Adding colours to my wardrobe

Itari

Everything I own is black.

First - I just happen to like it. I'm not going to throw all my clothes out (if the size is right, of course), I'm thinking about adding some edge.

Second - black is safe. I'm probably too self-conscious.

Third - I can't find a colour I really like. I'm a giant candy in pink, sallow-faced in yellow and washed out in brown.

Make-up is a pain too: I feel like a transsexual or a clown when I put something on my face.

I can't look objectively at myself, so any advice is really welcome.

This is a picture of mine: (I don't have my camera right now, so that's all I can manage for now)

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/6820/1009133.jpg

15 years ago

General

39 replies

Latest reply was from cciele

rute

Veteran

My God! You are gorgeous! Such lovely eyes.

Of course you can use make-up! Start with nude colors, a light foundation, black mascara, a very light blush and a nude gloss.

I love make-up but I don't wear many color in my face, love the nude look, you don't look like you have make-up at all, keep everything natural.

I have also a lot of black in the wardrobe, we in Europe use a lot of black, it's not safe, even with black you'll have to choose the fit very well otherwise it's awful.. for example: a black pencil skirt is lovely, it shows the curves and it's a classical, a long large skirt is horrible.. everyone sees that you are hidding someting and you'll get even more unwanted attention.

Concentrate on the fit of the pieces you have and see if it's the best for your body type, if so, keep it and try to add some colors, for me it was easy starting with navy blue, dark purple, dark green, ink blue.

15 years ago

Katja

(website)

Active Member

I'm really looking forward to seeing the replies you get, itari - I have too much black, too, and am also pretty frightened of makeup.

The day before yesterday, inspired by a couple of days of reading YLF, I bravely went out and bought three woven shirts: orange smocked pinstripe, light blue pinstripe, and pink. Now I'm cowering under the covers trying to figure out what to wear them with.

15 years ago

Kristine

Veteran

I think you'd look amazing in medium-dark marine blue, kind of a greenish-blue. Other colors might be plum, cranberry, burgundy, copper. Subtle, dark colors, jumping to pink is going to be too much and probably not your taste. You have gorgeous skin and very pretty eyes, some color would really bring them out.

There's nothing wrong with black as a basic to build around, but it can be kind of harsh on its own. Have you tried wearing scarves? They could soften the black you already have.

I like very light, natural make-up. I wear a tinted moisturizer, a little mascara, maybe some cream blush and tinted or clear lip balm. I don't think you really need much in the way of make-up, how about trying sheer light colors? Pinks, peaches, light bronze.

15 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Do you know if the flash is on in that picture? I'm having a hard time telling which "season" you are because of the lack of natural light. In this picture your eyes look green with some flecks of gold, and I see little tiny freckles around your face, which make me lean towards autumn. However your hair looks "cool", which makes me wonder. And in your profile you said your eyes are gray, which really makes me wonder? Do you have any natural golden or red-ish tones in your hair? Do you have any pictures of yourself in natural light?

You can add color without it looking garish. I think part of the problem is that your eyes haven't adjusted to seeing yourself in colors, but it also might be that you've tried colors that are aren't right for your skin tone.

15 years ago

Itari

(website)

Active Member

Wow, thanks! I didn't think I'd get so many helpful answers in 25 minutes

Rute - thank you! And you're right, I'm not having any make-up on the picture. You're probably right about Europeans wearing too much black. As I wrote in another thread, I'm going to post some full body shots as soon as I have my camera back!

Kristine - I like the idea of some natural make-up. Light bronze seems to be the most appealing.

Funny that you noticed my eyes, because I don't even know what colour they are! Not black, not brown, not blue... grey maybe. Or green? Teal?

15 years ago

Itari

(website)

Active Member

Sorry, I posted the reply above before reading your thoughts, Kate.

Flash was off. I was standing in front of a mirror reflecting the daylight (as you can see, there's a window behind me.

I'm wondering what my season is, too. As I wrote, I don't know what colour my eyes really are. I wrote 'grey', because they aren't really blue or green. And yes, my hair is cool without any red undertones - a bit too dark to call it ash or mousy. Once I tried a golden blonde wig and it looked positively awful. I think I prefer cooler colours, though.

