October is breast cancer awareness month and each year, Breast Cancer Now hosts an annual Wear It Pink campaign to raise funds for life-changing research and support. Breast Cancer Now has a very ambitious but important goal; to make sure that by 2050, everyone who is diagnosed with breast cancer lives. Over the last 20 years, this event has raised in excess of £41million. Find out more here.
This year, the Wear It Pink campaign took place on Friday 18 October and I attended a black tie fund-raising event in Leeds. Whilst I didn’t wear pink for the ball and dinner, it’s often a popular discussion during my colour analysis consultations.
I’ll be making a donation with your help and support – keep reading for the details.
How to wear pink
The notion that pink is for girls and blue is for boys is somewhat outdated, don’t you think?
Everyone really can wear pink! Just like every colour, it’s simply a matter of establishing what the right shade is for you.
Let’s not forget the psychological and feel-good aspect too. Wearing light pink can provide you with a sense of calmness. Brighter tones can help in providing stimulation. Pink represents warmth and friendliness, which conveys approachability and empathy.
Perhaps the Barbie pink look is not for you, (and that’s ok). But adding a pop of pink through your accessories or makeup is an easy one if you’re not confident in a head-to-toe look.
Don’t be tempted to reserve your pinks for spring or summer, keep wearing them in the autumn too – you’ll still find a few shades this season.
In the tonal colour analysis system, everyone receives at least one shade of pink in the swatches that they take away from their colour analysis consultation.
I’ve covered some combinations and tips below, but, if you don’t know your colouring type, you’ll learn how to wear your most flattering colours in my colour analysis consultations.
How to wear pink if you’re a Light
You’ll look marvellous in the paler and pastel pink shades as they compliment your features.
Wear them on their own or combine them with other lighter colours from your palette for the most flattering effect.
Try light grey, light aqua or mint green. For a smarter, or corporate look, opt for cocoa, light teal, or even petrol.
Keep your overall look light and uplifting by wearing light colours near your face and keep any darker, heavier shades on your bottom half.
Don’t forget to wear the right pink on your face too! You can choose your colour type on my shop to ensure you find your most flattering shades. For the perfect pink pout, I’d recommend dusty rose or cerise lipstick or pink shell lip gloss if you’re light with cool undertones. If you’re warmer, opt for mango lip gloss instead.
How to wear pink if you’re a Deep
As your look is much stronger, your palette and colours will reflect the same.
Pastel pinks aren’t your best friend when worn on their own, so opt for a stronger shade of pink. Try your blush pink with true red or teal for a bright and summery look.
For the winter months, opt for aubergine or forest green instead.
You can choose your colour type on my shop to ensure you find your most flattering shades. For the perfect pink pout, I’d recommend mango lip gloss or chiffon lipstick with spice lip pencil if you’re deep with warm undertone. If you’re cooler, berry burst lip gloss or sheer fuchsia lipstick.
How to wear pink if you’re a Warm
Because of the warmth to your hair, you’ll find many shades of pink won’t flatter you that well. Most pinks have a blue-base (cool hue), which will cast shadows under your chin (which might look like a ‘glow’).
Opt for the corals and coral-pinks which have a yellow-base (warm hue) which will be perfect for you.
Use coral to “warm up” your neutrals, like light navy, or to complement other neutrals like bronze or greyed-green. Go bold with aqua or lime instead.
Follow the same ‘rules’ on pinks for your makeup! Choose your colour type on my shop to ensure you find your most flattering shades. For the perfect pink pout version for you, I’d recommend spiced peach or warm pink lipstick.
How to wear pink if you’re a Cool
Often, you’ll have lost the warmth and colour in your hair which means that there’s plenty of pinks for you to choose from! Baby pink, rose pink, hot pink and cassis to name but a few!
Whether it’s an everyday look or occasion wear, wear your pinks on their own, or with others. Combining with other colours is best achieved by adding some level of contrast to balance your look.
Try out baby pink and sapphire for a flattering look, or cassis with light grey. For a bolder combination, rose pink and pine, or hot pink and bright periwinkle.
Pinks for your lips are plentiful too! Choose your colour type on my shop to ensure you find your most flattering shades. For the perfect pink pout, I’d recommend soft mauve, dusty rose or cerise lipstick. If you prefer a lip gloss opt for pink shell or berry burst.
How to wear pink if you’re a Clear
With your striking and strong look, your colours will be most suited if they reflect the same level of strength and intensity.
Your pinks will work well with your darker neutral colours the best for a smart or work look.
Alternatively, try combining blush pink with emerald turquoise or true blue.
Don’t forget to choose the right pink on your lips! I’d recommend strawberry lipstick or mango lip gloss if you’re clear with a warm undertone.
If you’re cooler, try pink shell lip gloss or sheer fuchsia and cerise lipstick.
You can choose your colour type on my shop to ensure you find your most flattering shades.
How to wear pink if you’re a Soft
Your most flattering look is achieved when you wear your colours tonally, particularly medium-depth shades and colours.
Shell is an incredibly versatile colour to have in your wardrobe which I often describe as a ‘nude’. It pairs beautifully with many of your neutrals like cocoa and pewter.
If you prefer a stronger tone, blush pink looks great with charcoal blue and claret is a great colour combo too.
For your perfect pink pout, I’d recommend spiced peach or chiffon lipstick if you’re soft with a warm undertone.
If you’re cooler toned, try pink shell lip gloss or dusty rose or soft mauve lipstick.
You can choose your colour type on my shop to ensure you find your most flattering shades.
How to wear pink as a bridesmaid
Pink is one of the most popular choices for bridesmaids – specifically, a very soft, pale pink. As you might have guessed, this shade doesn’t flatter everyone the same.
Deeps and Clears may look washed out and might need to add extra blush and lipstick, while Warms can appear tired or grey depending on the exact hue of the pink. Blush pink can be a versatile shade as it is can often be interpreted as neither warm or cool, so could be a good option for bridesmaids depending upon your colour theme.
You could choose one universal colour to suit everyone, or go for the best hue suited to each individual! Advice is available if you need it and a colour party can be a fun way to gather the bridal party too to decide.
For anyone who’s getting married, the Colour Me Beautiful Be a Beautiful Bride book is an absolute must! It’s available to buy from the studio and online.