FerroxLabs Personal Color Analysis
NOTE: Color analysis is a guide, not a rigid rulebook. These frameworks help you discover colors that naturally enhance your appearance, but personal preference and confidence matter most. Wear what makes you feel great.
When to Use
Use this skill when:
- User asks about color analysis
- User needs guidance on color analysis topics
- User wants a structured approach to color analysis
Do NOT use when:
- Request requires professional consultation beyond educational guidance
- User needs emergency assistance
Questions to Ask the User First
- What is your natural hair color? (Black / Dark brown / Medium brown / Light brown / Blonde / Red / Auburn / Gray/Silver)
- What is your eye color? (Dark brown / Brown / Hazel / Green / Blue-green / Blue / Gray)
- What color are the veins on the inside of your wrist? (Blue/Purple / Green / Mix of both)
- Does your skin look better next to silver or gold jewelry? (Silver / Gold / Both look equal)
- Do you tan or burn in the sun? (Burn easily / Tan slowly / Tan easily / Rarely burn)
- What colors do you currently feel best in? (Black / White / Earth tones / Jewel tones / Pastels / Bright colors)
- What colors do you get the most compliments in?
- What is your ethnicity/skin tone range? (Very fair / Fair / Light-medium / Medium / Medium-dark / Dark / Very dark)
- Do you color your hair? (Natural / Colored -- what color?)
- What is the purpose of this analysis? (Wardrobe planning / Makeup selection / Hair color change / General guidance)
Phase 1: Understanding Undertones
The Undertone System
Every person's skin has an UNDERTONE beneath the surface color.
Undertone does NOT change with tanning, aging, or seasons.
Surface color (light to dark) is different from undertone (warm, cool, neutral).
THREE UNDERTONE CATEGORIES:
WARM UNDERTONE:
- Veins appear greenish
- Gold jewelry is more flattering than silver
- Skin has yellow, golden, or peachy hue
- Tans easily, rarely burns severely
- White clothing can look harsh; cream/ivory is better
- Earth tones and warm colors look natural
COOL UNDERTONE:
- Veins appear blue or purple
- Silver jewelry is more flattering than gold
- Skin has pink, red, or bluish hue
- Burns easily, tans slowly
- Pure white looks crisp and clean
- Jewel tones and cool colors look natural
NEUTRAL UNDERTONE:
- Veins appear blue-green (mix of both)
- Both gold and silver jewelry look good
- Skin is a balanced mix of warm and cool
- Can wear both warm and cool colors
- Olive skin often falls in this category
- Most versatile for color choices
Undertone Identification Tests
TEST 1: THE VEIN TEST
Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist in natural daylight:
- Blue/Purple veins = Cool undertone
- Green veins = Warm undertone
- Both blue and green = Neutral undertone
TEST 2: THE JEWELRY TEST
Hold silver jewelry next to your face, then gold:
- Silver looks better = Cool
- Gold looks better = Warm
- Both look equally good = Neutral
TEST 3: THE WHITE PAPER TEST
Hold a plain white sheet of paper next to your bare face:
- Skin looks yellowish/golden against white = Warm
- Skin looks pinkish/rosy against white = Cool
- Skin looks grayish or balanced = Neutral
TEST 4: THE SUN TEST
How does your skin react to sun exposure?
- Burns easily, rarely tans = Likely cool
- Tans easily, golden color = Likely warm
- Burns then tans = Could be either
TEST 5: THE FABRIC DRAPING TEST (Most Accurate)
Hold different colored fabrics near your face in natural light:
- If warm colors (orange, rust, olive) make you glow = Warm
- If cool colors (fuchsia, royal blue, emerald) make you glow = Cool
- If both work well = Neutral
Look for: Skin appears healthier, eyes brighter, features more defined
vs: Skin looks washed out, shadows under eyes, features blurred
Phase 2: Seasonal Color Analysis
The Four Seasons System
The seasonal system categorizes people into four groups based on:
1. UNDERTONE (Warm or Cool)
2. VALUE (Light or Deep/Dark)
3. CHROMA (Muted/Soft or Bright/Clear)
| WARM | COOL
--------|----------------|----------------
LIGHT | SPRING | SUMMER
DEEP | AUTUMN | WINTER
Each season has sub-seasons for more precision (12-season system).
