Color Analysis: Now I Know How To Look My Best
I thought I knew what colors looked good on me. But as it turns out, I absolutely did NOT. The results of my professional color analysis turned out much differently than I thought.
Disclaimer: I’m NOT an expert. While I’ve studied color theory in college, this was definitely not my area, nor intended application – which I’ll get into later. Essentially, it’s the same boat, but at a different stop.
Table of Contents
What is color analysis & who is it for?
Let’s say personal style is working with what you’ve got, in terms of body shape. So color analysis is figuring out what you’ve got in the first place, in terms of undertone.
It’s a simple fact that some colors make you look better. Some just don’t do you any favors, and some will make you look worse. It’s not a question of confidence, it’s just biology.
Everyone is somewhere on a spectrum of cool to warm undertones. The first step of color analysis is figuring out which you are. From there, it’s determining your “season.” You can either be a Summer/Winter if you’re cool-toned or Spring/Autumn if you’re warm-toned.
Some of you heard that it’s biology versus confidence, and probably clicked out (or just about to). Maybe because this isn’t something you can change by having a “can-do attitude.” That’s ok, that just means that experience probably isn’t for you.
Now, can you wear colors that don’t make you look your best? Absolutely yes, you can. No one is going to pop out of nowhere and fine you for wearing colors outside of your “season.” The results of your color analysis simply tell you which colors won’t do your face any favors. You might appear more tired than you are, so you would likely wear more makeup to compensate.
If you want to look your best with little – or even minimal- effort, then keep reading!
Why get a color analysis?
Now, I did the color analysis because I wanted minimal effort with maximum results.
Please understand when I say that, I don’t mean minimal effort from start to finish.
The most sustainable system/habits that give you minimal effort with maximum results take a considerable amount of work to set up in the first place.
Either it’s your own skills and time, or, in this case paying for a service with results you can trust. Which is why I chose to do an in-person consultation, instead of online. It was worth it. I was able to see the changes in my face with my own eyes – which was equally satisfying and humbling.
You see, I also decided to do this because I was tired of being pulled in two opposite directions: The colors I love (purples & blues) versus the colors I thought I looked good in (oranges & yellows).
A large part of why I had the recurring urge to overhaul my wardrobe was because I was always flip-flopping. I wasn’t certain what looked best on me, so I was always second-guessing.
The results of my color analysis
Well, my days of second-guessing are over:
Whereas I’ve always thought of myself as having warm undertones, my color analysis showed me I was wrong. I found out my seasonal color palette is Winter. That means I look best in cool colors – specifically, jewel tones.
So the whole time I was adding orange & yellows to my wardrobe, I was paying for clothes that made me look worse. I just never would’ve guessed myself to have cool undertones, since my skin leans towards yellow/tan skin tone.
I’m not gonna lie: I was in shock. I used to be so sure I looked better in gold jewelry. So I figured I at least “knew” I had warm undertones, right? Well, the drapes literally couldn’t lie.
I know there will be skeptics out there, but I literally sat there watching how my face changed subtly in reaction to warm versus cool-colored drapes of fabric. After all, it was why I opted for an in-person consultation over an online one.
Anyway, the only thing I apparently got right in my wardrobe was that I looked good in jewel tones. For some reason, I thought that was a universally flattering thing, regardless of the undertone – though I’m not sure why I even thought that.
By the way, I did learn that a true red is what’s universally flattering.
If you would like to try it for yourself, I went with the “House of Colour” franchise. I had a great experience with my consultant, and I had a great time overall.
What do I do with that information?
So now what? What do I do with the results of my color analysis?
Well, first of all, breathe a gentle sigh of relief. Some of my best, or “wow” colors are royal purple, cobalt blue, and emerald green. All colors I already love.
Next is moving forward, I can feel more at ease investing in higher quality basics, or “forever” pieces. I’ve always held back from buying pricier items in case I invested in the wrong color.
Not that I’m planning on immediately shopping for everything all at once! But my shopping wish list is definitely getting an overhaul.
Now, I know that some of my tops aren’t in my best colors. But I’ve decided that if I love the style, I’m going to hold on to it until I can replace it with a color that flatters me. As for my pants/skirts, I’m leaning towards just keeping them until they don’t fit anymore, or fall apart. Those I can wear with my black/white shirts, without looking tired or spending a lot of money to replace them.
Doing it this way won’t always look the most cohesive, but it seems like a reasonable compromise. I get to use what I just learned and still shop mindfully. Getting rid of a third of my closet is just so wasteful if there’s nothing physically wrong with it.
Because that’s the beauty of color analysis: You can still wear whatever color you want. Even if it’s outside your season’s palette!
You only have to be strategic about where you wear your colors. The most important fact is that you want your best colors near your face. So think shirt, jacket, earrings & necklace.
Take this pink tulle skirt – I love this skirt. You would have to pry it from my cold, dead hands because I am not getting rid of it. Unless it falls apart, of course.
