Color is the first thing that people notice about you, so wearing the right colors in hair, wardrobe and makeup is the first step every woman should start with. The effect of color on the overall image is evident in how vibrant or tired you may look. The right colors will reflect a healthy glow and natural harmony while the wrong ones cast a tired, dull or washed-out look. So finding the right undertone, value and intensity for your natural colorings is very important.

Your undertone is naturally warm or cool. For the complexion or skin, a warmer undertone would have yellow or gold and the cool undertone would have pink or blue. These are not visible to the naked eye but if you look closely and compare some key colors against your skin, you will be able to get a hint. The easiest way to do it is to compare metallic colors (gold and silver) or pinks (peach versus icy pink). If your skin looks lighter, more vibrant and in harmony with the gold and the peach, then you’re more likely to have warm undertones. Watch the effect on your eyes and hair as well. The eyes will look brighter and the hair healthier. Another aspect you can analyze is your natural hair color. Warm hair colors have more gold or red in it whereas cool is more ashy and neutral. For example, warm hair tones are be gold, copper or reddish brown. Cool hair tones are ashy, neutral or blue-black.

Harmony and presence are what makes you stand out. To achieve that harmony you need to understand your right hair color, right wardrobe color, makeup, etc. It is very important for you to know what works for you and what doesn’t. Once you know what does, it becomes second nature applying it and projecting a confident and vibrant image at all times.

The right hair color is one of the main aspects of harmony and balance in a woman’s overall image. Head-to-toe image management means looking at all elements and seeing how well they work together. Starting with the head, you need to know your beauty number by giving hair the No. 1 priority; it is your crowning glory, after all. Imagine having the perfect skin, makeup, wardrobe and style, but with dull hair or the wrong hair color . . . you have to perfect all the missing pieces to achieve the right beauty image.

Most women are not aware of the variety of colors that are available and the colors that work for them. Going back to the main color elements, we need to look for the undertone, intensity and value to determine what works for us. So here are quick steps for you to choose the right color:

Someone with low intensity in your natural colors would not have much contrast between skin-tone, hair-color and eye-color. Their look would be more blended and softer medium skin-tone, medium brown hair and light brown eyes. High intensity involves a high contrast between skin-tone, hair-color and eye-color, e.g., black hair, fair skin-tone and bright eye-color. You should always match the hair color to your natural intensity or else it will overpower you. Having the wrong color undertone and intensity can age you, making you look older than you are. It casts darker shadows on your face. It might make you look sickly or yellow-ish, whereas some of the colors might wash you out. The right colors will make you look more vibrant, will accentuate your natural eye color and give you a more even complexion and a healthy glow.

It’s not just about the hottest colors of the season, but rather finding a color that suits your own natural coloring and works with your skin-tone and eye-color. All these elements have to work together in order to achieve the right look or image. Copying a celebrity style before checking if you share the same elements is where you start going wrong.

If you want to follow a celebrity trend, you have to take the celebrity as a reference by comparing her elements against your own hair, complexion and intensity. If you can spot the similarity, look for what makes them stand out next and check how you can apply it on your own.

For example, if you love Jennifer Aniston’s look, she has highlights as well as low-lights in her hair but they work for her — because of her bright blue eyes that add intensity to her overall look. She needs to have the three-dimensional hair color, because it brings out her complexion and works well with her eye-color too.

On the other hand, if you’re a fan of Nancy Ajram, you notice that when she darkens her hair her eye-color pops and her complexion looks brighter, because the hair color brings out these elements of her look. When her hair color is lighter, you don’t notice these elements as much because the contrast is not as obvious and her features are played down.

First of all, finding the right undertone is key. Play it on the safe side the first time you color your hair. You should opt for one shade lighter or darker than your natural hair color.

Changing your hair color is one of the easiest and most obvious ways to update or change your look. Think of how your hair color, your makeup and wardrobe work together for you. After determining your best colors, run audits to check if you are using them or not. Starting with your hair, change the color to one that brings out your features and increases your presence and updates your hairstyle by going for a new look that suits your face shape, features and personality. Moving to makeup, learn new ways of applying makeup and blending it professionally and toss any products and shades that don’t work for you.

Lastly, your wardrobe needs extra attention to pull all elements together. Start the audit by removing anything you have not worn for a year and newer ones in the wrong color or style. Keep only the pieces that make you look and feel great! Next, hit the stores to update your look with key trendy items.

In hair color the latest trend is to go rich and multidimensional. For reds the trend is natural this season, yet vibrant and bold. Blondes are moving away from bleached and faded colors into a warmer, sun-kissed shade. For brunettes, the trend is deep, rich tones with multidimension.

In fashion, party dresses that can be worn day and night with interesting details for added shape. Many have cuts and styles that are great for wide hips, and since 80 percent of women in the Middle East fall into that body shape that’s great news!

Jumpsuits are still in, with strapless or one-shouldered necklines. Very easy to wear and can be styled in different ways; avoid if you’re petite, though. Nude color palettes (skin colors) are huge this season, but if you feel that this soft palette is too washy for you, mix it with one of your favorite color shades to achieve contrast. Belts from skinny ribbons to wide leather styles define your curves and show off your best assets. Opt for ones in proportion to your scale.