Finding My Personal Style: Colors
Growing up, I faced relentless bullying because of my complexion, which I often compared to my sisters, Stephanie and Sabrina. For years, I believed I was a dark-skinned woman, shaped by the terrible insults of my childhood bullies. They told me that being darker meant I was ugly, unlovable, and unlikable. While I eventually moved past the idea of being unlovable or unlikable, the belief that I was ugly deeply affected my sense of style.
For a long time, I thought I could only wear shades of brown, beige, and gold, convinced that blending into my outfits would minimize my perceived ugliness. My logic was simple: if I wore something pretty, maybe people would see me as pretty, too. I avoided vibrant colors like pink, orange, or white, fearing they would draw attention to my skin rather than enhance it.
As time passed and my confidence grew in other areas of my life, I began to experiment with color—especially when I performed as a motivational speaker. I started to step outside my comfort zone and hired a personal stylist to elevate my on-stage outfits. Yet offstage, I still found myself hiding in a sea of beige and brown.
It wasn't until I embarked on my personal style journey that I truly examined my complexion and its complexities. I realized I needed to understand which colors suited me best. I started with small experiments, but soon decided to seek professional help. I reached out to Lindsey Myers from Created Colorful, and her team guided me in uncovering my color season: deep winter. This revelation changed everything.
With this new understanding, I cleared my closet of all the colors that didn’t flatter me. What I now realize—and what I wish I’d known earlier—is that color matters, regardless of skin tone. Learning which colors harmonize with my complexion has transformed how I look and feel.
As I wear more of my deep winter color season, I feel more visible to myself and the world. This journey is about more than just style; it's about showing up in this vibrant, beautiful world as the best version of myself—radiant and unapologetically me.
In the end, our journey to self-acceptance and expression is as unique as we are. I hope my story inspires you to explore the colors that make you feel like your true self. Embrace your complexities, and remember: you are beautiful in every shade.
