Why I don’t offer traditional colour consultations
Do you sometimes get confused about what colours suit you? Maybe you feel conflicted about pink…because you love it, but years ago at a colour consultation you were told never to wear it! Or perhaps you’ve considered having a colour consultation, but you’re not sure if that’s the thing you need to help your wardrobe dilemmas.
Well, here are the reasons why I’ve changed the way I help people with their colour choices:
1. A holistic approach is needed because we are all unique.
At the risk of sounding like an irritating musical toy stuck on repeat, colour is only one part of a person’s image, and when considered in isolation the results can be misleading, if not entirely disastrous!!
Your colouring is an incredibly important element within the context of your physical characteristics, but as a stand-alone session, it can be a problem.
Here’s an example: you might be given ‘soft colours’ because you’ve highlighted your hair or turned 50 - but your physical bone structure, petite height and dynamic personality are truly longing for high contrast, clear and bright shades!
I only and always work with colour, in the context of your overall assessment. This provides results that support your actual day to day dressing, make-up, hair and purchasing decisions.
Traditional methods don’t take it far enough & are stuck in a system that is compartmentalised & restrictive, not to mention exhausting! Which brings me to my second reason….
2. The process is time consuming, inefficient & expensive.
In another life, I have spent far too much time & energy flapping fabrics, working from a chart, lugging heavy equipment from home to home & offering generic, watered-down advice. (Golly gosh, I can’t believe I ever did that!)
Whilst the results of the consultation are not always ‘wrong’, it takes about 2 hours and often includes a rather clumsy make-up application, depending on the skills of your consultant, which again, is only based on colouring.
We live in a digital age, where we can get fast, clear guidance on everything! I utilise this by using Pinterest boards to create inspiration and guidance. This helps my clients feel like they are fully reflected in the images. They can see charts, real life clothes and how to wear them. It is inspiring and very helpful to have visual references.
I assess a person’s colouring from a distance using my own small fabric samples, the information from the client’s questionnaire & pictures, plus my own expertise, (yes, most colour consultants know the result of your session as soon as they see you!) This provides quicker, more efficient results and huge value for the client!
3. Each person will have different ways of understanding their colouring.
Everyone has their own level of understanding regarding colour. Some folk already have great instinct and confidence, needing only some inspiration and tweaks, whilst others need ongoing support over time to grow confident in their choices.
Some might need to see and touch items, some will need a quick image sent over to spark them for life, some will be helped by the colour wheel and science behind it.
It is essential that everyone understands their unique colouring, but it is also key that each person has truly got what they need to help them get results.
I am catering for the individual and not beholden to a formulaic session, so I can give the client what they need to gain understanding as they learn new skills and enhance their image with the use of colour.
They might need to chat to me about the details of their current clothes or want more information about how the texture of a fabric can affect the impact on the colour, or simply advice on how to wear them.
Colour is a fabulous thing – even if your preference is neutrals or black. My aim is that this element never gets overlooked, generalised, or watered down for the sake of a system.
Through coaching & inspiring, I can demonstrate the potential people have to shine! Treating them as individuals & enabling them to realise and refine their own instincts & joy in this arena, leaving them free, confident & revelling in their unique attractiveness!
If you want to chat more about colour, why not book a call and chat it through with me😊