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

OMG you have such piercing eyes. I don't really do make up either but i'm starting to try to wear some as it brightens me up. I wear sunscreen with a light dusting of powder foundation on top, a bit of blush and curl my eyelashes and apply mascara. 5 minutes and i'm out the door x

15 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Alrighty, cooler colors it is. Because your hair color is so dark, that has me thinking you're a winter. However you don't like how you look in bold colors, but winter is mostly bold colors. hmmm. I also can't really imagine you in pastels, so that makes me think winter is correct.

Here's a winter set of colors: http://fireiceearthandair.file.....ntsice.jpg

It seems like the grays and navy blues wouldn't be too far from black, and would be an easy way to start branching out.

If you are a cool skin tone then you need to stay away from bronze/orange/warm makeup because it won't blend well with your skin tone. That's not to say you have to wear bright reds or pinks, you can still find subtle colors that have a cool tone.

I'm trying to find some examples of somewhat subtle, cool makeup for you:

http://meganfoxnews.com/wp-con.....an-fox.jpg
http://frappelattes.com/wp-con.....makeup.jpg
http://accidentalsexiness.file.....12/cca.jpg
http://mystuffspace.com/graphic/courtney-cox-1.jpg
http://www.celebritywonder.com.....910286.jpg
http://blogs.babble.com/famecr.....ey-cox.jpg
http://www.allthetests.com/qui.....874_10.jpg

whew, I hope these help at least a bit! Notice the use of black, gray, silver, and a cool nude shimmer for eye makeup, and then various cool pink-ish colors on the lips and cheeks. Also, just using a foundation or powder that matches your skin can add polish and sophistication to your look without adding color.

15 years ago

Itari

(website)

Active Member

Thanks! The winter set looks nice, although I can't imagine myself in all those pinks. I think I'll start with navy and charcoal, maybe dark green shades too. I like the examples you provided - especially Courtney Cox (since Megan Fox has much darker skin than I).

I found prettyyourworld.com few weeks ago - the author uses the 12-season system. I don't know whether it's accurate or not. Both Megan and Courtney are Clear Winters: http://www.prettyyourworld.com.....asons.html - is it a good source? I like the idea of being a cool season mixed with another, warmer one.

15 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Hmm, I've stuck to a 4 season system just because narrowing it down to 1 of 4 can be hard enough But I think you could also be a cool winter (http://www.prettyyourworld.com.....eason.html) like Lauren Graham or Jennifer Connelly. It looks like a good resource, but I think at the end of the day what matters most is how the color looks on you and makes you feel, not which type of winter it's best for. So I wouldn't limit yourself to a certain type of winter colors while you're trying to figure out what looks good on you, and then later if you find the colors that are best for you tend to be clear or cool winter you can follow those guidelines.

15 years ago

Losermom

Active Member

I think you are such a stunning girl! Your eye color is very similar to mine. My eyes change color depending on what I'm wearing. If I wear blue they appear blue or grey. If I wear green they take on a more greenish cast. I would love to see you in some pretty greens. As far as make-up goes, less is more. I would just try a tinted moisturizer, mascara, a light dusting of blush and a translucent pink lip gloss.

15 years ago

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

You are beautiful! Gorgeous eyes and lovely shaped lips. You are a very lucky young woman!

I so totally understand the whole "looking like a clown" fear with makeup. Whenever I have had someone "do" my makeup I feel like I look ridiculous and really want to scrub it off. That said, I do like a light application to just bring a bit more balance and flawlessness to my face.

I use a tinted moisturiser (with SPF) as a foundation (you could try this too as you have lovely skin) because I hate a "caked on" foundation look; a nude shade of eye-shadow with just a smudge of darker colour around the edge; a very light plummy blush and a nude shade lipstick. The one thing I do dark is a black mascara to play up my eyes more. I like to have one feature drawn into focus on my face, mine is my eyes. Oh, and I always check that my eye-brows are not going wild. A touch of hairspray holds them in place.

