When I was working as an Executive Secretary, looks, poise, image and etc were my assets.  Of course, one need the necessary skills.  However, the first impression we secretaries made is very important to our bosses.  My ex-boss received high profiles people in our office and hence, our company invested on us secretaries.

I had received the PM and his wife, several cabinet ministers and other large companies’ CEOs who are now cabinet ministers too.   So, lucky me had the luxury of atttending several image consultans courses.

One of them is the Colour Me Beautiful course which costed RM400/per person about 8 years ago.  In it, the consultant study my body shape and the colours most suitable for me.  Then, she gave me a booklet with cloth swatches will all the different colours that suited me best.

I was also given  instructions on what kind of skirt to wear, the type of blouses, handbags, sunglasses and etc.  In fact, she studied from the head right down to the toes.  That included hair styles too.

Makeup colours were also formulated and until today, I am very aware of not using colour that clash.  No autumn colours for me nor  summer colours too.  What I was most suitable is spring and a little winter colours.

This explains why I seem to have a lot of lipsticks, eyeshadows and lip liners in my handbag.  I always make sure that I am in the right season. 

Here’s what Colour Me Beautiful said on their website.  Of course, I am not promoting them and I also do not know if the consultant is still doing her job.

Confused by colour? Ever looked in the mirror and felt dull? Want to wear more colours but not sure which ones suit you or how to wear them? a colour consultation will demonstrate:

• what your dominant colouring is and how this determines what colours suit you
• why certain shades complement your natural colouring more than others
• a complete make-up in the right colours with tips on the make-up that suits you naturally
• how to wear and combine colours to achieve the look you want in both work and play
• how to better work your wardrobe and achieve more outfit combinations without having to buy
  more clothes
• how best to wear the colours you already have
• where to find your colours this season

how it works
At the consultation, your consultant will find out about your lifestyle, clothes, make-up, shopping habits and what you like to wear. By looking at the way your skin tone, eye and hair colour work together you’ll then be shown how to wear the colours from your personal palette and ways in which you can use these colours to complement your unique colouring.

Your consultant will advise you on what your neutral colours are and how they work best for suits, jackets and trousers. You’ll then be shown how you can use accent colours to give your outfit the WOW factor. You’ll also receive a full make-up makeover in colours that complement your skin tone and features, along with a list of suitable make-up shades, so you’ll leave looking great! You will also take with you, a wallet containing 42 fabric swatches with unique tips on how to wear your colours and how to use the wallet when shopping.

What I can tell you is – Colours do make or break our looks.  That include the designs of our clothes and the fabric material and patterns.
If you can’t afford the course, worry not.  Look at the mirror next time and see truthfully if certain clothes make you look sickly or vibrant.  Discern them by the colours.  Spring colours are bright like pinks, blue, beige whilst autumn are teal, dirty green, yellowish.  Winter is bright red and those stuffs you see during Christmas.  Summer is softer shades of pastel colours.  Some people areb’t made to wear black, you know that?

If I find my colour swatches, I will take a pic for a better idea.  Hope you enjoy this little tip.