Ever wondered why some colors make some people look great, while leaving others looking washed out and dull? The secret is color analysis, a tool that was made to help people better understand which colors best complement their features.
Color analysis examines eye color, skin tone and hair color to place people into a color season: spring, summer, autumn or winter. Each season has a palette of colors that harmonize with a person’s natural coloring.
One of the main seasons is Spring, which is warm, light and bright. The second is summer, which is cool, light and soft. Autumn is warm, dark and soft. Lastly, winter is cool, dark and bright. Everyone’s season is based on their undertone, value and saturation.
Each season has three subcategories which are light, true, warm, cool and bright, soft, deep. There are a total of 12 palettes and each person has one.
The process typically starts with a consultant holding colored fabrics near a person’s face to see which shades enhance their features and which do not. Some places go off of natural hair colors, while others go off of dyed hair colors. This is because some want what is best fit for the person at that point in time.
Some experts also use tools like digital analysis to measure undertones more precisely. Color analysis can help make choices on makeup, accessories and hair coloring that best suit the person’s colors.
Color analysis builds confidence and saves time and money by guiding people toward the shades that truly suit them. Instead of buying clothes that will never be worn because of how they look on a person, they end up with a closet that best suits them.
There are even ways that can be done without a consultant, like looking online to see people who have similar undertones, hair color and eye color and seeing their palette. This at least gives a rough outline of what looks best.
Color analysis is not a rule book, but it does offer helpful suggestions. For days when a natural glow is desired, it is a great tool.