As a content creator of almost a decade, fashion and personal style has been a major part of my identity, but sometimes it felt like, no matter how much effort I put into my wardrobe, there were moments when I’d look in the mirror and feel that the clothes, despite being on trend or expensive, just didn’t look quite right. On the flip side, there were also outfits I’d wear that made me feel more confident, the ones I’d reach for when I was seeking an easy don’t-need-to-think-too-hard comfort outfit, or the ones that garnered compliments from strangers at the supermarket checkout.
If your TikTok For You Page is anything like mine, you’ll have seen countless videos where people are having different coloured fabric draped around their shoulders to determine their ‘best colours’. And ever since being introduced to the idea of colour analysis, I haven’t been able to get it out of my head.
The decision to have a colour analysis done came from the niggling feeling that I wasn’t making the most of my wardrobe. I was constantly drawn to colours I liked on the rack, but when I wore them, something felt off. I noticed I would avoid certain outfits, not because they didn’t fit, but because I didn’t feel as confident wearing them because they seemed to wash me out, or just didn’t bring out my best features. Can you see the difference below?
I started reading about how certain colours can complement your skin tone, hair, and eyes, making you look more vibrant and put-together. You know when people say things like ‘oh that is so your colour’, it’s usually for that very reason. I loved the idea that there was a specific palette of shades that could enhance my natural beauty, making shopping easier and helping me build a cohesive wardrobe.
I priced up a few in-person experiences, but simply couldn’t justify the cost simply to curb some curiosity, with some coming in over the £200 mark. But then, I saw Violet Glenton get her analysis done online at Style Me Happy by Emily Innes and decided to take the plunge myself.
The online analysis cost £40, with the process itself being incredibly easy. I submitted a series of clear, makeup free photos of myself in natural light so Emily had a clear idea of my tones, and had my results back within 14 working days in the form of a 19-page PDF document, which not only talked me through my season and best colours, but a whole host of other factors too, like makeup and hair colour recommendations, celebrities in the same season to take inspiration from, what colour jewellery is best and more.
Emily uses a 12-season model, which sees the four main colour seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter – broken into three subsections each, with my analysis revealing that I’m a light spring.
Light Spring is characterised by fresh, warm, and light tones that bring out the brightness in a person’s complexion. Think soft peach, light coral, mint green, and golden yellows. These work well for me in particular because I have subtle, warm undertones – which came as the first surprise, as I always thought pale = cool toned.
Being identified as a Light Spring has completely changed how I approach my wardrobe, and it’s taught me a lot about colour, style, and confidence, but also really confirmed some things I already knew, such as being a gold jewellery kind of girl.
One of the biggest takeaways from my results has been being able to really optimise my wardrobe with my best colours. Looking back through old photos on Instagram, it’s now blindingly obvious when a colour wasn’t for me, and in general, these tend to be darker, cooler hues. Instead – particularly on my recent holiday – I’ve started incorporating more of the light, warm tones from my palette, including some that I’d never have thought to wear, like cornflower blues or a zesty orange.These shades not only bring out the warmth in my skin, but they also make me look more awake and refreshed.
Equally, I’ve refreshed my neutrals, moving away from black to softer tones of navy or cream. I did, for a brief moment after paying for my analysis, panic that leopard print may not be in my palette, but of course, it is, and happens to be one of my best ‘neutrals’. Plus, as a general rule, all of the colours in my palette naturally compliment each other, so while my volume of clothes is still pretty high, it’s still adheres to the rules of a capsule wardrobe, where most of the pieces can be mixed and matched with one another.
As well as my existing wardrobe, colour analysis has made shopping a lot less overwhelming. Instead of browsing aimlessly or being seduced by trends that don’t necessarily suit me, I now have a much more focused approach. I know which colours work best for me, so I can quickly narrow down my options, plus, it’s helped me avoid those impulse buys that just end up sitting in my wardrobe before inevitably ending up on Vinted with the tag still attached.
When it comes to makeup, I’ve been able to get much better shade matches from my foundations thanks to my results, and have been experimenting with different blush and lipstick tones. Looking back at my 30 days of different lipsticks challenges, I can now see why some suit me better than others, making decisions so much easier. All of this together helps my skin look clearer, eyes brighter and generally deliver a natural glow.
For me, the experience of having my colour analysis done has been so validating and given me a new found confidence in my wardrobe and personal style. I no longer second-guess my outfit choices and have been able to be even more creative. I’ve noticed that I receive more compliments on my appearance when I stick to my Light Spring palette, too, which tells me I’m doing something right.
If you’ve ever felt unsure about your style or struggled with choosing clothes that make you feel your best, I highly recommend getting a colour analysis. It’s an investment in yourself that pays off every day, and it’s taught me that when you look good, you feel good—and that’s priceless.
