What is colour analysis?
Discover the science behind personal colour analysis and how the right colours can transform how you look and feel.
From tailoring to personal colour theory
Have you ever thought about the fact that in human history it is not really that long ago that all clothing was tailored or hand-sewn? That meant people actually had to think for themselves when choosing what to wear.
The industrial revolution began producing clothes on a mass scale, and many of those choices were made for us. Those who could afford it went to fashion houses or department stores to have clothes tailored and, one assumes, to receive personal advice on colour and style too.
The earliest books on personal colour theory appeared in the 1950s. The common theme was a seasonal model with four seasons: winter, summer, spring, and autumn. In the 1980s, personal colour theory had a major comeback.
Meet Kathryn Kalisz and Sci/Art
Kathryn Kalisz, a Munsell colour specialist, set out in 1987 to solve the puzzle of the four seasons. She used her knowledge of colour theory and the Munsell colour classification system to create the 12 tonal seasons that define this system today.
She discovered that most people — in fact around 80% — do not fit into any of the “true” seasons, but sit in between them, in the neutral seasons.
She called the system Sci/Art because it combines science (colour theory) and art (using colour in an artistic way) to create 12 distinct and unique palettes that harmonise with a person’s skin tone.
Many consider Sci/Art to be the gold standard in personal colour analysis
The 12 seasons
Based on Munsell’s three dimensions for measuring colour, the Sci/Art system creates 12 distinct and unique palettes that harmonise with different skin tones.
Light Spring
True Spring
Bright Spring
Bright Winter
True Winter
Dark Winter
Dark Autumn
True Autumn
Soft Autumn
Soft Summer
True Summer
Light Summer
The three dimensions
Sci/Art uses Albert Munsell’s three dimensions for measuring colour. These help us identify your ideal colour palette.
Temperature
How cool or warm a colour is. This is about the undertone in the colours — blue-based (cool) or yellow-based (warm).
Value
How light or dark a colour is. This affects the contrast between your best colours and your natural colouring.
Chroma / Intensity
How clear or muted a colour is. Some people look best in bright, vivid colours, while others need softer tones.
What happens during a colour analysis?
During the analysis, we test how your skin tone reacts according to the three colour dimensions: temperature, value, and chroma. Believe it or not, you will actually be able to see for yourself how you respond to different colours.
Some colours create acceptable reactions, others are very unflattering, and some make it look as though everything is in harmony with you.
Nature has already given you your perfect colours. We simply need to find out what they are so that you can use them for clothes, hair colour, accessories, make-up, or whatever else you like.
Using calibrated fabric drapes and studio lighting, we are able to find the palette that suits your individual colouring. This is not trend-led styling — it is an analysis you can benefit from for the rest of your life, because your colours do not change over time.
And yes, colour analysis is for men too!
Ready to find your colours?
Book a colour analysis today and discover which colours make you glow.