If you’re like me, you’ve been seeing color analysis videos everywhere: they’re touting funky seasonal names, skin undertones, and the complements of features. Oftentimes, color analysts don’t forego their “industry secrets,” i.e., the factors contributing to their analysis--some talk about eye and hair color or the contrasts between facial features or the tendency to burn versus tan after sun exposure. If this all seems confusing, we’re going to tackle the ins-and-outs of color analysis: a brief overview, an exploration of what contributes to an analysis, and some at-home and professional recommendations.
We’re looking for the best colors to dress, accessorize, and experiment with. And by “best,” we mean most flattering, accentuating, and enriching for your features and undertones. Although it seems somewhat subjective, color analysts claim an objective truth to their analysis, which is based on one’s undertones, color complements, and facial contrasts.
There is a TikTok filter that positions you against the different “color seasons” that professional color analysts use, called “ARMOCROMIA.” While it doesn’t give you the professional analysis experience, it gives you a sense of the different color palettes and how they look positioned around your face. You might find that “summer” washes you out, but “autumn” brings out your eyes and complements your natural flush. People recommend using the filter in direct sunlight, with your hair down and visible, and without makeup to ensure total accuracy.
In both at-home and professional color analyses, there are key players in the analytical process:
Undertone: In the silver vs. gold jewelry debate, your skin’s undertone is highlighted as one of the key factors in contributing to a preference for one metal over another. Once again, undertones are a definitive, if not the most important, factor in an accurate color analysis. A cool or warm undertone sets the stage for which colors wash you out versus make your features pop.
Overtone: Determining your color analysis can be challenging, especially with numerous factors to consider, including ethnicity, skin tone, natural hair, and eye color. While it might seem straightforward for those with darker ethnicities to match warmer seasonal analyses, the reality is more nuanced. Factors like vein color, jewelry preference, and sun reaction often come into play, potentially leading to a neutral or cooler toned analysis despite initial assumptions.
Contrast: This is an objective way to view the complement of your features. A high contrast face is one that has noticeably distinct features, like jet black hair with light blue eyes; a low contrast face has minimal color differentiation, like brown hair with brown eyes. Contrast can be adjusted with hair dye, colored contacts, and makeup products.
Bodily tendencies: This covers a range of factors, including your tendency to burn versus tan, the frequency with which you become “flushed,” and whether you had lighter hair as a child (also noted by the professionals: the color and size of freckles, the color of your irises, and the subtle notes of your natural hair color).
If you’ve been in a fashion rut or aren’t feeling inspired by your current wardrobe, you would likely benefit from a color analysis. It’s a refreshing way to deepen your connection with intentional fashion and a loud embrace of your natural beauty. Plus, learning about and applying color theory to your wardrobe can be a fun challenge. We’re not here to convince you to throw out your current wardrobe, but we want to emphasize the difference between dressing with your season versus dressing more haphazardly. Here’s an example:
Notice the same model, but in brown versus black. She has warm undertones and low contrast (low contrast meaning that she has darker eyes and darker natural hair). The black doesn't do her features and complexion as much justice as the brown, which works to emphasize her warmer undertones and draws more attention to her eyes and hair. She's likely an autumn: autumns tend to look best in oranges and browns. (If you look closely, you can see she's wearing gold jewelry: another indicator of an autumn girl.)
Seasons tend to evoke feelings, moods, and tones, hence their utility when discussing color analysis. For example, when we conceptualize spring, we’re already primed to be thinking about pastels, greens, sunlight, flowers, and liveliness.
Here’s a simple color wheel that details which kinds of attributes, depth, and tones are associated with the shades of each season. If you’re interested in a more comprehensive breakdown of the specificities of each season, you can check this out.
Spring: Incorporating warm and vibrant shades like corals, peaches, golden yellows, and warm greens into your wardrobe can be incredibly flattering for certain individuals who possess:
These colors are chosen to harmonize with the natural overtones and undertones of individual features. By adding these hues to your wardrobe, you can enhance the natural structure of your face and bring out its inherent warmth and radiance. Overall, wearing Spring colors helps create a cohesive and flattering look that accentuates your unique natural coloring.
Summer: This season incorporates muted colors, such as lavender, soft pink, and cool blues into your wardrobe and are typically associated with people who possess:
Since this palette possesses soft and muted-colors, oftentimes it softens your facial features and creates a gentle contrast with your natural skin tone. As a result, it promotes a harmonious appearance, allowing you to wear these colors without clashing against your complexion.
Autumn: The warm color analysis, often associated with the Autumn season, features hues like olive green, terracotta, and mustard yellow. It's tailored to individuals with:
This palette is curated to complement darker skin tones and golden undertones, enhancing the individual's natural warmth and radiance. The warm colors create a healthy, glowing complexion, thus evoking a welcoming and approachable appearance!
Winter: Winter colors are bold and intense, featuring shades like royal blue, icy white, and deep purples. They are typically recommended for individuals with:
The bold nature of these colors creates a high contrast with the individual's natural features, enhancing the definition of their structure. This effect can be captivating, bringing out the depth in your features and creating a bold and striking appearance.
If you’re struggling with objectivity at home, you can opt for a professional color analysis. Although they can be expensive, professional analysts help lay a firm foundation for you to a.) solidify your wardrobe choices; b.) choose to accessorize and express yourself in flattering ways; and c.) give you the agency and lexicon with which to make and justify fashion choices. Here are a few options:
House of Color is a platform that sponsors professional color analysts in several locations, so they’re in all parts of the country. Because availability, experience, and cost-of-living varies, the prices that stylists charge varies accordingly.
The Outfit Curator, based in NYC and Miami, is an excellent option for the more hands-on girls. They offer in-person color consultations, personal styling courses, and swatches that you can order for an at-home analysis.
There are also other inexpensive options that you can explore, such as:
Chat GPT: Surprisingly, this website offers more than just academic assistance—it also provides a free and accurate method to discover your personal color analysis. Thanks to the discovery from TikTok influencer Wellness Girly, Kali, you can now determine your color palette without the need for a professional analyst. Kali shared a step-by-step guide on how to find out your personal palette:
Despite the seemingly lengthy process, it's actually quite simple and enjoyable to partake in. Plus, it's completely free, allowing you to discover your color analysis at your convenience.
TikTok: On this platform, you'll discover a range of filters designed for your free time. They’re tailored to help you uncover your personal color analysis, offering numerous options to determine your seasonal analysis and delve deeper into whether you lean towards the "bright," "true," or "dark" spectrum within the analysis. One popular filter to explore is the 12 seasons color analysis filter. Trusted for its accuracy on TikTok, it helps you identify your true season, providing insights into which color palette suits you best. Not only is it an affordable option, but it's also an enjoyable way to spend your time, allowing you to determine your season color without the expense of a professional analysis.
