TikTok Is Keeping Me On My Toes

My business has always been driven by Colour analysis, which appears as a ‘Colour Code’ on my website, so it's no wonder bookings keep coming in. Although, after a while, it occurred to me that my clients were getting younger and younger, so I asked my 16-year-old client and her mum what had led them to me. The answer, of course, is TikTok. The latest ‘thing’ is to ‘go and get your colours done’. As they left, I looked and they were right, it's gone viral. I am such a dinosaur!

An ever-changing ring of colour moves across the faces in TikTok Colour Analysis. This 'filter' determines which colours match your skin tone so that you can choose clothing and makeup wisely. My training as a Colour me Beautiful consultant familiarizes me with this process. In my studio, we do something similar, but it's quite different from TikTok's spin wheel.

In the know

When we identify your palette of colours, we can create 'a look', 'a wardrobe' for you where the colours you choose share the same characteristics as you (hair, eye colour, skin tone). It is true that everyone can wear any colour, but its a little more complex than that which i will explain a little later on.

When you know what works for you, you will quickly see what to buy (and what to leave on the rail). It's not as easy as using the 'spinning wheel' seen on Tik Tok! My kids love TikTok, but for Colour Analysis, its not so accurate.

Different systems for colour analysis

Tonal and seasonal colour analysis are the two most common types of colour analysis. You've seen the seasons on social media, and the wheel represents spring, summer, autumn, and winter. You will always have the same undertone regardless of the colour of your hair throughout your life, according to a seasonal colour analysis.

Tonal colour analysis examines all of your physical features, including your hair colour, eye colour, and skin tone. All three elements should be considered when choosing your colours, as they allow you more flexibility. Over the years, our hair and skin colour changes, so I use the tonal system in my colour analysis consultations because I believe it's more accurate and tailored to each client's needs. Consider a redhead whose hair turns grey over time. She needs to change the undertone of her clothes from warm (red hair) to cool (grey hair). A tonal system provides a more customized experience for each client.

What happens in a Tonal Colour Analysis?

You'll have a dominant colouring type, one of six core types, rather than a season.

You will be 'tested' during the colour consultation to determine your dominant palette. Afterwards, there are two more tests to determine your secondary and tertiary sub-dominant colouring types. Under the tonal analysis system, you have 24 possible options, which expands your palette further!

The beauty of this method of analysis is that if your look changes (by choice or nature), we can tweak your colours to reflect the changes. During my sessions, I teach you a lot about colour and the scientific Munsell System that lies behind the tonal analysis method. I feel that if you understand what I am doing then you will remember it for life and the days of having nothing to wear are long behind you.

The Munsell System

This system breaks colour down into three characteristics:

Value: (Depth): how light or deep a shade is

Hue: (Undertone): how warm or cool a shade is

Chroma: (Clarity): how clear or soft a shade is

If have already had your colours assessed, you will already know what these terms mean, and how they relate to your unique characteristics. In the analysis, I determine your three characteristics from your skin, hair and eye colour and then match them to the characteristics of colour.

Testing the DIY way

Consider these points if you decide to DIY. Regardless of how you interpret colour, its influence is undeniable. You can get a true sense of colour by holding fabric up against your face. Under natural daylight, hold the fabric up under your chin without wearing any makeup. Look in the mirror to see if your complexion feels fresher and more vibrant, or if it feels dull or pale.

Myth: Alert. You can determine your skin's undertone by checking the colour of your veins. My opinion is that it is not accurate and has more to do with how light reflects off the skin. Your blood is red, after all!

Every person is unique and cannot be neatly categorized. The seasonal analysis may not be right for you if you have tried the spinning wheel or another method of self-diagnosis and found you don't quite fit or that colours look the same 'ok' at different times of year. An alternative is tonal colour analysis. To avoid shopping mistakes, you should make sure you get your Colour Analysis right before you shop.

You can only receive 100% accurate advice from a colour consultant trained in this field. It takes up to two hours for a professional color analysis to determine which colours suit you, and there is also advice on how to wear them.

Working with me

For many people, understanding and wearing their most flattering shades of clothes can make a big difference to their self confidence. It may sound OTT, but it’s something my clients tell me all the time. When you wear ‘your’ best shades of colour, you’ll look brighter, healthier and essentially more like you. And as Coco Chanel said, "The best colour in the whole world is the one that looks good on you."

To make an appointment with me, head to the ‘Work with me’ section on my website.