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If you’ve been on TikTok at all in the past few months, you’ve probably seen someone getting a color analysis. The trend has been going viral on social media lately, and if you log into the app these days, you’ll likely see at least one person trying it out. For those of you who don’t know what a color analysis is, it’s basically an “analysis” of what colors will look best on you, taking into account your hair color, eye color, and skin tone and complexion.
People fall into four main color palettes named after the seasons: Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Winter. There is a primary color that represents each season, but there are many variations based on saturation, contrast, and undertones. This process helps you identify the colors that look best on you when it comes to clothing, makeup, and hair color.
Experts featured in this article
Karina Hui is M Cosmetics.
I’d been wanting to try color analysis for a long time, and during a recent visit to Em Cosmetics headquarters, I finally got the chance to do so and meet certified color analyst Karina Hui. When I arrived for my first scheduled appointment, Hui took me to a station next to a large window that let in plenty of natural light. After giving me an overview of the process and the benefits of color analysis, she instructed me to sit in front of the mirror. From there, she draped me in a white cloth and tucked the ends of my hair into it, ensuring that the colors I was testing wouldn’t get in the way or clash with my skin tone.
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/k32NRt9Ks8-8z6GxK6QgGQZQwl0=/fit-in/792x446/top/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_IYZN9x_cd8793872fe85bb0_Attachment-1_copy.jpg)
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/k32NRt9Ks8-8z6GxK6QgGQZQwl0=/fit-in/792x446/top/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_IYZN9x_cd8793872fe85bb0_Attachment-1_copy.jpg)
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/k32NRt9Ks8-8z6GxK6QgGQZQwl0=/fit-in/792x446/top/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_IYZN9x_cd8793872fe85bb0_Attachment-1_copy.jpg)
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/k32NRt9Ks8-8z6GxK6QgGQZQwl0=/fit-in/792x446/top/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_IYZN9x_cd8793872fe85bb0_Attachment-1_copy.jpg)
Then, for the next hour, Hui draped fabric samples of different colors over my chest, under my face, helping me determine my skin tone and season. Along the way, she stopped at different shades to point out specifics. For example, she wanted me to realize that even though my wardrobe consists primarily of black and white (the two “winter” seasonal colors), those colors make me look dull, accentuate blemishes, and make my lips look pale. Instead, she showed me that a creamy white or a warm black would suit me.
As for my skin tone, she explained that it is neutral undertones, which is what I would expect based on the makeup products I use, and as for the season, I have autumn skin, but darker undertones, so shades that are more saturated on the color wheel suit me best.
While my color range leans more toward neutral, Hui says she sees me as using warmer colors. She also says that the mid-to-dark spectrum suits me best. “Too dark makes me look heavy and disjointed, too light makes me look washed out. I love cream colors though,” she says. As for muted and bright colors, grayish colors wash me out and the brightest colors don’t suit me either.
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/5W-nXbaL7jL9ejB8HPFyePoshag=/fit-in/792x1391/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_1Xza4q_aeeb3a4725aa3b10_IMG_0305.jpg)
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/5W-nXbaL7jL9ejB8HPFyePoshag=/fit-in/792x1391/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_1Xza4q_aeeb3a4725aa3b10_IMG_0305.jpg)
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But because I’m a dark autumn, Hui says I can get away with dark winter colors like soft black (so, thankfully, I don’t have to throw out my entire wardrobe).
We also discovered that gold jewelry looks best on me, rather than silver, so we discussed what makeup shades would suit me. We tried out different M Cosmetics products, and she showed me different shades that flattered me best. She suggested I try a red lip, but I was adamantly against it. But I promised to try other shades that were a bit outside my comfort zone.
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/fck37eHMxLsOeiJfEw39iiQH15g=/fit-in/792x1378/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_iFU4Ys_8edc909603ba3bf4_IMG_0302.jpg)
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/fck37eHMxLsOeiJfEw39iiQH15g=/fit-in/792x1378/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_iFU4Ys_8edc909603ba3bf4_IMG_0302.jpg)
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/fck37eHMxLsOeiJfEw39iiQH15g=/fit-in/792x1378/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_iFU4Ys_8edc909603ba3bf4_IMG_0302.jpg)
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/fck37eHMxLsOeiJfEw39iiQH15g=/fit-in/792x1378/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_iFU4Ys_8edc909603ba3bf4_IMG_0302.jpg)
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/9F6hBWr7qC7mYMQ7CMVCAUqc_uI=/fit-in/792x1361/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_2eMxIJ_8ee960b063e81280_IMG_0303.jpg)
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/9F6hBWr7qC7mYMQ7CMVCAUqc_uI=/fit-in/792x1361/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_2eMxIJ_8ee960b063e81280_IMG_0303.jpg)
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/9F6hBWr7qC7mYMQ7CMVCAUqc_uI=/fit-in/792x1361/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_2eMxIJ_8ee960b063e81280_IMG_0303.jpg)
![Color Analysis Editor Experiment](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/9F6hBWr7qC7mYMQ7CMVCAUqc_uI=/fit-in/792x1361/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2024/06/11/089/n/1922153/tmp_2eMxIJ_8ee960b063e81280_IMG_0303.jpg)
I want to be clear: I’m not yet ready to try out other colors — I’m a die-hard all-black wardrobe fan — but the response to my new makeup looks has been overwhelmingly positive, so I’m excited to keep experimenting.
Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer at PS. She writes across all disciplines, but her primary specialty is fashion and beauty content, with a focus on reviews and editorial experimentation. She also produces social content for PS’s TikTok and Instagram accounts.