SPRING (Warm + Light + Bright)
CHARACTERISTICS:
- Warm undertone with light or clear quality
- Hair: Golden blonde, strawberry blonde, light brown with warm highlights
- Eyes: Blue, green, light hazel, warm brown
- Skin: Light with warm golden or peachy tone, may freckle
- Overall impression: Fresh, warm, clear, youthful
BEST COLORS:
Neutrals: Warm white (ivory), camel, light warm gray, warm beige
Reds: Coral, salmon, warm red (tomato red), peach
Blues: Periwinkle, turquoise, aqua, clear light blue
Greens: Lime, mint, spring green, bright leaf green
Yellows: Bright yellow, daffodil, golden yellow
Pinks: Coral pink, peach, warm pink, salmon
Purples: Light warm purple, orchid, violet
Earth tones: Golden tan, warm sand, light caramel
AVOID:
- Black (too harsh, use warm dark brown or navy instead)
- Cool gray
- Burgundy (too cool and dark)
- Ice blue or icy pastels
- Muted or dusty colors (they dull your brightness)
COLOR PALETTE (Hex codes for reference):
Coral: #FF6F61 | Peach: #FFDAB9 | Aqua: #7FFFD4
Warm Red: #E14D2A | Periwinkle: #8E82FE | Lime: #BFFF00
Ivory: #FFFFF0 | Camel: #C19A6B | Golden Yellow: #FFD700
SUMMER (Cool + Light + Muted)
CHARACTERISTICS:
- Cool undertone with light, soft, muted quality
- Hair: Ash blonde, light ash brown, mousy brown, gray
- Eyes: Soft blue, gray-blue, light green, soft hazel, rose-brown
- Skin: Light with pink, rose, or neutral undertone, can look porcelain
- Overall impression: Soft, elegant, cool, gentle
BEST COLORS:
Neutrals: Soft white, rose-brown, taupe, cool gray, slate blue
Reds: Rose, raspberry, soft burgundy, muted red
Blues: Powder blue, sky blue, slate blue, denim blue, soft navy
Greens: Sage, seafoam, muted teal, soft mint
Yellows: Soft lemon (sparingly), light primrose
Pinks: Rose, mauve, dusty pink, lavender-pink
Purples: Lavender, plum, soft purple, mauve
Earth tones: Taupe, rose-brown, soft cocoa
AVOID:
- Bright orange or neon colors (too intense)
- Warm yellow-greens
- Black (too stark, use charcoal or navy)
- Rust or warm earth tones
- Very bright, saturated colors
COLOR PALETTE:
Lavender: #B4A7D6 | Rose: #CC8899 | Powder Blue: #B0E0E6
Mauve: #E0B0FF | Sage: #B2AC88 | Plum: #8E4585
Taupe: #483C32 | Soft Navy: #3B5998 | Dusty Pink: #DCAE96
AUTUMN (Warm + Deep + Muted)
CHARACTERISTICS:
- Warm undertone with deep, rich, earthy quality
- Hair: Auburn, red, dark brown with warm tones, warm chestnut, copper
- Eyes: Dark brown, amber, olive green, warm hazel, dark hazel
- Skin: Warm with golden, olive, or bronze tones, tans well
- Overall impression: Rich, warm, earthy, deep
BEST COLORS:
Neutrals: Warm brown, chocolate, olive, camel, dark warm beige, off-white
Reds: Rust, terracotta, brick red, tomato red, burnt sienna
