Pretty Your World is owned and operated by me, Lora Alexander.
Here is my short version about me:
I am a makeup artist (though I haven’t really been working in the field for a while), Certified Image Consultant and artist.
My passions, besides color analysis, are dogs, gardening, protecting our earth, all wildlife and not-so-wild life, watching funny sitcom reruns, reading, and drawing.
I have been doing online color analysis for over 13 years now. I built this business initially following the 12 season color analysis system. I went on to use one more system before I made advancements on that and now use my own highly advanced and accurate ColorBreeze Color System, 28 seasons, total. Yep, 28 seasons. But don't worry. I break down color analysis into different levels of understanding.
My site is all about common-sense color information so that most people will be able to figure out their own season. But if they are stuck, I specialize in accurate, in-depth color analysis utilizing the most accurate color analysis system available.
Longer About me version: How & Why I started Pretty Your World
I received my Esthiology license in 1998 from the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis. I loved the school and loved learning about skincare.
I didn’t, however, care for the salon environment once I graduated. But that’s putting it mildly. It was a nightmare experience all in all. The stereotype of the egomaniacal hairdresser and the backbiting competitiveness between workers were very real. I was not prepared for this aspect of the beauty field. Note: I'm sure there are wonderfully supportive salons out there to work in. But they weren't hiring at that time, apparently.
In addition to having to deal with too many stylists’ egos, the wrath of stressed out managers, and phoniness of the whole environment, I was pressured to “push products”. Of course I had no control over what products I was told to sell and while most product lines were OK, many were downright worthless. And on top of that they were ridiculously expensive! I'm not the greatest salesperson anyway, but I really couldn't sell products that were not effective and insanely expensive.
If the negativity of the salon scene hadn’t been a factor, the sales expectations from the salon owners would have been enough to do me in. After the leaving my 5th and final salon job, I had to get out of the beauty scene for awhile. I found a ‘real’ job in the financial industry and worked there for almost a decade.
Let me just add: I KNOW there are great salons out there, with a healthy, fun, creative environment at which to work, but unfortunately, my first 5 was not one of them. And I was too burned out to try again.
But my love of makeup, makeovers, color analysis and beauty psychology never left me.
The Time was Right
Fast forward to about 2008. After a very long time analyzing whether to quit my steady, good paying job for a chance to be at home, get a dog and try my hand at being an entrepreneur, I did just that. I had nothing to fall back on (NOT recommended, by the way!)
I found a company that helps people who know nothing about building a website to help build a website. After researching them, I decided to follow my dream and put together a site that includes all the things I love: Color Analysis, Makeup, Beauty Psychology and more. And NONE of the things I hate: outrageously expensive beauty products, hype, strong sales pitches, articles that have nothing to do with helping real women with their beauty concerns.
Pretty Your World was born!
My world changed when I read Carol Jackson’s megahit book “Color Me Beautiful” in high school. Finally I found a way to make my pale skin, reddish blonde hair, and green eyes harmonize. I understood why wearing my favorite colors (pink and blue) did nothing for me except make me look even more pale and washed out: I was an Autumn! The word made more sense to me.
I found out as well that I had a knack for analyzing other people’s colors. I do it the instant I see someone for the first time; it’s automatic. Every character on my favorite Soap Opera, “All My Children” were analyzed-Erica Kane being a Deep Winter, of course. Every celebrity, politician, coworker, neighbor, friend, and family member of mine have been analyzed…in my mind at least.
I remember going to see “Field of Dreams” in 1988 with my friend Greg, who was a major Kevin Costner fan. I remember noticing that in every scene, every outfit Kevin wore was his right colors. He was a Soft Summer: his white shirt was always a soft white, his blues and greys were also soft and muted, never bright and overpowering.
I said to Greg, “Wow, everything he wears is in his best colors.”
Greg said “Yea, he has his own Color Analyst”.
What?!
I never knew that there were people out there who did this for a living! I wanted to be one. Actually I have always been one, I just never did it as a profession. And seriously, how fun would it be to be Kevin's personal color analyst??
I've been doing Color Analysis now for almost 13 years! I've analyzed thousands of women (and men!) and I still believe in its power to make everyone look their best.
I started early with the 4 season color system which expanded to 12-seasons. After following the 16-season system for a few years I have finally tweaked and developed the most accurately precise system available: my own ColorBreeze Color System.
Color Analysis is the foundation of my website because I feel it is one of the most important beauty tools for looking your best. You can have the fanciest outfit on but if it’s not in your color palette, at best it won’t do anything to enhance your look, and at worstm it can make you look older, washed out, and accentuate every blemish and fine line you have.
Wearing your right colors enhances everything: you look younger, fresher, energized. Getting your colors professionally analyzed is an essential step in your quest to look your best.
Please contact me if you have any questions, comments, partnership ideas or just some suggestions for future topics.
Thanks so much for stopping by!