Could you explain in greater detail how we should choose colors and contrast clothing depending on our contrast level? Would love to see outfit examples for every category. Great video! 😊👌
Here is an example.. Remember the color types spring, summer, fall & winter based on whether you have a color or warm undertone? This chroma idea is the next level of that system. High contrast is clear type, low contrast is soft type. Audrey is cool toned (olive) and dark so winter colors and high contrast so clear type winter and suits dark colors and jewel tones and not browns and oranges. As a contrast I'm very fair, light blond (use natural hair color for this) so low contrast so my best color palette is soft summer.
Look up "soft vs clear" or "soft vs bright" coloring or maybe complexion. There are more videos that will help this make sense. What I understand, is that matching the contrast levels with your clothing tends to work better. So if you are low contrast, wearing clothing with less contrast tends to work better. Same goes the other way, someone that is high contrast, tends to look better in an outfit that mirrors their natural levels of contrast.
You always seem so “together” Audrey! No doubt you have your own personal problems/stresses like every other human being on this earth, but one reason I enjoy your videos is because I want to absorb some of your serenity! Very good tips re contrasts, by the way.
You know it’s really interesting that the last photo example you displayed made me realize how good I feel when I wear something that is contrasting. I have medium grey hair and olive skin so when I wear all black or all dark blue I feel really good. I’ve watched so many of your old videos and I love the direction your channel takes. You’re always evolving, it’s very refreshing THANK YOU 😊❤️
I found this makes so much sense! I have dark hair and eyes, but my skin colour can change quite a bit from the summer time to winter. I found I prefer medium contrast dressing in warmer months, and high contrast clothes in winter months, as my features become more high contrast when my skin colour gets paler. I didn’t even know about contrast, but it really explains my preference in colours changing between seasons
Useful concept. Thank you, Audrey. One thing to remember, I believe, is that we all get lower (not necessarily low, but lower) contrast as we age and our hair lightens.
Lately I've been really trying to understand my features in terms of undertone and contrast. I love these topics but I didn't understand how we can use contrast to better serve us. Hope you can expand this theme 😉
I recommend wearing a black shirt when taking the selfie you'll use for the contrast test! Different skin tones can be found across contrast levels. I have conventionally dark hair and medium to light skin, but when doing the black and white selfie, I totally get washed out by the black shirt! This is because my hair is naturally dark but ashy and my skin tone is muted, so my contrast turns out to be on the lower side. The higher your contrast, the less likely you'll be washed out by your black shirt. Definitely a fun style exercise!
Agree - I have darker (as I age) hair that is ashy and in a B&W photo with no black shirt I look medium contrast - but I do best in low contrast clothing because the ashiness of my hair mirrors my muted skin tone. Great explanation!
Well it depends on your skin tone. The black shirt worked for you because your skin is light, so the contrast was high. Someone with a deep skin tone would only achieve medium to low contrast with a black shirt. So the way to make your advice universal is to have people wear a shirt that greatly contrasts with their skin.
Omg I always though that I'm low contrast. But when I placed my photo to your example for the high contracts, I realised that I'm even more high contrast than them. This method really works. Place your black and white photo next to the examples and you'll instantly see it.
Personally, this has helped me in the past as I realized why black leather jackets just looked so out of place on me. Once I switched to a dark or mid-toned brown or deep berry, suddenly the cool moto jacket I was looking for came to life. I'm a pretty low contrast person, so the black just took all the attention and drained my face of colour.
This is a great explanation. I'm low contrast and I just threw out my black turtle neck because it just seemed off when i wear it. Also I don't like black blazers either. I prefer navy, white and camel.
@@fairyvn I'm so glad I was able to help! To be honest, ever since that day I knew I had to stick to softer neutrals but I didn't quite know why. These videos really put things into perspective for me.
@@chidenisee Totally agree with those colour choices. I've been trying mustard lately but I think camel would be a great mustard adjacent neutral. Now I'll be on the look out.
Well it’s pretty easy to tell that my light ash blond hair, light blue eyes and very fair skin are low contrast. Being older as well, I can look really washed out. I’m a “soft summer” but all those pastels can make me feel bland, and now I can see why I feel so much better in black and other strong colors. I do envy you beautiful brunettes on this, but with your help, I will work to enhance contrast. I think it makes a huge difference! Thanks Audrey!
