What is a colour analysis and why do you need one?

Take a scroll on social media and you’ll notice the term “colour analysis” is popping up more and more often. It may be an algorithm-friendly trend right now, but did you know it’s been House of Colour’s bread and butter for the last 40 years? We’re experts in colour analysis, with decades of experience under our ever-chic belts, and we use our trusted, science-based methodology in an approach that has stood the test of time and helped us to grow a community of happy, confident clients! So, what is colour analysis, and how can it help you with getting dressed every day? And, more importantly, can a DIY personal colour analysis be accurate, or is it a skill best left to the professionals?

What is colour analysis?

When you get dressed, you’ve probably thought “Does this colour of blue suit me?” or “Does this shade of green wash me out?” The reason behind this is colour theory. In this case, colour theory is based on the observation that some colours can make you look tired and drained, whereas others make your skin look vibrant. 

To really understand which shades will make your features pop, a colour analysis can look at the true undertones of your skin and recommend the hue, depth and clarity of a range of colours that will suit you the most. To make things easy to navigate, all colours are divided into House of Colour’s four seasonal colour palettes: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

How colour analysis works: understanding your season

So, how does a seasonal colour analysis work? First, your House of Colour stylist will hold coloured drapes next to your makeup-free skin to get an understanding of whether your colouring is warm (Spring or Autumn) or cool (Summer or Winter). But it’s not as simple as assigning one season to you. We can then take things a step further and use our specialised ratings process to uncover your sub-season, along with your WOW Colours – these are the shades that will really make you and your style shine! 

How seasonal colour analysis can help your personal style

These days, we’re inundated with news of the latest beauty treatments, aesthetic procedures or fashion trends that will alter your appearance and remove imperfections. A personal colour analysis with House of Colour takes a completely different approach, focusing on working with your natural beauty and highlighting it, rather than hiding it. Our stylists use their expertise to build your confidence, which helps to remove those daily anxieties about what to wear. That’s not to say certain colours are out of bounds or you should avoid them, but we can teach you tips and tricks to use after your appointment (these are included in your take-home booklet), for example, wearing a complementary colour close to your face.

Benefits of colour analysis

Here are several of the lifelong benefits you get from investing in a colour analysis:

• It boosts your confidence – the number one benefit of colour analysis is the mood boost it brings! Wearing the right colours can create harmony with your features, making your eyes brighter, your hair glossier and your skin glow, letting you step out as the best version of you! 
• It can be a form of self-care – our stylists empower you to harness colour and use it to find your individual style in a way that can have a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing. 
• It saves time – once you become familiar with your colour palette, shopping becomes easy. You can make a beeline for pieces you already know will suit you – no more endless scrolling or searching through rails.  
• It can save you money – you won’t be wasting money on pieces that will sit in your wardrobe forever with the tags on, because something “feels off” when you try them at home. 
• It helps build a capsule wardrobe – creating outfits using your custom colour palette means you need less clothing, as everything should work together tonally. This means less need to buy new clothes, and getting dressed is easy!

What to expect during your House of Colour colour analysis

We’re all about colour; it’s even in our name! And you could say we know a thing or two about finding your optimal colour palette that makes you look and feel amazing! When you book a professional colour analysis with us, you’re making a lifelong investment in your confidence and joining our ever-growing community of House of Colour clients. Imagine never having to second-guess if a shade is washing you out or isn’t complementary to your skin tone? Here’s what to expect during your House of Colour Colour Analysis consultation – all we ask is that you sit back and enjoy it! 

• You’ll receive an in-depth, in-person consultation using our precision-dyed drapes to discover your tailored seasonal palette. Will you be a Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter? 
• You’ll get expert advice on how to wear your colours to make the biggest impact and enhance your features.
• You’ll learn about the best neutral colours to match with your colour palette. Spoiler alert: not everyone looks best in black!  
• If you’re interested in beauty, we can show you how using your seasonal colours can enhance your look using our own House of Colour makeup products. 
• You’ll take home a custom colour fan made with your seasonal colours that you can carry with you (it’s the shopping hack everyone wishes they had!) You’ll also get a brochure packed with custom information relevant to you and your season. 
• Best of all, you’ll walk away with the confidence of knowing exactly how to highlight your features to look and feel your best, every day. 

Professional colour analysis vs. AI colour analysis: which is best?

If you’re partial to a TikTok scroll, you may have noticed videos on colour analysis becoming more popular; in fact, the phrase has been searched over 1.2 billion times! These videos often show the creator’s face surrounded by pre-made colour analysis filters displaying seasonal colour wheels, allowing them to decide which one complements their colouring and enhances their features the most.

So far, so simple. However, a look at the comments under these videos shows people share very different opinions on which season people are, proving the process can benefit from a professional eye. Not to mention, creators may be wearing makeup or surrounded by artificial light, leading to inaccurate results. 

When you book a House of Colour professional colour analysis consultation, you can be assured your stylist is experienced and understands the perfect lighting and setting to get your optimal results. 

Our stylists can spot nuances in colour and undertones that aren’t obvious to the untrained eye and can make recommendations that are specific to you and your lifestyle – think of it as a one-time investment that you’ll reap the benefits of forever! 

Ready to get your own professional colour analysis and open up a world of colour combinations and style opportunities? Get in touch with your local House of Colour Stylist today!