Blues: Teal, deep turquoise, dark petrol blue, warm navy
Greens: Olive, forest green, moss, jade, khaki
Yellows: Mustard, gold, saffron, amber, deep yellow
Oranges: Burnt orange, pumpkin, copper, sienna
Pinks: Salmon, warm rose, peach (deeper shades)
Purples: Eggplant, aubergine, warm plum
AVOID:
- Icy pastels (wash you out)
- Bright cool pink or fuchsia
- Royal blue (too cool and bright)
- Cool gray
- Black (use dark chocolate, charcoal-brown, or dark olive)
- Neon or electric colors
COLOR PALETTE:
Rust: #B7410E | Mustard: #FFDB58 | Olive: #808000
Forest Green: #228B22 | Teal: #008080 | Terracotta: #E2725B
Chocolate: #7B3F00 | Eggplant: #614051 | Copper: #B87333
WINTER (Cool + Deep + Bright)
CHARACTERISTICS:
- Cool undertone with deep, high-contrast, vivid quality
- Hair: Black, very dark brown, cool dark brown, silver/white
- Eyes: Dark brown, black-brown, icy blue, vivid green, cool hazel
- Skin: Can range from very fair (porcelain) to very deep, always cool undertone
- Overall impression: Dramatic, striking, high-contrast, bold
BEST COLORS:
Neutrals: True black, pure white, charcoal, navy, icy gray
Reds: True red, cherry, burgundy, cranberry, wine
Blues: Royal blue, cobalt, electric blue, sapphire, navy
Greens: Emerald, pine, dark forest green, jade
Yellows: Bright lemon (sparingly), icy yellow
Pinks: Hot pink, fuchsia, magenta, icy pink
Purples: Royal purple, deep violet, amethyst, icy lavender
Jewel tones: All jewel tones work beautifully
AVOID:
- Warm beige or camel (too warm and muted)
- Orange (too warm)
- Warm golden tones
- Muted, dusty colors (they dim your natural contrast)
- Earth tones (too warm for your coloring)
- Warm browns
COLOR PALETTE:
True Red: #FF0000 | Emerald: #50C878 | Royal Blue: #4169E1
Hot Pink: #FF69B4 | Black: #000000 | White: #FFFFFF
Burgundy: #800020 | Cobalt: #0047AB | Amethyst: #9966CC
Phase 3: The 12-Season Refined System
Sub-Seasons Overview
Each main season has 3 sub-seasons:
SPRING:
- Light Spring: Lightest, most delicate warm coloring
- True/Warm Spring: Classic warm, golden coloring
- Bright/Clear Spring: High contrast with warm undertone
SUMMER:
- Light Summer: Lightest, most delicate cool coloring
- True/Cool Summer: Classic cool, muted coloring
- Soft Summer: Most muted, blended cool-neutral coloring
AUTUMN:
- Soft Autumn: Lightest, most muted warm coloring
- True/Warm Autumn: Classic warm, rich coloring
- Deep/Dark Autumn: Deepest, richest warm coloring
WINTER:
- Deep/Dark Winter: Deepest, high-contrast cool coloring
- True/Cool Winter: Classic cool, vivid coloring
- Bright/Clear Winter: Most vivid, high-contrast cool coloring
FINDING YOUR SUB-SEASON:
After identifying your main season, ask:
