What is Colour Analysis?
Over the past year, there has been a significant surge in the popularity of Colour Analysis, shedding its frumpy 80s image. People are recognising the benefits of understanding their colours, especially in the movement towards sustainability and curating a wardrobe of pieces that truly resonate. After all, what's better than wearing a colour that loves you back?
As a Personal Stylist, I've integrated Colour Analysis into my Wardrobe Planning Consultations for years. It serves as an excellent foundation to build a versatile wardrobe, and in my blog post, ’Colour Analysis: The Secret to Creating a Versatile Wardrobe,’ I delve into its numerous advantages.
Understanding the Basics of Colour Analysis
The Science Behind Colour Analysis
The science behind personal colour analysis is rooted in colour theory and the way colours interact with one another. By harmonising the colours you wear with your natural colouring—skin tone, eye colour, and hair colour—you create a radiant effect, reducing shadows and enhancing your skin's clarity, which is more important as our skin changes with age. The right colours absorb into your skin, rather than sitting on it, diminishing imperfections and shadowing. This principle extends beyond clothing to makeup and hair colour choices.
Different systems of Colour Analysis
In personal colour analysis, the goal is to identify an individual's "season" based on their unique combination of skin, eye, and hair pigmentation, which can be categorised into various "seasons" or colour types. The three main principles considered are whether a colour is cool or warm, how deep or light it is, and how saturated it is. It’s not about an individual colour, as everyone can wear blue, green, red, yellow, etc but about the tone or shade of that colour.
The original system, Seasonal Colour Analysis, categorises individuals into four basic seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season has a range of colours that are considered to be most flattering for individuals within that season. Over time, these categories have further evolved into extended seasonal categories, providing a more refined approach.
How to Perform a Basic Colour Self-Analysis
You probably have heard of the vein test, where if your veins appear to be more purple or blue on your wrist, you are more likely to be a cooler skin tone, or if your veins appear more green you are more likely to be green. This can be a good indicator of your underton, but is not full proof and is just one consideration. There are numerous other DIY colour analysis methods and apps available, but a professional analysis using specifically dyed drapes provides undeniable accurate results. During a professional analysis we use a series of specifically dyed drapes to determine your season. It becomes really obvious which tones and hues work and which don’t because of the physical changes that happen when the colours are draped and reflect on the skin. It can often be difficult to see this effects and be objective yourself when using online palettes. You can try to replicate the effects during a diy-analysis by choosing a range of different colours from your wardrobe and around your home, pop them under your chin and observe the effects on your skin. Obviously the colours you have available at home will be limited, in my drape kit we have 120 physical drapes to experiment with! Without a doubt one of the most reoccurring comments I get during an analysis ‘I would have never have thought of trying that colour myself, but I really love it!’
Commonly asked questions
Are there variations in colour analysis systems?
There are three main systems:
Seasonal colour analysis categorises individuals into one of four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter.
Tonal colour analysis is a more nuanced approach, identifying dominant characteristics in an individual's features. Instead of limiting to four seasons, tonal analysis expands to twelve categories, allowing for a more personalised colour palette.
Extended seasonal analysis retains the four-season structure but further refines each season into subcategories, allowing for a more precise identification of colours that suit an individual.
I originally trained in Seasonal Colour Analysis and have since studied all the above. Seasonal analysis is a great starting point for those seeking a broad overview, while tonal and extended seasonal analyses provide deeper insights and a more tailored approach. My consultations incorporate all these systems based on client preferences and desired detail.
What happens if I don’t like my colour palette?
Colour psychology plays a pivotal role in my consultation. As I learnt very early on in my practice, A colour may look good, but if it doesn't align with an individual's personality, it might not be enjoyable for them to wear. A professional one-to-one analysis allows us to create a bespoke palette that resonates with personal preferences so that you go away with a colour palette they are 100% happy with.
How do skin tone, hair, and eye colour affect analysis results?
In Colour Analysis all these individual elements collectively influence the results. and the aim is find colours that enhance and harmonises with your skin, hair and eyes. Understanding the undertone of your skin (cool, warm, or neutral), considering your natural hair colour, and acknowledging the hues of your eyes ensure a harmonious colour palette. I take a holistic approach to Colour Analysis to ensure that the colours on your wardrobe not only enhance your natural features, but compliment your unique style.
If you want to discover your personalised pallete of colours, I offer Colour Analysis in person at my home in Nottingham, online or as part of my Wardrobe Planning Session.
