While being comfortable in one’s own skin (and wardrobe) is numero one, it’s safe to say that one thing that no one wants to wear is something that ages them. A youthful appearance is something we all strive for, whether subconsciously or not. One of the most effective ways to achieve that youthful glow is via the colors we chose to wear. Given that there are thousands of Pantone colors at any given time, we turned to an expert in the field to guide us toward the exact colors to wear if you want to look younger. Kate Smith is the president and chief color maven of Sensational Color, which is a resource for information on color trends, meaning, theories, and dos and don’ts.
Smith told us, “With each year, hair and skin tone changes subtly, and at some point, those same colors are no longer as flattering as they once were.” She added, “To keep your older and wiser self glowing, your colors need to complement how you look right now.” She recommended four specific colors that will give your look a lift. Keep scrolling to find out what they are.
“Turquoise is a color that brings out the glow in every skin tone. There are many variations of this color that lean either bluer or greener. If you have a lighter skin tone, find the perfect turquoise by turning over your arm and looking at the veins in your wrist. If they look bluer or greener, then find a shade of turquoise that leans toward that color. If you have a medium-to-dark skin tone, just about any mid-tone turquoise will look great.” — Kate Smith
“Women, especially those with light skin tones, need to trade pastel pink for medium red-violet. Think rich magenta toned down by red or the colors that range from fuchsia to raspberry. Afraid to trade pastel pink for a deeper shade? All you have to do is look at pictures of Hillary Clinton wearing this color versus any other color she wore on the campaign trail. Once you see how much younger she looks wearing [red-violet], you’ll want to find your best red-violet, too.” — Kate Smith
“True black is often too severe against the softer tones of mature skin. It can make fine lines, wrinkles, and circles under your eyes appear darker. If black has been your go-to color, it may be difficult to give it up. Be open to trying charcoal gray, navy blue, or another deep color. You may just discover how much more flattering your ‘new black’ is than the one you’ve been wearing.” — Kate Smith
“Another color that flatters a majority of women is medium blue with a touch of purple or violet. Hair and skin tones ‘cool’ with age, and the blue-based hue, often called periwinkle, works beautifully no matter where you skin tone falls in the range between warm and cool.” — Kate Smith
Up next, 9 color trends we’re about to see everywhere this fall.
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
