At long last, a fresh take on color! Jesse and Joe, stylists to the stars and fashion consultants on The Oprah Winfrey Show reveal their secrets for finding personalized palettes for each individual woman's coloring. No longer will redheads be relegated to earthtones. No longer will women of color assume they look good only in bright colors. Instead, Jesse and Joe offer 20 highly personalized colortypes to choose from. Using quizzes, questionnaires, hundreds of photos, color swatches, before-and-after shots, and photos of celebrity style icons, they make it easy for any woman to determine her best colors, brighten her look, and leave a lasting impression.
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About the Author
Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo are the founders of Visual Therapy Luxury Lifestyle Consulting, based in New York City. They've been featured in O, the Oprah Magazine; Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, In Style, and Elle.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Mailee
Format:Paperback
I know practically nothing about color. I love fashion and style and own several books regarding these topics, but very few of them address color, and if they do at all it's in passing. For someone with as rudimentary knowledge as I have, Life in Color has been a great help in understanding what suits me and why. The color type quiz is fun and easy, and the four types, Sun, Moon, Earth and Star, are pretty and inspiring; much more so than seasons if you ask me! The palettes are varied, and I particularly enjoy how the authors also went on to describe various iconic styletypes and hair and makeup options and how to blend them with your palette.
It's true that when they feature before and after pictures of women wearing the wrong colors versus wearing the correct ones that the "before" pictures are always without makeup and boring poses, while the "after" ones are done with flattering makeup and dynamic poses. However, this is true of every book I've ever seen that has before and after features, and as far as I'm able to tell the lighting hasn't been changed at all, which is really the most crucial element in photography. And the women still look pretty in the "before" ones, if you ask me. I'm certain they've been photoshopped, but it's only the cynic in me, not because it's overt. For all of the women the "right" colors certainly do look better on them than the "wrong" colors, with or without makeup and editing, and that's the real point.
However this book does have its flaws. Personally, I'm a little confused about their color typing. One of the authors classes himself as a Star (cool tones) when he looks warm toned to me. They claim that it's because the undertones have nothing to do with ethnicity, but then perhaps I'm bad at reading undertones. Either way, yellow-toned Bai Ling does not seem cool to me at all. I wonder if I'm missing something. I wish they would be more specific as to why they chose some celebrities as being cool-toned while others were warm. They do have a little blurb on how to classify yourself as either warm or cool, but I feel like they didn't apply it to some people correctly, or I don't understand it very well. One of their Asian models is showing off an "iconic Star outfit" in bright white and she looks fabulous, but she looks very warm-toned to me! And they themselves classify Gwen Stefani as a Star (and I agree), and optic white being a Star color, but they then later claim that she would look bad in white and it would wash her out (which I also agree with). So, not all the colors on your palette suit you?
I'd also like to know the difference between the warm-toned types (Sun, Earth) and the cool-toned types (Moon, Star). For both Sun and Moon the palettes are less saturated, whereas for Earth and Star they seem to be richer or clearer. I would like to know what it is about the different skin types that makes them suited to these different hues.
They tell you how to make sure your colors are the right ones for you, but the test is really subjective (hold up the color to your face and see if "your eyes pop, your skin glows, etc."). If it was that obvious, I wouldn't need a book on color! According to their test I'm a Sun who loves Moon/Star colors, but when I hold up colors from all of these palettes they look the same to me!
Overall though, I found this book really enjoyable. I pick it up all the time and the photography is really beautiful. They have a lot of good advice and a strong voice. Even if you don't agree with their color choices for your palette, they offer a lot of good ideas on how to wear colors that are "bad" on you, and some of the ideas are quite refreshing. This is a very pretty, unique addition to my fashion book addiction, and I would recommend the buy. In fact all this talking about it makes me want to go read it again...
It's true that when they feature before and after pictures of women wearing the wrong colors versus wearing the correct ones that the "before" pictures are always without makeup and boring poses, while the "after" ones are done with flattering makeup and dynamic poses. However, this is true of every book I've ever seen that has before and after features, and as far as I'm able to tell the lighting hasn't been changed at all, which is really the most crucial element in photography. And the women still look pretty in the "before" ones, if you ask me. I'm certain they've been photoshopped, but it's only the cynic in me, not because it's overt. For all of the women the "right" colors certainly do look better on them than the "wrong" colors, with or without makeup and editing, and that's the real point.
