There are really only 3 steps in analyzing yourself in the advanced 12 season color analysis system. The 3rd step is optional; it is mainly for if you want to cross check your analysis or if you get stuck in determining your Secondary characteristic.
In front of a large mirror, with good lighting, study yourself from shoulders up. Leave your hair down unless your hair color is very different from its natural coloring. Wear little to no makeup.
1. Determine your Dominant characteristic.
The dominant characteristic is the trait that is most obvious when you look at yourself. Look for one of these 6 traits:
1. Deep: Strong, rich, dark coloring. Dark hair and eyes. Skin may or may not be dark.
2. Light: Very light and delicate. Light eyes and hair. Usually a natural blonde at some point in their lives.
3. Warm: Yellow based colors; no blue undertones. Red hair and green or blue eyes are common. But other warm hair colors are found, too.
4. Cool: Blue based colors; no yellow or golden undertones. You will often see a pink or rosy glow to their cheeks. Eyes are most often blue, but grey is common too.
5. Clear: Bright, clear colors; nothing muted or dusty. Eyes are often clear and sparkly.
6. Muted: Soft, dusty colors; nothing bright and overpowering. There is little contrast between the eyes, skin and hair. Hair color will often be described as “mousy”.
2. Determine Secondary characteristic
Once you have determined your dominant characteristic, next decide if warmer or the cooler colors look best. If “Warm” or “Cool” is already your dominant characteristic, decide whether clear or muted colors look best. For example: if you decided that your dominant trait is “Warm”, decide whether you look best in warm muted colors, which would make you a Warm Autumn, or warm clear colors, which would make you a Warm Spring. After finishing these two steps, you will be one of 12 seasons:
Deep, Cool Colors = Deep Winter
Deep, warm colors = Deep Autumn.
Light, warm colors = Light Spring
Light, Cool colors = Light Summer
Clear, cool colors = Clear Winter
Clear, warm colors = Clear Spring
Soft, warm colors = Soft Autumn
Soft, cool colors = Soft Summer
Warm, clear colors = Warm Spring
Warm, muted colors = Warm Autumn
Cool, muted colors = Cool Summer
Cool, clear colors = Cool Winter
3. Test Drape Key Colors
If you have determined your dominant trait and are still a little unsure whether you lean toward cool colors or warm colors, then test these colors against your face with a swatch, a scarf or sweater. While most seasons share colors from their “sister season” (the two seasons that share one dominant characteristic), there will be certain colors which will look best for one season over the other. Below are some of those colors for each dominant group:
DEEP AUTUMN vs. DEEP WINTER
Salmon Pink vs. Fuchsia
Light Peach vs. Icy Pink
Terracotta vs. Burgundy
LIGHT SPRING vs. LIGHT SUMMER
Bright Coral vs. Deep Rose
Camel vs. Cocoa
Light moss vs. Aqua green
WARM SPRING vs. WARM AUTUMN
Light Mango vs. Pumpkin
Medium Blue vs. Jade
Clear Red vs. Rust
COOL SUMMER vs. COOL WINTER
Soft White vs. Pure white
Lavender vs. Royal Purple
Raspberry vs. True Red
SOFT SUMMER vs. SOFT AUTUMN
Blue Green vs. Olive Green
Soft Fuchsia vs. Salmon Pink
Burgundy vs. Mahogany
CLEAR SPRING vs. CLEAR WINTER
Warm Pink vs. Magenta
True Green vs. Pine Green
True Blue vs. Royal Blue
Last step: Have Fun with your Colors!