Color has the power to transform more than an outfit. The right shade can brighten the complexion, highlight the eyes and make getting dressed feel effortless. That is the appeal behind color analysis, a personalized approach to discovering which shades complement an individual’s features, personality and lifestyle.
“Color Analysis is also referred to as color draping and means a person tries on various colors to see how they harmonize or clash with their skin, hair and eyes,” explains the certified image consultant, whose grandmother was a Color Me Beautiful consultant in the 1980s.
Unlike online quizzes and AI-generated results, a professional analysis considers undertone, contrast, coloring and personal preferences. Clients are draped in different versions of colors, from pastel and bright to deep and muted, to see how subtle shifts change their appearance.
One misconception she hopes to eliminate is that certain colors are completely off-limits.
“Everyone can wear any color, it’s simply a matter of which shade to choose and how you wear it,” she says.
Start by identifying the neutrals that flatter you most. Black may be the default, but navy, chocolate brown, camel or beige can sometimes create a more complementary foundation. Then, invest in a top in one of your strongest colors. Because tops sit close to the face, they can make an immediate difference.
When refreshing your wardrobe, resist the urge to replace everything at once. Instead, spend time “living in your palette.” Pay attention to which pieces make you feel polished and confident, then create a shopping list around the gaps. This makes future purchases more intentional and can help create a closet where more pieces naturally work together.
Already own a color that is not ideal? “Color should be fun, not stressful!” she says. Move less-flattering shades away from the face through pants, skirts, shoes or handbags, or balance them with jewelry and accessories in complementary tones.
Her favorite unexpected tip? Choose a handbag that closely matches your hair color. The repetition can instantly make an outfit feel more intentional.
Color analysis can also guide makeup, eyewear, jewelry and hair color, helping eliminate costly trial and error. For a simple closet refresh, organize clothing by the rainbow and then from light to dark. Experiment with pairing colors together rather than automatically reaching for neutrals.
Ultimately, the goal is not to follow a palette perfectly. It is to understand color well enough to make confident choices.
“The best compliment is when people say they hear me in their head, encouraging them to live more colorfully,” she says. When you love what you see in the mirror, that confidence has a way of influencing far more than what you wear.