https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 05 May 2026 16:28:35 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone/page/2#post-91650 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:48:47 +0000 Kari 91650@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's interesting to hear Angie's take on the best neutrals for each of us, especially since this was something that used to puzzle me.</p> <p>I used to shy away from black because for many years when I was blonde, I only looked good in black if I was tan. Then I started coloring my hair red and became rabid about applying sunscreen, and I realized that though black isn't my *best* shade, I don't think it makes me look so sickly anymore because the red hair warms up my complexion. My dad has mentioned that he likes me in black.</p> <p>However, I know it's not my *best* neutral, so I feel a lot safer when I pair black (or white) with mid-toned neutrals (like gray or denim) or brighter colors (red, green, blue.) But I don't 100% shy away from black like I used to.</p> <p>I have no idea what "season" I am, so I haven't found the color analysis theory terribly useful either. I've had people peg me as an autumn because of my red hair, but I definitely don't look good in most of the earthy colors that Jean wears. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone/page/2#post-91643 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:56:26 +0000 Angie 91643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dawn, I much prefer you in ink blue and grey than black! </p> <p>Shiny, I think grey is your best neutral. But you look great in black once you soften the look – even if it’s by adding a necklace and wearing it V-neck style. Your black ATL dress that you wear over jeans is KILLER. You soften it with my favourite necklace (the one I keep on wanting to steal). You also wear your black jackets ( of which you have several!), layered over non-black items, or with a scarf. That’s the way to do it.</p> <p>Tam, you look good in black. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone/page/2#post-91533 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:49:06 +0000 yublocka 91533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm I still wear a lot of black close to my face, and without makeup. I am hoping it suits me, otherwise I'm in trouble!!!</p> <p>OTOH I have just bought my first ever yellow top. I have always thought yellow makes me look jaundiced, but the design and fabric are so light and airy I had to give it a try. I'll post pics for official verdict later!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91478 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:29:42 +0000 Dawn 91478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't like wearing black any longer either. I think that it is way too harsh against my skin colour (alabaster white in winter, freckly in the summer) and just makes me look like a goth. Now I do still have black in my wardrobe and I'm in no hurry to get rid of black clothes as they're perfectly good clothes and fit me well. However I know how to combine them with colours and accessories to make the colour less harsh.</p> <p>This summer I have been playing about with navy and grey, and I think those colours suit me much better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91433 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:28:00 +0000 shiny 91433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Of course now I also want to know what Angie thinks for me!</p> <p>I have a pic of me, in 6th grade, wearing a dark long sleeve sweater, my hair a nearly white-blonde, all one length, and very long (to my hip). And I look like an... an albino witch! This image has stuck in my head forever, and anytime I wear head-to-toe black (like a black dress) I think it is draining and witchy looking. As I've aged I think it has gotten worse. I think black makes my neck look worse (I'm at that age I do not like my neck).</p> <p>With that said, I still adore black - I just have to soften it up. Just like Angie says - pearls are great for that and so is silver. Or if I wear a black jacket, I wear a flattering color blouse underneath. </p> <p>Navy is probably better, but I have a mental block against it (for entirely different and not very rational reasons). I do like brown but I dunno... ?</p> <p>Eggplant would be wonderful! Adore that color. </p> <p>Ultimately I think I am finding that my best neutral is probably gray... ? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91429 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:11:18 +0000 Angie 91429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good one, Inge. Deep eggplant is an excellent neutral for lasses like yourself. </p> <p>Cathy, I agree that colour analysis theory can be a good starting point. The most important thing to be able to understand is the difference between warm and cool tones. You can either wear one or the other, OR both. However, a cool skin tone needn’t stick to cool tones. A warm skin tone can also wear the right cool colours. Colour saturation is another important point to consider. </p> <p>Taylor, make-up *can* play a huge role. </p> <p>Kristen, I much prefer you in charcoal grey, rich browns and ink blue as opposed to solid black. But when you mix black with other colours, like white, it looks great. You are on the right track! </p> <p>Marianne, spot on! The way you wear black is perfect. </p> <p>Then there is the whole issue of whether you actually like the colours that look good on you. For the most part I do. I’m a so called “warm Spring” and I look good in warm, saturated bright colours. But because I have a peaches and cream complexion, I look good in peach too. I do not like peach :0( </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91386 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:26:00 +0000 malcontent 91386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I look good in black but often prefer the liveliness of jewel tones. I'm a classic winter with ash-toned near-black hair, blue-green eyes, and extremely fair skin. I wouldn't dare wear black without makeup on and a few colored accessories though, because even with my coloring, it can be slightly draining. I tend to agree with Angie that Caucasian women with brownish hair and brown eyes rarely look good in black. I think it is because their coloring is low in contrast so black can easily wash them out. But a rich brown or dark green can look very nice on women with lower-contrast coloring. I think it's unfortunate that black is considered the default color by many women because it is not universally flattering. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91371 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:57:34 +0000 marianne 91371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I meant to comment on the blog yesterday but got distracted. I always loved black and wanted to wear it (head to toe as well), but I don't look good in it, although I am a "winter". It makes me look tired and sallow - actually all dark colors do, since I never had rosy cheeks. Still, I found that I can make it work if I add white close to my face or use black as a base layer. Interestingly, anything with sheen, lace or some other fabric texture makes black work much better for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91368 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:47:21 +0000 taylor 91368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Angie, that there is no season that can or cannot wear black.