Everything you need to know about getting your colours done.

Including how to figure out what 'season' you are.

Jun 27, 2024

Recently, I found myself going down the endless ‘colour analysis’ rabbit hole on TikTok. Hundreds of videos with millions of views were screaming at me, demanding I get my colours done because apparently it will change everything.

Confused? Allow me to explain. Colour analysis is a process where a professional examines your features to identify which shades suit you best. This isn't arbitrary; it's based on colour theory to determine your seasonal palette.

A person can sit in one of 12 seasonal groups under the four major seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring.

For example, if you fall under winter you most likely look best in cool and bright shades. But if you’re a spring, you would suit light, warm and vivid colours.

If my explanation has left you even more confused then luckily, stylist and colour expert Kim Crowley has returned to Nothing To Wear this week, and she’s talking all things colour analysis.

(Also, keep scrolling because we’ve created a free quiz to help you figure out what season you sit under and what colours suit you best!)

Mia Freedman, Kim Crowley and Leigh Campbell. Image: Instagram @style.sense.

Kim has years of experience under her incredibly chic belt and has worked with some of the biggest fashion brands in the world during her 20-year career.

After graduating from the London College of Fashion, she spent 15 years working as a global designer for retailers like H&M, Marks & Spencer, Nordstrom, Myer, City Chic and ASOS.

Her work spans Sydney, London, New Zealand and Dubai and she’s been featured in publications like Vogue, Elle, InStyle and Grazia.

Yep, she’s impressive. And she was also joined on Nothing to Wear by Mamamia’s very own Mia Freedman, who has been obsessed with colour theory since she had her colours done.

The Mamamia Out Loud podcast hosts getting their colours done. Image: Instagram @style.sense.

Listen to Why You Need To Do Your Colours Immediately here. Post continues below.

Here’s what you need to know about colour theory.

Knowing your colours is a shortcut to feeling better in your clothes.

Turns out, knowing your colours can have a bigger impact than you would think. According to Kim, wearing colours that compliment us best can brighten and uplift our face, functioning almost like an anti-aging treatment for the body.

“When we're matching your ideal palette with your unique features, you're going to look better. So your skin will look glowy, your hair will look glossy, your eyes will look brighter and your fine lines will be decreased,” said Kim.

There’s a reason why you don’t like wearing certain colours and that’s because they don’t look good on you.

Those shades you avoid wearing because you feel they don't suit you? It's not in your head – those colours are likely the wrong undertone for your skin, which can make them appear mismatched.

“Basically the wrong colours just make you look washed out,” said Mia.

Black isn’t everyone’s neutral.

Sorry to break your heart, but it’s possible that the black clothes you love and adore aren’t doing you any favours.

“I've realised that black, white and grey are actually really harsh and quite dull, so black can actually take the colour out of people,” said Kim.

Instead, choose colours like espresso brown, moss green, and true French navy. These shades complement most people and can be styled similarly to black.

Find out your undertone. Are you warm, cool or neutral?

Finding out your undertone is easier than you think, and you don’t need to visit a professional to find out.

“If you light up in silver, then you’re cool. If you light up in gold, then you're more warm. But if you're not really sure, and you look quite good in both, then you're probably neutral,” said Kim.

“Looking at your veins is [also] a really good test and I want you to get together with your friends to look at your veins because then you can compare your colours. If your veins are more blue, you’re cooler. If they’re green you’re warmer and if they’re neither, then you’re most likely neutral.”