I never cease to be amazed that even with all the personal stylists, make-up artists, and clothing designers available to them, celebrities continue to wear colours and clothing that detract from their looks. It’s no wonder so many of us mere mortals struggle so with what to wear!

Here Gwynth Paltrow looks absolutely stunning.

In this photo her make-up, colour and clothing is spot on.   See how beautifully the light gray highlights her soft lovely colouring?  She’s wearing soft, muted make-up which  enhances her natural beauty.  She looks healthy and vibrant in this photo.

Now look at her in black. 

As beautiful as Gwynth is, this colour is not very flattering to her natural beauty.  Can you see how she appears quite drained? She’s wearing so much black that it makes her skin tone appear to be quite sallow. The whole point of colour, clothing and make-up is for it to make us look and feel fabulous, not tired and worn out!

If I were styling Gwynth I probably wouldn’t let her near black at all.  Her complexion is just too soft and delicate.   If she insisted on wearing it I would put either a scarf or blouse in her colour near her face to soften the effect of the black. Ideally,  I would put Gwynth in this fabulous dress from Charles and Patricia Lester:The soft muted blues would absolutely make her skin, hair and eyes come to life. The dress would drape her gorgeous figure perfectly and we would  see Gwynth at her most beautiful.

In this photo she’s in a colour that goes completely against her natural tones. No one can deny the dress is beautiful, but the colour has far too much warmth for Gwynth’s skin, making her appear quite sallow.  The red lipstick is overpowering her lovely features.  All we notice in this photo is a set of lips and a dress, we don’t see Gwynth!

After much searching, I could only find one photograph (aside from the one on top) of Gwynth in a colour that suited her.

Here her make-up is spot on and the colour of her dress enhances her looks and doesn’t detract from them.  She would still look far better in the Charles and Patricia Lester creation though.

The good news in all of this is that a simple, affordable colour and style consultation solves the problem of “what to wear” and why to wear it,  for us mere mortals, forever!

Have you noticed that almost everywhere you turn about 75% to 85% of the people you see are wearing black? As a colour consultant, I confess it does my head in for a variety of reasons.

1) If you don’t have colouring to carry it off, black will absolutely drain the life out of your features.
If attending a funeral it’s perfectly acceptable to look tired and drained.
In business you need to look healthy, vibrant and alive. If you look ill people won’t hear you.

2) In business you need to stand out, not blend in
Wearing black makes you look like everyone else.

3) Black is a two edged sword.
Worn properly, by those who can, it can make you appear powerful.
Worn wrongly, you can be seen to be cold, aloof and aggressive.

Far better neutral colours exist which will enhance and flatter your individual features. Some of them are charcoal grey, navy blue. deep olive green, stone, steel blue, beige and all shades of gray. The colours you wear next to your face are vitally important for making the right sort of impact and for holding peoples attention to your face.

It’s time for people to break free of their addiction to the colour black and start wearing the colours that make them look and feel fabulous!

As a business person you do a whole lot of handshaking don’t you? Whether it’s networking events, new business clients, established clients, business conferences or business events you’re out there shaking a lot of hands. It is the accepted greeting in the western business world.

Yet how many of you have given the slightest thought or paid the slightest attention to the impression your handshake leaves on another person?

Have you ever had it evaluated? Chances are you haven’t. Most people won’t tell you how your handshake makes them feel, but they Will register an impression of you from it, whether it’s accurate or not. Handshakes can be deal makers or deal breakers so it’s important to get it right.

A proper handshake is quite simple.

1) Extend hand straight up and down and grip firmly when the hands are web to web.

2) Shake 3 times maximum.

3) Maintain eye contact

4) Exude a positive attitude and smile if appropriate.

If you shake hands in this way you are bound to make a positive impression on the person you are meeting.

Listed below are handshakes that I refer to as the deal breakers. Each one of these can leave a lasting negative impression that is difficult to overcome.

The Dominator

This handshake begins in the same way as the proper handshake. Instead of maintaining that straight up and down position, the dominator will rotate their hand to be above the other persons. Often this indicates someone who wants to be in charge.

The Two Hander

One person using both hands to envelope the hand of the other. This one is terribly frowned upon in business as it invades the space of the other person. To be used only when you know someone well. Politicians frequently use this handshake!

The Dead Fish

You know the one. Instead of the hand you were expecting you get a cold scale encrusted wet fish. The hand is often cold or wet and leaves you with an urge to wipe you’re hand off as soon as the grip is released. Always make sure your hands are dry even if you have to use a napkin before hand.

The Limp Fingers

Instead of a firm grip in the web area of the hand you get these limp fingers which sort of cup over your outstretched hand. Sometimes the limp fingers can be hurt because the hand is not in the right place for gripping. This one can leave the impression you’re not very confident and have a weak character. A firm grip indicates confidence and equality.

I encourage you to ask some trusted friends to give you honest feedback about how your handshake makes them feel.

I’d also like to hear your stories and opinions about handshakes and the impressions they’ve made upon you over the years.

Welcome to First Impressions.

Professional men and women invest in learning and development because it pays dividends and helps them achieve success. Are you aware that investing in how you look ( ie, your personal brand) can affect how much you earn*? Your chances for promotion? How many jobs you win? It even affects how people respond to you in all areas of your life.

I’m LaRae Wilkins, a colour, style and image consultant trained to the exacting standards of The International Federation of Image Consultants. I am a registered affiliate. I assist business men and women get ahead, become more confident and make a positive first impression by giving them the tools to enhance their natural features.

Booking a session with me could be the most effective personal development work you do this year. You will learn how wearing the right colours and styles will enhance your looks and project the image you want for your business. On top of that you will find your session informative, enlightening and tremendous fun as well.

Look good. Feel good. Achieve success!

* http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2009/05/16/Study-says-beautiful-people-earn-more/UPI-51601242502700/