I feel the same way about pastels. I'm a "soft autumn," which is very similar to a "soft summer." My hair is a golden dirty blonde, my eyes are light gray, and I am very fair skinned with a mix of olive and pink undertones. Most pastel colors make me look dead and lifeless. I also can't wear most shades of pink because it makes me look like I have a rash all over my body. I look way better in black than pink. The odd thing is I can wear purple-pink shades, but I can't wear purple or pink by themselves. Edit: I just found out I'm a soft summer. Soft Autumn's have warm undertones and mine are cool. I probably get away with wearing earthy tones a little more because my hair has a warm undertone. Oh well, better late than never.
I am soft summer too, like “complicated” colors on me, never look good in bright clear colors, pastels…. It depends.. pastel yellow but not bright.. and tiffany blue arr great for me
@@barbiec4312 I just read about it and took some online quizzes. It’s based on skin, hair and eye tones. It might not be as accurate as having a consultant do it, but it’s enough to give me some ideas about what colors might look better on me. It was no surprise to learn that peach and orange weren’t in the palette - I look sickly in them lol.
I loved the concept of contrast in your video. But a gaping hole in the presentation was how to take that contrast knowledge for the wearer. How does it work with choosing clothes?
Thank you for the video. It seemed a little short for the complexity of the information you communicated. I would like more information about how knowing your contrast level can inform your color palette and personal style.
Wow--this is SO mind boggling and helpful. I've been trying to learn about my undertones, but this is so much clearer and more helpful for my particular wardrobe and personal style questions. I'm high contrast, and I feel like this really explains why I love really rich, deep colors, or quite bright and clean colors, and very little in between. I find anything in the middle just isn't very flattering on me. I also find I have tons of flexibility in how I feel in clothing of various undertones (which could also be because I'm olive). I feel like I really don't understand my body type or how to dress it (especially because I feel like a lot of the current trends aren't flattering on my body type), so that's definitely the thing I'd like to work on next.
I love how you essentially let everyone know we are all unique and different. I feel like women especially are told to look a certain way to be accepted by ridiculous standards set my social media and the beauty industry. We are told wear layers of makeup and don’t go grey and inject and cut and don’t have wrinkles or we are not beautiful. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are all unique and exceptional and we need to love and be who we are. I know this is much deeper than clothing but to me we are both saying to be your best and be you and nobody else. I teach Wabi sabi embracing the imperfections of life in ourselves and aging a beautiful gift 🙌🏻🍑🧡Lisa
I'm low to medium contrast but prefer wearing high contrast colours (specifically black and very deep colours) and find that it emphasizes my colouring more than lighter colours most of the time. Super interesting video, great job Audrey!
Me too. Light colours wash me out, and I need a pop of medium colour not all neutrals. I think this is to do with my colour contrast level which also needs to be taken into account.
I’m low contrast (fair and blonde) and I love how makeup can give me higher contrast. I like mid tones colours best, but always mixed with some light and dark.
This series has so much potential! I was always searching for something like that. Basics on how to style and especially how to build up a wardrobe which suits ME, not the youtuber but me. Trying to communicate these „rules“ in an abstract way an giving examples can be complicated so thank you!!!!
I’m glad that you’re focusing on contrast and hope you continue with this topic. I think experimenting is great and helps with creativity, but I will note that sometimes dressing against type will mean that people notice your outfit before your face-your outfit will become the focal point. Which is perfectly fine if that’s what you’re going for!
Very interesting concept! I would love to see another video styling contrast clothing for each of the contrasts. Thanks so much for your continued great videos!
So informative! And I also agree with Sukanya Iyer’s comment; seeing different colored clothes in terms of contrast would another great video. Thanks Audrey.
Audrey Coyne! I think that this notion of including contrast in one’s overall approach to personal style is incredible! I have a whole new outlook on my wardrobe! Thank you so much! 💙
Yes! I’ve been using contrast dressing [understanding my own contrast] for about a year now. It has changed so much and how I get dressed, and how I plan outfits. Love that you are going into this. 😍
Years ago I had my colors done, I was determined to be a Winter. The market today between hair color, makeup possibilities we can transform ourselves easily. Every time I wear high contrast colors, I get compliments, which I totally forget when I am creating my wardrobe. Audrey can you take this video to the next level with all the products in the market today. Thank you 💕👏💕
When I let my hair go silver/grey from a dark brunette, my contrast level changed, I think, but I still enjoy high contrast clothing. I loved the last pic of the woman with white hair wearing all black. That's so ME. Great video.
