My Personal Color Analysis Journey: Discovering My True Colors
Personal color analysis was a game-changer for me. I used to choose colors based on what I liked, not what actually suited me. After finally giving color analysis a try, I discovered a palette that truly flatters my features.
Now, getting dressed feels easier, more fun, and so much more me! What I learned might just help you discover your best colors, too.
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Inside My Personal Color Analysis
Have you ever looked into your closet and wondered why some clothes just don’t make you feel amazing…despite being in your favorite colors?
That used to be me.
So for my 60th birthday, I decided to give myself a gift that had been on my wish list for years: a professional personal color analysis. And not just for me—I invited my twin daughters, Madeline and Samantha, to join me.
Let’s just say, it was a colorful adventure from start to finish!
Why I Finally Did It (And Made It a Family Affair)
Let’s be honest—getting your “colors done” isn’t exactly a budget-friendly afternoon. But for years, I’d wanted to dive into the world of personal color analysis. I’d watched the videos, read the articles, and followed the social media rabbit hole of draping magic.
I was endlessly curious about whether the colors I thought looked good on me were actually doing me any favors.
So, for my 60th birthday, I decided to go for it. A splurge, yes. But also an investment in my confidence, my closet, and a little birthday joy.
As icing on the (color-coordinated) cake, I invited my twin daughters, Madeline and Samantha, to join me.
A shared experience, three different palettes, and a whole lot of laughs? Sign me up!
Of course, in true Nebraska fashion, an ice storm rolled in the night before our appointment. But trying to reschedule with three calendars that look like air traffic control was not an option. We bundled up, drove carefully to Omaha, and arrived safely, determined, if slightly frozen.
The Color Analysis Process: No Makeup, No Hair, All Eyes on You
We worked with the incredible Darcie from House of Colour in Omaha, NE. From the moment we walked in, she was warm, welcoming, and truly knowledgeable. And trust me, that matters!
Seasonal color analysis can be a little vulnerable—you’re sitting in a chair with no makeup, hair covered in a white cap, draped in white fabric, staring at yourself in a mirror… while your daughters watch. So yes, a kind and authentic consultant makes all the difference.
We started bare-faced—no makeup allowed. Each of us took a turn being draped in fabric swatches in different tones and shades while Darcie watched how our skin, eyes, and overall glow responded.
At first, it felt a little uncomfortable. I mean, no makeup and a white towel cape? Not exactly my best look.
Darcie began switching the drapes, and the magic started.
Dark chocolate brown or milk chocolate brown?
Which is the best red? The best blue?
As we watched the fabric drapes change, there emerged a pattern for each one of us.
We had so much applauding the good colors and “booing” the bad colors!
I was stunned by how much my skin tone changed from one color to the next. Some shades made my skin look sallow or tired, while others made my eyes sparkle and my under-eye circles disappear (where was this trick during my teaching years?!). It was fascinating!
Makeup plays a key role in color analysis, too. Once our seasonal color palettes were determined, Darcie introduced us to make-up palettes customized to our seasonal color. These were perfectly curated pieces that gave us a natural glow…and could be applied in 90 seconds!
A little under-eye concealer, mineral powder, blush, and the perfect lipstick. Spoiler alert: I’m obsessed with my Geranium Red lipstick!
Darcie even gave us each a little advice on hair color for those of us (ahem) who get a little grey cover once in a while!
We had so much fun during our four hour session! Thank you so much to Darcie at House of Colour Omaha for an AMAZING experience!
Meet the Seasons: Our Results Revealed
The biggest surprise? Even though we’re all related—and my daughters are twins—we each ended up with a different season. Isn’t that wild?
- Me: I’m a Spring! My best colors are warm, clear, and bright—flamingo pink, turquoise, hyacinth, and leaf green. As someone who already loves color, I was thrilled! The warm undertones and pure colors work beautifully with my light skin and green eyes (that sometimes turn blue with certain colors!) I was so glad that my palette includes bright colors. So Oxford blue can live in my closet and even reflect the decor in the rest of my house! The only disappointment for me is that black and white are NOT in my palette. (sigh.) Well, I will probably always have some black and white in my closet. But, as I shop forward, I will look for dove grey and cream!
Please note: the only difference in each of these photos is the lipstick and the “Wow!” colors that we are drape with. The make-up is exactly the same. See what a difference the colors by our faces makes!
- Samantha: She’s a Winter, and I swear her jewel tones deserve a runway! (I’m a little jealous of some of the jewel tones!) Her palette is cool, dramatic, and vivid, with strong contrasts that make her brown eyes absolutely pop! And, winner, winner, chicken dinner….Her palette includes black and white! Basically, her chic New York wardrobe got a major stamp of approval.
- Madeline: She’s an Autumn! Madeline was initially disappointed as she loves the bright color of the Spring season. (“I don’t want to look like a Thanksgiving table!” were her exact words.) But once she saw how rich, warm colors like mustard yellow, deep teal, and burnt orange lit up her face, she came around. (Im jealous of some of her colors too!) And now? She looks incredible in peacock blue and burnt orange. Who knew?
Can we pause to appreciate that even twins can have different results? That’s the beauty of personal color analyses—each person’s natural coloring is truly unique!
