Varying degrees of color

Do you know how many systems of color analysis exist today? I don't have the exact count, but there are well over 10 systems that I am aware of. Each system has something unique about it, yet not one is as comprehensive as it could be.

Color analysis is both an art and a science, and it continues to evolve year after year. It is not a perfected science, though. Back in the 1980s we had basic options of 4 seasons and 2 undertones. Now we have several variations on each season, and some color systems don't even use the seasonal matching concept.

Color analysts like myself do not typically invent the systems. We use them to do our analysis and are charged with the responsibility of choosing the most accurate system available to us. The system I use is state-of-the-art and is the most neatly packaged together system I've seen to date. It is called Sci\ART. I've been professionally certified on that system, and I use all Sci\ART color analysis tools and books of color for my clientele.

At the end of the day, most of my clients are not that interested in the science or technology behind color, though. They are only interested in what color can do for them. What colors make them look healthier, more stylish, younger, slimmer, etc.? What is their best or ideal color palette?

Well, you know what? I'm here to tell you that my view of color palettes has become much more lenient as the years go by. No longer do I believe that you only have certain colors you can wear. Yes, I offer you a book of your best 64 colors, but that's just it......those are your best, not ONLY, colors.

I now think of color on more of a sliding scale of favorability. We have your best 64 colors, then other colors that border them and are pretty good for you, and then we have colors that are your least flattering. There are no colors that you cannot wear. We color analysts are not the color police after all!

Your personal book of color is designed to be a guideline. If you find a color that matches your book precisely, then please buy it! It's ideal for you. If you find a color that looks as though it blends in with your color palette, then it will also look well on you. If you find a color that looks way off, then proceed with caution.
If you MUST have a color that is all wrong for you, then please accessorize around it with your best colors. Frankly, I wouldn't buy the color at all if I were you, because it won't blend well with your color palette. That's not me being the color police---I'm just stating my professional opinion as a color analyst!

Live in color!
Lauren