Colorimetry: Which Colors Suit Me Best? The Test

Which color suits my complexion the best? Knowing your colorimetry is not so obvious. Which colors from the color wheel should you wear and which colors should you avoid to shine? Colorimetry is the art of choosing colors in harmony with your skin tone, the color of your hair, and the hues of your eye iris. Your ideal colors will brighten your face, conceal small imperfections, and make you look younger. Result: a healthy glow, boosted morale, and guaranteed self-confidence! Are you ready to take your colorimetry test?

What is the secret of women with sublime and harmonious looks that make them shine day after day? How do they capture attention, convey their ideas with conviction to the men and women around them, and get what they want?

Self-confidence? It’s important but not enough.

Are they at the forefront of fashion? No, it’s not about that either.

Here, I’m talking about a secret ingredient, unconscious, subliminal.

They master the art of colorimetry. The principle of colorimetry is to know which colors enhance you the most.

The power of colors on our self-confidence and the effect we have on others is far from negligible. Science says so! From the discovery of the three primary and complementary colors to current marketing, we have learned a lot and still have much to learn about the role of colors on ourselves.

Yet, colorimetry is greatly underestimated by the general public. Stars and designers master this well-kept secret, of course. So we tend to follow fashion trends, act on impulse, or go for cheap basics without really understanding why a particular garment or accessory appeals to us.

Result: a bland and generic clothing style, a mismatched wardrobe, a lot of money wasted, and a self-confidence that is always low. 

Knowing and mastering your colorimetry will greatly improve your life: better non-verbal communication, more assurance, and boosted self-confidence.

The result of your colorimetry test will help you in your future shopping sessions to create an ideal wardrobe that matches your personality. But also in terms of makeup with more suitable eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick colors. Not to mention the color of your hair (if dyed). And even the colors of your earrings, necklaces, and hair accessories (scarves, clips, etc.).

Did you enjoy this preamble? Learn more about the meaning of colors, the 5 benefits of colorimetry in your daily life, and the origins of colorimetry with our complete guide. Also discover the advanced version of the colorimetry test, look suggestions, and all the answers to your questions.

To perform your colorimetry test, your face must be clean and completely makeup-free. Remove all your jewelry and accessories, including those on your hands. In terms of materials, you will need:

• of a large mirror;
• of natural light;
• of a white headband;
• of a white t-shirt;
• of several fabrics of different colors to perform the draping test. 

Draping helps identify the undertone of your skin that never changes, unlike surface pigmentation. The latter evolves with tanning, pregnancy, fatigue, illness, or smoking.

Gather as many fabrics of very different colors on one hand, and others belonging to the same color families. Draw from your closets, those of your children, and even from your household linen (sheets, towels, curtains, cushions, etc.). Create pairs of warm/cool and light/deep colors such as gold/silver, brick orange/fuchsia pink, etc.

Sit in front of your mirror, bathed in natural light. Put on the white t-shirt, tie your hair back, and place the white headband around your face to neutralize the effect of your hair color on your complexion. Your colorimetry test can begin.

This first phase of the colorimetry test determines the effect of warm and cool colors on your face. The temperature of your skin tone is unchangeable: neither tanning nor age will ever alter it. However, it is easier to identify on untanned skin.

To start the draping test, place a cool-toned fabric under your face that completely covers your shoulders and observe your face. Then cover it with a warm-toned fabric. If possible, start with two shiny fabrics: one gold and one silver. If you don't have them, opt for a bright orange (warm) and an intense fuchsia (cool). 

Carefully observe your face: does it look lighter or grayer with this fabric? Brighter or duller? Does this shade age you? Are your dark circles more pronounced or less noticeable? Do the imperfections in your skin stand out more? 

Lower and raise the second fabric several times while closely examining the different areas of your face. Take your time. Ask for the opinion of another person if the result is not obvious.

To confirm this initial result, also test these color duos:

• two strong and intense colors: brick red (warm) and burgundy (cool).
• two pale and light colors: salmon (warm) and pink (cool).

Warm tones include ivory, peach, golden beige, or caramel, as well as golden bronze, dark copper, "latte," or maple. Indeed, they contain a hint of yellow that resonates with warm-colored fabrics. The result: your complexion brightens in contact with warm colors, your dark circles lighten, and your eyes sparkle.

Cool tones include porcelain, beige, rosy beige, olive, almond, mocha, cocoa, mahogany, ebony, and dark blue-tinged black. Skin lacking yellow tends to have a slightly bluish undertone. This is why cool tones enhance it better by smoothing imperfections to make your pretty eyes shine.

