Tuesday, May 28, 2013

HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT COLORS

As I was doing some research to write this blog I came across a well thought out and really broke down, easy to read article. I've decided to share it with you. Use the quiz and tips below to find your perfect color pallet! (I'm a clear Spring!)

HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT COLORS-
http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/how-to-find-your-perfect-colors/

If you’ve ever picked up the latest issue of Vogue, and read about this season’s “new black”, you know that “it colors” come and go in fashion. For example, last spring the hot shade in fashion was yellow, and this winter, the “it” color is purple. But if you’ve ever tried to wear one of those colors and found that you just didn’t look right, you need to keep reading.

Regardless of what the trendy colors are, there are some shades that are always going to look good on you, and some that aren’t. No color looks good on everyone, and it’s just a fact. This has to do with your coloring, or the way your eye color, hair, and skin tone combine to give you a look. Your coloring makes the difference between whether you can wear gold or silver jewelry, whether that bright red halter top will look fabulous or horrible on you, and even what shades of makeup you can pull off. It’s really important to know what your perfect colors are, or you risk looking completely messed up!

So how can you figure out what colors look best on you?
Believe it or not, there’s one old school way to tell what your colors are that is still relevant after many years. Seasonal color analysis, the study of a person’s coloring, is what we’re going to get into today.

What is Color Analysis?

Basically, color analysis is all about your natural coloring (hair, skin, and eyes), and how that combo complements or contrasts with the things you choose to wear (makeup colors, clothing, or even jewelry). Color analysis breaks people’s colorings down into the four color seasons -Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. These color seasons are broken down even further, into 3 different categories per season. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s really helpful if you want to get a basic idea of what shades work for you.

How to find out which season you are:

So which season are you? Find out with the quick quiz below, courtesy of Cindy Busch Color Analysis.
Quiz - what season are you?
Now that you know what season you fit into, keep reading to find out what that means for your clothes, shoes, accessories, and makeup!
By the way, If you’re having trouble with the first question, grab a mirror and find a well-lit place. Bring one item of clothing each that’s navy blue, charcoal gray, honey beige, and soft brown. (If you don’t have one of those, don’t worry. Just use what you have.) Put each piece of clothing up near your face, and observe what it does to your skin tone. If the color becomes the focus instead of your face, it’s not right. If it makes you light up, makes your eyes look brighter and your hair look better, you’ve found your winner!

Getting more specific

Now that you know what general category you are, there are three types of coloring within each “season.” Sound confusing? I promise, it’s really not as bad as it sounds.
Find your season below, and read the descriptions to find out which type you are & see your best colors!

UPDATE: As of 10/19 I’ve updated this list to be more accurate and in-depth with info I got from the book Color Me Beautiful. Some people thought they were left out of the list, so I hope it can include almost everyone now. Also, to be more specific, if you are Asian, Latina or African, you will probably be an Autumn or Winter. If you are Caucasian, you will probably be a Spring or Summer. Hope that helps clear up some confusion!

Types of Springs

1. Light Spring:
  • Eyes: Blue, green, turquoise, or light hazel.
  • Hair: Light to medium golden blonde, ash blonde or light to medium brown.
  • Skin: Ivory with peach tones, pink beige.
Best colors for Light Springs:
Colors for Light Springs
From Left: Camel, khaki, light gray, blue charcoal, taupe, warm pastel pink, baby pink, clear salmon, coral, watermelon, fuchsia, clear red, creme, light green, bright golden yellow, moss green, blue green, clear aqua, powder blue, light purple, periwinkle, violet.

2. Clear Spring:
  • Eyes: Turquoise blue, green, golden brown or topaz.
  • Hair: Medium to dark brown, or brown-black. May have red highlights.
  • Skin: Bronze, deep warm brown, brown-black, light ivory, light peach, or porcelain.
Best colors for Clear Springs:
Colors for Clear Springs
From Left: Navy, gray, charcoal, black, light grey, turquoise, yellow, marigold yellow, mint, green, dark green, clear teal, hot turquoise, true blue, purple, purple-gray, peach, salmon, true red, warm pastel pink, hot pink.

