Billings, Montana – Colors are not just hues that meet the eye; they are powerful tools that can significantly boost one’s confidence. This is the core belief of Kaitlyn Bolotas, a Billings woman who has made it her mission to match people with their perfect color palettes.
Kaitlyn Bolotas, the owner of House of Colour, has a unique way of showcasing the impact of colors. She vividly demonstrates this with her client, Genia Castro Waller. Bolotas compares different color drapes, illustrating how certain shades can enhance a person’s natural beauty. “In this warm one it’s like, ‘Oh that’s a nice sweater you are wearing.’ And in that cool it’s like, ‘Genia, look at you, there’s your face, you look so beautiful, and by the way that’s such a great sweater, but you look beautiful,’” she explains.
The process Bolotas uses involves draping colors and multiple comparisons to determine which hues best complement her clients. This personalized approach leaves clients not only with newfound confidence but also with a practical color fan. This fan contains their best colors, simplifying decisions related to wardrobe, makeup, mascara, jewelry, and even hair color. Bolotas asserts, “The color fan is a game changer,” highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing natural beauty.
Genia Castro Waller, a satisfied client, echoes this sentiment. She finds that knowing her colors makes shopping and getting ready much more straightforward. The knowledge of which colors work best for her has made a significant difference in her daily routine.
House of Colour’s consultation process is rooted in the science of color theory. This international brand, with over 30 years in the business, has recently opened its first shop in Montana, marking a significant milestone. Bolotas explains that skin tone, which is a color itself, changes when different colors are placed against it. This understanding is crucial in identifying the most flattering hues for an individual.
Kylie Nelson, a Billings-based mid-size fashion influencer, also benefited from Bolotas’ expertise. In an Instagram reel, Nelson shares her experience: “First you are draped so only your eyes and face are visible,” she says. This technique is essential to determine whether one has a blue or yellow undertone. For Nelson, discovering that she had a blue undertone categorized her in the winter season, which entails specific colors that flatter her the most.
Bolotas emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s best hair color in addition to clothing colors. For instance, someone like Nelson, who is in the cool season, looks stunning in icy blonde or ashy hair. Their ‘wow’ colors are often jewel tones, which Bolotas and Castro Waller, both categorized in the winter season, wear exceptionally well. Castro Waller’s recent addition of a fuchsia flannel to her wardrobe has garnered her multiple compliments, showcasing the power of wearing the right colors.
Interestingly, Bolotas shares a piece of advice that might come as a surprise to many: Black mascara is only recommended for one season, winter. This advice underscores the specificity and tailored approach of her color analysis.
Both Nelson and Castro Waller praise the color consultation for its helpfulness. Castro Waller, half-jokingly, wonders about getting a color analysis for her two-year-old son, highlighting the universal appeal and curiosity about the service.
Bolotas firmly believes that understanding your colors is more than a mere fashion choice; it’s a lifetime investment in oneself. The knowledge and confidence gained from knowing the colors that best complement one’s natural beauty can have lasting effects on a person’s self-esteem and daily life.
