Have you ever wondered if having a personal color analysis would help you define your style? Recently I have been working on simplifying my wardrobe, reading everything I could find on the subject and aiming to focus on more basic pieces. All good stuff right? But by far, the most fun and productive time spent defining my style has been my experience with in-person seasonal color analysis with Kerry Jones of Indigo Tones. Kerry is an expert in 12 Season Color Analysis. Her consultation is full of education about color.
When you have an analysis and find your season you receive color harmony swatches from Kerry. The swatches are easy to carry with you and keep handy anytime you need a little color guidance–whether you’re shopping for a new dress, sitting at the manicurist’s table, or searching for the perfect shade of blush. Kerry has begun to travel with her professional seasonal color analysis services. She is based in Rochester, NY, but there are opportunities to take advantage of her service in other states too!
What is Personal Color Analysis?
Personal Color Analysis is the process of finding the colors that best enhance your own features. A Color Analyst drapes you in colors and is trained to know what to look for as each color is placed by your face. Have you ever questioned whether a color looks good on you? Color preferences and our first impressions of color can really shape what we choose to wear. Sometimes the colors we like might be just a shade off of something that would really look best.
With seasonal color analysis you will discover the set of colors that is actually most flattering to you. Each of the seasons has its own set of colors with qualities like soft or bright and warm or cool. All the colors in a particular season share these characteristics. Together they create the group of colors that will flatter you the most.
What is my Color Palette?
Forever I thought I looked best in the colors of the winter season and I was just on the verge of deciding to dress all in white and black. Always loving color, but finding myself with lots of neutral clothing with one or two accent colors. Just to keep it simple.
I was starting to get frustrated that nothing worked together easily. Do you know what I mean? A closet full of clothes and nothing to wear as the saying goes. As a nail technician I work with color every day. I was talking with a client one day and we picked out her polish knowing she is a light spring. She always brings her flume of colors from her personal color analysis with Kerry because, well why not? I must have said “I’m a winter” and she said “I don’t think so”. It made me a little uncomfortable since this is what I always believed after reading Color Me Beautiful in the 80’s. If I’m not a winter what color season am I? I started reading everything I could.
Most of what I read on the internet made me more frustrated and confused. Then I checked out Kerry’s blog on her Indigo Tones site. I had known of her for a long time, but I was a little intimidated by the idea of actually having a personal color analysis. As I was reading her stories, I realized that she is very relatable. It made me feel comfortable about setting up an appointment.
Find Your Seasonal Color Palette
When I arrived for my appointment, Kerry had me use a neutral drape. We covered my hair with a neutral cap since it is highlighted. Then we started to look at each set of colors. Kerry really knows how to get you to relax and she asks the right questions! She puts the drapes on and you begin to see the difference between colors that look ok and colors that look best. By the time you finish, you will feel confident of the colors that flatter you. One of the myths is that you will be told you can’t wear certain colors. Actually, most colors are represented in all the palettes, but the hue, depth and saturation of each color vary and there are specific shades of each color that are for you!
Define Your Style
Kerry goes on to consult with you about how to begin to add your colors to your wardrobe, whether you are already wearing some of them or not, this is really beneficial. She follows up with a few questions to figure out what your personal clothing style is and how you could define your style by using your colors.
She also advises on hair and makeup, and this is super helpful! As she explained it, I realized why I was never happy with certain makeup looks. Kerry uses visuals to illustrate the way colors can be put together in a way that works or does not work for each season. So it’s more than just the individual colors, but the whole picture.
At the end, you will have your swatch book for your color season, which is designed by Kerry to be very high quality and very easy to use. When you compare the swatch to fabrics it is easy to see if it’s a match. It makes shopping in person or online simpler since I can quickly see if they have anything that looks like my palette or not.
Since my Personal Color Analysis, I know that the Bright Spring Colors are best for me. Here’s a photo with the warm red from the palette. Next is the photo with the colors I can choose from and know they will look best. All of Kerry’s swatch books for the palettes in the 12 Season Color Analysis are shown on the Indigo Tones Site.
Nine Reasons Color Analysis Could Be for You
- You want to find your seasonal color palette filled with colors that look good on you and look good together.
- You loved different types of colors when you were younger.
- The colors you decorate your home with are not the same type of colors you choose to wear, but you love them in your home.
- You have been highlighting or coloring your hair since you were 14. It can’t just be me, right
- It is hard finding a cohesive makeup look.
- Lots of neutrals fill your closet and you are tired of black and white.
- You have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear. (All of us) Check out this post for a fun way to Clean Out Your Closet!
- The idea of defining your style excites you!
- You want a fun experience and to feel good about yourself. 😊
Styling Your Seasonal Colors
Personal Color Analysis gives you the tools to start actually putting together outfits. Start slow, especially if you have very few items in your closet that work in your new wheel!
This is a great time to use gift cards or shop at a consignment store to find a few things in your colors. I made it a game and found two tops in my wheel with the original tags on them at my local consignment place. Anywhere with a rainbow of colors is going to be really good training for your eyes.
When you are shopping with your color fan you can easily rule out pieces with the wrong colors. Since the colors in your wheel will work together well, you can pick out flattering outfits easily.
I’m glad I have the tools now to do that! It is great to be able to see if colors in clothing are the same as in my color fan. Especially since the colors in my palette (and any palette) will work together to create a cohesive wardrobe. Sometimes the things we can do for others so well, like picking out colors are hard to do for ourselves.
Tips and Reminders for Personal Color Analysis
Color analysis is going to help you shop for clothing and makeup that will all work together. It’s funny because Kerry made me realize that I was trying to get brightness from my hair color. She explained that by wearing the right seasonal colors I could go closer to my natural hair color and still feel bright, but have it all come together in harmony. Read Kerry’s Article, “8 Myths About Getting Your Colors Done”.
What to do while you wait for your Seasonal Color Analysis Appointment
- Limit your shopping from the time you schedule your appointment until you go. Why? Because you are about to be given a palette of the exact tones for you and you might as well take advantage of this new way to create a wardrobe that works for you! Save your money until then. You will find that this is fun as you think about making fewer buying mistakes in the future.
- Keep an open mind, all the palettes are made up of beautiful colors and you won’t know which is yours until you get to see them all:)
- You might even want to plan your haircuts or any makeup lessons or purchases to take place after your analysis. That way you can take advantage of any suggestions Kerry has for you.
Favorite Quotes about Color Analysis
If you have had color analysis you may feel the same as some of Kerry’s clients. I asked her for some of her favorite ways of expressing the power of Seasonal Color Analysis. Her favorite quote is: “Personal Color Analysis is the Best Investment I ever made.” She went on to say that clients are completely stunned by the compliments they receive from strangers when they first go out in their colors and cosmetics! They can not believe that it is that instantaneous and impactful. Kerry receives emails just like this often, her clients can’t wait to share these experiences with her!
I know several women who have worked with Kerry. It’s funny because they all have very different personal styles, but they all love using their colors and are clearly more confident about dressing. Have you thought about having a Personal Color Analysis in the past? I am happy that I finally did it! The way Kerry educates about color and how to wear it is transformative and really gives me color confidence! You walk away knowing how to put the colors together and how to harmonize your entire look based on your season. Her consultation is so helpful in defining your style.
If you are in the Rochester, NY area Kerry has appointments at her downtown studio! If you live in another state check out Kerry’s travel schedule here. See Kerry’s new setup for her travel color analysis here!
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Sisters working together!
On a personal note! Thank you to my sister Kelly who is a very talented writer for editing this post!