Is your autumn? A summer? A winter? Do you know what colors look best on you? Do you know what colors you identify with?
If you don’t, then you need a color analysis. A color analysis or color audit is a way to determine which colors will look best on you and which colors will positively depict your branding.
Today, we’re going to take a look at the psychology of colors, how to perform a simple color analysis, and how to learn more.
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What Does Color Mean?
What colors do you think of when you think of Superman? What colors do you think of when you think of Coca-Cola or Pepsi? Do you ever think of the golden arches of McDonald’s? Or the bright red box in Jack in a Box?
Color is incredibly important to branding. And that’s true of everything, including a personal brand. There’s a reason why so many logos are a singular, flat color. It’s because colors anchor feelings, emotions, and values.
But when it comes to our personal brand, we don’t just want a color that speaks to other people. We want a color that speaks to us, that matches our own personality, and that matches our physical shades.
So, let’s take a look at how to perform color analysis on yourself.
Performing a Color Analysis
Color analysis can begin with a simple physical analysis:
- If your skin has a pink tone to it, then it’s likely that you have “cool” tones: blues, purples, etc.
- If your skin has a golden or olive tone to it, then it’s likely you have “warm” tones: oranges, reds, browns, etc.
This doesn’t mean that you need to stick to cool or warm tones. But it does mean that these are the tones that are most likely to look good on you or around you.
And that’s simplified. Some people also have neutral tones. They aren’t pink or olive. They may be able to wear just about anything.
Next, come the fabric swatches. Take a look at swatches from a variety of colors against your skin. Note which looks best to you. You don’t always strictly have to follow the color guides. If you have golden skin, but love blue and hate orange, there will likely be ways to make the shades look great for you.
If you aren’t sure, ask someone else for help. A lot of people are a little colorblind, in the sense that it may not be very easy for you to see which colors don’t match or don’t quite go together. A professional image consultant can help you navigate these uncharted waters, but you can also get the advice of friends and colleagues.
Color analysis is also about more than just your own personal style. If you’re branding your business, you also want to consider not only what colors look best for your industry/brand, but also what colors look best around you, personally. After all, you’ll likely be surrounding yourself with this color in your professional life. You want something that you can be photographed with.
Tools for Color Analysis
Apart from fabric swatches, there are also a lot of apps today that can help you test out colors.
Look for an app that lets you “dress” up with clothes and makeup. Not an app that just reads the color of your skin. Apps that just read the color of your skin tend to be inherently flawed because lighting matters so much.
But by swapping out clothes and makeup, you’ll be able to see what looks more natural on you. You can test out different colors and you’ll likely see what appears to clash and what doesn’t.
If you go to a professional, they may use a light to see the color of your veins. That’s because those who have cooler tones tend to have veins that glow blue, whereas those who have warmer tones tend to have veins that glow green.
And it’s worth it to note that changing your appearance can also change your tone. If you dye your hair or wear colored contacts, for instance, your color palette could change. (And you may want to select your hair color and colored contacts to suit the base tone of your skin, rather than just your favorite colors.)
The Importance of Color Analysis
Once you’ve analyzed your colors, you can tailor your wardrobe around the colors that you feel best suit you.
You don’t need to empty out your dresser and start over. But as you purchase new items, start to think about whether they seem right for your skin tone, eye tone, and hair tone.
Dressing right, in terms of color, can make your appearance more impactful and dramatic. Have you ever thought “Wow, her eyes are really blue today”? It’s likely because the “she” in the sentence was wearing different makeup or different clothing.
When you dress to accent your appearance, you can make your appearance all the more noticeable. And a noticeable appearance is a memorable and successful one.
Finding Out More at the London Image Institute
As you can see, performing a color analysis can be a pretty complicated process. But it doesn’t have to be. The easiest way to determine which colors work best for you is to cultivate a personal brand with an image consultant.
If you’re ready to get your color analysis done, it’s time to contact a professional. Connect with the London Image Institute today to find out more.
