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It's well known that an outfit in the colours that suit you can brighten up and freshen your appearance, but did you know that certain colours can boost your confidence too? An islander who left a 30-year career in the finance industry to become an 'Image Consultant' reveals all...
Helen Morton launched Colour Me Beautiful Jersey in January 2020.
Having always wanted to be an Image Consultant, she took the opportunity to train as soon as her sons had finished university. Helen first trained as a Colour Consultant whilst working in the HR and training — and says she hasn't looked back since.
She spoke to Express about the ins and outs of her role, and why you really are what you wear...
Pictured: Helen provides colour analysis, as well as style consultations, wardrobe sorts and personal shopping.
Colour Me Beautiful are the leading International Image Consultants who I was trained and accredited by. As well as colour analysis, I offer style consultations, wardrobe sorts and personal shopping.
Of the many ways we choose to express ourselves, the colour and style of our clothes probably make the most immediate and powerful impact.
They can boost our confidence when we know we look good, but when we get it wrong, it can sap our confidence just as quickly.
I had my own colours "done" in 1983 when CMB was first established in the UK, and I loved that I knew which colours made me look and feel my best.
I've always been asked about how I manage to coordinate my outfits and been complimented on the colours I wear so I wanted to pass that on to other people.
I am passionate about helping people to be the best version of themselves by helping them to understand the colours and styles which work for them and make them look and feel amazing.
Pictured: Helen had her own colours done in 1983.
A typical colour appointment would be approximately two hours for a lady, and one-and-a-half hours for men unless they would like makeup applied.
It includes the analysis of their physical colouring, application of makeup and then a full demonstration of all of their colours.
I also cover how to wear their colours, colour combinations, and how to work neutral and accent colours in their wardrobes.
I remove any makeup the client may be wearing, cover their clothing with a neutral gown, and ensure they are sitting in good daylight.
I then use my 150 precision dyed colour drapes to assess the effects of the different shades against their complexion, eyes and hair.
The assessment is based around the tone, depth and clarity of the colours. Once I've identified their best colours, I apply makeup in those colours.
Pictured: Helen give her clients a personalised colour palette of 42 colours.
I then show them all of their 42 colours and how they look, show them their best neutrals and how to put colour combinations together.
They then take away their personalised colour palette to help them with sorting out their wardrobe and shopping, which I annotate with their personal colour and makeup prescription.
The "right" colours harmonise with your physical characteristics, bring freshness and lightness to your face and can make your complexion look fresher and more even.
It also enables you to build a cohesive wardrobe as all the colours in your personalised wallet will work together, making it easier to build many more outfits therefore saving time and money when shopping.
Pictured: "The right shades of colour make you look fresher, brighter and dare I say, younger," Helen said.
Interestingly, when someone wears colours which don't harmonise with their natural colouring, it can make them look pale, tired and cast shadows on their face. It's that thing when you look in the mirror and feel that you look a bit "off" but don't quite know why!
Conversely the right shades of colour make you look fresher, brighter and dare I say, younger. I've had a couple of ladies recently who work with some of my previous clients and came to me because they had noticed a big change in their colleagues and said that they were "glowing", but they couldn't put their finger on what had changed. That's what it does!
Pictured: Helen loves helping her clients feel "excited" to explore their wardrobe.
A successful appointment for me is when a client comes in feeling unsure, fed up with how they look and feel, or confused about what suits them, and then leaves feeling renewed, lifted and excited to explore their wardrobe, create new outfits and shop for clothes armed with the tools and guidance I have given them.
It absolutely makes my day every time someone leaves feeling happy and lifted with a bit of a confidence boost. I love that!
Pictured: There are many shades of black... and anyone can wear it!
Black is always the big talking point because of course it suits some people but not all, and ladies tend to favour it as a “slimming” colour.
However, I never say you can't wear a colour. Instead, I show people how to wear it. This could be with a lower neckline so the black isn't right next to their face, a sheer or reflective fabric and/or some sparkly, light-catching jewellery.
I also show them "their black" which could be a gorgeous chocolate brown or, a more forgiving charcoal grey. Anyone can also wear black away from their face so if their favourite trousers are black, they will still work with a fab colour near their face.
That's what colour analysis is all about, knowing how to wear colour rather than saying you can't wear a particular colour.
This article first featured on Bailiwick Wellbeing, your free guide to wellness in work and island life to help you start the weekend - and week ahead - in the right way. Sign up now here.
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