by Madison Bibbey
Staff Writer
The following story was written by a student on The Staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Production Course
Color analysis is the latest trend with more than 640 million views for #ColorAnalysis on TikTok. Color analysis was first explored in the 1930’s by Johannes Itten, an art teacher at an art and design school in Germany. He observed that his students often used colors that complimented their appearance in the art. This observation led Itten to develop color palettes based on the four seasons. The seasonal color palettes were used by Carole Jackson who authored the book and franchise “Color Me Beautiful”. Modern color analysis was born from there.
Color analysis is a range of color palettes based on the four seasons. Within the seasons, there’s a color palette for every month. A color palette is matched with a person based on their hair color, eye color, and complexion. It’s most often done by holding cloth swatches next to a person and deciding which best compliments the person. The ideal color palette will compliment a person by minimizing redness in the face and dark circles. Megan Rockey, a professional color analyst shared with me that knowing what your season is, “takes the guesswork out of choosing hair color, makeup colors and colors in the clothes we wear”. Knowing what colors look best on you will make putting together cohesive outfits with makeup looks that make you feel confident, easier.
With the help of social media, color analysis may be the most popular it’s ever been. It’s gone viral on TikTok with many filters and millions of views. Junior Mackenzie Wilkinson, said she found out “about color analysis because of TikTok” and that it was reoccurring on her for you page. In a poll done by The Jag Times on instagram, 44% of the 152 voters knew what color analysis was. The most likely place they heard of it was TikTok. Some filters of the season pallets have gone viral on TikTok. The two most notable are the “COLORZOOM” filter by @gracemchoi which puts the visible face in the center of the 12 color palettes. The other most notable filter “ARMOCROMIA” by @aida.creator this filter frames the camera with a color palette for each season. The color analysis trend on TikTok shows people using filters or apps to analyze their own color. It also shows people getting their color analyzed professionally, giving people tips on how to analyze themselves, and analyzing celebrities. The trend also has people telling fun stories about their experience with color analysis. @hoc_kacielove on TikTok made a funny video with her colleague about how people always think they’re summer’s color when they’re not.
There are many different ways you can get your color analysis done. First, you’re going to want to begin with no makeup on and be in natural light. You’ll also want to keep your hair out of the frame. One way you can analyze your color is to use TikTok filters and decide which looks best on you. Michel used “the color analysis filter on TikTok” to help her figure out her season; she did not specify what her season was. Apps or websites are also great tools. With apps or websites you’ll usually upload a picture of yourself. There’s also places where professional color analysts will analyze your color for you. This is a more expensive option but it’s the most reliable. You can also take the techniques professionals use and do it yourself at home. Professionals will hold up different cloth swatches that are either warm or cool, light or dark, and bright or muted. Once you’ve decided which of these bases you are, you’ll have two palettes to choose from. Then you can hold up cloth swatches to your face from each palette and decide which looks best on you.
Color Analysis is a trend that was first popular in the 80’s. TikTok has brought this trend back into the limelight. Color analysis is fun and has brought many people joy. Such as sophomore Faith Michel who likes “how invested people get into it and really take that information and use it daily”. There are many ways you can match yourself to a color palette. Some of the more popular ways are a professional color analyst and TikTok filters. Color analysis is a fun way to find your best colors.