Sarah Heron used to hide herself under big, baggy, black clothes.
Recovering from a toxic divorce, working in a stressful job and experiencing a serious health scare, the mum-of-two felt isolated and sad, like she was living her life in black-and-white.
Her life revolved around her two sons who she adores, but her confidence had taken a big knock and she felt she had lost herself along the way.
Now, she is a confidence guru who is transforming the lives of other women through colour and style in her new career.
Three years ago, she set up True Colours with Sarah Heron, having retrained as a colour consultant and style coach following a chance opportunity to test the theory herself.
“When I had my colours done, I was draped in a black cloak like the ones you have at the hairdresser’s, all my make-up was removed, and my hair was scraped back off my face with a hairband,” recalls Sarah, from Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough.
“It was horrendous, I felt so exposed and fat and pale.
“But then, like magic, as different coloured drapes were placed across my shoulders against my face, I could see how the different colours were transforming how I looked. I remember sitting up straight and feeling like a proud peacock.”
Once she had her palette of colours, Sarah dug out the colourful items from her wardrobe and went shopping armed with the crucial knowledge of what suited her. And then, the compliments started rolling in. And her confidence escalated.
“People would say to me ‘Oh you look great, have you had your hair done? Have you lost weight?’ and it would simply be that I was wearing colours that flattered me,” she adds.
“I knew there was something in this so I retrained so I could help other women. I want every woman to feel confident in what they wear and how they look.”
Sarah meets people face-to-face or virtually and has clients around the world. She also offers style consultations and a subscription service for members to unlock monthly features and style tips, and includes online personal shopping, for those who hate shopping.
“I always say I’m not your ‘traditional’ stylist,” says Sarah, originally from Darlington, who has two sons, George, 27, and Chris, 22, and a 10-month-old grandson, Freddie.
“I’m not stick thin or very young or walking around in high heels. But I’ve been there. I know how it feels to feel unattractive and miserable. I know what it’s like to put on weight and change body shape and go through the menopause. And I know the secret to confidence now and I love sharing it with others.”
Sarah, whose professional background includes marketing, primary school teaching and working with children with SEND (special educational needs and/or disabilities), adds: “I love my job; I love how it transforms women and how they feel about themselves afterwards.
“I am proud to make a difference and I know the impact of what I do. My job never feels like work; it is an absolute joy.”
Find out more at www.truecolourswithsarahheron.com