Beauty

It’s a thing as you age.  You start seeing with each passing birthday your skin looks different. Your face shape, hair and neck also start to look different.  It’s like the inside of you doesn’t match the outside of you.

You’re starting to avoid or not recognize yourself in mirrors.

So you get a plan of action.  Change your Hair-color!  And like me you do it!

So here you are… this new gorgeous redhead.

You went to a professional hair stylist, and they found the perfect hair color for you and you look fantastic. Your tired skin looks healthy and bright again. Your eyes pop. You might even look ten years younger.

Then you go home and realize everything in your closet looks terrible with YOUR NEW HAIR COLOR!

(I share this because this is what happened to me. I wish I knew someone then who could have guided me through some of these changes)

TIPS on what do you do when your NEW look doesn’t work with your wardrobe or make-up?

Instead of trying to figure out how all your old wardrobe is going to work… embrace it as being part of what you need to change.  

You didn’t change your hair color because you were happy with the way you were looking.  You changed it because you knew something was not working and you wanted to try something new. To freshen up. To reflect on the outside the person you are on the inside. Vibrant, youthful and ready to live like it.

So like the old hair color… some things in your closet will have to go.

1- What to do with the clothes you already have?

– Think of it as a purging. Ridding yourself, like your old hair style, of what doesn’t work anymore.

– With the season changing now is the perfect time to go through your closet.

-Schedule time on a weekend, just 2 hours and see how it goes.  Decide on one area, a closet or a dresser… one area at a time.

– Pull out the clothes for this season.  Start with what you didn’t wear last year. Or what hasn’t worked for the last few years and get rid of it.

-Save all clothing in the colors; Blue, Blue Denim, Greens, Black, True Purple, Teals, Camel, Cream, and White.  This includes prints & geometrics.

IMPORTANT Note: Everything should accent your new color and not fight or play down its new effect.

-Next, try on the things that you have left… or you have questions about letting go. Take a look in a full-length mirror. Use good lighting, wear your daily hair & makeup and don’t forget shoes.  Be critical. Ask does it work? Take a photo of yourself in the mirror and look at that picture. Ask yourself again, does it work in the photo?  Remember to be critical… if it doesn’t work then let it go.

-Take advantage of this time to come up with different outfits for your new hair color.  For example, if the top works with your new hair color try it on with different pants or skirts and create a new look.  Do the same by adding scarves and jewelry.

-Lastly, take advantage of these new outfit discoveries. Hang them together in your closet until you get used to choosing them together. Take the photos you made and create a catalog on your phone.   Use them as a reference for those hurried mornings when you need to pull together an outfit.

 Don’t get overwhelmed and enjoy the process.  Do this little by little. Get to know the new you.

(click here Pinterest) 

2- Time to Fill-In!  Complete your stunning new look!

Now that you’ve narrowed down your wardrobe to only the things that enhance your new hair color, you may need to fill in. Have fun taking a look at the seasonal trends.

Google it! Or maybe take a look at a magazine that bests interpret’s your favorite style. Look through and see what the trends are for the season.

WARNING don’t get carried away. Create a budget and stick to it. Look for style trends that include things in your closet. Example: Stripes are happening this year. They can be quite flattering on the body depending on their direction and color. Buying a striped skirt, pants or top that can be an excellent updated addition and could be worn with something you already have.

I’m personally a fan of wearing just one shade head-to-toe. I wear it nearly every day. I find that this combination is comfortable for walking in the street all day. It’s also elongating and makes my hair and face the focus of every outfit.

Another look that I’m a big fan of with my red hair is to wear colors and prints that work in the same tonality. I love the leopard printed shoes and scarfs with muted colors similar to my hair.

 

3- Three words about Make-up color.

Eyes: Along with my other redhead + 50 friends, we found that a beautiful pallet of different Taupes and Brown’s work great to enhance the eyes area, again let the hair color be the star. Another color combination that works nicely for the eyes are the muted purples.

When my friends and I were in New York this spring all of them were quite amazed and delighted at how strong nicely sculpted eyebrows defined, the face without much makeup and gives that youthful framing of the eyes.  NOTE; Be forewarned of using brow color in the reds.  They can look aging and AWFUL!

Cheeks: I just love something in the terra-cotta range just under or on the cheekbones. If I want a bit more, I add a tiny bit of a watermelon rose with the terracotta on the cheeks.
For Lips, I like a more subtle lip as my mouth is not my favorite area. So typically I wear a neutral with color. But when I do you wear an accent color I like a bold watermelon rose and then muted down with a maroon gloss. I wear a complimentary red every so often.

Try color experimenting with mid-range brands to see what tones work best for you.  Then you can upgrade once you decide.

Finally, I believe in “the process” solution:

Making external changes that really help you adjust as you getting to know the new you.   Luckily there are steps you can take to stay youthful while you contemplate and embrace your changes (or not).
What changes have you made in your look and life only to discover you had to make some other changes you didn’t expect?