Color Self Analysis - Take The Quiz
In the cosmetics and fashion industry, color analysis, also called skin tone color matching, personal color or seasonal color, is the process of finding colors of clothing and makeup to match a person's skin complexion, eye color, and hair color. The goal is to determine the colors that best suit one’s natural coloring and the result can be used as an aid to wardrobe planning and style consulting. Color analysis became wildly popular in the early 1980s.
There are a wide variety of approaches to analyzing personal coloring. The most well known is "seasonal" color analysis, which places coloring into four general categories: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. More recent systems subdivide the seasons into 12 or 16 categories. Many different versions of seasonal analysis have been developed and promoted by image and color consultants worldwide. Some color analysis systems classify an individual's personal combination of hair color, eye color and skin tone using labels that refer to a color's “temperature” (cool blue vs. warm yellow) and the degree to which the hair, skin and eye colors contrast. Color analysis demonstrates how colors are capable of being flattering or, conversely, unflattering. Colors that are unsuitable for the individual can make a person look pale or draw attention to such flaws as wrinkles or uneven skin tone.
One practical application for color analysis is that by limiting wardrobe color choices a person will likely find it easier to coordinate their clothing and accessories, therefore saving time, space and money.
On the color spectrum blue is considered the coolest color and yellow the warmest. In general, as blue is added to a color, it becomes cooler, and as yellow is added, it becomes warmer.
Your best colors depend on whether your coloring is cool or warm. This exercise is partially preference-based on the theory that people are instinctively drawn to colors that complement their own natural coloring.
If you have cabinets full of makeup and a closet full of clothes, but are unsure of what wardrobe and makeup colors are best for you, you aren’t alone.
Discover your palette of best color. Take the Quiz to help you determine your Color Category. Knowing your Color Category will help you make the best color choices for makeup and wardrobe.
The Color Self-Analysis Quiz takes just a few minutes.
Is my coloring cool or warm?
Q U E S T I O N 1
Look at the inside, un-tanned portion of your upper arm in natural light. Does your skin have more of a Pink/Olive/Rose Brown or a Yellow/Golden Brown tone?
a) Yellow/Golden Brown
b) Pink/Olive/Rose Brown
Q U E S T I O N 2
Drape pieces of silver and gold fabric over your shoulders and look in the mirror. If you do not have fabric, use silver and gold jewelry and hold them next to each cheek. Which color brings out a healthier glow in your skin?
a) Gold
b) Silver
Q U E S T I O N 3
Do you tan easily?
a) Yes
b) No
Q U E S T I O N 4
Which lip color do you prefer?
a) Orange Red
b) Magenta
Q U E S T I O N 5
Which colors do you prefer? (please make three choices)
1. a) Camel or b) Gray
2. a) Peach or b) Fuchsia
3. a) Green or b) Blue
In the Warm Category we break into 2 Seasons: Spring & Fall.
In the Cool Category we break into 2 Seasons: Summer & Winter.
To determine which Warm Season you fall into determine whether your features are fair or more dark. If your eye color and hair color are on the lighter side you will probably look best in Spring colors. If your eye color and hair color are on the darker side you probably fall into the Fall category. Lighter and darker skin tone may also help you determine, but some “Falls” can have very light, porcelain skin tone with very deep dark contrasting hair color and more vivid eye color. For example, you may have very pale skin tone with jet black or bright red hair.
To determine which Cool Season you fall into determine whether your features are on the fairer side or the darker side. If your eye color and hair color are on the lighter side you are most likely a Summer. If your eye color and hair color are darker and more saturated you are probably a Winter.
If you have colored you hair it can also make a difference which of the seasons best suit you. I am a Summer, but I color my hair very dark (with cool undertones) and this allows me to wear the deeper, more saturated gem tones of Winter.
Your Color Category is Summer if…
Your skin tone is cool, light and fair, and your hair color is light, ranging from ash blonde to light ash brown, or a medium ash brown to rose brown. You sun burn easily. You may have a pink undertone but in some cases you may have a slight yellowish cast on the surface which with yellow-based colors can make you appear sallow. Your color palette is cool, light, and muted, to match your own soft coloring.