</p> <p>With so many things about fashion...and I hate to repeate..*more art than science*...because as she said it either looks good to the eye..or it doesn't. So many things play into the total look.</p> <p>I think one reason I pull off black because quite honestly I wear makeup that *pinks* up my fair, yet sallow skin. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91349 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:20:48 +0000 chewyspaghetti 91349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's good to know that I am in line with what Angie sees. Browns are my go-to neutral. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91344 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:09:41 +0000 cciele 91344@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie on ink blue:<br /> <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2008/02/11/ink-blue-the-new-black/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2008/02/.....new-black/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91332 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:26:07 +0000 Inge 91332@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sara when I think of ink blue, I think of something like this:</p> <p><a href="http://www1.talbots.com/online/search/searchResults.jsp?removeAllFacets=true&#038;addFacet=SRCH%3Aink+blue&#038;question=ink+blue&#038;pageNum=0&#038;sort=&#038;_requestid=72752" rel="nofollow">http://www1.talbots.com/online.....stid=72752</a><br /> (top row, skirt in the middle)</p> <p>Hm close but not quite. To me it's a very, very dark blue, almost black.</p> <p>By the way: for those of who you feel black is not their best colour (like me), I think a very dark purple can be a stunning neutral as well. I only wish more items were available in this colour. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91269 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:16:10 +0000 cciele 91269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>While I'm not a strict follower of seasonal color analysis, I think it has a lot to offer in terms of giving people a color palette to start working with.</p> <p>I see a lot of people that look ok wearing black, but I think other colors work better for them near the face as a primary neutral. Like Angie and others have mentioned, people really car wear any color; it's all in how you mix it with other colors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91265 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:00:46 +0000 Kristen 91265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, well here are a couple of photos of me.</p> <p>I think this dress is ink blue. It's almost too dark to be navy.<br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kudzuplanet/3513524983/in/set-72157617883677092/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/k.....883677092/</a></p> <p>Loft top<br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kudzuplanet/3556989555/in/set-72157618683453162/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/k.....683453162/</a><br /> Closer, better light:<br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kudzuplanet/3556989749/in/set-72157618683453162/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/k.....683453162/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91264 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:55:10 +0000 Anonymous 91264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ink blue is darker than traditonal navy. It's almost black. In fact I have to write "ink" or "blk" on the tags of some items in my closet that I have in both colors. I love the color! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91258 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:45:13 +0000 Sarah 91258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Could you post a linky of the color, Kristen? All I can think of is navy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91256 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:43:02 +0000 Kristen 91256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm, now I am curious which neutral you would select for me, Angie. I've been steering away from blacks this year and trying to find more browns, greys and navy blues, but I wonder if I am on the right track?</p> <p>Sarah, you in ink blue would be fabulous! I have a dress and a couple of tops in that which I love. LOFT had a good selection of the shade this summer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91215 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:52:21 +0000 Sarah 91215@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well I'm off to find a dark ink blue. Do you have something in that color to give me an idea, Angie?<br /> Can we see a photo of your outfit to give ideas on how to bring black to life?<br /> I agree, white is stunning on Patience. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91210 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:28:28 +0000 Angie 91210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle, let’s get a separate thread going on your best neutrals. I can’t say for sure, but you don’t look olive skinned. </p> <p>I am wearing a sleeveless black top right now (with white bottoms). But I’m wearing a huge, cascading, muliti layered matt gold and silver necklace with big white pearl bobbles over the black top. It helps break up the black and soften it against my pale peaches and cream skin tone. It makes the black come alive. It really is a marvelous trick! My skin tone looks good in bold, often clashing contrasting colours. And remember that my specs are black and white too. I’ll add a bright emerald green trapeze jacket over the top. That’s how I wear black most of the time. </p> <p>Khris and Patience, black would not be my first choice for you. Patience looks fabulous in white. Khris looks great in earthy brown neutral tones. Ele, I adore in black. She wears it very well. Remember how stunning Ele looked in that black vintage frock!</p> <p>I think Sarah would rock a dark ink blue. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91187 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:20:52 +0000 Sarah 91187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely not, Michelle. It's just a random discussion on "black", really.<br /> I'm definitely experimenting with navy and browns right now, too. I don't want black to be my fall-back color or look. I want it to be intentional. Last fall I wore black trousers EVERY day to work, so I made myself do without them last winter. I just bought a pair again, but I've decided to minimize how often I can wear them. So many other options, even with black. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91184 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:12:44 +0000 Michelle 91184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I certainly would be interested to know Angie's take on whether I look good in black or not. I've received many contradictory descriptions of my complexion over the years (everything from pale to olive), so I simply don't know whether I fit into Angie's guidelines above. What would you say my best neutral is, Angie? Any I should avoid?<br /> Hope this isn't hijacking, Sarah! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91172 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:33:00 +0000 Patience 91172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess we could just turn this into a "Do I look good in black?" thread and Angie can confirm or reverse our conclusions. Personally, I think I look fine in black but I can do better. Like Angie, I think it helps me to break it up with some lighter colored accent. I prefer to wear black on bottom. I'm dark already so a lot of black near my face just makes my whole look more dark. For this same reason, I think I get a lot more bang for my buck when I wear white near my face rather than on bottom. (I still love my white jeans though.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91170 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:25:23 +0000 Sarah 91170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good to know, Angie. Thanks.<br /> I have recently rejected the color season theories as well. I was told multiple times that I was a "winter" and then multiple times that I was an "autumn". I really believe that things like hair color and makeup can change what colors I can wear best. I got frustrated trying to force myself into a color box. It just didn't work for me.<br /> I can tell what colors I pull off well, especially through photos and how my skin looks sans makeup. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91161 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:51:45 +0000 chewyspaghetti 91161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I look terrible in black, and just don't wear it at all. I am sort of what Angie described- brown hair, pasty skinned, and brownish hazel eyes. Black near my face gives me huge circles under my eyes, and makes me look even more pale. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91143 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:39:48 +0000 bigi 91143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I'm a good example of someone who doesn't look good in black. I avoid wearing black close to my face at least. I have golden, dark blonde hair. Skin is light cream, turns more yellow than brown in the sun. Eyes are grey with some blue and yellow in them. My colouring is like hers:<br /> <a href="http://cdn.sheknows.com/thebuzz/2008/03/no-makeup-gisele-bundchen-400a050307.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://cdn.sheknows.com/thebuz.....050307.jpg</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91136 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:21:41 +0000 rute 91136@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>garmenta,<br /> I don't know the explanation, but it's true, I had a wordrobe 90% black and I feel it ages me now.. my guess is that my skin lost the rosy tone, I have a pale oliver tone now </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91134 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:02:14 +0000 garmenta 91134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've read (Angie, I think you mentioned it in your post of black) that black looks harsher and less flattering against the skin as we age. I'm curious as to why (besides the eyeball test!). Does anyone know of an explanation? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91126 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:25:42 +0000 Ele 91126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Personally, I don't think wearing black well has anything to do with the seasonal colouring module at all! I do this it's useful for some things, but not this. I know people of every "season" who wear black well, so it's not just Winters. I'm convinced that the ability to wear black is completely separate from normal personal colouring theory, like there's a special "black gene" that some people just have, lol. :)</p> <p>I'm a sort of Autumn/Spring combination- warm undertones, but neither light nor dark in colouring. I "shouldn't" be able to wear black well (both according to seasonal analysis AND Angie's explanation above), but I do. It makes my hair look golden (as opposed to just mousy brown), my skin look tanned and my eyes look brighter. My sister is textbook Summer- pale porcelain skin, blue eyes, blond hair, looks great in pinks and blues. She also looks fantastic in black, so it's really just trial and error, I think.</p> <p>As a side, I actually think blondes look terrific in black. Obviously it depends on skintone as well, but I love the contrast! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91061 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:34:16 +0000 Angie 91061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good question, Sarah. And a hard one to answer. </p> <p>I am not an avid supporter of colour analysis theory. It’s just “too boxy” and often does not make sense. Our eyeballs make sense. And with our eyeballs, all variables come into play and THAT is key. Spot on, Inge. Also, you can't see colours in isolation. </p> <p>It’s obvious when someone does not wear black well. It’s not a particular skin tone and hair colour necessarily. It’s a combination of several different things. I just can’t really generalize about it. There are too many exceptions to the rules. </p> <p>But people who don’t wear black well look very drained in the hue. Women with brown hair, brown eyes and pale pasty skin don’t wear black well. But when these same brown haired, brown eyed women have rosy skin tone, they look great in black. I sound obtuse. Sorry. </p> <p>Tow heads don’t wear black well. Certain so called “Autumns” can look bad in black too. But take Jean for example, she looks amazing in black and she’s as “Autumn” as it gets. </p> <p>According to colour theory, I’m not supposed to wear solid black, but I do and I wear it well. Somehow, my rosy cheeks and tri colored platinum hair make it work. I look better when I offset a black top with pearls though (adds white into the mix). Softens the look.</p> <p>To answer your question, you look great in black Sarah. It’s those creamy, rosy cheeks :0) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-black-and-skin-tone#post-91039 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:33:38 +0000 cciele 91039@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you go by the seasonal color analysis method, I think the only season that can pull off pure black is Winter -- cool-toned (blue or pink based) complexion, usually dark or light eyes, and dark hair. Complexion can be light, medium, or dark.</p> <p>So as a blond, you might need to go to a lighter shade as a neutral -- grays, browns, blues. </p>