Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalya Lake.
Natalya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The year was 2020 and I saw a friend of a friend “get her colors done.” I had never heard of it before and it really sparked my interest. I spent a good amount of time researching and trying to figure out my colors through online quizzes and different apps. One day I came to my small group, thinking i am wearing “my colors” only to be asked if i was feeling ok and that i looked pale. That was huge disappointment! But that experience propelled me forward to find a color analyst in person. It took months to get into the appointment and i could hardly wait! What I didn’t know at that time was that a passion was being born.
You see, I had been a stay at home mom for 10 years at this point. I used to love wearing color and putting together outfits before having kids. But the natural progression of having kids and having less time and less capacity left me buying clothes that were either black, grey, beige or white. It was easier this way, but it didn’t feel like me. The more i researched and looked at the beautiful, harmonious colors in the different color palettes online, the greater the spark grew.
I finally came in for the in-person color analysis with a someone that uses the 4-season model to analyze customers. I walked away as a Spring, meaning the colors that i was told that i needed were bright, crisp, and very saturated. It was the opposite of what i ever gravitated towards. I was pregnant at the time and decided that it was a perfect time to grasp and implement “my” color palette with temporary maternity clothes. There were aspects that i loved about the palette, but again, it didn’t feel like me and it also left me with needing to put on more makeup, otherwise it would wash me out. So pressed on and continued searching. I stumbled upon the 12-tone model, which incorporates neutral undertones as apposed to the 4-season model that analyzes people as having only a cool or warm undertone. I wanted to find an analyst in MN that follows the sci/art model, but I couldn’t find anyone within 2 hours of driving. So i decided i would bring the 12-tone model to Minnesota!
After some extended research i found Amelia with True Colour International (TCI) who trained under a senior color specialist at the institute of gold standard of color, Munsell. I traveled to Dallas, Texas to receive my training and get my in-person color analysis in the 12-tone model, all at once. I was analyzed as a Soft Autumn, which is a palette of soft and muted colors with a neutral undertone. It was nearly the opposite of the 4-season analysis result, but my new palette was much more me. After completing my in-person training, followed by a 3-month training remotely, I was certified as a Personal Color Analyst with TCI. I opened my studio in downtown Prior Lake in May of 2024 and having been loving serving the community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not all been smooth…
I thought i would work outside of my home for sometime, but having 3 small kids and busy schedules, my home didn’t provide the atmosphere i wished to give to my clients. Finding a studio small was the one of the best, unexpected changes i made.
The other thing that was revealed to me through the process of opening up the business is just how much i struggled with perfectionism. It didn’t come in the form of ‘everything has to be perfect,’ but rather, ‘I don’t want to start something if im not guaranteed success.’ I was stuck and frozen from moving forward with branding, website, social media because i perceived things a particular way, but they weren’t coming out that way. So i was stuck on a mindset of its either ‘this’ or ‘nothing,’ and had to overcome and accept things in a messy and less perfect way than what i imagined, but yet they allowed me to move forward rather than being stuck.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I help individuals discover the colors that best complement their natural features. The colors harmonize with the persons natural beauty and allows the individual to look cohesive and present themselves as one unified whole. Knowing their best colors, allows my clients to make decisions on clothing, makeup, and hair colors that enhance their appearance, boost confidence, and make shopping easier.
What sets me apart is that i offer analysis in the 12-tone model, which looks at the undertone of the skin and takes into account that 67% of the population has a neutral undertone. Most color analysts around me analyze in the 4-season model, and do not take into account that an individuals undertone may be neutral. Their model system, unfortunately, isn’t set up in that way. Having been a client of the 4-season model, i believe the 12-tone model is more accurate in assessing ones personal color.
I provide in person analysis in my Prior Lake studio. Appointments are about 1.5 hours for an individual appointment. I also take groups and am able to do events.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters to me is for individuals to know more about who they are and how they were created.
Identity and living out of a wholesome, true self is a mission of mine because it then allows me to live out my greatest purposes in life. Color analysis is a piece of that wholeness. It allows me to show up looking and feeling most like me. I am able to present myself, through color. Those colors in return make me feel confident and allow me to showcase my heart, mind and personality.
That is what i wish for every person who finds out their colors. That they may walk in a greater knowing of who they are on the outside and be able to them showcase themselves- effortlessly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Adorncolor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adorncolor?igsh=MWo1Z2w3czNuYmdkcw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