3. Warm Spring:
  • Eyes: Topaz, olive green, light hazel, or warm turquoise.
  • Hair: Light golden brown, red, strawberry blonde, or deep golden blonde.
  • Skin: Bronze, golden beige, ivory, or porcelain. May have freckles.
Best colors for Warm Springs:
Warm Spring Colors
From Left: Camel, bronze, golden brown, dark brown, stone, gray green, peach, light orange, coral, tomato red, rust, buff, green, light true green, evergreen, emerald turquoise, jade, teal, moss, deep periwinkle.

Types of Summers

1. Light Summer:
  • Eyes: Blue, gray or green.
  • Hair: Light to medium ash blonde or light to medium ash brown.
  • Skin: Pale beige, porcelain, ivory or pink beige. (Usually pink-toned.)
Best colors for Light Summers:
Colors For Light Summers
From Left: Light gray, gray blue, cocoa, taupe, powder pink, rose pink, rose, coral pink, clear salmon, clear red, light lemon yellow, light aqua, blue green, spruce, light navy, sky blue, medium blue, lavender, violet.

2. Soft Summer:
  • Eyes: Gray-blue, hazel or soft turquoise.
  • Hair: Light to medium ash brown, mousy brown. May have blonde in it.
  • Skin: Light to medium neutral beige, ivory.
Best colors for Soft Summers:
Colors for Soft Summers
From Left: Medium gray, light gray, taupe, cocoa, rose, raspberry, rose pink, deep rose, baby pink, soft fuchsia, burgundy, light lemon yellow, light green, turquoise, jade, green, forest green, navy, periwinkle, lavender, dusty purple, teal.

3. Cool Summer:
  • Eyes: Gray, blue, or slate.
  • Hair: Medium to deep ash brown. Little to no red tones.
  • Skin: Ivory, pink beige, gray beige, or neutral beige.
Best colors for Cool Summers:
Colors For Cool Summers
From Left: Light gray, gray blue, cocoa, buff, light brown, taupe, icy pink, soft fuchsia, deep rose, burgundy, turquoise, jade, green, aqua, light aqua, true aqua, lavender, dusty purple, warm dusty purple, periwinkle, navy.

Types of Autumns

1. Deep Autumn:
  • Eyes: Dark brown, dark hazel, black, or dark green.
  • Hair: Medium brown, medium to deep auburn, dark brown deep chestnut or black.
  • Skin: Warm beige, neutral beige, golden brown, dark brown, olive.
Best colors for Deep Autumns:
Colors for Deep Autumns
From Left: Black brown, black, light yellow, marigold, peach, terracotta, salmon pink, tomato red, deep red, true red, dark rose, lemon yellow, camel, jade, moss, lime bronze, hot turquoise, cerulean, chinese blue, evergreen, dark purple, purple.

2. Soft Autumn:
  • Eyes: Light brown, soft hazel, blue, or gray-green.
  • Hair: Golden blonde to medium brown or mousy brown. May have blonde or red highlights.
  • Skin: Ivory, neutral beige, warm beige, golden brown.
Best colors for Soft Autumns:
Colors For Soft Autumns
From Left: Mahogany, brown, medium gray, camel, khaki, gray, light peach, deep rose, light coral, dusty pink, coral, terracotta, buttermilk, mint, emerald turquoise, turquoise, jade, evergreen, purple, dark purple aubergine.

3. Warm Autumn:
  • Eyes: Brown, olive green, hazel or topaz.
  • Hair: Medium golden brown, red, auburn, strawberry blonde or golden blonde.
  • Skin: Bronze, golden brown, golden beige, ivory, or warm beige.
Best colors for Warm Autumns:
Warm Autumn Colors
From Left: Camel, khaki, coffee brown, cream, medium brown, dark brown, light salmon, dark peach, salmon, pumpkin, rust, terracotta, aubergine, light yellow, light moss, evergreen, marigold, emerald turquoise, teal, forest green, deep periwinkle, purple.

