Aren’t You Gorgeous! The Power Of Color

By: Marlene Affeld

Have you glanced in the mirror and questioned why some colors look fabulous on you, making you appear energized and refreshed, while others seem to drain you mentally and physically? The dramatic visual message of color is integral to how people perceive us. No matter how much money we spend on expensive grooming products, hairstyling, or designer apparel, nothing has as much impact on our appearance as color.

Research studies indicate that the color a person is wearing is one of the first things others notice. The “right” colors can make a person appear more youthful, thinner, and confident. On the other hand, the wrong colors can make us appear tired, older, heavier, and just plain “boring.”

Colors have different, ever-evolving meanings in different cultures. Today, in Western societies, researchers find the majority of people, influenced by art and advertising, hold similar perceptions of a diverse array of primary colors.

Black

Black is a color with many different and conflicting meanings. Black has been the only color consistently associated with evil, darkness, and death for centuries. That’s why historians call one of the most deadly epidemics ever to infect mankind as the “Black Plague.”

When our minds conjure images of the devil, Dracula, the Grim Reaper, or the thief-in-the-night, the villain is always dressed in black. Witches, dressed in black, practice “Black Magic.” Black, a sign of mourning, is considered appropriate attire for a funeral. Black is the color of judge’s robes: an authority color. Black is also a symbol of strength.

Black is the fashion statement of militant terrorists worldwide due to its association with dominance, power, and control. Hiding behind their masks and hoods, these cowards wouldn’t look near so menacing garbed in pale pink.

Conversely, black also conveys submission. Black is the color clerics and priests adorned to signify submission to a higher power. The classic fashion clique, the “sexy little black dress,” is a subtle color signal of submission and availability.

A solid black outfit, unrelieved by a splash of vibrant color, can make the wearer appear distant, unapproachable, or dangerous. Fashion-conscious men know how a particular colored tie can uplift and energize their appearance, showcase their “baby blues,” and compliment that touch of silver in their sideburns.

Black, a fashion power color, elegant, timeless, and appropriate for any season, conveys luxury and wealth; a black tie is the preferred dress code for affairs of state, galas, and gatherings of the affluent and elite.

White

Symbolic of truth, trust, purity, peace, and innocence, white is the traditional color choice for christening gowns and wedding dresses. Doctors and healthcare workers wear white, the color of clouds, to convey cleanliness and sterility. The white coat ceremony is a milestone marker in every medical student’s educational journey.

White is the color of surrender, godliness, and goodness. Think of your mind’s conception of angels, doves of peace, the White Knight, or the guy in the white hat.

White reflects light and brightens the complexion. A neutral color that goes with every other color, white implies openness, acceptance, cooperation, and approachability.

Brown

Neutral, the color of Boy Scout uniforms, leather, and wood, and the abundance of warm earth brown tones connote authenticity, dependability, stability, earthiness, and endurance. Brown is a favorite color of many men and the background of the majority of male wardrobes. Brown can be bland alone but compliments and enriches the complexion when combined with a complementary color.

Pink

Pink has long been considered a feminine, dainty, and delicate color. Pretty in pink, a color for little girls, soft and sweet. However, over the past decade, pink has matured into a featured signature statement in men’s shirts, sweaters, ties, and accessories. Pink brightens a shallow complexion and offsets yellow skin tones. A non-threatening color, pink is the most romantic of colors, imparting a peaceful serenity and tranquilizing effect.

Blue

A predominant color in nature, blue, the color of the sea and sky, invokes a sense of coolness and tranquility by prompting the body to produce calming chemicals that affect the brain. Blue has many faces and can be cold, dreary, depressing, bold, brilliant, and beautiful. Recent workplace studies indicate that test subjects are more attentive and productive in blue rooms.

Blue is the least appetizing of colors. There are few blue foods aside from blueberries. In nature, blue is a cautious color that often signifies spoiling, mold, or mildew. Many savvy dieters have discovered that serving their food on bright blue dinnerware diminishes their appetite, a simple trick that, over time, can result in significant weight loss.

Symbolic of royalty and a regal lifestyle, blue imparts confidence and improves concentration. A power color for both men and women, blue is the color recommended by employment consultants to wear to that big interview.

Purple

Since the days of the Caesars of Roman rulers paraded in robes of purple, the bold color signifies royalty, luxury, sophistication, and wealth. Purple invokes passion and persuasion. Purple warms a shallow complexion but is best avoided by persons with dark circles under their eyes or visible facial veins, as purple makes these facial flaws more prominent.

Yellow

An optimistic color, yellow is a cheerful, attention-getting color reminiscent of sunshine and happy days. However, yellow can be overpowering and invoke hostility when worn as a solitary color. Color psychology studies show that while yellow focuses concentration, babies living in yellow rooms tend to be fussy, sleep less, and cry more. Bright yellow kitchens are often the scenes of domestic violence, and research subjects confined to yellow-painted rooms were more likely to argue or have outbursts of temper.

Green

The easiest color on the eye, green, symbolizes nature’s beauty and bounty. Money also signifies wealth (greenbacks), and a deep, rich green conveys sophistication and manliness. Green is incredibly flattering to persons with hazel eyes, redheads, and blondes.

Green means go and suggest grit and determination. Green, also symbolic of strength and unity, is a favorite color of sports teams and those seeking the adrenaline rush of extreme outdoor activities.

Soft shades of green have a soothing effect on both the wearer and the beholder, fostering cooperation, teamwork, and harmonious relationships.

Red

Red is another color that adopts multiple personalities. The color of fire, red, is the most emotionally intense, stimulating a faster cardiac rhythm, anger, and aggression. Think about waving a red flag in front of a bull. Red fuels action. Conversely, red means stop; a solid red outfit can be somewhat off-putting and intimidating. Many professional women see red as a cheerful power color that evokes confidence and raises self-esteem. While red has positive attributes, red makes the wearer appear heavier and more formidable. Because it is such an extreme color, it may not be the best to wear when the situation involves conflict or difference of opinion.

When used as an accent color around the face, red promotes a rosy glow and youthful vigor. Forget wearing red on a morning when you are sleep-deprived or experiencing the consequences of a night on the town. Red will make bloodshot eyes and prominent nose veins stand out like neon beacons. Persons suffering from rosacea, acne, or other skin irritations should also avoid attention-getting shades of red.

Orange

Bright and bold, orange is exceptionally flattering to persons with darker skin. Orange, one of the primary colors of autumn, compliments dark hair and rich skin tones but tends to make blondes look washed out and pale.

Personal Color Analysis

Because color is an essential facet of our lives, a professional Personal Color Analysis is an ideal beauty service that can understand the tonal palette of colors and identify those shades that most flatter your hair coloring and skin tone. A color comparison using fabric drapes will reveal a unique collection of colors complementing your skin’s natural color composition. Until you seek out a personal color analysis, you are unlikely to discover the importance of selecting flattering personal color choices.

Here’s the best part! Shopping is a breeze when armed with a pocket-sized portable palette of your personal colors. It’s easy to pick the perfect color to showcase your attributes and coordinate with the other items in your closet.