Learning about colour analysis can take you down a rabbit hole of information that can quite honestly be overwhelming. If you’ve ever been in a colour analysis forum - like on Facebook groups or Reddit - you’ve likely heard certain terms thrown around and have wondered what they all mean. I see a lot of the same questions come up in these threads: What does undertone mean? How can you tell if someone is cool or warm? Are muted and soft the same thing?
While it might take some time to fully understand these things - I’d like to break down the most common elements that are involved in colour analysis and explain what they all mean.
Three Main Dimensions
There are 3 dimensions or categories when we look at colour analysis. These dimensions - or measurements - are how we see different colours. These dimensions—Bright vs. Soft, Light vs. Deep, and Cool vs. Warm—help determine which colors harmonize with an individual’s natural features, ensuring they look their best.
Cool or Warm
A colour’s temperature - or if it’s cool or warm is probably the most foundational measurement in colour analysis. It’s definitely the one I see referred to the most, with the most common question being about undertone. But first, let’s look at it on the colour level:
Cool Colors: These have blue undertones, appearing icy or refreshing. Examples include shades like emerald green, royal blue, and cherry red. Imagine adding a drop of blue paint to any color you have on your palette. Cool colors usually complement individuals with cooler undertones or overall cool colouring.
Warm Colors: With yellow undertones, these shades feel inviting and cozy. Examples include mustard yellow, coral, and burnt orange. Imagine adding a drop of yellow paint to any color you have on your palette. Warm colors are usually best for individuals with warm undertones or features.
“Am I cool or warm?”
This is the number one question I see in forums and people tend to use a variety of ways of determining if a person is cool or warm. Here’s the snag - a person isn’t cool or warm. They may have a cool or warm undertone and suit cool or warm colours. Because we can’t see undertone, you can’t usually just look at a person and tell if they are cool or warm. It requires draping (holding fabrics up to your face) to see how you look when compared against cool or warm colours.
Cool vs. Warm Misconceptions
Confusing Overtone with Undertone. A big misconception I see here is thinking that someone IS cool or warm based on how they look when really we’re looking at their overtone (the surface of the skin). For example - sometimes people with a tan or golden glow actually have a cool undertone - but their overtone is warm. A good example here is Megan Fox. She usually has some sort of tan but suits the colours from the cool season of Bright Winter best. Something to keep in mind here is that pale skin does not always equal cool and tan skin does not always equal warm.
The Vein Test. The second misleading practice is to look at veins to determine undertone. There is a myth that blue veins in your wrist = cool undertone and green veins = warm undertone. But guess what - we all have varying colours of veins for different reasons - blue, green and purple. These do not determine or even hint towards your undertone.
Bright or Soft
This is another colour dimension that can be a bit tricky to determine just by looking at someone. Usually, it’s best to drape different colours of fabrics to get a sense of if the person comes forward when against bright or soft colours. But what’s the difference?
Bright colours are as close as possible to the true hue. This means a colour without anything added to it. They appear bright, bold and crisp. They are usually best for those who have a high contrast because the high contrast level of the colour balances with the high contrast level of the person. When bright colours are paired with a lower contrast person, the colour may appear overwhelming on them.
Soft colours are colours with black or white added. When grey is added (black and white combined) this also makes it muted. Soft colours are far less intense and usually suit those that have a lower contrast level in their features. If you pair soft colours with a high contrast person, it can sometimes make them appear grey or dull their appearance.
Bright vs. Soft Misconceptions
High Contrast does not always equal bright. A general trick I’ve seen to figure out if someone is bright or muted is to measure their contrast level - that being the difference in depth or lightness between their features. Usually this is done with a black and white photo. But - it’s possible for someone to be high contrast (think: deep coloured hair, fair skin and deep coloured eyes) and not be bright. 
Soft and Muted are similar, but not the same. Soft colours are those with either white added to make it lighter than the pure hue or black added to make it darker than the pure hue. Both of these things soften a colour and make it less bright. But when you add grey to a colour (both black and white) - it becomes muted. So - a colour can be soft but not muted or both soft and muted.
Light or Deep
This dimension is easier to assess at a glance since it aligns with a person’s inherent coloring. If someone has low contrast between their features and an overall light appearance, they will likely suit light colours. If they have high contrast and an overall deep or dark appearance, they will likely suit deep colours. But looking at colours - what is the difference?
Light Colors: These have white added to the hue, creating soft and delicate shades. They’re perfect for those with light features or low contrast. This could be someone with light features like blonde hair, pale skin, and light eyes or it could be someone with low contrast - like a combination of dark hair, eyes and skin with not a lot of variation between the tones or brightness. However, on individuals with deep features, light colors can appear lackluster or like they are missing some “oomph”.
Deep Colors: These are rich and have black added to the hue. They suit individuals with deep features and/or high contrast, such as dark hair, eyes, or skin. On someone with lighter features or low contrast, deep colors may feel heavy or overpowering, almost creating a separation between the person and the colour.
Light vs. Deep Misconceptions
Skin Colour. Most times, if someone has a light skin colour and light features (let’s say light caucasian skin and blonde hair) - they will suit light colours. The inverse of this is not true though. There is a big misconception that someone with a deep complexion (tan to deep brown skin tone) cannot suit light colours. A great example to debunk this is Nicki Minaj who suits Light Summer colours. I’ve also worked with clients that have a deeper complexion that shine in light or soft colours. In colour analysis, it’s always best to drape. There are sadly some limited “rules” in certain colour analysis systems that box people of colour into a deep season when that isn’t always the best option.
So there you have it! A full breakdown of the colour dimensions of colour analysis.
While it can feel overwhelming at first, understanding the dimensions of color helps simplify the process, guiding you toward the shades that naturally harmonize with your features and personality.
Whether you’re exploring cool or warm tones, deciding between bright or soft, or uncovering the balance of light and deep, it all comes down to experimentation and observation. Draping fabrics and trying colors outside your comfort zone can reveal surprising results, breaking through misconceptions and uncovering your most flattering hues.
Remember, these dimensions are tools, not rules. The ultimate goal isn’t to fit into a rigid category but to discover what makes you feel confident, radiant, and authentic. So, take your time, enjoy the process, and trust that your perfect palette is waiting to be discovered.
If this is all too much to take in, I’d love to guide you through it. Let’s find the colors that make you shine!