1. Am I lighter or deeper than typical for this season? (Light or Deep)
2. Am I more muted or more bright? (Soft/True or Clear/Bright)
3. Am I firmly in this season or do I share traits with an adjacent season?
Phase 4: Hair Color Considerations
Hair Color by Season
SPRING (Warm + Light):
Best hair colors: Golden blonde, honey, strawberry blonde, light golden brown
Highlights: Warm gold, caramel, honey
Avoid: Ash tones, cool platinum, blue-black
SUMMER (Cool + Light):
Best hair colors: Ash blonde, cool brown, mushroom brown, platinum
Highlights: Cool blonde, ash, icy
Avoid: Warm golden tones, copper, auburn
AUTUMN (Warm + Deep):
Best hair colors: Auburn, copper, warm chocolate, chestnut, warm dark brown
Highlights: Copper, golden, caramel
Avoid: Ash tones, platinum, cool black
WINTER (Cool + Deep):
Best hair colors: Dark espresso, blue-black, cool dark brown, platinum (extreme)
Highlights: Cool tones only if highlighting, icy
Avoid: Warm golden highlights, copper, brassy tones
GOING GRAY/SILVER:
- Cool seasons: Silver and gray are naturally flattering
- Warm seasons: Consider a warm toner or embrace the transition
- Gray hair shifts most people slightly toward the Summer or Winter palette
- Adjust makeup and clothing colors as hair transitions
Phase 5: Makeup Color Matching
Makeup by Season
SPRING MAKEUP:
Foundation: Warm, golden undertone
Blush: Peach, coral, warm pink
Lipstick: Coral, peach, warm nude, salmon
Eye shadow: Warm taupe, peach, soft gold, warm bronze
Eyeliner: Warm brown (softer than black)
Mascara: Brown or brown-black
SUMMER MAKEUP:
Foundation: Cool pink or neutral undertone
Blush: Rose, soft pink, mauve
Lipstick: Rose, mauve, berry, cool nude, plum
Eye shadow: Cool taupe, mauve, slate, soft plum
Eyeliner: Cool brown, gray, soft charcoal
Mascara: Brown-black or black
AUTUMN MAKEUP:
Foundation: Warm golden or olive undertone
Blush: Brick, terracotta, warm bronze, deep peach
Lipstick: Brick red, warm nude, copper, spice
Eye shadow: Warm brown, bronze, olive, copper, gold
Eyeliner: Dark brown, olive, bronze
Mascara: Dark brown or brown-black
WINTER MAKEUP:
Foundation: Cool or neutral undertone
Blush: Berry, cool pink, fuchsia (on apples of cheeks)
Lipstick: True red, berry, wine, fuchsia, cool nude
Eye shadow: Cool gray, silver, charcoal, plum, deep jewel tones
Eyeliner: Black (classic and flattering)
Mascara: Black
Universal Flattering Colors (Work for Everyone)
UNIVERSALLY FLATTERING LIPSTICK SHADES:
- Berry (adjusts to look cool or warm on different skin tones)
- Rosy mauve (soft, neutral)
- "Your lips but better" shade (one shade deeper than natural lip)
- Soft red (not too blue, not too orange)
UNIVERSALLY FLATTERING CLOTHING:
- Teal (balanced warm-cool)
- Soft red (not too warm, not too cool)
- Blush pink (soft enough for most people)
- True medium gray (neutral)
- Denim blue (universally wearable)
Phase 6: Wardrobe Color Coordination by Season
Building a Wardrobe Around Your Season
WARDROBE COLOR PLANNING TEMPLATE:
Your Season: _______________
BASE NEUTRALS (60% of wardrobe):
1. _______________ (darkest neutral)
2. _______________ (medium neutral)
3. _______________ (light neutral)
ACCENT COLORS (30% of wardrobe):
1. _______________ (best jewel/rich tone)
2. _______________ (secondary accent)
3. _______________ (pop of personality)
METALLICS (10% - accessories, jewelry):
Best metal: Gold / Silver / Rose Gold
Best metallic accents: _______________
PATTERN GUIDANCE:
Choose patterns that combine your best colors:
- Stripes in your neutrals + one accent
- Florals with your palette's warm or cool base
- Plaids in your season's color family
- Prints that use 2-3 of your best colors
Season-Specific Wardrobe Capsule Colors
SPRING CAPSULE COLORS:
Base: Camel, warm cream, light warm gray
Build: Coral, peach, turquoise, warm navy
Pop: Bright green, warm red, golden yellow
SUMMER CAPSULE COLORS:
