When Colors Work Wonders

The celebrities in these photographs knew how to pick the right colors to suit their complexions.

We asked Lora Alexander, professional image consultant and makeup artist, to weigh in on what makes these looks work so well.

In her line of work, Alexander helps people choose their most flattering colors based on Color Theory Analysis made popular in the 1980s. This system categorizes colors into the four seasons of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn.

Later on, color analysts found that system was limited and created a 12-season color theory, as well as a 16-season color theory—both of which evaluate a color’s hue or tint; and value, a gradation of tone from light to dark. The 16-season color theory includes chroma, a color’s white or gray saturation.

These theories further subdivide the color seasons into deep, light, soft, warm, cool, and clear. Alexander writes on her website Pretty Your World: “Sure, you CAN wear whatever color you want to. But if you want to look YOUR BEST, you’ll want to wear colors that harmonize with your natural coloring. It’s really that simple.”

We have found Alexander’s advice right on target. All comments in the photo captions are hers.

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