Living Colorfully - 12 Season Analysis

If you read my earlier clothing goals post then you probably saw me mention certain "tools" I planned to use to help define what items I feel most comfortable in and to help me build a wardrobe of fewer items I could mix and match to make multiple outfits. One of those tools I've found really helpful is a color analysis, which is the idea that each person has a set of colors that best complements their undertones and celebrates their natural beauty. As they put in my results email:

The goal of analyzing color is to find harmony between the traits that we already possess in our features and the clothes, makeup, and accessories we wear. When you are wearing "your" colors, YOU will be the first thing people notice: your eyes, your skin, and your lips, not your clothes. The right colors will neither be underwhelming nor overpower you; they will perfectly highlight you.

Color analysis is not a new concept (I have an aunt who did it back in the 80s!) but you may have seen it more and more on your FYP or Instagram suggested posts lately. There is no shortage of virtual and in-person services you can use to find your best colors, and after a bit of research and talking to friends who went through the process I purchased a consultation through Created Colorful!

@heykatelyn_ had a particularly helpful highlight on her Instagram page where she detailed every step of the process that you can check out if you're considering a consult - plus you should just give her a follow because her content is great!

I went with Created Colorful because I appreciated the emphasis on personal confidence - Lindsay and her team encourage the process as an act of self-care that can help you feel comfortable and confident in yourself as you are and where you are at in your life right now.

The process was really fun and easy to complete. There was a first round of colors they asked me to take pictures in and I spent maybe an hour draping the clothes across my neck (kind of like the cape they put on your when you get your hair done) and making sure I had the right lighting so they could see me clearly. After another round of pictures which more specific colors I got my results.

Turns out I am a... LIGHT SUMMER!

The results emails was chock full of helpful information including a full 30-color palette, recommendations for makeup and nail polish colors and more. Not just that but it was so full of compliments that didn't even have anything to do with my colors but just celebrated me and made me feel so happy and confident. For example:

"...you are rocking the heck out of those bangs! They look so amazing on you. That smile of yours had me beaming from ear to ear right back at you - it is so vibrant and full of joy! I bet you light up every room you walk into."

Seeing your face cropped like this is weird but I love to see all the colors together! Overall being a Light Summer means I have a neutral-cool undertone and favor light, pastel and cool colors. Basically colors that look like they've been mixed with a little bit of white or have a blue-green, rose-pink hue are my best bet. Silvery and platinum grey (including silver jewelry) and charcoals will be my best neutrals.

I got my color analysis done about two years ago and have slowly been working on on adding colors from my Light Summer palette into my wardrobe. Not all of my closet will likely ever be completely in my best colors - getting these results hasn't been a deterrent or meant I can't still buy things in black or my favorite olive greens. It's just a helpful guide which has allowed me to more easily mix and match items and create new looks without having to buy new items.

I've noticed that when I wear some of my best colors I feel better and more confident. My skin looks clearer and more even and others have commented that I seem happy and at-ease in certain shades. Purples, especially lavender and iris are ones I didn't have much of in my closet but have since stocked up on. There are still colors I struggle to place - but even if it doesn't fit specifically in Light Summer, i've gotten better at identifying which items are cool toned and still fit within the Summer palette as a whole.

Overall I am so happy I went through the color analysis process and it will definitely be helpful as I work to define my personal style. Next up is a review of the Personal Style Analysis I did with Fashion Fix! In the meantime, here are some pics of me in some of my "good" colors and outfits I put together with them: