Seasonal Colour Analysis 101 - TRAINING WITH IMAGINATION

If you want to know more about Seasonal Colour Analysis 101 then this post is for you…

Introduction
Technical Terms
What is Seasonal Colour Analysis
A brief Timeline of Colour Analysis
A Personal Consultation
Training in Seasonal Colour Analysis
Further Reading and Downloads
Conclusions

Introduction

Colour is all around us. Colour is light – for without light there can be no colour. It impinges on our every waking moment. It has fascinated man since the earliest times and yet it is often taken for granted. It affects us psychologically and emotionally. It can make us excited, or peaceful, uplifted or gloomy. Studies have shown that blood pressure can be affected by the response to colour and it’s no surprise that red is used in in so many food logos – as it can stimulate appetite.

Although colour had long been understood and used by artists for hundreds of years, it wasn’t until the early 70’s that people started to understand the relationship between the colours that people choose to wear and their impact on those around them. And so the concept of using colour in personal image and presentation started to grow as a concept and Colour Analysis emerged as a service for individuals and as a tool for use by business professionals.

What is Seasonal Colour Analysis?

At its core, seasonal colour analysis is a method that helps determine which colours work best with your natural features—primarily your skin, but can also include eyes, and hair. The system categorizes everyone into four major “seasons”—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—each with its own distinct set of shades and tones. this is know as the 4 Season system. But there is a more advanced system that breaks down the seasons into 12 distinct colour groups.

When I first heard about this, I was a bit skeptical. How could colours change so dramatically depending on the season? But after seeing the results in person, I became a believer. It was like magic—certain colours instantly made my complexion glow, while others made me look washed out.

The transformation is especially impactful for women of a certain age. At this stage in life, our skin and hair can start to shift, sometimes becoming duller or losing warmth. The right colours can reverse that, making you look more energized and youthful without any drastic changes.

Colour Analysis helps an individual to understand the colours that suit them best. These colours will not only compliment their complexion but with some systems of analysis, to align with their personality. This helps women to present the best image of themselves and how they are perceived by other people – and it can also be used effectively by men too.

The process of determining your season is relatively simple but incredibly effective. A consultant will often use a series of coloured drapes—pieces of fabric in various hues and shades—placed against your face to see which ones bring out the best in your skin, eyes, and hair. This is known as draping. It’s amazing to see how some colours make your complexion look radiant, while others can make you look tired or older.

When I had this done, I was amazed at how quickly the right colours popped. A light pastel pink, for example, brightened my face in ways I hadn’t expected, whereas a deep purple made me look sallow. It was a huge “aha” moment, and I knew that embracing this knowledge would make shopping and dressing so much easier going forward.

The colours which bring balance and harmony to the individual are identified and a “FAN” or “SWATCH” of colours are usually provided to the individual as an aide memoire.

Knowing the colours that suit best, enables the individual to use colour to their advantage, to look healthier, often younger and more vibrant and at a functional level to plan their wardrobe with clothes that easily mix and match together, because they are in a similar colour palette.

How do the seasons breakdown?

Seasonal Colour Analysis is generally perceived to be the original method of colour analysis and is still used very effectively today. It’s an easy to understand concept for both consultants and clients.

The colours are closely related to the seasons of the year in the Northern hemisphere, and so by dividing them by whether they were warm or cool and then into seasonal groups, they were easy to understand.

In the four fan system, there are two warm (spring and autumn) and two cool (summer and winter) seasons. Let’s take a look at the four seasons and how each one relates to specific colour palettes:

SPRING

Spring has joyous, warm colours that welcome in the start to the year with a range of colours very close to the rainbow and reflecting what we see in gardens blooming in the spring. If you’re a Spring, you’re all about radiance and warmth.

Description: Warm, bright, and fresh.
Who It’s For: People with golden or peachy undertones in their skin.
Colours: Coral, peach, bright green, light aqua, and warm beige.

AUTUMN

Autumns really shine in warm, rich colours. If you love the colours of autumn/fall foliage, you could be an Autumn. Think of the gold, yellow and copper shades that we see on the trees as they lose their leaves.

Description: Warm, deep, and earthy.
Who It’s For: Women with warm undertones, medium to dark hair with red or golden highlights, and deep brown, green, or hazel eyes.
Colours: Mustard, burnt orange, olive green, brick red, and deep browns.

SUMMER

The cool colours are those of SUMMER, you might like to associate these colours with cool faded colours of flowers in the garden after a long hot summer.

Description: Cool, (soft and muted)
Who It’s For: People with cool, blue or pink undertones.
Colours: Soft pinks, muted blues, lavender, light grey, and pastels.

WINTER

And finally, WINTER. This is a cold season (in the northern hemisphere) which lacks colour, and may be characterised by white snow on black trees.

Description: Cool, bright, and bold.

Who It’s For: People with cool, high-contrast colouring.

Colours: Black, stark white, jewel tones like emerald and sapphire, icy pastels.

Winter’s look amazing in those bold, dramatic colours.

Are there other methods of Colour Analysis?

Since the 80’s numerous authors have tried to refine the process of Colour Analysis and there are now many different methods. Probably the most well-known of these is the TONAL method.

What is the Tonal Method?

The tonal method analyses each colour characteristic according to its depth, undertone and clarity and selects the dominant one for each client. These are termed Deep, Light, Cool, Warm, Bright or Muted.

Why were other colour analysis methods invented?

Some say that the seasonal method system may not go far enough. In other words, because everyone is an individual, there is the potential for an infinite number of variation, that an individual could have, which may not fit neatly into just 4 seasonal categories. Because of this, since the 80’s authors have tried to extend the seasonal method to be more flexible (The 12 son system has gone a to address this) and others have come up with new methods that do not base their nomenclature on the seasons.

Another argument is that the seasons differ in the north and south hemisphere and so the colours used in most seasonal systems are aligned with northern hemisphere countries.

A brief search on the internet will show that many people get completely confused by the tonal concept and do not find it easy to understand. In our article “Seasonal or Tonal” we examine this issue further. You will see that in reality it is the Consultant with a special interest in colour that get hung up on the nomenclature. The reality is that is doesn’t matter what terms you use the outcome of a colour analysis are the same – to identify the better colours and to empower and give confidence to those who are less certain of colour and how to wear it or even use it in their homes. For most people it is enough to have basic information that they can easily act on, without getting into the detail which may overwhelm them. From that viewpoint the seasonal system is easiest to understand.

Are there any negatives to colour analysis?

There are generally few downsides to Colour Analysis. Although some sources suggest that it is limiting to have a prescribed selection of colours from which to choose your clothing or make up options.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misunderstanding and incorrect information that is circulated both in printed matter and on the Internet. While it is true that generally the quality of Colour Analysis has improved in the last 40 years, there are still many inaccurate sessions.

I have met many ladies who had their “colours done”, as it is commonly called, some years previously and clearly their advice was incorrect. Imagine wearing “the wrong” colours for more than half of your life?

There are several books on the subject of Colour Analysis that have misunderstood the concept and give poor information. As I mention below – you cannot easily conduct your own Colour Analysis session and without a trained eye it is easy to miss the nuances that different colours bring to the complexion. You really are better off with a professional Personal Colour Analysis.

Personal Colour Analysis

If you have reached this page because you are interested in having a Personal Colour Analysis our advice would be to find a consultant through our website here Colourflair Colour Consultant

If we do not have a Colour Analysis Consultant in your area then google Colour Analysis with your locality and you will receive the local information which will help you to make a decision.

You should look for someone who is regularly doing colour analysis. Without regular practice your consultant will lose their expertise quite quickly and you will be unlikely to have an accurate result. This may be identified if you find someone who is charging very little. It may be a hobby for them. A full colour analysis from a practising consultant will cost at least £100 and in many areas in the UK you could expect to pay £125-£225 (Updated September 2024). If you find something cheaper, the consultant may not be experienced or qualified, or offer a professional/business service. There may be hidden charges sa s a personalised swatch that is not included in the analysis fee.

Do not be tempted to have a group session either. Although it may be cheaper – we have already identified that this is a very individual process and result and therefore you should expect your consultants’ full attention and not share her time and expertise with others.

This is not something that you can easily do for yourself so using a self-help book, may not give you the correct results. So, although it is interesting to read about the subject, for an accurate analysis you need to pay for a professional colour analysis session.

How to Train in Colour Analysis

If you would like to take this information to the next stage there are several things that you can do immediately.

The first is to find a training course that meets your needs. Here are some questions that you might like to ask yourself…

Do I want to learn more for self-improvement or am I going to use the information in a business setting?

If you are going to use the information in a business environment – Are you planning to use the information to enhance the skills and knowledge set that you already have or are you planning to start a business centred around colour analysis?

What type of learner am I? Our article what’s your learning style is linked below….

These questions will help you decide how much you would like to pay for your training and whether you can easily re-coup your training costs, should you need to. Also consider how much time you may have to study each week/month

Here are some links to blog article that you may find helpful:

What’s your learning style?