The different skin tones are detailed further in the ebook, and as a bonus, three quick tips help you determine if you have a warm or cool complexion.

When you wear a color that is in harmony with your natural palette, your best features "stand out." Your eyes shine, your skin is smoother, and your teeth appear whiter. The right colors minimize dark circles under your eyes and refresh your gaze.

A color suits you if it harmonizes with your natural colors (skin tone, hair, eyes), if it makes you look good, and if it guides the eyes of your interlocutor towards your face. You look radiant, open, joyful...

A color does not suit you if it visually shocks, if it stands out too much, if it makes you look unwell, and if wearing it makes you appear closed off, tired, harsh, or serious...

Important to remember: above all, a "good color" fades away to highlight YOU. Your outfit is important to embody your personality, but it should not define you. On the contrary, it should serve your face and silhouette.

Each warm and cool color comes in an infinite number of shades, from the softest to the most intense. Generally, intense colors are more contrasted with each other, while soft and pale colors are more harmonious and form color families. 

If your complexion is enhanced by warm colors, your season will determine your color palette depending on whether you are a spring woman or an autumn woman. If your complexion brightens with cool colors, you will quickly know if you are a summer woman or a winter woman.

The colorimetry seasonal test involves refining the result of your skin tone's temperature. To do this, repeat the draping test by keeping only the fabrics that suit your complexion best.

Then create new color duos with an intense shade and a soft color of the same hue. For example: light pink and fuchsia pink, pastel mauve and bright violet, sky blue and navy blue. Here’s some inspiration:

This colorimetry seasonal test is more delicate than the temperature test because both colors suit your complexion. But one of them will better illuminate your face, making it more harmonious, younger, and softer. Observe the result without a white headband and with your hair down to be 100% sure.

Let's detail each of the four color profiles more precisely so that you can be sure you've arrived at the right diagnosis.

The Spring woman typically has light hair, a golden blonde (not ash) or Venetian blonde, which can even lean towards light brown. Her white hair has cream to golden highlights. Her light skin tans little and her eyes have golden flecks, whether they are blue, green, or brown. 

The colors that suit her best: warm, bright, and soft colors including yellow such as oranges, warm pinks, greens, and warm blues (turquoise). Among neutral colors, we recommend ivory white, sand beige, camel, golden brown, or light warm gray.

To learn more about your Spring colorimetry and get personalized fashion and makeup advice with current and trendy look ideas, check out our complete guide to colorimetry here.

The summer woman often has a pale face that tans easily, framed by light hair ranging from ash blonde to brown.

The colors that suit her best: cool and light colors such as pastels and neutral shades that brighten her very light natural colors.

To learn more about your Summer colorimetry and get personalized fashion and makeup advice, check out our complete guide to colorimetry here

The autumn woman comes in two types:

• Autumn woman with a "redhead" appearance: her milky skin tans little, her face has small freckles, and her hair ranges from fiery red to copper auburn. One tip: play with contrasts like your white skin against your bright hair.

• Autumn woman with coppery skin and dark hair: she likely has Mediterranean, mixed, or black skin origins that allow her to tan easily. Tip: stay within the harmony of your natural colors.

The colors that suit her best: warm and intense shades like curry, orange, camel, brown, cognac, bronze, but also burgundy and khaki.

To learn more about your Autumn colorimetry and get personalized fashion and makeup advice with current and trendy look ideas, discover our complete guide on colorimetry here.

The winter woman has a subtly golden complexion. Her hair, ranging from dark chestnut to brown, mahogany, and even ebony black, can lighten in summer with coppery highlights. They give her a Snow White appearance.  

The colors that suit her best: cool and intense colors such as dark blue, fuchsia pink, purple, raw blue, coral, and burgundy.

To learn more about your Winter colorimetry and get personalized fashion and makeup advice with current and trendy look ideas, check out our complete guide on colorimetry here.

You now know your colorimetry profile, those colors that enhance you the most among all the colors of the rainbow. Those that make you look younger, more dynamic, and more confident.

Shopping sessions will be all the more enjoyable and quick. Now, you know the types of clothing, makeup, jewelry, and accessories that make you shine, make you more attractive, more radiant, and more stunning than ever! 

New questions may arise as you learn about your colorimetry profile, and they are completely legitimate. For example: 

This article has helped you find your season and your personalized color palette. But how to apply it daily in your shopping sessions? How to create harmonious looks? What essential pieces to invest in for a quality, sustainable wardrobe filled with elegance?

Discover our ebook to go further with a wealth of additional tips to showcase yourself like never before! Colorimetry will hold no secrets for you.