Red is such a big colour this Autumn/Winter, so how do you choose the red that suits you best?
Let’s start by dispelling a couple of myths:
Number one, despite what you may think, there is a red for everyone! If you’re not sure you can wear red, it will simply be that you haven’t found the right red yet. Or it could just be that red isn’t a colour you like, full stop.
Number two, the saying that “red heads can’t wear red” is absolutely not true. (Just like “blue and green should never be seen” is equally not true, it’s in fact one of my favourite combinations!). If you’re lucky enough to have beautiful red hair you’ll honestly look stunning in red.
As with colours in general, when it comes to choosing the specific shades and tones it is all about selecting those that flatter your mix of hair colour, eye colour and skin tone.
So here are a few tips on choosing ‘your red’.
- Your personality
For me this is always the most important factor in choosing what to wear. I believe that you should wear what you love, what makes you feel confident, and what really feels like ‘you’. So if you love red, wear it! If it’s not your favourite colour then there are plenty of others to choose instead. Always dress for you.
- Think about the undertone – warm v cool
One of the biggest things to get right is the undertone of the red you choose. If you have warmth in your colouring (eg, your hair is a warm tone, you have a warm skin tone, you have warm brown/green eyes), you will generally suit reds that have a warmer undertone, think orangey-reds. (These are the kinds of reds that look stunning on those with red/auburn hair that have often been told to avoid red!).If, on the other hand, you have cooler aspects to your colouring, (eg, your hair is black, grey, ash blonde or a cool brown colour, you have a cool skin tone, you have blue eyes), you are more likely to suit the reds that have a cooler undertone, think raspberry reds.
Here are a few examples of some of the reds around this season, everything from the orangey red tassel skirt from All Saints through to the cooler pinky toned red top from Boden and the burgundy dress from Reiss.
- Think about the depth – light v dark
Some people suit lighter reds whilst others look better in the deeper reds. This largely depends on your own depth of colouring, so typically those with darker features (dark hair, dark eyes) can take the deeper shades such a deep tomato red (if you have a warmer skin tone) or deep burgundy red (if you have a cooler skin tone).
- Think about the brightness – bright v muted
Finally think about how bright the red is. A bright primary red looks best on those that have a contrasting look, think dark hair with a paler eye and skin tone, for example. Whereas a more muted, smokey, gentle kind of red suits those whose colouring has a more blended look to it (eg if you have hair, skin and eyes that look more similar, not contrasting).
Here’s a video of me talking through how to wear red:
We haven’t even talked about choosing your best red lipstick – that can be a real challenge can’t it? Hands up if you have a drawer full of red lipsticks that you’ve bought only to get home and realise it isn’t what you thought it might be and doesn’t suit you?! Yes, it can be an expensive mission. Just bear in mind these same tips and hopefully you can avoid that in the future.
If you aren’t sure which red is your best red, simply book a colour consultation. It’ll take all of the guesswork out of the equation and you’ll leave with a palette full of colours, including reds, that will help you to look healthy, vibrant and confident. I’m not including a make-up application as part of the colour consultations that I’m offering during the pandemic (although I can show you the shades), so my colour consultations are just £110 now, including your Colour Fan to take away with you. Click here for more details: Colour Consultations.
Enjoy wearing red with confidence!
Kerrie
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