Stylist offers tips on how to inject colour into your wardrobe

Every year Pantone, the leading global authority of colour, announces its colour of the year which influences trends and palettes in interiors and fashion.
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In 2020 it was classic blue and this year there is not one but two - Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow.

It says on its website that the ‘two independent colours that come together to create an aspirational colour pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a sunshine filled day’.

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But how can you incorporate these colours into your wardrobe at home?

LuciaLucia
Lucia

Lucia Basmadjian is a House of Colour image consultant and hair stylist at a salon in Horsham.

She said: “This is only the second time two colours have been chosen, Illuminating Yellow symbolising joyfulness and optimism and the Ultimate Gray for the rock like reassurance, reliability and strength.

“Both are very fitting for the current pandemic we are all living through, adding these colours into our wardrobes is a great way to stay current with the up and coming 2021 trends.

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“It is important to make sure your versions of these two colours are suited to your season, your consultant will always be at hand to help you out. I always find introducing these colours into your life through accessories, a scarf, a necklace or a pair of earrings. The perfect way to see how the colours make you feel.”

House of ColourHouse of Colour
House of Colour

Lucia became a House of Colour consultant in 2020 for Worthing and Horsham.

She said: “I feel incredibly lucky I had something new in my life to love during such a tough year. COVID-19 has only allowed me to connect with so many more people now we are all online more. I am really excited for what the future holds.

“I wanted another string to my bow. I am a senior hair stylist in a popular salon in Horsham. I absolutely love doing hair, but I needed to feed my soul with something new that would complement my work as a hair stylist.

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“House of Colour for me is the perfect fit, my clients knowing their colour and style would help me be a better hair stylist for them and vice versa.

The two Pantone coloursThe two Pantone colours
The two Pantone colours

“My focus with my work is to make sure I am helping build my clients self-confidence, House of Colour is all about finding your inner you through what you wear. I absolutely love that.”

As a consultant they work with men and women to find the colours that work with the client’s natural skin tone, hair and eye colour. They also look at your ‘body architecture and personality to discover your individual style’.

For women, they offer make up advice and product recommendations based on what colours suit you and teach the client the tools and techniques they need for easy application for their individual look.

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For men they look at the colours and styles which work best so that next time they go shopping they know what clothes will suit them.

Lucia said: “We all deserve to know the confidence that comes from feeling amazing every time we get dressed.

“As a House of Colour consultant that is exactly what we do! With our three-step programme, we give our clients the freedom to show the world who they are from the inside out. Colour analysis, make-up and style.”

In the new year this is usually when people look to have a clear out or try and be bolder with their style choices.

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Lucia gives her advice on how you can tackle the sometimes daunting task of a wardrobe refresh.

She said: “Refreshing your wardrobe is going to be bespoke to the individual and their needs. A refresh can be a daunting task for most, but the House of Colour process makes it so easy to keep on top of it all. Your consultant will show you how you can lay out your capsule wardrobe so you can see it in all its glory - for me this is the best bit, I love seeing all my clothes together. This means when it comes to a refresh its always clear what is needed and what you may want to get rid of is also just as important.”

As for the most common mistakes she sees people making it is something as easy as getting the right fit.

“Most of the time it is as simple as the clothes not fitting the person right!

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“Unfortunately, gone are the days where you would have your clothes tailor made to our exactly shape. Instead, we are trying to make our shapes fit what the shops give us. Do not be discouraged by what size it is, you are the only one wearing it.”

Sometimes when it comes to trying new styles or colours it is about confidence and someone giving you the confidence to be able to pull the look off.

Lucia said: “The best part about my job is watching my clients learn to love themselves again, 100 per cent job satisfaction.

“That too me is most important.”

But it can sometimes take a while for people to get to that point and what should those that don’t feel confident about making big changes to the way they dress do?

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“For me, its all about making those small changes which will all add up to a new confident you.

“Wearing the right colour lipstick is my top tip for making the first small change. It is something small you can add to your morning routine in a couple of seconds, just watch how it brightens your day.”

Lucia is just one of a huge network of consultants worldwide, you can find your local consultant at www.houseofcolour.co.uk If you want to connect with Lucia, email [email protected]Or you can find her on Instagram - www.instagram.com/lucia_imageconsultantIf you are feeling bold you can also incorporate the Pantone colours into your hair.

Tracy Hayes, is global colour ambassador at Fudge Professional hair care products.

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She said “How perfect of Pantone to give us two fabulous new colours for 2021. Illuminating Yellow being an appropriate tone that will lift your spirits and offer hope, happiness and fun. You can pair this with the Ultimate Gray that will look elegant and formal without being too glamorous.

“Having the Illuminating Yellow and Ultimate Gray is a great combination. To achieve this look I would suggest applying the Fudge Professional Paintbox Gold Coast which works best over pre-lightened hair.”

Fudge Professional Paintbox Gold Coast, a creative Semi Permanent colour. Simply wash your hair with your favourite Fudge Professional shampoo and apply the colour to towel dried hair, leave on for 20 minutes wash out and your bold beautiful look is ready to go.

Or why not try adding a yellow or gray cushion, picture or furniture into your home the possibilities are endless.