What is Color Analysis?

Color Analysis is a powerful image tool that determines a person's best palette of colors to wear, which will enhance and enliven her or his natural coloring. 

This is done by studying a person's skin, hair, and eyes and determining a category or 'season' for that person.  It's definitely part science and part art. 

We use the name 'season' since the corresponding main categories of colors seem to match North America's 4 weather seasons' colors beautifully.

It All Started with 4 Seasons

Winter

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Learn about the 4-season color theory, from which most color analysis systems were built. 

What is Color Analysis' main purpose?

Color analysis' main purpose is to help you look good. Not just good, but to help you you look your absolute best.  The effects are obvious. 

Color is the first thing people notice about you.  Use it to your advantage to make a fantastic first impression. 

You can learn more about color analysis and try analyze yourself. I make my website very informative so others can learn about the different seasons and hopefully be able to recognize themselves in some of the examples. 

If you just cannot figure out your season or just want to confirm your thoughts, you can invest in a professional virtual analysis from me. 

Whichever you prefer, add this powerful image tool to your beauty arsenal today if you haven't already.

Below are some more photos showing the benefits of wearing the right colors. 

Here is a true 'turtleneck test' I spoke about in a previous article. 

Turtlenecks are good for determining whether a color is flattering for you or not. It sits right up to your face, so hopefully it will be in the right color to reflect and enhance similar tones in your complexion. 

The cool grey top just seems to cut her off under the face (above, left).  Nothing is enhanced, and the cool makeup just sits on the skin.  Can you see that nothing harmonizes? And even some blotchiness on her skin is emphasized. 

The warm beige turtleneck harmonizes and reflects her existing warm tones. Her warm makeup sinks into her skin. And those blotches on her skin are barely noticeable. 

FYI: Warm beige is a light neutral in her Warm Autumn palette. Worn alone, it might be a bit too light. Ideally, she could find a deeper brown, or simply wear a darker brown jack over the top. But it is so much better than the cool grey.

This woman above is a Cool Winter. She needs to avoid warm colors completely.

See how the warm light yellow top and brown-toned makeup (top, left) does nothing for her? Warm colors on people with very cool coloring can make some look ill. 

But you can see how the pure white top and cool makeup colors make her come alive? Everything is clarified, and her beautiful blue eyes pop. 

And finally, my last example. Black and white is pretty standard in the business world. It's great if you are a Winter with dark, cool coloring. For many other seasons, it can be a problematic color. It can draining and overpowering. 

You can see this on our Light Spring model above. The black and white does absolutely nothing to enhance her coloring.

The warmer ivory jacket and blouse on the right enliven this woman.

It's not only the warmth that harmonizes with her coloring.  Her dominant trait is Light, so getting her value right is crucial, as well as her undertone. She still looks professional but also refreshed and totally harmonized. 

Here are a couple of articles about some black and white alternatives, if they are not specifically in your palette. 

What Color Analysis is NOT

Color Analysis has grown immensely since I started this website in 2008. Its popularity growth is a good thing. But with it comes lots of confusing, contradictory, and just plain wrong information.

Color Analysis is NOT about your Personality

For example, Color Analysis is not about matching colors to your fashion and style personality. Style personality is important (after you know your season). But a bright personality does not necessarily mean that person has to wear bright colors. And a reserved, quiet person doesn't have to wear soft, muted colors.

Style personality (whether you are a Romantic, Classic, Dramatic, etc.) is important to know and to develop. But Style is about what's INSIDE and what your preferences are and what you want to project to the world. 

Color Analysis is about what is on the OUTSIDE, and matching your clothes, makeup, hair color, and accessories to match it.

Your Style Personality can come through by utilizing your palette of colors, regardless of your season. If you use only your best colors, everything else is improved, and you and your personality will be noticed first. Your colors will enhance, not distract, from your look.

Speaking of personalities: don't let anyone tell you that personalities in general are tied together. For example, that Summers are meek and agreeable, Winters are bold and aggressive, Springs are feminine and quirky, or whatever else is talked about out on the internet. It's pointless, and there is simply no truth to it. 

I don't want anything that can create confusion and inconsistency when it comes to discovering your absolute season for you. 

Body Shape Does Not Dictate Your Season

Color Analysis is also not about matching colors to your body shape. There is a train of thought that a person's body shape will reveal her 'season' and tell her the best colors she should wear. For example, soft, shapely bodies should wear soft colors; dramatically shaped bodies should wear dramatic colors, and so forth. 

There is no validity in this! Ignore it if you read it or if someone tries to tell you this.  Wearing colors that harmonize with your skin, eyes and hair is all you need to focus on. Body shape is not a factor, at least not when it comes to determining the best colors to wear.  

I have a list of "The 15 Top Color Analysis Myths" you can download instantly to learn more about some common misconceptions. 

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