My Color Analysis Experience
Before & After
After photo only added lipstick and drapes in my best colors. Notice that my jawline becomes more defined and eyes brighten.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with House of Colour and I personally paid for my color analysis session and all make-up items. This is my experience from a client perspective.
In July 2021 I embarked on a interesting adventure: I booked a House of Colour color analysis appointment (find a HOC consultant near you). A few people I knew had recently had theirs done and it was so interesting to me - both the concept of knowing your best colors for makeup, hair, and clothing, but also helping to simplify my closet so that everything in it harmonized. I followed a few HOC consultants that were graphically nearest to me for awhile, and it finally worked out to book an appointment (3 hours away, mind you!) on a planned girls weekend in Dubuque at the end of July. It could not have worked more perfectly!
I know there are a number of color analysis systems available, but being the Enneagram 5 that I am, I spent quite a bit of time researching the various methodologies before I booked my session. House of Colour is popular in the Midwest so it was the most accessible to me, but I liked that there was color science behind their process and it conceptually made the most sense to me. Scientific, yet simple. I also really appreciated that it HAS to be done in person, as they are looking to see how your natural coloring reacts to the drapes. Now that I have been through this process myself, as well as watched my mom’s session a few month later, it is truly astounding to see how much natural features can change based on the color of the drape. For me, it was most noticeable in my jawline and the coloring under my eyes. Those are the same things I look for when I try on a new color (especially one that isn’t exactly on my color fan) and I look to see how my jawline and overall coloring change in that item.
So why did I finally jump in and book a session?
I had just accepted a new job as a Vice President and knew I was going to need to step up my work attire significantly in the upcoming months. Mind you, we were still in the thick of COVID-19 (and I work in Healthcare), so the majority of my meetings were virtual and my day to day work attire definitely reflected that. On top of that, I was just over a year post-partum with my first and was still rocking a very business casual vibe.
While I wanted to dress more professional, I didn’t want to lose my identity - meaning I was not ready to get stuck wearing black, grey and navy suits for the rest of my career, feeling like that is what I “should” do at the executive level. At the time I started my VP position, I was the youngest person on the senior team by 25 years.
Fun fact: 78.5% of healthcare workers are female, yet only 15.3% of health system CEO’s are Women.
I also was curious about the capsule wardrobe concept; although I have not fully embraced that from a minimalistic standpoint, I do reap the benefits of everything coordinating and being able to mix and match peiece within my closet without much thought.
Since my session, I’ve had a number of friends ask me about my experience and how to prepare for it, so here is what I typically tell them:
Tips to prepare for a Color Analysis from a client perspective:
Your consultant will likely send you instructions prior to you appointments regarding coming bare faced, no spray tan, etc. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS!
Once you book your appointments, stop shopping ASAP, especially if you plan to fully embrace your color season! I was so excited to shop after knowing my best colors and I was glad I hadn’t recently bought anything outside of my season.
At your appointment, your consultant will show you your best makeup colors. I’d suggest planning to purchase at least one blush and one lipstick (ideally, you’d get 3 lipsticks/glosses that cover each point of red).
If you plan to change your hair color to align with your season, try to schedule it so that your next hair appointment is right after your color analysis (unlike me, who had it done the day prior).
I’ll be doing a post on what to do after you color analysis appointment, from a client perspective soon!
After my color session I had NO IDEA it was going to change my life in so many ways. Not only has it helped me simplify how I shop and reduces the decisions I make on a daily basis getting dressed, but I feel confident in my physical appearance, even when I don’t always physically feel like I am in the best shape. I also eventually started an Instagram account where I share my experience as a client which has grown in ways I never could have imagined!
Have you had your colors done? What other tips would you include as preparation steps? Let me know in the comments!
