What is real beauty? The media would like us to believe that beauty is being forever young, tall, perfectly proportioned with flawless skin and a great head of hair. If this is true, we are all doomed to accepting we can’t be beautiful.
When we look at “air brushed photos” in magazine of models, who look like they have no flaws it hard not to compare ourselves. We forget that the models have been airbrushed and photo-shopped to look perfect. I don’t look at those magazines anymore, but when I did, I felt flawed and frumpy. Have any of you had that experience? When you feel more like beast than a beauty what do you do?
Do you overeat, exercise or go shopping?
When you feel bad about how you look, you are more likely to buy beauty products, clothes, jewelry and shoes you do not need
The real truth is that “beauty” is what’s pleasing to our eyes. You can check this out by looking at a painting you like. Why do you like looking at it?
The answer is that its visually pleasing to your eyes. It gets your attention with its repetition of color, line and proportion.
What can you do to become visually more pleasing? Think of yourself as an “unfinished masterpiece,” waiting for the right frame.
Do you remember the last time you had to choose a frame for a painting or print? When you went to the framing store there were hundreds of choices of frames and mats. The store clerk quickly and easily picked out a few frames and mats and you were able to choose the one you liked. Before I tell you how the store clerk was able to pick out the right frame, I want to know how well you do picking out a frame for a painting or print.
Visualize a 11 x 14 painting of a water scene with boats tied up at the dock. The sky is greyish blue and a storm is brewing. What color mat and frame would you put on it? Would you choose a wide, shiny gold frame and a pure white mat. Or would a soft white mat with a non-shiny mat silver frame be better? Now think about an abstract painting the same size but with large, bold,splotches of primary colors. Would you choose the same frame for both paintings?
Of course not, the frame needs to be an extension of the painting. Your clothes, jewelry and makeup are your frame. Your frame needs to be an extension of you so that it can compliment, not detract from your natural beauty.
So how did the clerk do this so easily? He or she did this by looking at the painting and picking out one or two predominate colors and looking at the scale of the painting.
So how can your frame look like a natural extension of you and put the finishing touches on the “master piece,” thats uniquely you? (See part 2 of this blog for important tips on how to use color to do this)
By reading Dressing Smart for Women and or Dressing Smart for Men, you will learn more about choosing flattering shades of color and how to look great everyday no matter what your age, shape or size. These books are available at Amazon.com and as well as your local library or Contact Leslie Stott, Color 1 CEO to buy the book, Leslie@thecolorlady.com
Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained “Color 1, personal image consultant.” Her website is: www.WardrobeWiz.com/ She can work with you online using digital photos to create a wallet of your best colors.