Janna isn’t simply a talented lady with a great eye for color. She is a teacher. She will tell you that her goal has always been to “teach  clients to see themselves more clearly.” In my last blog, I took you on a tour of Janna’s amazing studio.  Now I’m going to try and recreate Lori’s color session.

The very first thing Janna does with any client when she meets them is give a personal commentary on the positives. “Women are extremely self-deprecating focusing, many times, on the tiniest of flaws. When I see a client, I only see her individual magnificent attributes–that have too often been overshadowed by negativity.”

In Lori’s case, her great cheekbones, long lashes, and beautiful eyes were highlights. But Lori’s thinking had run amok (as does most women’s) and her view of herself was less than positive–a few extra pounds here, a few wrinkles there. (Insert your own negative thought here.)

Once Janna shed some bright light on Lori’s fantastic features, the atmosphere quickly turned in a different direction. It was an “aha” moment, so to speak. (Oh yeah, I remember those cheekbones.)

“Research has shown that the majority of women perceive themselves as less than they are, while the majority of men perceive themselves as more than they are,” Janna points out. “There is a huge gap in reality versus perceptions women have of themselves. We have to learn to ‘mind the gap,’ as the English say. How? By using more positive self-talk.”

Janna explains how our natural coloring helps determine which shades are our personal bests. “Consider your skin color, your eye color, and your hair color. Choose colors that naturally go with you.” Wearing harsh or uncomplimentary colors can make you look faded and tired, while just the opposite happens when you wear your best colors…your face brightens, your eyes pop, and your look is revitalized.

Once Lori learns which colors can transform her skin, highlight her eyes, and make her look fresher and more luminous. She’s ready to try some.

Unlike the “seasonal” color charts of the 1980’s, Janna says that based on Color 1 principles, every person can wear any color, as long as it is the correct shade and clarity. Some people look best in pastels, while others look better in muted or light-brights, and still others look best in bold colors.

Lori was a quick study. It’s not always easy to learn which colors, patterns, and prints are the most complementary. (And oftentimes, we can’t seem to pull ourselves away from the rut of wearing black and neutrals.) Janna recommends matching your color swatches exactly, for the first year, in order to train your eye to immediately spot those colors that are truly your best.

Think of how much time and frustration, not to mention money, Lori is going to save now that she knows  her ‘true’ colors. No more shopping mistakes.

Janna says the most rewarding part of her work is, “Seeing increased confidence in my clients, and how that confidence spills over into their lives.”

Thanks, Janna and Lori…what a fun day!

“Color is the first thing seen, and the last thing remembered.” — Janna Beatty

Find out just how much this lesson in color changed Lori’s life at: http://qstylethebook.com/the-life-changing-magic-of-color/