How long will it take?

How to Recoup your Colour Analysis Training Costs

Cheap Colour Consultant Training

How much does it cost to train in Colour Analysis?

How to Get 30 Clients in 30 Days for Colour Analysis

Depending on your Learning style you may prefer a classroom environment. This is usually the most expensive option as you may have travel and accommodation costs to factor in, as well as the course fees.

Home study provides a more cost-effective option. Your training company provider should offer assignments for submission and assessment and you should look for one with a personal tutor too. Your tutor will give invaluable feedback and be able to guide you as you become a successful Colour Analyst.

Day classes and short courses: these are also cost-effective options, but generally only serve those who want to know more about the subject. While you can understand the concept and the practice in a training day, you will not develop the skill needed to offer a Colour Analysis service. Colour Analysis needs to be practiced. Draping one or two people in a class in not enough.

On-line courses are attractive because they too are generally a cost-effective option – but without assignments and assessments that involve more than just multiple choice, will only provide more information about the concepts of Colour Analysis.

The Advanced Colour Analysis Diploma offered by Training with Imagination and Colourflair is a home study course in seasonal colour analysis with a personal tutor, available by phone, email or skype/zoom. As well as the four basic seasons there is a 16 fan system which tailors the swatches to the individuals skin tone. There is an Association for Consultants to join which gives ongoing training, updates and business support. This is not a Franchise.

The Colourflair system does not rely solely on the Consultants expertise as this is a holistic approach in which several factors are taken into consideration – to establish an accurate result. Our students are confident in their learning to see some testimonials please click here.

Our course prospectus is here

What kit will I need?

At the very least your training course should provide you with the opportunity to buy drapes and a starter selection of fans or swatches.

At Training with Imagination we give you all the items that you will need to conduct a Colour Analysis session – include drapes, fans and a selection of miscellaneous items that you will use not only during your training, but also when you are a qualified consultant.

Fans/Swatches

Training with Imagination offers a variety of fans and swatches in the Trade Price List. Some are suitable for Personal Seasonal Colour Analysis, others have a tonal variation too and some can be used in small classes and workshops. Please contact us if you would like a copy of the Price List.

Can I make a successful business out of Seasonal Colour Analysis?

The short answer is Yes you can. The longer answer is that as with any business, it is not enough to have the practical skills. As well as being well trained in the technique of Colour Analysis – you will find that there are other skills that you will need. Several of these are directly related to business skills. Some of these you can learn or outsource if you have budget. Perseverance and commitment are also required if you are starting a new venture into the business world as a sole trader

Is colour analysis for me?

If you love colour then you will really enjoy finding out more about Colour Analysis and working with clients. If you prefer working in a team environment – then this may not be for you – and you may wish to find another opportunity that enables you to work in a company or with a team. Most Colour Analysis professionals run their own business and work as Sole Traders.

Colour Analysis and Covid-19

As life gets back to normality (although slowly) you can find out more here about Colour Analysis and Covid-19 – how our training resources are already updated for new students and Information has been disemminated to our qualified consultants.

Next Steps

If you’ve been inspired to find out more about Colour Analysis and would like to know more about training as a Consultant, you can find more details in our course prospectus by entering your email at the top of the page.

You will be sent a short series of emails with additional information to help you make a decision on our course. You can unsubscribe at any time.

In conclusion, Seasonal Colour Analysis can be a life changing experience for a person. It offers greater understanding of the colours that suit an individual best – giving them confidence and an ability to use colour to their advantage. Professional skills in Colour Analysis can be used as the basis for a successful business.

For more information about our quality training course, please request our information pack. This includes information about our trade items and Colour Kits and ongoing training and business support.

Article Updated February 2023

Further Reading:

Colour in itself is a huge topic upon which many very interesting books have been written. If you would like more general information about Colour, then a quick google search will provide you with books and topics on the subject. A search using Colour as the keyword on Amazon (books) will bring up a large selection of currently published books. The links below are a small selection on books that have been written on the subject and that may provide you with a good starting point:

Colour:

Colour – various Editors (Grange Books)

The Secret Lives of Colour – Kassia St Clair

Colour Psychology:

Color Psychology & Color Therapy – Faber Birren (Citadel Press)

The Beginner’s Guide to Colour Psychology – Angela Wright (Kyle Cathie)

In our BLOG we have a number of posts that you may also find interesting:

With inspiration from the Pantone Colour Institute:

Viva Magenta The Pantone Colour of 2023