Low Contrast Drape

Note that a person's contrast doesn't have to fall into just one of these three primary categories. Someone can be low-medium contrast or medium-high contrast. 

Every color has three main attributes: 

Based on their unique combination of hair, skin, and eye color, a person will inherently look better in either light or dark colors and either bright or muted colors. Again, we use various drapes to test for brightness and intensity. 

Light Colors

Soft (or muted) Colors

Undertone relates a person's skin tone. In color analysis, there are four main skin tones: 

In color analysis, skin tone is never truly "neutral". Even for those with a neutral skin tone, it will still have an underlying undertone that is either cool or warm. This becomes especially important when selecting the appropriate makeup and hair colors. 
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​We again use various drapes to test for undertone. With these drapes and all others used as part of the color analysis session, we are testing for harmony between the drape and the client's hair, skin, and eye color. This includes checking for brightness and evenness of skin tone and assessing how colors affect blemishes, spots, and undereye discoloration.  

Warm colors 

An individual's undertone significantly influences which jewelry tones look best on them. For example, warm undertones will look best in gold while cool undertones look best in silver. Since undertone can be subtle and potentially tricky to determine, we generally follow the undertone drapes with the jewelry drapes as the next step in the session. 

Next, we test individual color palettes. In the 12 season color analysis system, there are 12 seasons, each representing a different color palette:  

Each of the 12 seasons represents a different mix of the characteristics that we previously tested for: lightness, intensity, and undertone, and each has a defining characteristic based on one of these three characteristics. For example, while the colors in the bright spring palette are considered light, bright, and warm, the defining characteristic of this palette is that the colors are bright. Note that there is often overlap between colors in the various seasons.

Depending on a client's contrast, certain color palettes can be eliminated at this stage. While medium contrast individuals can theoretically be any of the 12 seaons, there is an inherent disharmony between some of the 12 seasons and clearly low and high contrast individuals that we generally test only seven of the 12 palettes for these clients. 

When testing each of the seasons, in addition to analyzing how the colors in each palette affect the client's complexion as noted above, we also check for visual harmony between the colors in each palette and the client's skin tone, hair, and eye color.
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​After checking each of the seasonal color palettes and analyzing all of the other information collected in steps 1-4, we can usually tell a client which of the 12 seasons is their optimal color palette. In instances when more than one palette may be optimal, we'll go through Step 6 before making a final determination on the client's best season.

As part of the color analysis session, in addition to finding out which of the 12 seasons is their optimal color palette, a client also receives a custom palette based on over 100 individual color drapes representative of the various seasons. This custom palette is essentially the client's "best" or "wow" and is not limited to colors within their optimal season. This is due to the fact that there is often overlap between the colors in the various seasons as well as the fact that skin tone, hair color, and eye color is unique for everyone, and because of this, unexpected colors outside of your palette may be among your best colors. 

Here's an example of the custom palette for a recent client whose optimal season was "Cool Summer": 

For clients who have purchased the 90 minute color analysis session, after going through the individual color drapes, we determine a client's best hair colors. To maintain harmony, a person's hair color shouldn't be more than two tones above or below their natural hair color. For highlights, it's important to keep a person's natural contrast, which generally means highlights no more than four tones below their natural hair color. The undertone of the client's skin and hair also needs to be considered to create the greatest sense of balance and harmony. For example, someone with a neutral warm or warm skin tone will look best with warm, not ashy highlights. 

Color analysis is just as, if not more important, for selecting the most flattering makeup colors as it is for clothing. If you choose not to wear makeup, wearing your best colors close to your face (you can always wear whatever color bottoms you like, regardless of your season) will automatically brighten and even out your complexion. I often see a "glow" when testing certain colors on clients when we've hit upon their best colors. If you like to wear makeup and you're wearing the "right" makeup colors, it will enhance your features and create a greater sense of balance and harmony.

The "right" and "wrong" makeup colors will depend on your undertone. For example, If you have a cool skin tone, you should not be wearing a warm foundation or warm-toned blushes and lipsticks. If you choose to wear makeup colors in the wrong undertone, note that it is only "wrong" from a balance and harmony perspective. Sometimes fashion is about making a statement, and if that's your goal, then wear whatever colors strike your fancy!
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 We ask clients to bring the makeup they currently wear to assess the consistency of their makeup with their undertone. For clients who are interested in makeup recommendations, we have foundations, blushes, and lipsticks for them to try. 

While this concludes the color analysis session, we email the client the following deliverables after their appointment: ​

Color analysis can be a powerful tool for those who are looking to simplify their wardrobe and look their best or are simply curious as to what colors are most flattering on them. In addition to helping clients determine their season, we can also help them integrate their best colors into their current wardrobe. In addition, we offer online color analysis for those who are outside of the Richmond, VA, area. Contact us at info@thefashioneaseta.com to schedule your color analysis appointment or personal styling service.