If you’ve been on social media lately (like the majority of the human population), you’ve probably come across something called a colour analysis.
That thing where a person sits in front of a mirror with coloured fabric being flipped under their chin? Yeah, that’s the one.
A colour analysis is, in short, finding out which colours suit you best. Upon completion of a colour analysis, you should know which wardrobe colour choices will harmonise with your skin complexion and, in turn, accentuate your best features (and not your worst).
Some analysts will also dictate whether gold, silver or rose gold is the right jewellery for you, what makeup hues are best for your skin tone and what hair colours work in your favour. The whole kit and kaboodle.
Colour analysts will also go through makeup tones and hair hues that suit you best.
If you’ve ever heard of someone “getting their colours done” (it was big back in the ’80s), a colour analysis is what they’re talking about.
But here’s the thing; a colour analysis session isn’t cheap — a session with Sydney colour analyst Jenny Park starts at $249 for a 45-minute visit. So is it worth it? I met with Jenny at Studio Peona in Sydney’s Strathfield.
Be Prepared to Unlearn What You Know
When I walked into Studio Peona to meet with Jenny, I was almost certain I’d be told that bold, bright colours suit me best. I’d worn a cobalt-blue boilersuit the week before and received enough compliments to gently enlarge my head.
But what Jenny picked out couldn’t have been more opposite to the bright and bold piece that had made me feel so confident a week earlier. I discovered blue undertones and darker colours cast shadows on my face and neck while muted autumn colourways like dusty pinks and sage greens are best suited to my complexion.
Darker colours showed lines on my neck and blue undertones flushed my cheeks and exposed eye bags.
How could that be when I’d never been told I looked good in these colours prior? When I looked at the colour chart she showed me for muted autumns, I quickly realised I don’t own anything in these tones.
They’re not exactly colourways that I’ve been drawn to — or that are necessarily “on trend” — so I’ve never even allowed myself to feel amazing in them. Think of colours like an ex — just because you like it doesn’t mean it brings out the best in you.
It’s a crying shame for my fascination with Brat green, but we will rebuild.
Image: Instagram / @ studiopeano_colour
You Won’t Have to Fully Retire Colours Altogether
Obviously I was nervous to find out I don’t look great in the colours I like or wear regularly. This fear was only realised when I attended my colour analysis session, but it’s not all bad.
Upon finding out that muted Autumn tones were best for me, I nervously asked Jenny what this meant for my relationship with black. She quickly reassured me that I could continue wearing black, but she’d suggest wearing lower necklines with these colours.
She explained that the further away something is from your face, the less likely it is to impact your complexion. It’s great news if you still want to honour your usual colours with shoes or nail polish, or if black bottoms are your go-to (hi, hello).
For me personally, I love skivvies because my necklines make me feel a little self-conscious. I had a black turtleneck jumper that was once a wardrobe staple (before it started falling apart). Now when I look back at photos of me wearing it and I look super washed out, it all makes sense.
Will I stop wearing black nor will I stop wearing high-neck pieces? No! But I’ll now be a bit more considered when shopping or styling, which is never bad. Right?
Black made my spots more visible and my skin more pale while this shade of pink harmonised my skin complexion.
You’ll Save in the Long Run
Attending a colour analysis session could make you rethink some items in your wardrobe — I’m not going to deny that — but am I rushing to Vinnies with items I no longer feel confident in? Absolutely not.
Doing a colour analysis has made me understand how to give these pieces a different life based on colours to team it with, or how many buttons I should be undoing to avoid shadows under my eyes and on my neck.
It has also given me the direction I didn’t otherwise have when shopping. Now when I have a wedding I need a dress for, I’m opting for a piece in a colour I know harmonises with my skin complexion. When do I want to fork out on a winter coat next season? I’ll be going for a neutral beige instead of a black or dark grey like I used to.
Instead of buying things I can’t quite understand why I don’t feel confident in them, I’ll save in the long run by having a more considered approach to my shopping. And in a fashion climate where we all need to be more responsible and sustainable — a colour analysis could be worth your time (and money).
Jenny Park at her Studio Peona location in Sydney.
The Verdict
If I already felt like a million bucks in my current wardrobe, I probably wouldn’t have felt the need to get a colour analysis done.
But if, like me, you’re looking to feel more confident in your clothes or are about to buy new pieces for a job, wedding or season, you will likely find the colour analysis insightful and helpful for future shopping choices.
Beyond the colours, Jenny specifically was helpful in her solutions for your current wardrobe and tips for future purchases. In a world where information and inspiration overload is being flung at us with makeup tutorials and outfit inspo, it can help reset with personal advice tailored to you.
Jenny has some colour analysis bookings available (via her Instagram) from early October, otherwise she will be hosting an interactive masterclass at Mollymook’s Bannisters on October 12. Tickets are $110 and include a two-course lunch by Rick Stein and a glass of bubbles, tea or coffee.
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