Wearing the colors that are best for you will make your skin appear healthy and clear. Lines and wrinkles will seem to smooth and your eyes will appear to sparkle with a greater brightness. Lips and cheeks will also seem to have fuller hues, while your hair's coloration will show the most.

Wearing the wrong color, however, will make skin seem washed out; circles and blemishes become more pronounced and wrinkles and lines will seem to deepen.

Your optimal color is determined by your skin tone, and the color of your eyes and hair.

Basic guidelines about which hue fits you are included below. Of course, you can from time to time get away with wearing other shades, but more or less sticking to this will bring out the best in your appearance.

If you are olive...

Your hair is: Coppery red-brown, golden-brown, dark-brown or black

Your skin tone is: Olive with yellow undertones

Your best colors are: A range from rich burgundy, deep blue and dark brown hues to orange, peachy-pink, yellow and white.

Avoid: Sandy browns and anything that matches your skin tone and washes you out

If you are fair...

You hair is: White-blond, strawberry-blond, red, brown or black (Asian)

Your skin tone is: Pale or porcelain, possibly with a smattering of freckles

Your best colors: You look best in pink, blue-green, green, black, burgundy, white and chalky pastels

Avoid: Yellow and beige, which can wash you out and leave your skin looking sallow

If you are golden...

You hair is: Blond, caramel-blond, honey-brown or black

Your skin tone is: Warm with red, peach or yellow undertones

Your best colors are: Red, peach and yellow to echo your skin's undertones. You can also opt for brighter shades than those with pale skin - think orange, hot pink and turquoise. Other good bets include khaki, rust, olive, bronze, plum and brown

Avoid: Beige, pale pink and cool blues, which can wash you out

If you are dark...

You hair is: Brown, dark-brown or black

Your skin tone is: Caramel to dark brown with warm or cool undertones

Your best colors: You can wear almost any color, from cream, beige and brown to rich shades of terra cotta, rust, emerald green and fuchsia

Avoid: Chalky pastels, which might wash you out

(Source: Find your true colors by Tracey Ho Lung, chatelaine.com)

(China Daily 12/26/2007 page4)