In fact, Hmmmmmmm, <Katiepea strains her brain for a moment> if you are not wanting to really wear makeup at this point but are wanting to start experiment with looking more "groomed" so to speak, maybe you could try having an eye-lash tint and maybe a brow wax? You have lovely brows, it's just that I find that when I have these two things done at a beautician's, I instantly look more groomed, whether I have make-up on or not. It is not a "dramatic" as in people would say "What have you done to yourself?!" more along the lines of a subtle "Itari is looking nice today, what's different, I can't pinpoint it!"

I can also totally understand how the thought of going from black to pink could bring on a heart-attack! It would be a very dramatic change as you are so used to wearing black. The ladies have suggested some lovely colours for you to try. The first practical step would be to go to the shops and try a range of colours on in the changing rooms and see how they look. Sometimes you may LOVE a colour, but it looks rubbish on. Sometimes you may not be instantly drawn to a colour, but when you put it on.... WOW!!! (I have had this experience with purple and teal lately. Never worn the colours before in my life. Thought I'd give it a try and I am amazed!)

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I am mesmerized by your beautiful eyes. WOW. Thanks for posting a pic and for trying to embrace colour.

Straight off the bat, here are a few simple thoughts:

o you'll look better in dark charcoal and ink blue than black – less harsh.
o Wear jewel tones and keep them cold rather than warm – that is, go for colours with blue undertones as opposed to yellow undertones. Does that make sense?
o Stay away from pastels but wear muted shades too. So instead of going pure in colour, wear a few tones blue from it.
o If you were my client, you would be wearing a lot of blue, purple and green - and not so much black. At all :0)
o Wave to Louise! Her colours will probably work well on you too.

15 years ago

stringy

Veteran

I think a silky top in a dark green/emerald would look just stunning on you for more dressy occasions. That way you could still wear some black and stay close to your comfort zone without having it too near your face.

As for makeup, you could experiment a bit with some sheer lip-glosses - they add a little colour without being too out there. A sweep of a soft brown eyeshadow often looks good with eyes that do that switching between blue/green/grey thing.

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

*waving* Angie I did see the similarities too but didn't trust my judgement! x

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I just wanted to add my hello!
Try some blush on the apples of your cheeks, and maybe a colored lip balm or light gloss. I don't know where you are, but Target has a line of E.L.F. cosmetics that contains a all over color stick that is great for cheeks- and it's only $1. It will look natural, but brighten up your face a lot.

15 years ago

Anonymous

You have received some great advice. I just want to say that you are beautiful and have the same color eyes as my son. They look outstanding in greens and blueish reds as well as blues (not pastel).

15 years ago

Itari

(website)

Active Member

Wow, thanks again!

Louise - I browsed your WIW pictures and loved it! In fact, although I'm um... much larger than you, I think that your body shape is a bit similar to mine.

chewyspaghetti - I'm not really sure about some blush. I'm not completely against it, but I'm afraid that any colour would be too striking against my pale skin.
And that's where I live (sorry, I've just read the article and loved it!) http://travel.nytimes.com/2010.....gewanted=1

Everybody else: I love your advice. I'm a bit shocked that all of you noticed my eyes. I always thought that they're dull and colourless. Now I recall something I was told 2 years ago when talking about colour analysis: that person said something like 'you're not a winter, because winters have bright eyes!'.

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

That's what I used to think about myself as well- that blush was not for me. But it is- it *so* is. People like us with pale complexions and no natural blush really benefit from it.

15 years ago

malcontent

Active Member

Itari, I believe your coloring would allow you to wear certain strong colors that would coordinate with your black wardrobe. However, I would strongly suggest adding another neutral to your wardrobe so black doesn't end up the inevitable pairing for each new colored item. You can definitely wear a rich chocolate brown. It's the beigy browns you need to stay away from.

As far as color, you really should try some forest or emerald greens to set off your eyes. A dark red would look lovely against your fair skin--think of trying a rich crimson. Cobalt blue might also be a good option for you.

