Style Refresh 2021: Meet Annie Castano

Style Refresh 2021: Meet Annie Castano

Let’s keep going with my Style Refresh 2021 and meet the fabulous Annie Castano.

Please read yesterday’s post: Style Refresh 2021: From the beginning before reading this one.

Style Refresh 2021: Meet Annie Castano

I describe Annie as fabulous because she truly is.  She is gorgeous, talented, and has an incredibly kind heart….elegance personified.

Susan worked with Annie at Annie’s previous company in London, Red Leopard.  However, Annie is out on her own now and making waves around the world with Castanohel.

Right up to the Queen of England…you read that right!

After I watched Susan with Annie on her Instagram interview, I was convinced that my colors were wrong.  I AM NOT A WINTER.

I was amazed at how the countenances of her clients glowed as if a light shown on their faces when they wore the right colors.

But, I had no plans to go to London and am operating on a tight budget here, so I began to do research and see if I could figure the colors out on my own.

Then this happened….

Style Refresh 2021: Meet Annie Castano

Leigh Ann & I were working on a shopping post in Talbots and took this picture.  I posted it on my Instagram.

Lo & behold, who should comment on that picture?….she’s never been on my IG before…but Annie Castano!

She loved us in these colors!

I took the opportunity to contact her back through her IG and thank her for the encouragement. (Social media does have it’s wonderful moments to connect people around the world).

I also told her that I was in the process of styling a completely new me… and, again to my surprise…she said LET ME HELP!

Style Refresh 2021: Meet Annie Castano

Annie has been simply amazing!  We have talked on the phone, online, and gone through a two hour Zoom meeting….where Leigh Ann joined in the fun.

She is the guide I needed to help me through this process.  She gave me the courage to say….I am going to do everything you tell me…no matter what the changes are!

On Sunday, I will begin to tell you what Annie has taught me about wearing the right colors.  On Monday, I will share with you the style personality changes. 

Style Refresh 2021: Meet Annie Castano

On the day we first spoke by phone, I was two days away from going to the hairdresser and about to refresh my blonde highlights.

Annie disagreed.  She said you need caramel lowlights and the blonde needs to go!

I am committed to change so I followed her advice…and I love it.

My new hairdresser was the one who convinced me to stop straightening it and go with the natural waves…Annie agreed with that decision.

Style Refresh 2021 Meet Annie Castano

I am excited for Sunday’s post to share with you some of the things I am learning, and hope you have enjoyed meeting Annie.

She is pictured here with her business partner, Ivana Nohel.  Together they create gorgeous silk scarves at Castanohel in each color palette and different shapes for the style personalities.

The Queen wears one of their scarves!

They also have created a Paper Colour Kit which is sent as part of a color consultation done on Zoom.

Style Refresh 2021 Meet Annie

I like this photo because since leaving the corporate world, my style has driven me bananas!  Annie to the rescue.  I begin on Sunday to share with you the details of my consultation.

Annie also has a fun Instagram to follow. 

Now, you know the two main influences in my journey…so let’s go forward together….Would You Wear It tomorrow!

KEEP SMILING, EVERYONE!

By Pamela Lutrell

 

36 Comments

  1. So interesting. I’ve never had my “colors done” with the seasonal descriptions, but did use another source. Since my coloring is so similar to yours, I’m interested to see where this took you. The picture from Talbot’s is so pretty with all the color. I have been embracing color too and it’s made a difference. Hopefully I’ll learn how to carry this over when the cold weather comes!

  2. I am learning so much Karen and will be open about the challenges as well as the victories! So far, this is a lot of fun!

  3. This is interesting, i look forward to following how this goes, and what we learn from it.

  4. I am so excited for you and your new journey. I will be waiting eagerly for the Sunday post and all that follow to see your true self blossom. Thanks for taking us along with you, it is addictive to learn all that is out there to experience with colour and personality.

  5. Haha I meant to say “you”, not “me” so maybe that means I need to do this too!

  6. Love these posts and learning along with you. Excited to see Sunday’s post! You are a beautiful lady regardless of what you wear but certainly the peachy colored top at Talbots really does enhance how vibrant you look! I am wondering if you are an Autumn instead of a Winter?? Will stay tuned for these posts! I watched Susan’s IG video with Annie and Ivana and enjoyed it all. As you say, let the makeover and journey begin!! Love your blog!!

  7. I’m so excited for this! I too was blown away by Susan’s transformation. I have never thought you were a winter, and even said so a time or two here. I too was mistyped as a winter years ago, and wondered why the icy pastels always looked bad on me. It wasn’t until I discovered something called a “blue autumn” or a “deep autumn” that I realized that I needed deep, warmer, rich and vibrant colors. in any case, I want to see what Annie comes up with. You always look terrific … here’s to the “next phase Pam.” So fun!!

  8. HaHa! Carolyn…I hope this journey will inspire many of you to take your own!

  9. There is a lot to learn and to share…I hope I remember all of the key points and get them organized properly!

  10. When you said you were also a winter, I thought about the jewel colors you wear, in particular your purple. But seeing the Talbots picture in that lovely orange sherbet color, and other warm colors you have worn, I thought they were such compliments to your coloring. I too will be interesting in seeing suggestions Annie makes on your behalf. BTW, I just noticed that beautiful silk scarf we both liked so much at Chico’s and you said you would wait until it’s price dropped as it was originally $79.99, I think, …I noticed it is in the new markdowns today for $29.99.

