Q and A
Submitted by pat on Fri, 02/13/2009 - 12:36
Recently, my Leads Club did an exercise in which everyone got a question from every other member. Here are my questions and answers.
Do you do parties? My service is so personalized that it takes about 1 hour (up to 1 1/2 hours) for a single color analysis. A lot of this is education--what I'm doing and why. I don't need to repeat this for each additional person, but each person will take 30-45 minutes. So I can do only 2-3 people at one time before it just gets too lengthly. There is a discount for more than one person at a time. I do group presentations in which each person gets a taste of their colors--maybe one or two and a sampling of makeup colors.
Is there a big difference in advise due to age? Yes. As a person ages and hair grays, colors usually need to be softened. In fact, I have a palette for each season for women whose hair has grayed. Make up needs to be softened. As bodies change, so do the appropriate clothing styles and fabrics. An important tip for all older people--work on good posture and balance.
What is your biggest challenge when doing the analysis? My most difficult color analysis are with men who have muted coloring, but are in a profession which requires traditional business clothing--black suit, light colored shirt. I have to work hard to find the best compromise of appropriate colors, yet colors combinations that signal authority and power. I think men sometimes need two palettes--one personal and one business.
How many times would you recommend consulting with you? For color, every 5 years, or whenever hair color changes either by nature or nuture. For Universal Style, every year. Wardrobe audit, once or twice a year.
What is the cost for a consultation for a color palette? $250. For 2 people together, $400.
Are there any colors that should not be used? For me, I should never wear orange or yellow, and I should take great care if I wear black. Most people don't look good in stark white. If you find a piece of clothing you like, but the color is not on your palette, spread your color fan on the item. If all the colors blend, then that color is yours. If there is a color that you love, but it's not on your palette, buy a pillow, knick knack, or piece of art and enjoy the color by looking at it, but don't wear it.
Do you offer a discount for repeat clients for updated looks? It depends upon how long it's been since your last consultation.