Chapter 25: Shopping With Intention

Welcome to the twenty fifth 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

Signature Style Packages Launch + Price Increases

I’m thrilled to announce the official launch of my 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. Plus…maybe an early bird rate with a special discount code will be entering your emails to get the best rates possible!? You’ll have to check your emails to find out.

✨ 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

Here’s where you can catch me next—and yes, I’m bringing the full-color energy:

Boutique on the Buyway
📍 Falmouth, MA | 🗓️ November 6th | ⏰ 5PM-7PM

The Seaport Inn
📍Fairhaven, MA | 🗓️ November 9th | ⏰ 11AM - 4PM

Indy Clover Boutique
📍 Wakefield, MA | 🗓️ November 15th | ⏰ 10AM - 1PM

Blonded by Betsy
📍 Dedham, MA | 🗓️ November 30th | ⏰ 2PM-4PM

Community Perk: As part of my vibrant community, you can book a 30-minute Color Analysis Consultation for 20% off with a special discount code “BTD20”—for any of my 30-minute Color Analysis Pop-Ups! Physical Products included in my 3-hour Consultation are not included in my Mini Appointments and can be purchased separately.

Don’t miss your chance to get draped and dazzled at a discount!

Today’s Topic: Shopping With Intention. : A Stylist’s Guide to Mindful Choices During the Holiday Season.

As the holidays approach, the sparkle of sale season is hard to resist. Everywhere you turn, there’s a promotion, a “limited-time offer,” or a shopping cart whispering, “Add me.” But as a color analyst and personal stylist, I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for those impulsive purchases to lead to a closet full of clothes you don’t actually wear — and a sense of overwhelm when getting dressed.

This year, I want to invite you to shop with intention.

1. Know Your Colors, Know Your Confidence

When you understand your personal color season — whether you’re a Soft Autumn, a Cool Winter, or somewhere in between; you can shop with clarity. Instead of being swayed by what’s trending, you’ll know exactly which shades make your skin glow, your eyes sparkle, and your confidence soar.

Before you click “buy,” ask yourself:
✨ Does this color harmonize with my palette?
✨ Will it work with what I already own?

Shopping through the lens of color analysis helps you avoid pieces that look beautiful on the hanger but fall flat on you.

2. Focus on Versatility and Longevity

Sale season is designed to make you buy fast. Intentional shopping asks you to slow down. Think beyond the price tag.

• Can this piece be styled in at least three different ways?

• Does it fit seamlessly into your existing wardrobe?

• Is it made to last beyond a single season?

A truly versatile piece will serve you year-round, not just during December gatherings.

3. Quality Over Quantity

During sales, it’s tempting to think of “more” as “better.” But a closet full of impulse buys rarely brings satisfaction. One high-quality item that fits beautifully, flatters your coloring, and aligns with your personal style will bring you far more joy (and sustainability) than several that don’t.

4. Plan Before You Purchase

Before you dive into the Black Friday chaos or end-of-year deals, take inventory of your wardrobe.

• What gaps do you have?

• What pieces do you reach for most?

• What’s missing to complete your everyday looks?

Create a shopping list based on your needs and your color palette, not on the sale emails flooding your inbox. This turns shopping into a purposeful act rather than an emotional reaction.

5. Buy with the Future in Mind

Your style isn’t just about what looks good now, it’s about building a wardrobe that supports the life you’re living and the one you’re growing into. Choose pieces that reflect where you want to go, not just what’s discounted today.

6. Celebrate the Joy of Alignment

When your purchases align with your colors, your lifestyle, and your values, shopping becomes more than consumption — it becomes connection. You feel aligned with your style, your spending, and your self-expression. That’s the real glow-up of intentional shopping.
As we move into this busy, sale-saturated season, remember: your wardrobe is a reflection of you. Shopping with intention isn’t about restriction, it’s about freedom. Freedom from the clutter, from decision fatigue, and from clothes that don’t serve you.

So this holiday season, give yourself the gift of clarity, confidence, and color.

💖 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, we’re talking Holiday Color Magic — because knowing your season isn’t just a parlor trick, it’s your secret styling weapon. Whether you’re decking the halls or RSVPing “yes” to every soirée, understanding your color palette means every look lights you up (literally). Forget fading into the tinsel — this is about glowing in your own hue.

