How To Wear Color When You Don't Wear Color And Why You Absolutely Should
Wearing your ideal colors near your face unlocks a luminous, youthful glow, highlights your natural beauty, and draws attention to your face. But, what if you're just not a "colors person"?
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard it, "Oh, I just hope I’m not one of those people that’s supposed to wear BRIGHT colors!” My trained, practical side says, “Just wear the colors that look best, and don’t worry about the rest!” However, I also understand that it just doesn’t work that way for many of us. Some people are intolerant of bright colors. Whether it’s personality or upbringing, some people just don’t feel comfortable wearing bright colors, no matter how anti-aging and brightening they might be.
Read on, and let’s generate some ideas for working in some glow-enhancing colors without the overwhelm.
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Are Your Ideal Colors a Scary Box?
Tatyana Wilson, Ed.S. writes about empowering ourselves with a carefully curated wardrobe of biologically correct colors, good tailoring, and elevated accessories. She writes at www.lightlovescolor.com.
If you’ve ever been told you have a specific set of “ideal colors” to wear, you might have felt a pang of frustration. Does this mean you’re stuck in a box? Do your clothes now have to follow a strict set of rules, leaving no room for personal expression? The short answer is: absolutely not. Your ideal colors aren’t meant to confine you; they’re tools to enhance and beautify—not dictate—your choices.
Let’s break down how you can use the knowledge of your ideal colors to look and feel your best while still expressing your personality and wearing the colors you love.
The Relativity of Color
Color is not an absolute. It’s dynamic, interactive, and depends entirely on its context—including the light, the fabric, and, most importantly, you. The idea behind identifying your ideal colors is simple: they’re the shades that enhance your natural undertones, making your facial skin look luminous, your features brighter, and your overall appearance more harmonious. But that doesn’t mean you can only wear those colors.
Think of your ideal colors as the stars of your wardrobe. They shine brightest near your face, where they have the most profound effects. But just like supporting actors in a great play, other colors can still have a role. It’s all about understanding where and how to use them.
What If You Love Muted Colors?
Muted colors can have a soothing, subtle elegance, but if they don’t naturally bring out the glow in your skin, here’s how you can balance the effect:
Anchor with a White or Bright: A scarf, collar, or undershirt in a crisp white or another “biologically enhancing color” can act as a light reflector, bringing brightness back to your face.
Layer Strategically: Pair muted tones with an accessory in your ideal color—a necklace, earrings, scarf, or hat. These accents will frame your face and bring harmony to the look.
Makeup as a Tool: Cool undertones? Use a cool-toned foundation, lipstick, and blush to create contrast and vibrancy against neutral clothing.
By keeping the balance near your face, you can indulge in the colors you love without compromising your natural glow.
What If You Love Bright Colors, But They’re Too Bold for Work?
Bright, vivid colors can be energizing and joyful, but they’re not always appropriate for more conservative environments. Here’s how to incorporate them without overwhelming your look:
Start Small: Use a scarf, collar, or subtle accessory to bring a pop of brightness to your face. This adds energy to your look while keeping the overall outfit professional.
Layer with Neutrals: Pair a bright blouse with a blazer or cardigan in a neutral tone. This softens the brightness without diluting your style.
Accent Strategically: Shoes, belts, and bags can bring in bright colors without taking over your outfit. Let these items reflect your personality while the colors near your face remain harmonious.
Why Do Ideal Colors Matter Most Near Your Face?
The colors closest to your face have the most impact on how you look. The right shades can:
Erase Signs of Fatigue: They brighten your complexion and even out your skin tone.
Provide an Anti-Aging Effect: Luminescent, harmonious colors can make you look years younger by enhancing your skin’s natural glow and diminishing discolorations and shadowing we begin to see with age.
Highlight Your Features: The right colors can make your eyes sparkle and your cheekbones pop without a single swipe of makeup.
But here’s the kicker: you can wear every color! Just keep your most flattering hues close to your face for the biggest benefits.
"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."
- Maya Angelou
Brighten A Muted Wardrobe To Get The Benefits of Color
Here is an example of some mostly muted winter basics. The difference is that there are scarves and shirt collars that I strategically chose to go with any muted shades, which will absolutely still impart a great luminescent benefit to the face. You can easily use the crisp, bright button shirts under cardigans and sweaters. You can also use gorgeous, colorful knit hats and scarves against the neutral outerwear we all have hanging around. All these little tricks help you look just a tiny bit brighter. This smoothes out your complexion, helping bring as much light to your face as possible. As a bonus, research shows that people who wear bright colors are seen as more friendly and approachable. So, wear with caution! *wink, wink*
Until next time, dress well, my friend!
~Tatyana