are cut in price for a reason: they weren’t picked up at full price. And, it’s only ever a bargain if you actually wear it! Don’t be tempted to buy things because they’re ‘cheap’ unless you know exactly what you’re looking for and that you’ll get your monies worth out of it. The capsule wardrobe workshop will be returning in a few months time so if this appeals but you don’t know where to start, register your interest here.

Get in touch to book your colour analysis consultation

toni.carver@tlcstyleandcolour.co.uk

How to wear Viva Magenta – Pantone color of the year 2023

If you fancy being brave and fearless with your colour choices this year, then look no further than Pantone’s Color of the Year: Viva Magenta!

It’s been over 20 years that Pantone have been doing this research. What started as a way of engaging the design community it now influences and engages many industries. From fashion, home furnishings to design and packaging!

Introducing the Color of the year – 2023

Each year I share details about the new colour (color) and how to incorporate it.

According to Pantone:

Viva Magenta 18-750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.

The Meaning Behind Viva Magenta

For this year, Pantone comment that people are incorporating more nature into our homes like plants, florals, living walls, and restorative outdoor spaces which is no surprise given the pandemic.

You may be surprised to learn that the colour itself originates from the cochineal beetle which produces a red carmine dye. It’s reportedly one of the most precious, strongest, and brightest of the natural dye family.

How to Wear Viva Magenta

Like most colours, it’s all about finding the right shade for you and wearing it in a way that works for you. As it’s rather bold, you can go all in and wear as a statement colour. Or, why not introduce it with accessories such as a belt, scarf or shoes. It would be just fabulous combined with your neutrals like grey, navy and brown.

During a colour analysis consultation, I’ll talk you through all your shades of colour but I always spend a little time doing a red ‘test’ because there are so many shades of red out there it helps if you can identify the type of red shades which suit you best.

Pantone claim that Viva Magenta strikes a balance between warm and cool. To me, it looks easier to wear it if you’re cooler. If you are warmer, then you’ll need to search out a shade with less blue.

I’ve put some colour combinations together to inspire you to wear it below by selecting some colours from the core dominant colouring type palettes. If you’ve had a full colour analysis and you know your secondary and tertiary shades, you can simply combine one or two of these instead.

Pantone colour of the year 2023

Lights – it has quite a bit of depth to it so wear with one of your lighter tones like dusty rose
Deeps – it’s a great tone so wear with one of your richer tones like royal purple
Warms – if it’s a blue base, you’ll need to try and wear it away from your face and warm it up so try it with terracotta
Cools – the more blue based the better for you! Try it with light or medium grey
Clears – it’s quite a bright colour on it’s own anyway so try it with one of your Chinese blue
Softs – it may be somewhat on the bright side but it will tone perfectly with many pinks and reds so try it with orchid from your palette.

Makeup

Viva Magenta would be fabulous on lips, cheeks and nails.

Here’s some Colour me Beautiful shades I’ve picked out as more obvious and closest choices:

Cerise or Sheer Fuchsia lipstick

Rose or Cantaloupe lip pencil

Rose berry eyeshadow refill (for the magnetic compact) would be a great pop of colour for the eyes!

Browse the full range here and there’s up to 40% off until 10 January. If you need help with any makeup, then do get in touch.

In the home and around

If you prefer to add your colour flares to your home decor, keep your eye out for a fabulous velvet couch or new paint for a feature wall.