Colour theory is a term you may have seen floating around TikTok over the past few months. When done correctly, it can give you an answer to the question: Which colors look best on me? It gives you the power to know which colours to wear, rather than relying on trends and marketing campaigns to tell you.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what exactly colour theory is, and how to tell which colours are best suited to your skin tone. Here is a guide that will tell you exactly that…
What is colour theory?
Colour theory is not a new concept. Isaac Newton created the first colour wheel in the 1600s and it continues today to be used as guidance for colour mixing. Colour theory is the theory of how colours work together and complements one another. It can be a great toolbox for artists and designers to help them choose the right colours to use.
Colours can be categorized into three groups:
• Primary (red, blue, yellow – colours that cannot be created by mixing).
• Secondary (purple, green, orange – mixes of primary colors).
• Tertiary (or intermediate—mixes of primary and secondary colors).
Then, there is the hue and saturation of a colour.
The hue refers to the name of the colour family, so red or blue, etc. The saturation is the intensity or vividness of the colour. Imagine the saturation as adding cordial to water. The more you add in the more vibrant and intense the colour is. If you add in less cordial, the liquid will be softer and less saturated.
READ MORE: How To Style The Pantone Colour Of The Year ‘Peach Fuzz’
How does this apply in fashion?
A colour wheel is a tool that stylists use every day. Knowing which colours complement each other can help you to create visually appealing looks. Here are the main colour schemes from the colour wheel:
• Monochromatic (an outfit that contains hues of one colour e.g. all blue hues)
• Complementary (using colours that are opposite each other in the colour wheel e.g. yellow and purple or red and green)
• Analogous (using the colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel e.g. green, yellow, and orange)
• Triadic (using colours that are equally distance from each other on the colour wheel
There is also Achromatic which is a lack of colour (all black or all white.)
What are warm and cool colours?
Ever wondered why a particular colour may suit your friend but not you? The answer is likely to be in the colour wheel.
Generally speaking, everyone has either a cool or warm undertone to their skin. Those who have a cooler tone will look best wearing colours from the ‘cool’ part of the colour wheel; variations of blue, green, purple, and pink. Whereas those with warm skin tones tend to suit earthier or warmer tones of browns, yellows, and reds. Knowing which colours suit you best can help you to find your style and give you a confidence boost. It is also super important from a sustainability standpoint. Knowing which colours look good on you can prevent you from getting caught up in fast fashion trends.
How do I know what my colour is?
The best and easiest way to tell whether you are cool or warm tones is to grab a piece of white paper and hold it up to your face in bright, natural light. Make sure your face is in make-up and fake tan-free first, and wait at least 15 minutes after washing your face to allow for any redness to subside. If your skin looks pink or rosy in comparison to the paper, you’re cool-toned. If your face looks more yellow, you have a warm undertone.
Another way to work out your undertone is knowing how your skin reacts to the sun. If you have olive skin or if you tan easily then generally you’ll have a warmer skin tone. Paler skin that often burns is usually cool.
What Colours Should I Wear?
Firstly, it is important to remember that fashion ‘rules’ are all good fun and you can (and should) wear whatever colour makes you feel good. If you have a cool undertone but want to wear earthier tones, then go for it! Fashion is about expression and we don’t always want to be put into a box of what does and does not suit us.
That being said, it is true that some colours will complement you more than others. They will make your eyes brighter, enhance your natural colouring, and can even diminish the look of dark circles.
So, to take it one step further and to find out which colours suit you best, colour analysis can be further categorized into ‘seasons.’ Warmer tones are spring and autumn, and cooler tones are summer and winter.
Spring
If you’re a spring, you have a clear warm undertone. Springs usually have warm-toned eyes like hazel, light blue, green, or warm brown, and their natural hair colors can range from strawberry blonde, golden blonde, or light to medium brown.
Creams, light oranges, and brighter hues of yellow and green will look great on you as well as gold and copper jewellery.
Spring Celebrities: Kate Hudson, Brittany Snow, Amanda Seyfried, Blake Lively
Summer
Summers often have very light or ash-blonde hair, light skin, and cool-toned blue eyes. If you’re a summer you’ll look stunning in soft, pastel colours and silver or white gold jewellery.
Summer Celebrities: Jennifer Aniston, Emily Blunt, Sarah Jessica Parker, Olivia Wilde
Autumn
Just like spring, autumns also have warm undertones, but with darker hair and eyes. Autumns do not have a high contrast between their skin, eyes, and hair, but rather a seamless blend between all three. Earthier and neutral tones of creams, burnt oranges, browns, and dark greens will be your best friend.
Autumn celebrities: Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Julia Roberts, Beyoncé
Winter
Winters however have a high contrast between their features. Typically, dark hair with fair skin. If you are a winter you’ll look most striking in bold, high-contrast colours like black, white, and red.
Winter celebrities: Selena Gomez, Megan Fox, Lucy Liu, Anne Hathaway