Now that I know the Winter palette, thanks to the color analysis, I know that I would still look fine, as long as I pair it with a black or white shirt.
My color analysis told me which colors make me glow, and I LOVE that. No more looking just ok, tired, or washed out.
Overall, the best thing about knowing my colors is when I shop, I know which pieces would elevate me.
How was the experience?
What do I mean by that? It means that there was a definite difference in how my face looked draped in cool versus warm colors.
There were, “Oh!” moments when I was draped in winter colors – especially the jewel tones. I had a soft glow.
At first, it was hard to describe. I knew that my face had more “clarity,” except I wasn’t sure if that was accurate. Especially since it wasn’t like my face became blurry, or anything.
I know for sure though that the warm colors made me look flushed from my forehead to cheeks. I looked like I just came from the gym, in the space of one color drape to another.
On the other hand, cool-colored drapes gave me the appearance of a healthy glow and natural blush on my cheeks.
Honestly, the best way I can describe it is that the winter colors made me feel as if I looked like Snow White. I legit felt like I had the “porcelain skin, dark hair, and red lips” going on. Except I wasn’t even wearing any makeup, so my lips just looked more defined.
If you plan on booking your color analysis appointment, you shouldn’t wear makeup!
I did watch a couple of other videos before my consultation. Most of them described it “as if they had a filter on,” when draped with their best colors.
I don’t think mine was as dramatic as I thought it would be, but there was definitely a difference. I just couldn’t articulate what was different at first.
Talking about it now I realize that: With the wrong colors, the first read was the drape and I was the backdrop.
Alternatively, with the winter palette drapes, the first read was my face. Or at least, me as a whole. I wasn’t playing second fiddle to my own clothes (or drapes in this case).
When I was draped with the winter palette colors, the first read was my face – or at least, me as a whole. I wasn’t playing second fiddle to my own clothes (or drapes in this case).
What changed?
After my color analysis, you might be wondering, “What changed?”
Well, on an immediate level, not much has changed. I was already trying to be more mindful of buying clothes. I looked for items that I knew I’d use over and over again, instead of trendy or cheap items that would fall apart after one wash. Looking at you, forever 21.
But on a long-term level, I don’t see myself paying a lot or “settling” for pieces that don’t elevate me.
I used to get torn between warm colors I thought looked better, versus the cool colors I preferred. So there were times I left the store without buying anything. But the worst was coming home, and regretting my choice after I paid and I’m past the return window.
Now I can shop confidently.
When I leave something at the store, I don’t spend days (or weeks) fretting if I made the right choice. Now I know I’m saving my money for something that puts a glow on my face, that elevates me.
What DIDN’T change?
In terms of preference, nothing has changed, I still love my purples and blues.
But I also enjoy a rich chocolate brown and a dusty rose pink. I still love the texture and color of wood, and having gold accents. It’s just that now I know I’d be better off decorating my desk in those colors, instead of my body.
The beauty of color analysis is that it only tells you which colors you look your absolute best in.
It’s not a hard and fast rule of what you’re “allowed” to wear. Some people like to use this reason why you shouldn’t get a color analysis. Doing it doesn’t expose you to the “color police” that break down your door if you wear colors outside your palette.
Chill. Some people just enjoy this, and others don’t. Either option is fine.
How is it different from my art experience?
The color analysis wasn’t all that different from my experience learning color theory & painting. Both use colors to draw attention to certain details, or let them disappear into the background.
I just wasn’t used to applying color theory to my face. More accurately, I was doing it WRONG, since I was wrong about my undertone. Granted, I wasn’t doing a side-by-side comparison of how my face changes based on the color of my shirt. Forget about the exact same lighting every time.
When I tried on clothes, I looked at myself individually and how the color and fit of the clothes made me look overall. Like a normal person, I imagine, instead of isolating how the color alone made my face look. But even if I meticulously observe my face every time I get dressed, I can’t always guarantee the other variables. Lighting, temperature, and recent activity play a factor.
That’s why I do trust the results of my color analysis. Everything else was the same. I literally just sat there, watching how my face changed in reaction to each drape being pulled away. I saw the difference it brought out in my face for myself.
To wrap it up,
Now, do I recommend a color analysis? Absolutely. But I acknowledge it’s not for everyone.
I think it’s primarily worth it if your job involves a lot of face-to-face interaction with clients, or other jobs where it pays to look your best.
It’s your clothes. First and foremost, it’s meant to be practical. After that, it can be fun if you want it to be.
Otherwise, you need to find some enjoyment out of knowing this.
Some people are satisfied with where they’re at in their personal style, and that’s great! Others still want to constantly experiment with their wardrobe – for them, it’s more about the journey, rather than the destination – sounds fun!
A color analysis simply gives you information that can help you streamline your wardrobe. By giving you the color palette that best suits you, it keeps your clothes & accessories looking cohesive and makes dressing up a breeze.
Mixing and matching pieces is much easier when all the colors already go together. But at the end of the day, you still do you.