However this book does have its flaws. Personally, I'm a little confused about their color typing. One of the authors classes himself as a Star (cool tones) when he looks warm toned to me. They claim that it's because the undertones have nothing to do with ethnicity, but then perhaps I'm bad at reading undertones. Either way, yellow-toned Bai Ling does not seem cool to me at all. I wonder if I'm missing something. I wish they would be more specific as to why they chose some celebrities as being cool-toned while others were warm. They do have a little blurb on how to classify yourself as either warm or cool, but I feel like they didn't apply it to some people correctly, or I don't understand it very well. One of their Asian models is showing off an "iconic Star outfit" in bright white and she looks fabulous, but she looks very warm-toned to me! And they themselves classify Gwen Stefani as a Star (and I agree), and optic white being a Star color, but they then later claim that she would look bad in white and it would wash her out (which I also agree with). So, not all the colors on your palette suit you?
I'd also like to know the difference between the warm-toned types (Sun, Earth) and the cool-toned types (Moon, Star). For both Sun and Moon the palettes are less saturated, whereas for Earth and Star they seem to be richer or clearer. I would like to know what it is about the different skin types that makes them suited to these different hues.
They tell you how to make sure your colors are the right ones for you, but the test is really subjective (hold up the color to your face and see if "your eyes pop, your skin glows, etc."). If it was that obvious, I wouldn't need a book on color! According to their test I'm a Sun who loves Moon/Star colors, but when I hold up colors from all of these palettes they look the same to me!
Overall though, I found this book really enjoyable. I pick it up all the time and the photography is really beautiful. They have a lot of good advice and a strong voice. Even if you don't agree with their color choices for your palette, they offer a lot of good ideas on how to wear colors that are "bad" on you, and some of the ideas are quite refreshing. This is a very pretty, unique addition to my fashion book addiction, and I would recommend the buy. In fact all this talking about it makes me want to go read it again...
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Citygirl
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book puts a fresh new spin on the concept of choosing colors that suit your personal body and hair coloring. Without totally abandoning the concept of warm/cool, and seasonal color types as first revealed in "Color Me Beautiful", "Life in Color" goes beyond yet is somehow more specific, tying in the colors that suit you with your personal style. After reading and studying every book I could find on the subject, and even working as a color consultant, I finally found a book that made absolute sense, and gave a new clarity to choosing the colors in your wardrobe. Lots of great photos, well-written, a really enjoyable read.
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By E. K.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had a terrible time trying to determine my color type according to their guidelines. I found myself in three different categories! It was very frustrating. In general I look better in warm colors, but there are many cool tones that are also beautiful on me. Their palettes simply did not work for me. I also agree with the reviewer who pointed out the "dishonest" photos and silly and irrelevant digressions. Don't spend good money on this book. Borrow it or wait until it hits the bargain bin.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
So much fun!
We love this book!Three generations took turns analyzing each other, including the two and three year olds. We intend to share with the fourth generation this summer. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Deb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Palette
I think every single woman should know her color type in order to look beautiful and stylish without spending excess amount of money on clothes that won't flatter them. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Choosy Mom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very helpful if you're unsure how to add color into your wardrobe
This book is great. The authors give specific pictures and guides to help you figure out how to add color into your wardrobe in practical ways. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Sarah Luders
5.0 out of 5 stars
Color Therapy
Great book!!!!! This is something you'll want to refer back too.Life in Color: The Visual Therapy Guide to the Perfect Palette--for Fashion, Beauty, and You!
Published on May 18, 2011 by Grey Lady
3.0 out of 5 stars
Needed more examples and clarification
This book starts out with a brief description of the science behind color. However, unless you're an art student who already has a background on color theory, this section will... Read more
Published on May 18, 2010 by Elisabeth
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not a guide to the perfect palette
First I want to say that I disagree with the previous reviewer that claimed that before and after photos were done so that models in before pictures looked sullen and devoid of any... Read more
Published on February 5, 2010 by Toby Winter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun but not as helpful as I thought
This is a very fun book but I am still feeling a bit clueless. I can't tell the subtle differences between some of the colors in the book, and I'm still not sure what color type I... Read more
Published on May 18, 2009 by art chick
4.0 out of 5 stars
Colour Therapy Revisited
I own almost every book written on this subject but this gives a modern take on the subject with additional helpful information on clothing items for your particular style and... Read more
Published on April 21, 2009 by Jl Mcdonnell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Color Guide!!!
I LOVE the color palettes presented in this book. They are perfect, especially in terms of applying to my wardrobe and explained in a updated and easy to understand way. Read more
Published on February 9, 2009 by E. Brook
5.0 out of 5 stars
Realistic and Most Helpful
I'm the type of person that always sticks to browns, beiges and neutrals and always avoided colors because I didn't know how to wear them. Read more
Published on February 9, 2009 by R F
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