Base: Taupe, cool gray, soft navy, rose-brown
Build: Powder blue, mauve, sage, dusty pink
Pop: Raspberry, slate blue, plum
AUTUMN CAPSULE COLORS:
Base: Chocolate brown, olive, warm beige, camel
Build: Rust, forest green, teal, mustard
Pop: Terracotta, burnt orange, eggplant
WINTER CAPSULE COLORS:
Base: Black, charcoal, navy, true white
Build: Emerald, royal blue, burgundy, cherry red
Pop: Fuchsia, cobalt, icy pink
Phase 7: Color Psychology
What Colors Communicate
RED: Power, energy, passion, urgency
- Wear for: Job interviews (power tie), first dates, presentations
- Effect: Increases heart rate in observers, commands attention
- Use sparingly: Too much can be aggressive or overwhelming
BLUE: Trust, calm, intelligence, reliability
- Wear for: Business meetings, first days, professional settings
- Effect: Most universally liked color, builds trust
- Navy is the safest power color for both genders
BLACK: Sophistication, authority, elegance, mystery
- Wear for: Formal events, evening, creative settings, minimalist look
- Effect: Slimming, universally polished
- Risk: Can read as unapproachable or somber
WHITE: Purity, freshness, cleanliness, simplicity
- Wear for: Summer, fresh starts, professional settings
- Effect: Clean, modern, crisp
- Risk: Shows every imperfection (stains, wrinkles)
GREEN: Growth, balance, nature, prosperity
- Wear for: Casual settings, creative meetings, wellness contexts
- Effect: Calming, refreshing
- Easiest color on the eyes
YELLOW: Optimism, happiness, creativity, energy
- Wear for: Creative settings, casual occasions, spring/summer
- Effect: Attention-getting, cheerful
- Risk: Can overwhelm, use as an accent
PURPLE: Creativity, luxury, wisdom, royalty
- Wear for: Creative settings, evening events, standing out
- Effect: Distinctive, elegant
- Deep purple = regal; light lavender = soft and romantic
GRAY: Neutrality, professionalism, sophistication, balance
- Wear for: Business, versatile everyday, pairing with bold accents
- Effect: Professional without being severe
- Light gray is casual; charcoal is professional
BROWN: Stability, warmth, reliability, earthiness
- Wear for: Casual professional, outdoor events, autumn
- Effect: Approachable, grounded
- Pairs naturally with most colors
Output Format
When providing a color analysis, present it as:
PERSONAL COLOR ANALYSIS
Undertone: [Warm / Cool / Neutral]
Season: [Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter]
Sub-Season (if determinable): [Sub-season]
Confidence Level: [High / Medium - consider professional draping]
YOUR BEST COLORS:
Category | Colors
---------|-------
Neutrals | [2-3 colors]
Reds | [1-2 shades]
Blues | [1-2 shades]
Greens | [1-2 shades]
Pinks | [1-2 shades]
Accent | [2-3 statement colors]
Metallics| [Gold / Silver / Rose Gold]
COLORS TO MINIMIZE:
[Colors that may wash you out or clash with your coloring]
WARDROBE COLOR PLAN:
Base (60%): [Neutrals for pants, jackets, basics]
Build (30%): [Main colors for tops, dresses]
Pop (10%): [Statement colors for accessories, accent pieces]
MAKEUP RECOMMENDATIONS:
Foundation undertone: [Warm / Cool / Neutral]
Best lip colors: [2-3 recommendations]
Best blush: [1-2 recommendations]
Best eye colors: [2-3 recommendations]
HAIR COLOR GUIDANCE:
Best shades: [Recommendations]
Avoid: [Shades to avoid]
SHOPPING REFERENCE CARD:
[Carry these color swatches when shopping]
[List of 8-10 go-to colors with descriptions]
Example
Input: "Help me get started with color analysis"
Output: A structured color analysis plan tailored to the user's specific situation, following the process outlined above.
Edge Cases
- Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding. Do not assume details the user has not provided.
- Out of scope requests: Redirect to appropriate professional resources when the request exceeds educational guidance.
- Conflicting requirements: Present trade-offs clearly and let the user decide priorities.