A delighted Maheesha is pretty in pink and ready to go...
IN THE beginning there was a Swiss painter. He found his students were strangely drawn to a colour palette that enhanced their skin tones. And from this subtle observation an entire industry was born.
Colour consultancy celebrates its 25th anniversary and is still going strong in Brockenhurst College where fashionistas can sign up to a Colour Charisma day course.
The concept of "having your colours done" mainly appeals to the more mature lady. They are the ones who understand the futility of trying to keep up with fads and adopt the more original stance of wearing what suits them.
In a bid to join their revolution and, of course, catch the eye of handsome strangers, I joined a gaggle of women in New Milton.
Together we bemoaned the lacklustre high street options.
Every year it is the same - no sooner has the sun made a fleeting appearance than we are all brainwashed into buying what we are told are the latest summer shades. Last year it was citrus tops and much earlier, when I was a teen, it was deep purple or green shell suits or fluorescent Global Hypercolor t-shirts which changed colour with warmth/sweat.
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Fashion in the eighties was so bad it came with a health warning. If I recall rightly, those lucky catwalk kings and queens who sported shell suits were told to beware of naked flames.
This year I vowed not to be sucked into impulse buys which litter the dusty corners of my wardrobe alongside knitted ponchos and a houndstooth scarf.
My foolproof approach was to wear colours which suited me in timeless styles, thus saving face and cash.
Taking a stand against trends dictated by some oddly-dressed fashion house prima donna, I enlisted the help of Colour Charisma guru Sue Stirling.
The clinical beauty therapist led by example with a turquoise top that may even have outshone my trademark ensemble of black top and jeans, which also comes in such variants as nice black top and jeans for special occasions.
A cursory glance around the class revealed nearly a dozen excitable pupils all eager to learn.
And what a colourful bunch of characters they were, including a self-confessed "purple-hating buxom wench" who was a hive of useful beauty information on the bargainous make-up to be found on QVC, and an uncontrollably giggly Irish comedienne.
By midday, the classroom had been transformed into a raucous slumber party missing only a bottle of wine and a tub of ice cream.
Much of the afternoon was spent laughing at former fashion faux pas and sniggering at self-deprecating quips.
In a candid but less brutal approach than Trinny and Susannah, we were told what colours not to wear.
Sue explained everyone fell into two skin tone categories: blue and yellow. Those with dark features tend to fall into the yellow zone and should avoid lemony shades or risk appearing sallow.
Asian, black-skinned and many dark-haired ladies fall into this bracket, which is then further broken down into shades befitting the four seasons.
Sue assessed which season by draping large swatches of fabric over my shoulder and gauging the effects on my visage.
It was easily decided. The winter spectrum of burgundy, pine green and fuchsia was a dead cert. Sadly, none of these exciting colours make even a casual appearance in my wardrobe.
Have I been stunting my amorous pursuits with tacky tones and shoddy shades? Possibly.
Am I now to create a large shell-suit-fuelled bonfire to cremate all undesirable garments? Not necessarily.
There is one solution, I can always dye my hair to sneak inside spring or autumn's colours.
To make life easier my chosen colour chart is available in a convenient card-wallet. At a cost of £25 I can be eternally armed with winter hues - vital when deciding on highlights at the hairdressers, hosiery and a three-piece suite.
Be warned, there is a tendency to become obsessed. For example: "Sorry, I can't come round for dinner - your walls do nothing for my complexion."
Luckily for me, the neutrals of black, navy, cream and grey feature prominently both on my hangers and on my list, but perhaps it is time to steer away from safety and launch headfirst into turquoise, pea green and hot pink.
TOP TIPS
n Those living a frantic lifestyle and feeling constantly tired should try wearing red underwear, which is believed to give you a lift in more ways than one.
n Certain colours suit everyone - steer away from black and white and try periwinkle blue, watermelon, raspberry and salmon. Food for thought for anyone choosing bridesmaids' dresses.
n Use bright colours as accents or accessories but keep them away from the face.
n Any colour can be worn from the waist down - complementary shades need only be near the face to flatter.
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