A SAMPLING OF YOUR BEST WARDROBE COLORS
Your Color Category is Spring if…
You have a light, clear skin tone with a yellow undertone, which can range from ivory to peach to beige or yellow beige. Your distinctive feature is your very warm hair color, which can range from a fiery red to deep copperish auburn, or if you have light hair color it ranges from golden blond to honey blonde. Your color palette is warm, with yellow-based warm pastels, and earthy colors.
A SAMPLING OF YOUR BEST WARDROBE COLORS
Your Color Category is Fall if…
Your distinctive feature is your very warm hair color, which can range from a fiery red to deep copperish auburn to jet black. Your look is striking and dramatic due to the high contrast of your dark hair and light skin tone. Your skin tone can be a ruddy with pink, ivory or a warm beige to dark olive. The contrast between your hair and skin tone is high. Your best color palette is warm, and yellow-based with intense, deep, earthy colors.
A SAMPLING OF YOUR BEST WARDROBE COLORS
Your Color Category is Winter if…
The undertone of your skin is cool and can be medium beige to a medium or dark olive or pinkish undertone. You sun tan easily. Your hair color is dark brown or black. Your best color palette is made up of a combination of strong, saturated cool colors and cool primary colors.
A SAMPLING OF YOUR BEST WARDROBE COLORS
For a customized Personal Color Palette in all of your best colors
Neutrals: The Neutrals are colors, which go with almost everything and form the foundation for building a wardrobe. The traditional Neutrals are black, navy, grays, browns, camel, taupe, beige, ivory, white and olive green. A contemporary list of neutrals would include copper, mauve, eggplant, mustard, forest green and burgundy. Neutrals are used for jackets, coats, hats, shoes, and other items that must have the versatility of going with several different colors.
Romantic Reds: The Romantic Reds are the softer reds, such as pink, rose, and coral, which project a more friendly and romantic mood. For best effect, your Romantic Reds should coordinate well with the coolness or warmth in your skin tone. This is because your Romantic Reds are closely related to your skin tone colors and any disharmony would be obvious.
Reds: Like the Dramatics, the bright and deep Reds also tend to attract attention to you. They are great for parties, speeches, or just to attract attention. Like the Romantic Reds, your Reds must closely match your skin color in terms of coolness or warmth, because they will flatter or undermine your skin tone.
Dramatics: The Dramatics include the blues, periwinkle blue, blue green, turquoise, teal, green and aquamarine. Dramatics are complementary to the reds of most skin tones in that they lie on the opposite side of the color wheel from the reds. For that reason, they create a certain tension that translates into a high-energy and eye-catching look. So if you plan to wear Dramatic colors, get ready to be the center of attention.
Understateds: Understateds have less color energy than the Dramatics, but more energy than the Neutrals. These colors are restrained and subtle, and project refinement and elegance. Understated colors play a supportive role to your natural coloring. Wear understated colors when you wish to create a more subdued and conservative impression. Examples of Understateds include the soft yellows, blues, greens, and lavender.
Metals: The gold, silver, pewter, copper or bronze found in your metal accessories such as wristband, eyeglass frames, bracelets, etc. are your metals or metallics. Wearing your best metal for your natural coloring and wardrobe can enhance your beauty. Matching your metal accessories will create a more harmonious look.
3 BASIC RULES
RULE 1 ǀ USE YOUR COLOR PALETTE LIKE A GUIDE, NOT A SET OF RULES
You cannot and also should not rely on your colors like a fail-proof blueprint. Why can’t you? Because the color types are neither exclusive nor 100% comprehensive, meaning that not everyone will neatly fit only one type and suit only one color palette. Why shouldn’t you? Even if your complexion does fit one of the types well, it would be a huge shame to just ignore the rest of the color spectrum from now on. The other palettes, especially your type’s neighbouring ones, offer a whole host of other shades to explore that will suit you just as well and that can help you build a more varied, yet still cohesive color palette for your wardrobe. Bottom line: Use your recommended color palette as a starting point but nothing more. Don’t reject colors simply because they are not in your palette and don’t assume all shades in your palette look great on you. You still need to do the legwork of examining colors against your skin and figuring out which colors fit your individual complexion, shade by shade.
