Chapter 33: Our Thoughts on “Cloud Dancer”

Welcome to the 33rd edition of Behind The Drapes, your exclusive, all-access pass to everything going on behind the scenes at My Authentic Colors. This isn’t just about fashion; it’s about uncovering who you are and expressing that with confidence and joy. Whether you're a longtime color enthusiast or just beginning your style journey, I’m so glad you’re here.

🏡 Studio Updates

New Service

For those who want clarity post Color Analysis, I will be offering an add-on service where you can Personal Shop with me. This Personal Shopping Trip is different from the Personal Shopping Service for the My Authentic Closet Signature Style Package. This is a service where we would meet at a designated location and we go shopping and put your Swatch Wallet to the test. This service we hope gets you feeling confident about going into the stores. :) Pricing and Launch Date Coming Soon.

New Sponsor for Miss Fall River & Miss Bristol County.

I have always been a believer in the pageant industry. In fact, when creating my business plan a year ago, the Miss Massachusetts organization was in my top 5 organizations to partner with. I currently Sponsor Miss New Bedford/Teen, Miss Southeastern Massachusetts/Teen, & Miss Somerset/Teen. So I’m excited to announce that I am a NEW Sponsor for the Miss Fall River/Teen and Miss Bristol County/Teen. Maybe I’ll grow even more and get more involved in the Miss Massachusetts or Miss America Organization.

YWCA Partnership

We are also a partner with the YWCA! We offer 10% discounts to all YWCA Members!

Gift Cards Now Available

Preferred Partner Program

I have recently partnered up with some of my clients who own small businesses to offer My Authentic Colors clients exclusive deals to their businesses! Their clients get 15% off discounts to any of our services! Go check them out below.

Signature Style Packages

Thoughtfully designed to help you align your style with your truest self. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or ready for a complete transformation, there’s a package created just for you:

🔹 POP UP Color Analysis – $130
A quick dive into the hues that highlight your natural beauty.

🔹 MINI Color Analysis – $187
A quick and powerful session to uncover your most flattering shades.

🔹 FULL Color Analysis - My Authentic Colors – $397
A full color analysis experience to help you wear your hues with confidence.

🔹 Align My Style – $750
A combination of color and body shape analysis to help you dress in alignment with your natural beauty.

🔹 Curated Masterpiece – $2500
Includes color and body shape analysis + a full wardrobe audit to elevate what’s already in your closet.

🔹 My Authentic Closet – $5700
The full transformation: color, body shape, wardrobe audit, personal shopping, and a full wardrobe remix.

These packages are more than services, they’re a gateway to confidence, clarity, and authenticity in how you show up every day. If you’ve already receieved a Color Analysis with me, the price will be reduced.

✨ New Travel Policy – Effective September 1st ✨

Beginning September 1st, all private house parties booked with My Authentic Colors will include a travel fee.

🔹 Mileage will be billed at $0.70 per mile (round trip).

🔹 A set travel fee will also apply based on the distance from the My Authentic Colors office to the event location

•    30 minutes or less → $50 travel fee + mileage

    •    30–60 minutes → $100 travel fee + mileage

    •    1–3 hours → $200 travel fee + mileage

    •    3+ hours → $350 travel fee + mileage

⚠️ Please note: All travel fees must be paid in full before our arrival to confirm your event.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to bringing the full My Authentic Colors experience directly to you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us in our DM’s or email info@myauthenticcolors.com

We’ve launched our Instagram Broadcast Channel! 🎉
Get exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and first looks—straight from us to your inbox. Don’t miss a thing—join the channel now and stay in the loop! 🔗📲 www.instagram.com/my_authentic_colors

Did you know that I was a guest on the Wake Up New Bedford Podcast? I talk about my journey from being a fitness professional to talking about how I started the journey as a Color Analyst. My episode is broken into two parts and you can watch and listen to them down below.

📅 Upcoming Events

We will be doing MINI Color Analysis Consultations at this event.

Today’s Topic: Our Thoughts on “Cloud Dancer”

When Pantone announced Cloud Dancer as the 2026 Color of the Year, the reaction online was… strong. A lot of people were quick to say, “That’s not a color,” or “It’s just white.” But from my perspective as a Color Analyst and Personal Stylist, this choice actually makes a lot of sense.

Cloud Dancer isn’t a stark, true white. It’s soft, cool, and airy; more like light through clouds than a blank sheet of paper. In Color Analysis, those nuances matter. This shade clearly leans cool, which is why many of us immediately see it as a Summer or Cool Palette white, rather than something universally flattering.