Types of Winters

1. Deep Winter:
  • Eyes: Black, black-brown, or dark hazel.
  • Hair: Black-brown, medium brown, steel gray, or salt & pepper.
  • Skin: Black, medium beige, black-brown, or olive with no pink or peach undertones.
Best colors for Deep Winters:
Colors For Deep Winters
From Left: Black, charcoal, black-brown, red-brown, icy gray, gray, hot pink, true red, rust, aubergine, blue red, mint, lemon yellow, light green, emerald green, olive, purple, clear teal, bright periwinkle, blue, navy, chinese blue.

2. Clear Winter:
  • Eyes: Bright blue, hazel, violet, or green.
  • Hair: Black, chestnut, medium brown, or dark brown hair.
  • Skin: Black, deep brown, neutral beige, pale olive, milky white. (Usually translucent.)
Best colors for Clear Winters:
Clear Winter Colors
From Left: Medium gray, charcoal, black, dark taupe, icy gray, taupe, icy blue, icy lavender, lavender, icy pink, clear red, raspberry, raspberry pink, aubergine, icy yellow, bright golden yellow, hot turquoise, emerald turquoise, purple, dark purple, royal blue, navy.

3. Cool Winter:
  • Eyes: Charcoal gray, blue, dark brown or violet.
  • Hair: Blue-black, silver, salt & pepper. No red tones.
  • Skin: Cool brown, olive, or neutral beige.
Best colors for Cool Winters:
Colors For Cool Winters
From Left: Light gray, medium gray, dark gray, black, charcoal, taupe, rose pink, hot pink, purple, blue red, deep rose, burgundy, icy blue, icy pink, lemon yellow, emerald turquoise, hot turquoise, bright periwinkle, royal blue, purple, navy, dark purple.

A few more tips

Bear in mind that the colors above are not an all-inclusive list of the colors that will work for you, but they are some of the best colors that you should definitely try to incorporate into your wardrobe! Even just a few new tops in those colors will make a huge difference.

Also, you may fit into a couple different categories. That’s okay, it’s normal and no big deal. The seasons are just supposed to give you a general idea of your colors – they’re not supposed to be strict rules that you need to follow religiously.

If you try on some clothes in your colors, you’ll quickly learn that wearing the right colors makes a huge difference in the way you look. I encourage you to experiment with different shades and see which ones look best on you, as well as which ones you like the most! Then buy these colors up whenever you spot them in stores. If you want, you can print this article out and take it shopping with you, so you’ll always have your colors at hand.

Your Thoughts?

What do you think of seasonal color analysis? Is it lame or helpful? What about your personal colors – are they a fit for what you already have in your wardrobe, or do you need to go buy some new pieces? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Monday, May 20, 2013

2013 Billboard Music Awards Best and Worst Dressed!

Anyone see the spring trends I noted on the walk way? There was tons of lace material, beach waved hair, pony tails, dark eyes and bright lips! Here are just a few of my top picks for Best and Worst dressed. Photo credit goes to Perez Hilton and Google Images! Now, we may not all share the same opinions on the best and worst dressed, this is just mine. Be kind and be sure to come back for next weeks topic- How to tell what shades look best on you!



 
My Best Dressed Top Picks!

#1 Jennifer Lopez- Stunning in a gold dress with lots of texture and lace. She's one of the few people I could say would look good in anything- however, the red outfit she wore during her performance kind of pushed the envelope for me.















#2 Emmy Rossum- Black and lace. I don't know what exactly it is about this dress, but I love every bit of it. Classy and sexy rolled into one!
















#3 Taylor Swift- this girl knows what looks good on her! Everything from the diamond neckline to the color is perfect for her skin tone and body type. Bravo!
















 
My Worst Dressed Top Picks!

#1 Miley Cyrus- Checkerboard and Lace. Its bold, but not very flattering. Paired with Raccoon Eyes and bright red lipstick, the looks reminds me of a Joker Card. But pairing this outfit with a rockin pair of stiletto's- nice move.