What about Summer? None of us turned out to be a Summer. But the descriptor words for Summer are soft, blue, smoky, and rose!
We laughed, we gasped, we cheered for each other. It was such a blast—and such a sweet way to connect and support one another. I loved seeing how confident my girls felt walking out with their palettes in hand.
Closet Clean-Outs and Color Parties
Once we got home, we each took a good hard look at our closets. And thus, our family “Closet Parties” were born.
We gathered at each person’s closet, tried on clothes, and laughed a LOT with ruthless editing…and sharing!
Each of us hosted our own little wardrobe review session. Armed with our personal color palettes—complete with our “Wow colors.”
We pulled out clothes, held them up to our palettes, and asked the all-important question: “Does this bring out my Wow Colors—or make me look a little meh?”
Anything that didn’t match our seasonal color palette (ok, we kept some.) went into a donate-or-swap pile.
We swapped, donated, and made mental notes. I gave some of my autumn and winter pieces to my daughters, and was delighted to receive a few spring-friendly pieces in return.
A Little Tip: Closet clean-outs are even a little more fun when there’s champagne and color swatches involved!
Now, have I gotten rid of everything that’s not in my palette? Absolutely not.
I still have a healthy dose of black in my wardrobe (it’s just practical!), and I just can’t part with my fuchsia pink pieces—even though they’re technically Winter colors.
But thanks to Darcie’s helpful styling tips, I now know how to soften the contrast with scarves, earrings, or layering pieces that are in my palette.
Balance, baby!
My Color Palette in Action: Seeing (and Wearing) the Difference
I now have a versatile, bright Spring-inspired capsule wardrobe full of colors I love—and wow, do they make me feel good.
There’s my cobalt blue puffer vest that makes my eyes look brighter.
A leaf green shirt that somehow makes me look like I’ve had more sleep than I actually have.
And a patterned blouse full of vibrant Spring colors takes away undereye circles without any concealer! And my new “Geranium Red” lipstick? Let’s just say it’s earned compliments from strangers!
It’s not just about how I look in these colors. It’s about how I feel. I walk a little taller. I feel more put-together—even in jeans and a tee. Color is powerful, y’all!
What about jewelry? For Spring and Autumn, gold accessories will give a warm, flattering glow. For Summer and Winter, silver achieves the same effect!
The Reality Check: Living with Your Palette
Here’s the thing: life doesn’t always fit neatly into a color deck. There will be moments when you just want to wear that cozy charcoal sweater or a sleek black dress.
And that’s okay!
It’s not always easy to give up favorite colors. And sometimes fashion trends don’t cater to your color season. That’s where creativity comes in.
Social media is full of color analysis reveals and shopping hauls, but it’s your personal coloring that matters. I lean on my color deck (it lives in my purse now!) and even use it when making decorating decisions for my home!
Look at how much color palette works with my new dining room wallpaper!
Online stores can be hit-or-miss with lighting and photo filters, but your color deck keeps you grounded. Look for clothing descriptions that mention color dimensions like “cool tones,” “warm undertones,” or even specific seasons like “light spring” or “soft summer.”
What I’ve learned is that personal color analysis isn’t a strict rulebook—it’s a helpful guide. It gives you a foundation to work from, and the tools to make smart, flattering choices. But it doesn’t mean you have to toss out every beloved item that doesn’t match your swatches.
My approach? Prioritize my palette when I shop and use accessories and makeup to bring balance when I wear colors that aren’t in it.
And most importantly, wear what makes me feel good!
Thinking About Getting Your Colors Done?
Here’s my advice:
- Do it for YOU. Whether it’s for a big birthday, a fresh start, or just curiosity, it’s worth it.
- Choose a great consultant. Look for someone experienced, approachable, and honest. (Darcie with House of Colour Omaha was fabulous!)
- Go makeup-free and open-minded. It might feel a little weird at first, but trust the process.
- Use the palette as a tool, not a rule. It’s there to empower you, not limit you.
And if you can share the experience with someone you love? Even better!
So, Was It Worth It?
So was it worth it? Absolutely!
The whole thing—from the ice storm drive to the make-up palette discoveries—was a good idea.
Color theory isn’t just about pretty colors. It’s about embracing your natural beauty, understanding the color of your skin, and highlighting your unique features. A professional color analysis is the best way to find flattering colors that reflect who you are and how you want to feel.
It gave us great individual looks, a deeper appreciation for color theories, and honestly, a lot of laughs.
If you’ve ever considered colour analysis (British spelling and all), let this be your nudge.
Whether you’re into fashion trends or just want perfect outfits that make you feel like your best self, a personal color analysis could be your favorite new starting point.
And sharing it with my daughters? That was the real gift!
Have you had your colors done? Let me know in the comments and share your season!
Cheers!
A Little About Me
Hi! I’m missy. So happy to meet you!
“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness”
I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.
I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends. Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!
– cheers –
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Shop Till You Drop
This is so fun! I love that you’re each a different season. The photos of you and your girls are beautiful! Also, I thought you were much younger than 60!
You are too sweet! (and make my day!) Thank you, Erin!