"Review of Image Consultant Lora Alexander's 'Color Revival'"
The author of “Color Revival” and webmaster behind Pretty Your World, image consultant and color analyst Lora Alexander, does a great job in explaining the concept behind the seasonal color analysis system in her ebook. It’s a must read for anyone interested in seasonal color theory, or for anyone who needs more tips on how to analyze their coloring and find their correct season.
The 12 season color theory has been around for several decades and is still being used by many professionals around the world such as image consultants and fashion consultants. “Color Me Beautiful” by Carole Jackson made the seasonal color theory quite popular back in the 80s.
She first started with the 4 season theory which was later revised and developed into a more accurate 12 season theory. It was quite groundbreaking as it made the color analysis work for everyone no matter ethnicity.
However, with the e-book “Color Revival”, Lora Alexander goes much further than Color Me Beautiful, by giving you graphic explanations, step by step instructions for finding your true season based on your dominant characteristic as well as photo examples and case studies with real-life people without the photo retouch and makeup. For example, you’ll discover why and how sometimes a person with obvious black-bluish hair can in fact be a warm, not cool season.
This is a good book to refer to when you don’t seem to truly fit in any of the groups presented in the seasonal color theory. She’s quite flexible and allows for variations within the 4 seasons.
Here are some of the things I think you’ll enjoy from reading Color Revival:
- The best hair color for you seasonal group
- How aging affects your season
- Why skin tone isn’t as significant as hair and eye color
- Differences between the sister seasons (Clear Winter vs. Clear Spring, Warm Spring vs. Warm Autumn, Soft Summer vs. Soft Autumn, Deep Autumn vs. Deep Winter, Cool Winter vs. Cool Summer, Light Summer vs. Light Spring)
- Detailed explanation on what makes a person’s coloring Soft, Light, Deep, Clear, Warm or Cool
- Explanation on seasons that often get confused with each other
- How to really analyze your hair and eyes
- Extensive color palette for each seasonal group (12 groups) along with makeup tips
- Frequently asked questions
- Color tips and advice for men
- How the seasonal color analysis works for everyone no matter your ethnicity, with image examples
- Warm and friendly voice. I enjoyed the storytelling.
The Cons With the Book
Although this book is terrific and informational in many ways, it still has some minor drawbacks:
1. The colors presented for each group may not be a true representation of the actual color. However, Lora Alexander states early in the book that you should go by the color name instead of the actual block. This is where buying actual color swatches is recommended.
2. I hoped that she would explain how you should use your color swatches. You’re not supposed to find the exact same color you’re given but rather take a clothing of your liking, place it next to your swatches and see if they harmonize with each other. It’s explained in my Seasonal Color Analysis FAQ’s page.
3. Lacks emphasis on how to analyze yourself if you have red hair, as many red-heads don’t always fall within the warm group
My Conclusion:
All in all Lora Alexander’s Color Revival is a great book for those who want an in-depth look into how the 12 seasonal color analysis works. It’s especially helpful for those who need more guidelines on finding their accurate group within their season.
I particularly enjoyed the detailed explanations on the differences between two similar groups (eg. Clear Winter vs. Clear Spring), and how she went several steps forward in telling the how’s and why’s of the seasonal color analysis. And of course, her personal voice that shines from cover to cover. I give it a weak 5 star 