Do you believe you have a power color? A color that lights you up and makes you feel like you can conquer the world. A color that gives you happy vibes whenever you put it on. A color that you get instant compliments in. Or a color that gives you that extra bit of confidence to speak up in a meeting or introduce yourself at a party.
It is well documented that colors have power and meaning. Most psychologists agree that color affects the way we perceive certain situations. Some researchers agree that our brain innately connects colors with feelings, while others believe that the feelings we associate with each color are learned.
In research studies, colors have been shown to change alpha brain waves. According to EEG and pulse measuring systems, men and women react differently to colors. When color is transmitted from the eye to the brain, the brain releases a hormone affecting the emotions, mind clarity and energy levels.
It's no wonder companies intentionally use color to their advantage. Companies test colors in their ads to determine which pushes someone to click faster (red is known for creating greater speed and strength in your actions), restaurants choose colors that will create urgency (notice there is a lot of red and yellow?), and color is a thoughtful choice inside a doctors' office to create a calm, relaxing space (blues and greens make you feel calm).
The bottom line? Colors impact us by evoking feelings and inciting behavior. And while there are many different meanings behind colors depending on your culture and background, one thing's for sure: We are all drawn to certain colors.
So, this bears asking again: Do you have a power color?
I believe we do! I believe it's a combination of colors we are naturally drawn to + the color tones that look best on us.
I don't have any say in what colors you are naturally drawn to, so let's dive into the second factor in our power color, which is what colors look best on you.
How to determine what colors are best for your skin tone
To start, we have to determine whether your skin tone is warm, cool, or neutral to figure out the best color shades for you. Here's a quick way to determine what it is.
Get out a piece of paper and create 3 columns: Warm, Cool, and Neutral.
Now, ask yourself the following questions. and ask you go, add a check mark in the appropriate column.
Ready? Here we go...
#1 What is the color of your eyes?
If you have golden or hazel flecks, you are warm.
If you have blue or grey flecks, you are cool.
#2 What are the color of your veins.
(Hint: look at the underside of your wrist)
If your veins are greenish, you are warm.
If your veins are bluish or purple, you are cool.
If you are a little of both, you are neutral.
#3 Do you look better in gold or silver jewelry?
If you look better in gold, you are warm.
If you look better in silver, you are cool.
If you can wear both well, you are neutral.
#4 Do you look better in stark white or creamy, ivory colors?
(Hint: put a white sheet of paper next to your clean, no-makeup face. How does it look?)
If you look better in ivory, cream or beige tones, you are warm.
If you look better in white, you are cool.
If you look good in both, you are neutral.
#5 How does your skin react in the sun?
If you tan easily, you are warm.
If you burn easily, you are cool.
What did you learn?
The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you. - Coco Chanel
Is your skin warm, cool or neutral tone? The great news is that anyone - no matter their skin tone - can wear any color. Yes, you heard me, any color. However, the shade of the color that you wear is determined by your skin tone.
For example, someone with a warm skin tone will look better with a burgundy rather than a cherry red. And someone with a cool skin tone will look amazing in bright orange instead of rust.
Note, if you came out as a neutral tone, that means you can sway between both warm and cool color palettes. Yay for you!
And remember the wise words of Coco Chanel: The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you.
Keep scrolling to see some examples of the best colors for warm and cool skin tones.
Great colors to wear by skin tone
Green tones
Red tones
Blue tones
Yellow tones
More Color Resources
Get your (official) colors done!
If you want to dive even deeper and get a professional color analysis to know your best colors with certainty, I offer this as part of my styling services. With my professional color analysis, you'll get a detailed color report including your 35 best colors, as well as your best metals and neutrals. From there, I'll guide you on how to integrate these colors into your own wardrobe.
Contact me to learn more!
About Me
Hello! I'm Ellie Steinbrink, owner of Style Decoded, an Expert Stylist, Personal Brand Coach and Speaker on a mission to help professional women look like the bosses they are, without all the hassle. Working virtually out of my home in Omaha, NE, I started my business to help women define and embody a signature style brand, aligning their insides with their outsides, all while feeling 100% confident in their own skin. Styling is my passion but it hasn't always been my job. I spent 20 years of my career in marketing, in particular, client service, advertising, developing brands, blogging, podcasting, and creating marketing and social strategies for clients ranging from Fortune 500 giants to individuals building their personal brands online. To say I know a thing or two about marketing and branding is an understatement! In 2020, I had the opportunity to merge my professional experience and my passion into a personal styling business. Now, I love teaching professional and entrepreneurial women how to define and own their unique personal brand through style.
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