RULE 2 ǀ SELF-EXPRESSION TRUMPS COLOR ANALYSIS
Your color palette should never restrict your ability to express your aesthetic ideals through your wardrobe. If your recommended color palette does not match your style concept, you need to analyze each shade individually and then make a decision: wear, avoid or tweak. If a certain shade really does make you look sick and just plain bad, try to find a replacement that still captures the color’s essence but fits your skin’s undertone a little better. Use the pallets like a navigation system: If, say, you love the pink in the light Summer palette, but are a warm Fall, move along the palettes towards your own type until you come across a potential alternative, e.g. the neutral plum shade in the soft Fall palette. Your own palette might not include your wanted color, but perhaps your palette’s neighbours do. If a color does not look amazing but also not horrible on you, then I say go for it! I’m a light Spring so black is not one of my best colors, but I love it and it’s an important part of my style concept. If I want to wear black I will just put on a little more make up or use a few other tricks (described below) to make it work for my complexion.
RULE 3 ǀ PRIORITIZE ITEMS CLOSE TO YOUR FACE
The whole point of color analysis is to find colors that flatter your skin tone, hair and eye color; in other words your face. Items that are not in direct contact with your face might have an impact on the overall coherence of your outfit, but not on your complexion. Regardless of your color type, feel free to wear shoes, skirts, trousers, etc. in any color of the rainbow and reserve all of your color-analysis-energy for your tops, jackets, scarfs, earrings, necklaces, make up, etc.
How TO USE YOUR COLOR PALETTE...
...AS INSPIRATION
Over the years you will have likely built up certain beliefs about which colors suit you and which don’t. Perhaps someone once told you in third grade that you look awful in pink and since then you have fully internalized “I don’t suit pink”, even though you might not remember why. Your color palette can help you break out of a color rut and introduce you to new shades that you had not considered before. Make sure you also expand your horizons to your neighbouring palettes, e.g. if you are a Winter, also check out Summer, if you are a Spring, check out the Fall.
...TO OPTIMIZE YOUR MAKE UP AND HAIR COLOR
Your hair color is the one thing you should always tailor to your color type. Since it is so close to your face, a wrong shade can have a pretty big negative impact. Lightness and undertone are the two factors to get right. Are you a blonde Summer and have recently colored your hair a cool light brown? Great! Did you color it a deep auburn color? Not so great. Make-up wise, don’t worry about every eye shadow, liner or lip gloss, but make sure the basics (foundation, concealer, blush) match your skin’s undertone. You’re a warm Spring and love pink blushes? That’s fine, as long as you use a peachy, warm-toned pink, instead of a blue-ish, powder pink.
...TO TWEAK YOUR WARDROBE’S COLOR PALETTE
If you have already developed a color palette for your style concept you can use your color type to further tailor it to your complexion. Except for a few exceptions (e.g. yellow and pink), each of the palettes contain versions of every major color group. By studying your palette and paying attention to the shade’s undertones and saturation levels, you will soon be able to tell your warm salmon-y Spring shades, from your Summery baby pinks. The graphic below is an example of how to analize your existing palette and tweak it just a little – for a more coherent overall look that will flatter your complexion. Let’s say you are a light Summer. Before you were aware of your best colors you developed the left color palette. It is already relatively well suited to the overall light qualities of your complexion, but some colors are a little too warm and saturated. Swap the warm green, yellow, orange and pink for softer, cooler versions, and the deep blue for a cool, mid-range blue. Grey is a great neutral for your type, but make sure you choose pieces with a cool undertone.
HOW TO WEAR COLORS THAT DON’T SUIT YOU
RESERVE THEM FOR SHOES, SKIRTS, TROUSERS, ETC
As mentioned above, colors that don’t come in contact with your face do not have any impact on your complexion. A fail-proof way to wear colors that are absolutely not in your palette (e.g. a warm orange if you are a cool Winter) is to reserve them for your footwear, skirts, trousers, belts, bags etc.
WEAR THEM IN SMALL DOSES
A chunky fuchsia pink knit sweater might make a soft Autumn look a little pale, but the same color in a smaller dose, e.g. in the form of a delicate necklace or as a nail polish, won’t do any harm. If you love a color that doesn’t suit you all too well, get creative and figure out ways to incorporate it into your looks, without m