Fashion: Find colours that make you light up

If your face and eyes light up the colour is right for you, says Lisa Lyfrod. Photo / Thinkstock

Lisa Lyford answers our readers' questions on personal styling.

How do you know what colours suit you?

The best thing to do is experiment. Go into shops and try on lots of different colours. The best place is the likes of a T-shirt store where there is a big variety of colours.

It is important to try colours you would never normally consider.

Colour is right if ...

*Your face and eyes light up.
*Your face, hair, eyes and skin are enhanced by the colour.

It's not right if ...

*Shadows appear under your chin and neck.
*Wrinkles or marks on your face appear more prominent.
*Your face changes colour - but not in a way that enhances you - it makes you appear pale, washed-out, or red-faced.
*The colour overpowers you so that you fade and the colour dominates.

Once you find a colour that suits you, there will be other colours that are tonally similar that will also be great.

Take someone along with you for a second opinion.

It's important to note that the lighting in some stores can distort the true colour.

If in doubt, see if the shop will let you look at the colour outside the store.

Lisa Lyford is founder of Gorgeous Me, free DIY personal styling and makeover advice. www.gorgeousme.co.nz. Send your questions for Lisa to regionalfeatures@apn.co.nz.