Swatch This:

Color Confidence for the Holidays
When your outfit echoes your undertones, you don’t need sequins to shine (though I’ll never say no to a little sparkle). Your best colors make your skin look luminous, your eyes brighter, your energy magnetic — the kind of radiance that turns heads before the champagne’s even poured.

Festive Without the Fuss
Think beyond red and green. True Winters dazzle in jewel tones — emerald, sapphire, and ruby. Soft Summers shimmer in misty colors and soft blues. Warm Autumns glow in bronzes and mulled wines, while Springs sparkle in golds and lively corals. Holiday doesn’t mean cliché, it means curated color joy.

Mixing Metals and Magic
Your metal tone matters, too. Gold for warmth, silver for cool and rose gold for that balanced blush in between. When your jewelry matches your undertone, everything harmonizes from your party look to your presence.

Dressing for the Moment, Not the Mirror
Holiday events come with a vibe; dinner party elegance, fireside coziness, dance-floor drama. Color can anchor your mood without shouting. Think of your palette as your North Star; guiding you toward looks that feel festive andauthentic.

Scratch That:

The “Any Red Will Do” Trap
Not all reds are created equal. Blue-reds might make one person pop and another look washed out. Find your red, the one that flatters your skin’s natural warmth or coolness and suddenly you’re the main event, not the background decor.

Overdoing the Sparkle
Shine is fun but tone it to your palette. Cool-toned silvers can drain a warm complexion, and golds can clash with cooler ones. Choose your shimmer like you choose your champagne with taste, not impulse.

Ignoring Your Natural Glow
The holidays aren’t a costume party (unless, of course, it is). You don’t need to reinvent yourself for the season, you just need to amplify what’s already luminous about you. When your colors align, even simple outfits feel elevated.

Buying for the “New Year, New Me” Fantasy
Shop for the you who’s already here confident, radiant, fully in color. Your palette is timeless. Your glow? Already happening.

🎨 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:

Popflex Active

Known for its inclusive sizing, body-positive designs, and dreamy color palettes, Popflex Active blends fashion and function in a way that feels effortlessly elevated. From soft pastels to bold jewel tones, their collections are made to move with you—whether you’re in a yoga class, on a hike, or just running errands in style. But with so many beautiful shades and fabrics to choose from, it can be tricky to find the pieces that truly complement your natural coloring. That’s where this guide comes in.

I’m breaking down which activewear colors, fabric tones, and collections from Popflex work best for each of the 16 color seasons. Whether you’re a Soft Summer drawn to gentle, misty hues like dove gray and muted lilac, or a Bright Winter who shines in crisp, high-contrast tones like icy blue or deep magenta, this is your go-to resource for finding color harmony in your workout wardrobe.

I’m showcasing a couple of standout picks per season here, but you’ll find even more handpicked Popflex pieces curated for your palette on my ShopMy Storefront.

Let’s bring color harmony to your activewear closet—whether you’re flowing through your morning yoga, heading to the gym, or just embracing cozy athleisure for everyday wear.

🍃 SPRING – Fresh, Radiant, Uplifting

🍁 AUTUMN – Rich, Earthy, Grounded

Not many options for colors in your palette at this time. Check back if you’re interested in their items. :)

🌊 SUMMER – Cool, Calm, Romantic

Summers, you have TONS of options in terms of color possibilities for you!

❄️ WINTER – Bold, Crisp, Dynamic

Winters, I try not to include Black because Black is easy to find. I will always try to find your colors first before I include Black

☀️ WARM – Radiant, Rich, Inviting.

Not many options for you except these Colors at this time.

🌊 COOL – Elegant, Fresh, Refined.

🌑 DEEP – Intense, Powerful, Grounded

☁️ LIGHT – Airy, Delicate, Soft

⚡ BRIGHT – Vivid, Energetic, Playful

No other bright colors I could find at this time except Poppy.

🌫️ MUTED – Subtle, Calm, Understated

💸 Discount of the Week

✨ Black Friday All Month Long! ✨

The biggest style event of the year is here—and this time, it’s lasting all month long! No need to wait for one weekend, your moment is now.

Check Our Website for more!

💌 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