Bravo to you for keeping this under 5 minutes!! I would have rattled on and on... thanks for diving into this! I love these topics and your opinion is always valued by me! 💕
This also applies to patterns in clothes so I'm generally low contrast but with very dark eyes. so the best patterns for me are pale with a very dark element. This is really complimentary to me. I had somebody work for me who had very dark southern Indian skin and dark brown eyes which is low contrast. They looked fantastic in a flannel shirt that was black and dark green squares. They also looked great in a white shirt which created a high contrast look.
I immediately looked at my contrast level when you first talked about it in one of your previous videos. It made me understand so much better why some of the lipsticks and general make up such as blushes didn't fit me right. I then learned to put much less or choose a different shade. So thank you.
Hey Audrey, I really like your videos. Your videos really helped me and still helping me to become the best version of my self. Really appreciating you. Sending you lots of love from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
I'm rather in low contrast category and I find out that when I want to wear all black I simply must add some contrast to my face as well (bold lipstick or darker eyes make up). If I won't do that my face will be completely "washed away" 😉
I am low contrast, too (soft summer). And I do the same thing: If I want or must wear black or some other color that does not fit me, I „correct“ with make-up. As I am getting older, this kind of „cheating“ works less and less. Unfortunately. 😕
Ive never heard about this in terms of personal style, but it is super relevant! And also how we change when I.e our hair looses its colour. Thank you Audrey!
Thanks for a great video! Used to go for low contrast, softer shades & black base when younger, but i often looked washed out. Now that I know about my high contrast & skin undertone (which suits navy & a richer gold), I know why high contrast & deeper jewel tones always makes me feel better.
This is a fairly new idea to me and id like to know more tips to use when choosing clothes with your contrast in mind. If you're medium, does a high contrast outfit overwhelm you? Good to know. Thanks.
This is so interesting. I am low contrast and I think I’ve even using this without knowing, but just feeling what looks best. I would love you to go into this more and show us a video on low contrast dressing, medium contrast and then high, just to really encompass everyone and to ensure we really understand the concept and examples. Thanks so much!
This video is the beginning of a great series. As someone is older and now quite silver/grey how do I look at contrast? I was like you, high contrast. Dark hair, pale skin and dark eyes...but now I am slightly warmer toned skin, grey hair around my face but still have dark eyes. May I ask, even though you are still a young darling if you could do a video on how to compensate once you embrace grey hair...Big Hugs honey...
*LOL* No professional consultation required - I'm Black Irish. As in, fair English peaches and cream contrasted with back hair. DEFINITELY high-contrast. No complex analysis is required! Great content, even though this one is easy for me. It is also easy for me to figure out that pastels do me no favors and I'm better off in rich saturated colors (high contrast colors). Love your channel!
I used to be a brunette who suited greens browns etc now i am older i have grey hair with flashes of white i wear black maybe touch of ivory (pearls etc) as a light but never white! I am a lucky old lady since i got to live two very different types ;) oh and thank you for your wonderful advice
This is very interesting. I spent the last two years growing out my very bright silver hair, but I still have some dark streaks. This transition pushed me to reevaluate my best colors, but your video helped me think more deeply about how contrast factors in. I think I may be high contrast now, especially since I have deep eyes and olive skin, but now with brilliant silver hair.
Ooo! This helps, Audrey. All my life I’ve been a pale, blue eyed redhead. But I stopped fighting the white in my hair, so my contrast has REALLY changed and it’s a little baffling at times.
I use this! I am medium contrast, and for years, I thought I looked quite bland. As it turns out, I was primarily wearing high contrast looks. Once I switched to medium or low contrast outfits, it was like my face came into focus.
That is interesting. I never heard of different contrast before, only of the different undertones your skin can have. That helped me understanding some of my preferences.
Thank you for making this video! When picking colors I always second guess myself on what I as a low contrast person would look best in (because I can easily feel 'washed out' in lighter colors) This grayscale hack will be very useful!
Low contrast can also mean lots of color but all in the same saturation. E.g. I'm low contrast and can wear a medium/dark pink sweater and medium/dark green pants and look great, OR a white top and white pants and look great - but if I put on the white top and the medium/dark green pants with no blazer or cardigan on top to balance the white, it just looks jarring.