Pantone’s Color of the Year is always a reflection of where we are collectively. Right now, politically, socially, and economically, we’re exhausted. There’s a craving for calm, simplicity, and breathing room. Cloud Dancer feels like a response to that, a color that invites pause instead of pushing for more.

There’s also strong symbolism here. Clouds represent movement, impermanence, and perspective. Nothing is fixed; everything is shifting. That idea pairs beautifully with 2026 being the Year of the Horse, which symbolizes freedom, forward motion, and intuitive progress. Together, they suggest moving ahead with intention, not force.

From a practical styling standpoint, Cloud Dancer will feel most natural on Cool Palettes. Summer types can use it as a core neutral, and Winters can work it in with contrast. Warm palettes will have the hardest time since this reads as a cool, summer white. For them, it’s best used away from the face or as a supporting piece rather than the main event.

Cloud Dancer isn’t bold or attention-grabbing and that’s exactly why it works. In a world that feels loud and overwhelming, choosing softness and restraint is a statement in itself.

The Weekly Style Note

The Weekly Style Note is a series dedicated to simple, wearable color and style tips you can actually use. Each week, we’ll highlight one idea related to Color or Style. Whether it’s how to style a trending color, make the most of what’s already in your closet, or elevate an everyday outfit with small, thoughtful details. Think of it as a quick style refresh: practical, approachable, and designed to make getting dressed feel easier and more fun.

1-12-26 Style Note: Color As An Accent.

Color doesn’t have to feel overwhelming to be impactful. This week is about letting one intentional color do the heavy lifting. Start with a clean base, then introduce a single pop through a shoe, bag, blazer, or accessory.

Remember, some colors can act as neutrals when they’re right for you. For someone with warm undertones, colors like orange can function as a neutral foundation and feel effortless when paired with a fresh accent color like green or purple. For cooler undertones, blues can play that same neutral role, with another color added for contrast such as red.

The key is balance: one color leads, the rest supports. This approach builds confidence, keeps outfits modern, and proves that wearing color doesn’t mean overdoing it, it means wearing color with intention.

Brand of the Week

Think of this as your Personal Style navigator. From brand breakdowns to seasonal essentials, I’ve got you covered. Everything you see here is available directly through my ShopMy Storefront, so you can grab your favorites in just a few clicks. Let’s make color your new best friend.

• A quick heads-up: this guide is based on what’s currently available on the brand’s website, combined with my take on seasonal color theory. Product photos can be edited, so colors may look slightly different in person—always double-check with your swatch wallet for the perfect match.

You might notice some seasons get more spotlight than others, or that only neutrals appear for certain palettes. That’s just a reflection of the brand’s current offerings, not a deliberate omission. Alright, with that out of the way, let’s dive into this week’s featured brand:

Old Navy

By request, you wanted me to discuss Old Navy for the seasons. I get it..it’s afforadable, accesible, and attainable for the general public. Even some of my favorite Barrel Jeans that you often see me wear are from Old Navy. IDK why we haven’t thought of it before but here we are! Old Navy is under the GAP Corporation which includes GAP, Banana Republic and Athleta. Maybe I will do these brands next time? Let us know!

SPRING – Fresh, Radiant, Uplifting

🍁 AUTUMN – Rich, Earthy, Grounded

🌊 SUMMER – Cool, Calm, Romantic

❄️ WINTER – Bold, Crisp, Dynamic

☀️ WARM – Radiant, Rich, Inviting.

🌊 COOL – Elegant, Fresh, Refined.

🌑 DEEP – Intense, Powerful, Grounded

☁️ LIGHT – Airy, Delicate, Soft

⚡ BRIGHT – Vivid, Energetic, Playful

🌫️ MUTED – Subtle, Calm, Understated

💸 Discount of the Week

This week, we are starting off 30% off the Curated Masterpiece Signature Styling Package.

Use code “CURATED30” at checkout. This code expires January 25th at 11:59pm EST.

💌 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Thanks for spending time Behind The Drapes. I’ve got so much more in store, and I want your input! Do you have a burning-style question? A favorite color combo? A topic you’d love me to cover next? Email me your ideas at info@myauthenticcolors.com—I’m all ears (and full spectrum lighting).

If you haven’t followed me on Instagram yet, this is where I hang out the most! I’m pretty cool on there if I say so myself.

Until next time, keep shining in your authentic colors. 🌈

With color and care,
Mac Carvalho
CEO, My Authentic Colors