How to Tell If a Color Looks Good on You
You try on a top in a color you love, look in the mirror, and wonder: Does this actually look good on me?
Maybe someone compliments the shirt, yet you still feel you need a little more concealer, blush or lipstick to pull it off. If you’ve wondered how to tell if a color looks good on you, start by looking at what happens to your face when you wear it.
During a color analysis at my Perkasie studio, I help clients notice what changes in their faces as we compare drapes. These observations are useful when you’re shopping, too, even if you already know your season and just aren’t sure whether a shade fits your palette.
Look at Your Skin to Find Colors That Flatter You
One of the first things I watch is how even a client’s complexion appears.
A flattering color may help skin look clearer and more balanced. Another shade might emphasize redness, bring out a yellow cast, or deepen shadows around the eyes and mouth.
I recently worked with a Summer client whose skin had a warm surface appearance. You might have expected gold to suit her. But gold emphasized that yellow warmth and made her complexion look sallow. Silver helped her skin look much more balanced.
That’s why the comparison matters. Surface coloring alone doesn’t tell you how a color will look against your skin.
Notice How the Color Affects Your Features
When you look in the mirror, do you notice your face first, or does the color take over?
A shade that’s too strong may pull your attention toward the shirt while your face fades into the background. Something too subdued might leave you looking a little flat.
Look at your eyes, lips and jawline, too. In a flattering color, your eyes may look clearer, your natural lip color more noticeable, and your face more defined. Another shade might emphasize shadows or make your features seem less distinct.
Sometimes these differences are subtle. Switching between two fabrics a few times can make them easier to see.
Compare Similar Shades to Find Your Best Colors
Before deciding you can’t wear blue, green or pink, try a few versions.
Compare a blue with a similar teal blue. That touch of warmth from the green can make all the difference for someone who needs it.
Small changes in brightness matter, too. With a recent Deep Autumn client, a slightly clearer, brighter teal made her complexion appear more even. The softer teal was wearable, but it dulled her appearance a little by comparison.
If you already have your palette, use it as your starting point. When a match isn’t obvious, hold the garment near your face and look for these same effects. Compare it with another shade if you can. Does one leave your skin looking more even? Can you see your features clearly, or is the color distracting?
This gives you something practical to look for beyond trying to match a tiny swatch perfectly.
Extra tips on how to tell if a color looks good on you
At home, stand near a window in indirect daylight and hold fabrics beneath your chin. Keep the lighting and your position consistent as you switch colors.
Try it without makeup if you’re comfortable. Foundation, blush and lipstick can make the differences harder to see.
Store lighting can be tricky, so move toward natural light when possible. And be cautious with phone photos, since automatic exposure and color adjustments can change what you’re seeing.
Make room for colors you love
You can still enjoy a color that isn’t your most flattering. Knowing your colors gives you more information, but you don’t need to scrutinize everything you wear.
Start by noticing which shades are easy to wear and which leave you wanting to add makeup or change your top. You may already recognize more of these differences than you realize.
If you’d like help finding your colors and seeing these effects for yourself, book a personal color analysis with me in Perkasie, Bucks County, PA. We’ll work through the comparisons together so you can feel more confident choosing and wearing your colors.
Be Truly You.