Also, if you are not strongly opposed to makeup, I think it could help you make your color choices seem more flattering. Like you, I have fair skin, light eyes, and naturally lighter-colored lips paired with darker hair, though my coloring is more extreme. It is easy to look washed out when you have higher-contrast coloring but it also easy to look vivid and striking with a few judicious touches. Lipstick and blush will make the biggest impact. You can wear eye makeup if inclined. You are lucky to have such dark, beautifully defined brows, so I think you could get away with just lip and cheek color until you feel more comfortable with makeup. Start with a rosy lip gloss or sheer lipstick and a bright but sheer blush. Use a big blush brush and apply the color lightly. If I may recommend a few foolproof colors, I'd say that NARS "Orgasm" blush and NARS "Dolce Vita" lipstick look good on most fair-skinned women.

15 years ago

Itari

(website)

Active Member

Mmm, I like your ideas. That "Dolce Vita" lipstick looks very nice, although "Orgasm" blush seems warmer than cooler - it's described as "peachy pink".

I've got Vichy Normateint foundation, but it looks a bit pasty on my face. I'm using "Opal" shade, which is the lightest. The next one, "Nude", it's too orange. My sister uses it, but she's a bit tanned.

15 years ago

Kristine

Veteran

I think blush would definitely work for you! It doesn't have to be (and shouldn't be) even that noticeable and definitely not clowny. That's why I like cream blush, it gives a sheer slight flush. I think your pretty complexion would really glow with some blush.

Blush is also a good way to balance out black if you're wearing it next to your face. If I'm wearing black (or white) I use a little more make-up, definitely nothing drastic, but just a bit more color.

15 years ago

malcontent

Active Member

Itari, I use the "Orgasm" blush myself and I am very cool/wintry in appearance. I have near-black hair, fair skin with yellow undertones, and blue-green eyes. Believe it or not, the sheer golden-peach is a good color for me. Perhaps you could try it out, along with some other shades/brands at Sephora or a similar store?

Because I am cool-toned, I actually try to avoid making my makeup colors too cool on an everyday basis. The cooler the colors, the more vivid and artificial they can look against my skin. I'm not sure how to explain why.

15 years ago

April

Veteran

Itari, there are more than a few of us here on YLF who don't love colorful color on ourselves and who mainly rely on neutrals (Taylor and myself being just two examples), but Angie's advice to branch out and mix in some non-black neutrals is very wise.

You may never combine red with purple and you may never feel that you've missed out on anything, but I would be willing to bet that if you add some other neutrals to your palette, you won't regret it.

15 years ago

Itari

(website)

Active Member

Hello

My camera is back! I've got some pics and I'm wearing some make-up: Vichy foundation, a cheap, black mascara (need to buy something better) and some transparent lipgloss (my eyebrows are different too!). No eyeshadow, no blush, no lipstick. I still feel artificial with any make-up Something is definitely not right. I thought about going to Sephora and getting nice things, but why should I buy something I won't use?

On the other hand, I wore something green - dark pine green. Here is the picture:
http://i867.photobucket.com/al.....iginal.jpg

(sorry about the background)

Using a bit of computer magic, I created some different versions:
forest green http://i867.photobucket.com/al...../green.jpg
cerulean http://s867.photobucket.com/al.....rulean.jpg
midnight blue http://i867.photobucket.com/al.....f/blue.jpg
royal purple http://s867.photobucket.com/al.....purple.jpg

Which one do you like the best?

(password - ylf2010)

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

That green is gorgeous on you!

15 years ago

JennyK (NC)

Active Member

The cerulean blue and the purple are my favorites. I'm looking forward to seeing you try some of these colors out for real!

15 years ago

Itari

(website)

Active Member

I think my previous post wasn't clear enough - you can see the described make-up on my pictures. Sorry!

Maybe I'll try something different tomorrow (and trying means borrowing clothes in various colours from other people)!

15 years ago

cciele

Veteran

You really do have stunning eyes, Itari. Is there any reason why you feel that you need to wear makeup? I don't wear any makeup 90% of the time, and my skin is a lot older and eyes a lot less brighter than yours

15 years ago

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