Chapter 30: Goodbye 2025…

Welcome to the 30th 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 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.

Important Update on Swatch Wallets & Pricing

I wanted to keep you in the loop and be open & honest. Due to recent tariff changes affecting imported materials, the cost of ordering the swatch wallets has increased. I have tried my absolute hardest to keep pricing as afforadable as possible but with the tariffs, shipping costs, and rise in costs for myself to purchase the wallets, I have had to make a tough business decision to raise the prices of the wallets. As a result, there will be a price adjustment starting 10/27.

Swatch Wallets: $100-110

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 are taking a pause on our event calendar! Stay tuned for updates.

Today’s Topic: Goodbye 2025…

I didn’t know how much courage it would take to write this.

Goodbye 2025.
Goodbye to the year I stopped waiting and finally began.

This year held everything—highs that made me feel unstoppable, lows that humbled me, lessons that reshaped me, and wins that once felt so far away. My first year in business with My Authentic Colors stretched me in ways I couldn’t have prepared for and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I learned that growth isn’t glamorous.
It’s quiet.
It’s uncomfortable.
It asks you to show up even when the confidence hasn’t caught up yet.

There were moments I doubted myself. Moments I questioned if I was doing enough, being enough. But every time I came back to my “why,” I remembered: this isn’t just a business, it’s a calling.

I achieved more this year than I ever allowed myself to fully acknowledge. I built something from nothing. I trusted an idea before it had proof. I learned how to refine, how to pivot, how to listen to my clients, to my intuition, and to the version of me I’m becoming.

My Authentic Colors has never been about trends or style rules. It’s never been just about the colors. It’s about identity. It’s about remembering who you were before the world told you to shrink, soften, or fit in. It’s about reclaiming your presence and stepping into the version of yourself that knows their worth.

Watching others step into their confidence this year changed me. Seeing the shift how someone carries themselves differently once they truly see themselves is the real magic of this buisness. That’s the impact that keeps me going when things feel heavy.

This year taught me that alignment matters more than speed. That consistency builds trust. That confidence is something you practice, not something you wait for. The million-dollar self isn’t about income, it’s about clarity, conviction, and owning who you are without apology.

As I close in on my first year of buisness, I’m filled with gratitude.
For every lesson.
Every risk.
Every moment I chose myself—even when it felt scary.

I’m proud of what I’ve built in my first year. I’m even more excited for what’s ahead.

If 2025 taught you anything, let it be this: you don’t have to wait to become your million dollar self, you can be that right now.

So here’s my invitation to you—
As we step into a new year, ask yourself:
Who am I ready to become?
What parts of myself am I ready to reclaim?
What would it look like to show up fully—without hesitation?

If you’re ready to step into your authentic self, to stop hiding and start embodying the version of you that knows their value, I’d be honored to walk that journey with you.

This is just the beginning.
For me.
For you.
For all of us becoming who we were always meant to be.

Goodbye 2025. ✨

💖 Swatch This/Scratch That

Your weekly scroll through the glossy, the gaudy, and everything in between. I’m serving a mood board of what’s in… and what’s getting cut out. Let’s go! This week, ss we close out the year and step into 2026, I’m switching things up and sharing what I truly love—and what I don’t—about the holiday season. This New Year feels different: clearer, calmer, and more intentional. I’m also experimenting with a new format—short, honest reflections on what makes the cut… and what doesn’t. Let me know if you’re feeling this shift (or not 👀).

Swatch This

One trend I genuinely love (and hope continues into 2026) is the shift away from overconsumption.

I love this because it gives people permission to pause. To stop buying just because something is “in” or because an influencer told them it was a must-have. It creates space to ask better questions: Does this actually feel like me? Will I still love this six months from now? Does this support the life and identity I’m building?

Overconsumption keeps us chasing, chasing trends, validation, and versions of ourselves that don’t quite fit. Choosing less, but better, is a powerful act of self-trust. It’s not about deprivation; it’s about discernment. This trend isn’t just good for your closet—it’s good for your confidence. And confidence is what carries into every room you walk into, long after the trend cycle moves on.

If this is the direction you’re moving in, you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

Scratch That

Something I want us to scratch as we move into 2026 is letting other people’s opinions dictate our style.

You can participate in fashion, but your style is personal—it’s unique to you. When we dress for approval instead of alignment, we lose connection to who we are and how we want to show up.

As your stylist, my role isn’t to follow trends or dress you like everyone else. It’s to help you block out the noise and build a style that reflects you—your identity, your lifestyle, and the version of yourself you’re becoming.

Your style isn’t meant to please everyone.
It’s meant to represent you.

🎨 The Color Connection

Formerly a general guide on color theory and branding, this section now dives deeper into specific brands and how their products align with seasonal Color Analysis. Whether you're a True Autumn or a Cool Summer, I’ll help you discover the clothing, makeup, and accessories that work with your season, not against it.

From curated brand breakdowns to seasonal must-haves, think of this as your personalized style compass—no guesswork, just great finds.

You’ll also be able to shop everything directly through my ShopMy Storefront. Let’s make color work for you.

A quick note before we get started: This guide is based solely on what’s available through the brand’s website and my personal understanding of seasonal color theory. Keep in mind that product photos can be edited and may not always reflect the true color in person. For the most accurate match, always refer back to your swatch wallet when making final decisions.

You may also notice that some seasons receive more attention than others, or that only neutrals were available for certain palettes in the ShopMy Storefront. This simply reflects the brand’s current offerings—not an intentional omission on my part.

With all that said, let’s jump into our featured brand of the week:

MAC Cosmetics

I know that I have brought MAC Cosmetics into the conversation many times. But we haven’t talked about eyeliner yet. Who knew there were so many shades, tints, and tones of eyeliner? I always thought it was just a classic black or a darker brown. I’ve listed a couple of options for each of the seasons, but feel free to look around my ShopMy Account for more options. For Flow Palettes, you can always refer back to your home season if I never can find anything specific for you!

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

Not many options in terms of a midpoint for a True Light. Refer back to your home season.

⚡ BRIGHT – Vivid, Energetic, Playful

🌫️ MUTED – Subtle, Calm, Understated

Nothing for you at this time. Refer back to the home season to find your best eyeliner.

💸 Discount of the Week

This will be returning Monday 1-5-26. Enjoy the final few days of our sale below.

💌 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