I never thought of contrast as a way to choose a color palette. I have had such varied remarks about my coloring I didn’t know what to do. I FINALLY figured out I am olive toned. I am half Italian so it does make sense. My contrast is definitely high. Thanks so much for sharing this information. I read about sharing a video with how to choose colors and contrast clothing in another comment and I would love this too❤️
I’m sorry Audrey but I’m left confused, I’m a high contrast so should I use low contrast color or high contrast colors? Am I the only one confused here lol 😂
As another high contrast lady it's strong/bright colours that look best (until I go blond that is!) and if you can match them to your undertone it's even better! But try them all and wear what makes you feel best (or whatever you like on your lower half :-)
Hi Audrey, a great series. Pls do videos in this line for us to better understand how each season and undertone can be combined with the contrast levels for a better personal style. Love from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
I’m medium contrast. I prefer navy or burgundy & cream to black & white. Candy colours rather than pastels. Great video, I’m really looking forward to the next one.
Omg i never realized, byt ti si so true, that when creating an outfit, I must also think about the color of “me” not just the garments 🤯🙏 thank you, wonderful video 😘😍
You were the first to put this concept on my radar and my sense of personal style was really solidified through it. Rather than playing with cool/warm colours, I’ve found that focusing on contrast for clothing and make up etc has been a massive game changer
I was a natural red head, and when I went gray it faded to blondish, and white in some areas. I've been having lots of fun with contrast because I actually have light hair to contrast with darks instead of being medium all over!
so your contrast has changed with the change of hair color, correct? i was curious about this as i wear a lot of wigs. my hair is now grey blonde with light eyes. but...i wear firey red wigs sometimes, dk blonde sometimes, etc. So, i think my contrast changes and what outfits look good change. am i on the right track?
@@sherikennedy4117, that would be my guess, but I'm no expert! And I wear colors I never wore before I went gray, such as deep rich purple. I was taught you can't wear purple if you have red hair. But I grew up in the 70s and things have changed since then. I've also noticed that the colors that used to make my skin "glow" still do, even with my hair color change.
YES!!! Throughout the years I always wanted to wear those dark vampy clothes yet someyhing about the outfits was always bugging me... At one point, I figured - it was the contrast with my light skin! I largely stopped wearing darks, especially blacks, purples, dark reds, I think they age me a lot, plus most affordable clothes in these colors turn to be very hard to maintain throughout multiple washes.
Thank u so much Audrey, would it be possible for u to make a video with examples of high contrast, pls? I love dressing monochromatic but Im high contrast... Perhaps I should use pieces that create more contrast between themselves? :(
I believe she means that the “rule” is for your clothes to match your contrast level. For example, if you’re high contrast, you could wear a light top and dark bottom, or a top with high contrast pattern, to be harmonious with your contrast. However, knowing rules also helps you know when to break rules, such as in 3:52 where the woman is low contrast but wearing all black (high contrast) to draw attention to her features (face, hands, feet).
@@JosephineLaujo4short Thank you Josephine. I was thinking the same, but then thought because I am low contrast that I might look washed-out with low contrast. Perhaps that's when one breaks the rules.
Thanks, super interesting! I admit I am a bit lost. Based on the photos can we assume that dark-haired, brown skin is high contrast -- and blonde, fair-skinned is low contrast? It seems too simple so I think i may be missing the point!
Hi F., you also have to Join your eye colour...If Somebody has DARK Hair, DARK eyes + pale skin (Like Audrey): high contrast. Blonde Hair, 'bright' eyes + Pale skin: Low contrast (nothing Stands Out). Medium/darkblond/brown/black Hair + medium eyecolour + medium skin: medium contrast. This is my understanding.
I really love your insight. Like other commenters, I would like a little more detail on how to use the contrast. For example you said you were high contrast and your outfit was very low contrast, which I feel made you really stand out. And the example you gave with somebody low contrast wearing a very high contrast outfit. Should we be going for opposites?
Understanding my own contrast DID change everything!! A lot more than understanding my lines, my undertone or anything else. One question though, how do you contrast medium contrast?
This is an ok thing but i like the japanese system that goes by how your skin reacts to color instead of contrast. If that was the case most asians would be only certain colors schemes.
I've noticed this in my wardrobe so much lately. I have warm undertones and medium contrast, but if I wear low contrast warm clothes, they don't look as well with cool medium contrast clothes.
