Personal Color Analysis
“They took a simple picnic. Fresh brown bread, white Wensleydale cheese, crimson radishes, yellow butter, scarlet tomatoes, round bright green Granny Smiths and a bottle of mineral water. They took no books….They walked down through flowering lanes. The high hedges were thick with dog-roses, mostly a clear pink, sometimes white, with yellow-gold centres dusty with yellow pollen. These roses were intricately and thickly entwined with rampant wild honeysuckle, trailing and weaving creamy flowers among the pink and gold.”
-A.S. Byatt
Color is powerful.
Color is one of the first descriptors we reach for when we tell a story, and arguably the most evocative.
The colors and styles we wear, the feelings we inspire: these details feature heavily in others’ impressions of us, from loved ones to friends we haven’t made yet to people we may never see again.
Are they seeing the genuine you?
At the beginning of your appointment, I’ll give an introductory lesson about the twelve seasonal tones and their respective color qualities. We’ll talk about the relationships between different seasons, and what we’ll be looking for during your analysis.
During your color analysis, I’ll use controlled, full-spectrum lighting and a series of harmonized fabric drapes to identify your most impactful colors in both clothing and makeup.
After we’ve identified your season, we’ll spend some time looking through the beautiful 12 Blueprints Luxury Drapes. While the test drapes are designed to induce color reactions and test between seasons, the luxury drapes are specifically designed to show you the full potential of your season in clothing.
If you wear makeup or are interested in wearing makeup, we’ll take a look at your products to see whether or not they harmonize with your palette. You will also have the opportunity to try color cosmetics for your season, such as blush and lipstick.
You’ll receive extensive instruction from me regarding using your swatchbook to harmonize clothing. If you’ve brought any makeup or jewelry from home, we’ll use your swatchbook to determine whether or not they harmonize with your palette.
At the end of your appointment, you’ll receive your season’s archival canvas color fan to keep, as well as a wallet-sized color card for your season. You will also receive exclusive, lifetime access to my resource page for your season. This page contains tons of written information about your season, including color keywords for your season, makeup guidance, and information about how to combine your colors in outfits. It also includes a makeup list, which includes various brands and is updated fairly regularly.
Because the integrity of the color analysis environment is so important, this service cannot be offered virtually. I exclusively offer Personal Color Analysis services at my studio in the St. Matthews area of Louisville, KY.
My PCA Philosophy
I want you to look happy and healthy. I want you to look like you get plenty of sleep, eat nutritious food, drink water, have vibrant relationships with others, and are fulfilled in your chosen pursuits.
I want you to look like yourself. If you’re very pale, I’m not trying to add color that isn’t there. If you’re very dark, I’m not trying to make you look lighter than you are. If your skin is golden, it’s golden. If it’s olive, it’s olive. If it’s pink, it’s pink. Many people have combinations of different tones in the face. For example, many women have a golden olive skin tone with some surface redness. I want all the tones of your face to be in balance.
I want to define your eyes, but not over-sharpen them. Your eyes should never look hazy, murky, or like the drape is competing with them for attention. Your eyes also shouldn’t dominate the drape, leaving what you’re wearing behind. I want your eyes to look multidimensional and real alongside your skin and facial features. I want to see the genuine color of your eyes and any patterns that may be present.
Importantly, I want you to be engaged throughout your analysis. I’ll describe the effects I’m seeing, ask about the effects you’re seeing, and take all the time we need to get it right. I’m not interested in simply prescribing you a season. I want you to see why you are your season and no other, and to understand your place in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost?
Personal color analysis is $450. This price includes:
A thorough, personalized draping in the 12-tone method of color analysis
Your season’s archival canvas swatchbook + wallet-sized color card including 78 colors each ($100 value)
Consultation on how to use your new swatchbook to shop for your season and analyze your current wardrobe
Consultation on color cosmetics for your season
Photos of yourself in the drapes, if desired
Discussion of any questions you may have about your season
Lifetime access to my digital resources for your season (including a makeup list with various brands)
how long have you been doing this?
I’ve been working as a personal color analyst for 10 years.
who did you train with?
I trained as a color analyst with Terry Wildfong of Your Natural Design in 2014.
I trained as a PCA instructor, also with Terry Wildfong, in January 2024.
Which swatchbooks do you use?
I carry swatchbooks from NDU Colors (Natural Design United) and I absolutely love them. I personally find the color harmony to be unmatched, with distinct palettes that capture the essence of each individual season. I have even painstakingly compared the NDU palettes to the original SciART palettes I’ve collected over the years, and I find they harmonize with seasonal fabrics just as beautifully.
NDU swatchbooks are produced in the United States from high quality, archival canvas. Even the canvas itself is made in the United States!
which drapes do you use?
I use the Natural Design United (NDU) drapes, which are all matte broadcloth.
I also have the 12 Blueprints luxury drapes, and have placed my original set of 12 Blueprints test drapes into my luxury sets (meaning there are more than 15 colors per season for you to enjoy!)
can i bring a friend/partner/sibling?
Yes! Please let me know in advance so I can ensure there’s space for your guest to sit and be comfortable.
can i bring my child?
Unfortunately, I cannot accommodate children under 12 during your analysis, as my studio is not child-proofed. Your PCA requires focus, and I encourage you to take this time just for you. However, if your child is 12+ and they can entertain themselves during your analysis, you are welcome to bring them if you let me know ahead of time. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
do you drape children?
Yes! I have draped many children over the years, of all ages. Children can be surprisingly intuitive about their best colors, often preferring colors that look better on them during the draping process, even when that color goes against their stated preferences. However, please consider whether or not your child is actually interested in a PCA, and whether or not they are able to sit patiently during the analysis process.
do you offer abbreviated sessions for groups?
I never offer abbreviated sessions, as there is no way to shorten the color analysis process while maintaining accuracy.
can i wear a mask?
While you can’t wear a mask during your analysis, you can absolutely wear one during the introductory lesson, as well as after your analysis, when we are working on harmonizing clothing and makeup. If you or someone in your family is immunocompromised and you need me to wear a mask, let me know in advance and I’ll be happy to wear one.
can i get a pca if i have rosacea/acne/scars/hyperpigmentation/wrinkles?
Yes! Imperfections in the skin are very normal, and they can actually assist in the draping process. Certain colors will cause wrinkles to look deeper, rosacea to seem flared, acne and scars to seem angrier, hyperpigmentation to look patchier - the list goes on! Your best season will not erase these aspects of your face, but it will minimize them, drawing our attention to your eyes and the harmony of your features.
What happens after I book my session?
You’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to my PCA information page. This page contains many, many details about where to go, what to bring, and what to expect. It even contains some details about great places to eat if you’re traveling from out of town. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to ask!