Colors that look good on me

For help in choosing the most flattering clothes that will bring out your natural beauty, it helps if you first ask yourself which colors really complement your skin tone, hair, and eyes. By determining what hues are the most flattering, you can fashion a wardrobe that makes you look fantastic every day.

Warm or cool coloring
When consulting experts who advise women on which colors work best for them, you may hear terms like "warm" or "cool" in relation to your skin tone. In order to choose the most flattering colors to wear, it's important to understand what these terms mean and to find out which one best describes your skin tone. In clothes, as with makeup, the undertones in your skin as well as hair and eye color give valuable clues as to what shades will work most harmoniously with your natural coloring. These factors directly impact what colors will look best on you.

Warm
You're probably a warm if you have the following:
* Dark brown or black hair * Deep red or auburn hair * Reddish or golden brown hair * Brown or green eyes * Olive or golden skin * Beige skin * Skin which tans easily  * Yellow skin undertones

Warm complexions look best in these colors:
* Red (with warm undertones such as tomato red) * Peach * Orange * Golden yellow * Golden brown * Olive green * Gold jewelry

Cool
Cool complexions are typically defined by these features:
* Light to medium brown hair * Light green, hazel or blue eyes * Grey or blue-grey eyes * Natural blond hair * Fair or pale skin * Skin which burns easily * Pink skin undertones * Veins have a blue hue
 
Cool complexions look best in these colors:
* Red (with blue undertones such as cherry red) * Pink lBlue * Teal lTurquoise * Purple lMint green * Silver jewelry
Color seasons

Summer: If you are a summer, skin undertones might be pale blue or pale pink. Skin might be pale or pink-toned. Light eyes and blonde or light to medium brunette hair are common for summers. Summers look excellent in soft shades and muted colors with cool undertones (or light colored neutrals). Some of the best colors for summers include dusty or rose pink, pale yellow, lavender or pale mauve and powder blue. A soft white can also work for this season.

Autumn: If you are an autumn, your undertones are typically golden, with skin coloring in shades like peach, beige and golden brown. Red, red-brown, dark blonde and rich brown or brown-black hair shades are common for this season. Autumns also tend to have darker eye colors. Autumns look wonderful in rich neutrals, earth-toned and spicy colors. Consider olive, forest or mossy greens, orange shades, grays, dark browns, burgundy, purples and camel and rich beige colors.

Winter: If you are a winter, your skin color might be pale, olive or dark; skin undertones are typically blue or rosy pink. Hair and eye color often contrast the skin. Black, dark or white blonde hair is typical winter hair colors. Winters look great in deep, rich colors such as black, deep blue, crimson and dark pink. Icy pastels like silver, sky blue, light sunny yellow and pink can also look wonderful. Bright white is another good color for many winters since this stark neutral works well with hair and eye color contrast.

Spring: If you are a spring, your skin undertones may be gold-yellow. Skin coloring is typically in cream or peach shades, with hair color ranging from auburn shades to golden and strawberry blondes. Springs often have freckles and lighter eye colors. Springs look best in soft, rich colors. Warm colors such as peach, golden yellow, copper, coral and brown shades with warm tones are good choices. Bright aqua, green and royal blue can also look stunning. Rather than bright white, springs can opt for a rich, creamy ivory as a wardrobe staple.

Understanding colors
You may have always wondered why your favorite top didn't make you look as radiant as you expected. If you're a warm and that shirt is turquoise that may be an indication that turquoise isn't going to be one of your best colors. Once you know what colors flatter your skin tone the most, you can use this knowledge when you shop. This isn't to say that you always have to select one of your suggested colors. These are guidelines, not rigid rules. However, they do serve the purpose of informing you what your best colors are. These are the colors that will make you look radiant and really alive instead of fading you into the background. You should use your newfound knowledge when choosing makeup colors as well as attire. This way, your face and clothing will blend harmoniously for an overall fabulous look.

Tips and tricks
By pairing complementary colors together, you can create great outfits that make the most of your natural beauty.
*    Jeans work well with many different colors, so casual chic is easy to get. Cool women can pair dressy jeans with hot pink or teal tops while warm women will look great in red tops over dark jeans and high heels.
*    Don't limit yourself to light shades only. Rich hues of flattering colors can make a bold statement and can really bring out your natural beauty.
*    If you find slacks or a skirt in a color you love but that also doesn't fall into your most flattering category, you can still wear it; just pair it with a top that does flatter you.
*    Use makeup and jewelry to enhance and complement your clothing choices.

Choose complementary colors
Knowing what colors flatter your skin tone - and choosing your wardrobe accordingly - can have a significant impact on how you look and feel. It can also take some of the guesswork out of shopping for new clothes, something that can help you reduce stress while saving time and money. When you wear colors that really work with your skin tone instead of against it, you will look your best and you'll feel good about the way you look.


The author is the co-owner of MTI Business Solutions & contributor of HR Matters blog www.lovetoknow.com