  11. Thanks for sharing Celia. On Sunday, you will see why that scarf is no longer on my shopping list…but I am watching for scarves and going to be wearing them more again. See you on Sunday!

  12. In my opinion you are going in the right direction. When I saw that Talbots scarf next to your faces few weeks ago, I saw you, exuberant and fun loving and youthful. Black and navy just seem to suffocate your spirit. I’m thinking you may be a fellow Autumn!
    How very generous of Annie to help you! Your life will change!

  13. Pam this is so exciting. I love your presentation of ideas and can’t wait to follow along. Interesting she was the catalyst for your new hair color and curly style. SPOT ON!

  14. I am doing the wait and see thing with this change. While I can agree change is needed I am not is sure about what they did with Susan. Their first cut of her hair was WAAAAAY too short…..pixie cut yes but she needs the softness that she has figured out on her own as time went by. The colours for Susan are ok but they have her doing way too much busy with too many things going on at once…..I hope that calms down soon. Try everything and then see what YOU and the people who know you well think

  15. I am enjoying reading about your recent style shake-up, and appreciate the Instagram link for your style/color consultant. I have found it possible to wear just about any color in pants, then stick to known winners on top. Hopefully that might also work for you as you transition your wardrobe.

  16. Yes this is all so interesting. The last time I had my colors done was DECADES ago with swatches, I believe. I was a SPRING. I wonder what I’d be today? Will follow you to discover how this went ….on Sunday! Love your blogs!

  17. I am following with great interest as there is so much to learn. Many years ago, I was typed as an Autumn, but I as I have aged, my skin tone has changed. I also never looked good in some of the colors that were suggested. I was also told that there are five universal colors that look good on everyone. One of those colors was purple, & I can tell you, without a doubt, that purples does not look good on me. My complexion looks quite sallow when I try it.

  18. Thanks so much for your comment…I am learning so much about me through this process.

  19. Thanks Suzi…I do love the color and most days the new style…but other days when it is more humid I struggle with the size…Ha!

  20. Annie has taught me that it is what is closest to the face that is most important, Connie. I will discuss my current closet upheaval next week.
    Thanks!

  21. The “expert” that tabbed me as a winter did very little except hold cloth up to my face. Annie has more of a process which will be in Sunday’s post. Thanks for all of your encouragement, Paulette!

  22. There are different levels of each season, Becky. I would be willing to bet that no one wears the entire palette for a season and loves every color. It is about discovering which ones are your best. Spend some time on Annie’s Instagram account and you will see what I mean.

  23. How fun this all is, Pam! Thank you for including us in your adventure. I’m always scrambling to get & stay caught up on my on-line reading these days but am especially interested in how this all plays out as I’ve been wondering how letting my hair go to its natural charcoal & silver has affected my overall colour choices. I was defined as a Winter years ago & it was true — as long as I stayed true to those strong cool primary colours, I glowed, And some are still true (pure white, clear red, peacock blue, black) but I’m finding that I’ve added silver & cool greys with great success & am experimenting with others. I just don’t have the time right now to search out a good colour analyst & mess around with it (we’re building a house & while both my husband & I are acting as project managers, it’s falling more & more on me as he’s getting pulled away by other work — I swear we were never this busy until we retired!). Anyway, I’m vicariously enjoying this whole undertaking with you. And yes, losing the blonde highlights was a good move. It’s always a little scary, though, isn’t it!

  24. Hi Janet! So good to hear from you! Though I am not fully retired, I know that sense I came home to work I am way busier! I am completely blown away and humbled that Annie agreed to help me or I would still be researching on my own. Hopefully some of the things I share can help or inspire many of you!

  25. Hi Lauren, thanks for the feedback. I agree the pixie cut was too short at first, but that was my own decision to start short and grow it out. I’m not sure what “too many things going on at once” refers to, but I’m choosing my own wardrobe items and outfits, not Red Leopard.

    There’s always some trial and error with personal style, but we never know until we try something new whether it will work or not. I do think the color and style analysis I received from Red Leopard was right on, and has helped me move toward a more complete expression of my personal style Best wishes to you!

  26. How wonderful to read your blog about Annie! I too consulted her after seeing her live (with Ivana) on Susan’s IG feed. Annie is AMAZING! So generous and talented. I’m having to do a closet detox (so much black!!) and am struggling to find clothes and accessories in my style and colors. I’m delighted that you’ve discovered your colors also!

  27. I had four large boxes of black that I moved along. I thought it would be difficult but it was refreshing. So glad to see you hear Sally…hope you will return!

  28. I too have humidity issues with my hair but about 5 years ago I discovered keratin treatments and it has literally changed my life. The keratin coats each hair strand that is treated and prevents frizzing and curling up. I can still blow dry, curl or straighten as I choose, just without the frizz. My stylist does a super express version of this and we start almost an inch from the roots so it isn’t too flat. The full version of this treatment can cost hundreds of dollars but the quick version we do is only $50 every 3 months – so worth it! Look forward to reading more about your transformation. So fun!

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