#2 Jennifer Morrison- Was it really so hot out there you had to just wear a lace "cover up"? Just not digging this look, but I do like the lace pattern on the corset.
















#3 Nicki Minaj- While the color of the dress and the platforms she's wearing are hot- the cut of the dress is not the best on her. I also have a hard time not looking at her hair in this picture. Wig or not- roots like that just don't look good.
















My Oddball of the Night!
Need to touch up your hair or make up, but don't want to walk to the powder room- lets hope you sat next to Z La La!!!








Monday, May 13, 2013

Body Shape, do you know yours?

This week I will be talking about body shapes and how to dress them and what looks the most flattering. Every body is a perfect one. Each body can look fashionably fabulous no matter what size, shape or type you are- when dressed to flatter your curves properly. We have all had that experience when we see a particular outfit on our girlfriends and we try it on and it fits, but just doesn't look the same. Truth is, no two body's are alike. There are a few basic body shapes that we can narrow it down to and talk about. Here is a list on the different body shapes, below I will explain how you can find your individual body type.



Straight Body Type
The bust and hips are basically the same size. The waist is slightly smaller than the bust and hips.

Pear Body Type
The hips are larger than the bust, and the waist gradually slopes out to the hips.


Spoon Body Type
The hips are larger than the bust and the hips have a "shelf" appearance. The waist is slightly smaller than the bust.


Hourglass Body Type
The bust and hips are basically the same size and your waist is well defined.


Top Hourglass Body Type
The bust is larger than the hips and the waist is well defined.


Inverted Triangle Body Type
The bust is large, the hips are narrow and the waist is not very well defined.


Oval Body Type
The waist is larger than the bust and hips. The hips are narrow compared to the shoulders. Breasts are ample in size.

 
Diamond Body Type
The waist is larger than the bust and hips. The shoulders are narrow compared to the hips. Breasts are small to medium in size.


There are two ways to determine your body type. You can look in the mirror or take your measurements. If you choose to measure there are 3 points- center of your bust, your waist (This is between your bust and your hips, usually right above your belly button.) and your hips. Measuring is also the most accurate.  Continue below for fashion tips on YOUR individual body type!

Your body type is: Straight

You have the most common body type. Over 45% of American women have a Straight body shape (sometimes called rectangle or ruler). This means that your hips and bust are balanced and your waist is not very defined. You probably have a bottom that is more flat than round. You tend to gain weight in your torso first and then your upper thighs and arms. Your lower legs are always shapely and one of your best assets.

How to Dress a Straight Body Shape
The key to dressing a Straight body type is to proportionally dress the top and bottom of your body while enhancing your waist. If you are comfortable doing so, you can wear form fitting clothing (such as a tube-type dress) and create a waist by adding a wide, dark belt.
 

Your body type is: Pear

As a Pear Body type (sometimes called triangle), your hips are larger than your bust and you have a nicely defined waist. You have an elegant neck and proportionately slim arms and shoulders. You first gain weight in your bottom and legs flowed by your tummy and upper body. Your waist is your best asset so don’t be afraid to show it off.

How to Dress a Pear Body Shape
The key to dressing a pear body type is to enhance and add volume (or the illusion of volume) to your upper body while emphasizing your waist and de-emphasizing your lower body to create a balanced, hourglass appearance.
 

Your body type is: Spoon

As a Spoon Body type (sometimes called figure 8), your hips are larger than your bust and you have a defined waist. Your hips have a “shelf” appearance, you are prone to gaining weight in your tummy and have a tendency towards love-handles. While you may gain weight in your upper thighs and upper arms, your lower legs and arms are shapely and your best assets.

How to Dress a Spoon Body Shape
The key to dressing a Spoon body type is to draw attention to your upper body while deemphasizing your tummy and hips to create a more balanced appearance and create the illusion of an hourglass figure. Your legs are one of your best asset, so feel free to play with skirt lengths and show them off!  

