Color is both art and science, and it has evolved since the 1980s when color analysis was first introduced to the public. Here color expert Lauren Battistini of Color My Closet discusses what’s new in the field of color, as well as how women can use color in their wardrobes to achieve phenomenal results.

Workchic: What has changed since the 1980s as far as color is concerned?

Lauren Battistini: Because of the wide range of skin tones found in all ethnicities, the science of color now accounts for the two-thirds of women who are neither cool nor warm in undertone, but neutral. This means that they don’t fit neatly into the traditional four seasons of summer, winter, spring and autumn. Color analysis has expanded into 12 categories, with 8 of them for neutral undertones. Color choices are now more abundant, a woman’s palette includes 64 colors that mix and match seamlessly, and the process of color analysis is 3 times more precise than ever!

Workchic: Why is color so important to a woman’s look?

Lauren Battistini: This is a great question, ladies, and an important one to address. Women now feel more pressure to look their best in both work and personal settings, and color accounts for up to 90% of her appearance. It’s her secret beauty weapon—if she understands how to use it strategically. Color has the power to visually shave 10 pounds and 10 years from a woman’s look. It is truly the all-in-one visual face lift, wrinkle reducer, teeth whitener and weight loss agent. On the other hand, the wrong colors can add 10 pounds and 10 years, while also drawing out any skin imperfections and blemishes.

Workchic: How can women use color when wardrobe planning?

Lauren Battistini: Once a woman has her palette of colors in hand, she can mix and match them seamlessly because they all have a similar look and feel. A woman has her best light, medium, and dark neutrals, along with dozens of color choices to complement those neutrals. I always advise clients to follow my 2-1 rule; that is, choose any 2 neutrals to mix with 1 color, or any 2 colors to mix with 1 neutral.

Workchic: What do you say to women who tell you they cannot wear certain colors?

Lauren Battistini: Hogwash! Women can wear any color, as long as it is in the right tone. Tone refers to a color’s undertone (cool, warm, or neutral), value (how light or dark it is), and chroma (how soft or intense it is). Today’s color science gives women more—not less—color choices.

Workchic: Are there some universal colors that all women can wear?

Lauren Battistini: Yes, there are 4 universal colors: true red, teal, turquoise, and eggplant. These colors are all neutral enough to work on any skin tone.

Workchic: How can businesswomen working in conservative settings add color to their wardrobes?

Lauren Battistini: This can be a problem area for women who want to express individuality and at the same time respect corporate dress codes. My advice is to pick 2-3 of your favorite colors and incorporate them by way of necklaces, handbags, and silk tops that can be worn underneath conservative suits and jackets. A little bit of color goes a long way in the workplace, and even something as simple as a printed scarf adds that extra pizazz to an outfit.

Workchic: Does a woman’s color palette change during summer months when she has a tan?

Lauren Battistini: No, a woman’s color palette is based on her unique skin undertone, so it doesn’t matter is she is tanned or not.

Workchic: What role do hair color and makeup play in color science?

Lauren Battistini: This is my most important color tip to discuss. To use color strategically, it is key that women bring their total look—hair color, makeup, wardrobe, and accessories—into alignment with their skin tone. If any one of those beauty components is off, then it throws off the whole look for a woman. In other words, a woman who is neutral should color treat her hair with neutral tones, use makeup in neutral tones, and wear clothing and accessories in those tones.

Workchic: What colors should women wear to job interviews?

Lauren Battistini: I get asked this question a lot and with reason, especially in today’s competitive job market. You can never go wrong with blue, as it is the most universally appealing color—to both men and women. Conservative shades of green are also good choices, because they lend an air of peacefulness and calm. Shades of deep purple and mauve also work well because they are regal and express individuality. On a personal note, I interviewed for a position at a CPA firm right out of college in a hot pink linen dress—and landed the job on the spot. It was a risk that paid off, but I do not recommend going that far out on a limb when interviewing in conservative industries.

Workchic: What advice can you give to the woman who is stuck in a rut of wearing only black and white?

Lauren Battistini: First of all, reconsider your neutrals. Black and white may be too strong and/or too cool in undertone for many women. Other black equivalents exist, such as navy, charcoal grey, or deep brown. Secondly, branch out of your comfort zone with only 2 to 3 colors that you received compliments on in the past. Lastly, experiment by buying inexpensive tops and jewelry in new colors, so that you have not invested too much in a potentially wrong color choice.

Workchic: Many women have no idea of what colors look right on them. Any advice?

Lauren Battistini: There is no substitute for a professional color analysis, which will put everything from hair color to makeup to wardrobe and accessories into perspective. An accurate color analysis is a valuable tool that saves a woman on average $5000 each year, because she will never buy that wrong lipstick or wrong top color again—nor will she ever get her hair color treated wrong again. Companies invest billions of dollars to select the right product and packaging colors, and I feel that each and every woman should do the same by investing in herself to discover her best colors. It’s all about developing her personal brand, and color is a woman’s best and most powerful beauty weapon!

We enjoyed discussing color with Lauren and learning more about how to make color work for you.  For more tips visit her site; colormycloset.com.