Shades of Red - Warm or Cool?

Valentine's Day soon. Do you know how to choose the best Shades of Red that suit you and do you justice?

Are you ready to make a splash?

Many women are fearful of wearing red because they think its too bright and showy, but actually everyone should be able to find a shade that suits them without feeling over powered.

The easiest way is to recognize the difference between a Warm and a Cool Red - that's whether it has a yellow or blue undertone.

Most people have a discernible undertone too and, when you echo that undertone in the colors you wear, you create harmony.

Shades of Red #shadesofred #redcarpet #howtowearred https://www.style-yourself-confident.com/shades-of-red.html

Of course whether your coloring is Light or Deep, whether you instinctively choose gentle or more vivid shades, will all vary with the individual. But the undertone is your best guide particularly if you want to choose cosmetics or nail polish.

If you don't know your undertone check it out HERE.

What is Red?

RED is one of the 3 primary colors, along with Yellow and Blue. All 3 are pure colors with complete clarity.

When the 3 primary colors are mixed together equally we get 3 secondary colors - orange, purple and green. But in between there are obviously lots of different shades.

WARM colors are a combination of red, orange and yellow. As the name suggests they tend to make you think of warm things such as heat and sunshine.

So as more Yellow is added to Red, the colors become warmer.

COOL colors are typified by blue, purple and green, soothing and calm colors.

As more Blue is added to Red, the colors become cooler.

How Red changes with the addition of Yellow and Blue

Red + Yellow = Orange (Warm) Red + Blue = Violet (Cool)

As the colors move away from True Red they become closer to and influenced by either Yellow or Blue which gives them a WARM or COOL influence or undertone.

Shades of Red - Warm and Cool

When a little white is added it takes the shades of red lighter and when grey or black is added it makes them deeper.

Now we have the four extremes of Red which relate to the 4 Seasons of Color Analysis - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Although I have highlighted just a few, there are lots of different shades of red within each color palette, all equally attractive and complementary, giving lots of choice.

How to include red in your outfit

Click to see items from Kettlewell Colours

When a little white is added it takes the shades of red lighter and when grey or black is added it makes them deeper. Now we have the four extremes of Red which relate to the 4 Seasons of Color Analysis - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Although I have highlighted just a few, there are lots of different shades of red within each color palette, all equally attractive and complementary, giving lots of choice.

Or just Warm and Cool...

The WARM color swatch

The COOL color swatch

Let's make it easy! The Warm swatch includes some Spring and Autumn shades; and the Cool swatch includes some Summer and Winter shades. Use your Color Swatch as a 'blending tool' on fabric or garment and see whether the colors 'sit' happily together.