customizing mac mail ??

I would like to set up my mail to use a specific font , font size and color every time. When I go to mail preferences it seems to allow me to do so, but the color of the font will not change. I get the color spectrum
and click but nothing changes. I know I am missing a step or something. Could someone please tell me the steps so I won't have to change all every time I want to send a message?
Thanks for any help