Your body type is: Hourglass

Lucky you! You have the Hourglass body type that most women strive for. Your bust and hips are well balanced and you have a beautifully defined waist. Your have gently rounded shoulders that align nicely with your hips. Your waist is obvious and gracefully curves out to your hips. You most likely have a rounded bottom and beautiful side as well as front profile. Your upper body is proportionate in length to your legs which are shapely. From top to bottom, you are a picture of harmony and balance.

How to Dress an Hourglass Body Shape
The key to dressing an Hourglass body type is to proportionally dress the top and bottom of your body while accentuating your waist. Wide belts over shirts and dresses are a great way to show off your waist. You can create an even more curvaceous effect by proportionally adding a bit of volume to your upper and lower body, but always try to maintain balance since it is your best asset. You have great legs so feel free to play with skirt lengths.

Your body type is: Top Hourglass

As a Top Hourglass Body Type, you have a beautifully defined waist and bust that is larger than your hips. You have gently rounded shoulders that align nicely with your hips. Your waist is obvious and gracefully curves out to your hips. You most likely have a rounded bottom and beautiful side as well as front profile. Your upper body is proportionate in length to your legs which are shapely.

How to Dress a Top Hourglass Body Shape
The key to dressing a Top Hourglass body type is to balance your lower body with your ample bust while accentuating your enviable waist. This is achieved by selecting clothing cuts that will fill out your lower half. You have great legs so feel free to play with skirt lengths.

Your body type is: Inverted Triangle

As an Inverted Triangle body type, you have a proportionally larger upper body. You have broad shoulders, and ample bust and a wide back. Your hips are slim and your bottom may have a tendency towards the flat side. Your waist is subtle and you have a tendency to gain weight in your belly and upper body. Your beautiful, shapely legs are your best asset.

How to Dress an Inverted Triangle Body Shape
The key to dressing an Inverted Triangle body type is to balance your broader shoulders, chest and back with your narrower lower body to create more of an hourglass effect. This is achieved by choosing clothes that add curves to your hips and bottom while creating a more defined waist. You have amazing legs so feel free to play with skirt lengths, but don’t go too short otherwise you will further a top-heavy look.

Your body type is: Oval

As an Oval body type, you have a large bust, narrow hips, and a full midsection. You have a tendency to gain weight in your stomach, back and upper body. Your waist is undefined and the widest part of your frame. You also have a full, shorter neck and full face. Your buttocks are somewhat flat and your legs are slender. Your shapely legs are your best asset.

How to Dress an Oval Body Shape
The key to dressing an Oval body type is to de-emphasize your midsection and create a more defined waist. This is achieved by choosing clothing that add curves and fullness to your lower body and tops that taper to a waist. You have amazing legs so feel free to play with skirt lengths, but don’t go too short otherwise you will further a top-heavy look.

Your body type is: Diamond

As a Diamond body type, your hips are broader than you bust and shoulders and you have a full midsection. You have a tendency to gain weight in you stomach, back, hips and buttocks. Your waist is undefined and the widest part of your frame. You carry some weight in your upper legs, but your lower legs are shapely and one of your most attractive features. You also have proportionately slender, shapely arms.

How to Dress a Diamond Body Shape
The key to dressing a Diamond body type is to balance your shoulders and bust with your hips while creating a waist. This is achieved by choosing clothing that adds curves and fullness to your upper body with appropriate clothing cuts while choosing pants and skirts that will lean and lengthen your lower body. You have amazing lower legs and beautiful arms, so feel free to show them off.


***point of reference for materials shopyourshape.com***


Monday, May 6, 2013

What is going on Downtown and around Oohlala?!

Hello!

As you may or may not have noticed, they are setting up for Light Rail construction around Downtown Mesa. WE ARE STILL OPEN!!! Light Rail construction was scheduled to begin on May1st, it seems like they are right on schedule because they have begun to prep Main St a little more each day. I will send out a notice when they switch road and lane closures. If you have any trouble locating our rear parking lot, please call or text me. Also, we will be labeled with the GOLD signs around our area. The Light Rail crew is trying to make this as smooth and pain free as possible. Questions and concerns are welcomed, so if you have any let us know and we'll be glad to forward them on!