What Is Color Analysis? A Guide for Women Over 50
You know that one outfit you always get compliments on? “You look so beautiful!” “Did you do something different with your makeup?” Odds are, the color is doing you a favor. On the flip side, some shades just seem to drain the life right out of us. That’s why color analysis is so helpful, especially for us women over 50. It’s not about changing everything—it’s about knowing what brings out your natural beauty.
Be sure to check out Colors That Make You Look Younger and More Vibrant and Seasonal Color Trends for 2025: What To Watch For for more inspiration!
What Is Color Analysis?
Color analysis is basically a system that helps you figure out what colors look best on you based on your skin tone, hair color, and eyes. It’s all about harmony. When the colors you wear work with your natural features, instead of against them, you just look more polished and put-together—without even trying.
You might’ve heard of the “seasonal” approach—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. That’s been around for years, and it’s still going strong. These days, though, it’s a little more detailed. Now we’ve got categories like “Soft Summer” and “Bright Spring,” which sound like fancy paint colors, but they’re actually really helpful.
Why Color Analysis Is Especially Helpful for Women Over 50
Here’s the honest truth: as we age, our coloring changes. That’s just part of life. Our hair goes gray or silver (or maybe we color it a little, no shame there!), our skin gets a bit lighter or more neutral, and our eyes might not be quite as bright as they once were.
So those colors that looked fabulous on you in your 30s? They might not be doing you any favors now.
That’s where color analysis comes in. It helps you figure out the shades that make you look healthy, vibrant, and full of life—right here, right now. Not back then, not someday—today.
What Happens When You Wear the Right Colors
Once you start wearing your best colors, something just clicks. You start getting more compliments. You spend less time staring into your closet feeling stuck. And shopping? It gets way easier.
Here’s what happens when you wear your right colors:
- Your skin looks smoother and brighter
- Your eyes sparkle
- Your makeup blends better
- You stop buying clothes that hang in your closet unworn
- You actually enjoy getting dressed again
When your wardrobe starts working with you, not against you, it’s a total confidence booster.
How Color Analysis Works
Now, if you’re thinking this sounds complicated, don’t worry! I’ve got you. You can do this with a professional, or even try it out at home with a little trial and error. Here’s what usually goes into it:
- Determine Your Skin Undertone: Are you warm, cool, or neutral? This has nothing to do with your skin color—it’s about the tone underneath. If gold jewelry looks better on you than silver, you might be warm. If silver is your friend, you might be cool.
- Look at Your Hair and Eyes: Your natural hair color (even if it’s changed a bit!) and eye color help narrow things down.
- Try a Draping Test: Hold different colored fabrics or tops near your face in natural light. Watch what happens. Some colors will make you look radiant, while others… well, not so much.
Once you’ve got a sense of your undertone and contrast level, you can figure out your season and get a color palette full of shades that are made for you.
The Four Main Color Seasons
Let’s break it down a little. These are just general guidelines, and everyone is unique, but here’s a starting point:
Spring
You’ve got warm undertones, light to medium hair (blonde, strawberry, light brown), and bright eyes (blue, green, or hazel). Your best colors? Coral, peach, ivory, turquoise, light camel.
Summer
You’re cool-toned with ash-blonde or light brown hair and soft blue or gray eyes. You’ll glow in dusty rose, lavender, periwinkle, cool blues, and soft pastels.
Autumn
Warm-toned again, but with deeper hair—think red, auburn, or rich brunette—and warm eyes. Try olive green, burnt orange, mustard, rust, and chocolate brown.
Winter
Cool and high contrast—you’ve got dark hair and bright eyes, or silver hair and cool-toned skin. Think jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, icy pink, true red, black, and pure white.
A lot of these color palettes get even more specific with subcategories like “soft summer” or “deep winter,” just to keep things interesting (or maybe a little confusing!).
But What If You Love a Color That’s Not in Your Season?
You can still wear it! Let’s not get caught up in rules. If you love a color, wear it—but be smart about it. Maybe that not-so-great color becomes your pants or shoes, while your top or scarf is one of your power colors that lights you up.
It’s not about restrictions—it’s about finding what works with you, so you feel like your best self.
How to Try Color Analysis for Women Over 50 at Home
You don’t have to book a fancy appointment to get started. Here are a few simple ways to test your undertones and see what’s flattering:
- Silver vs. Gold Jewelry: Which one makes your skin look smoother and brighter?
- White vs. Ivory: Try holding both up near your face. Which one gives you a healthy glow?
- Check Your Veins: If they look blue or purple, you’re probably cool-toned. If they’re greenish, you’re warm-toned.
Try on different colored tops or drape scarves in natural light and watch how your skin reacts. Some shades will make you look well-rested and glowy—others might drain the life right out of your face.
Does Your Season Change as You Age?
It absolutely can. Especially if your hair color has changed, or you’re letting the gray grow out (and good for you if you are!). As we age, our contrast level often softens, and we may need to tweak our palette a little.
Maybe you used to rock bright jewel tones, but now soft, dusty versions look better. Or maybe black just feels too harsh and you’re reaching for navy more often. That’s totally normal. Just listen to what your skin is telling you when you look in the mirror or at a photo of yourself!
Where to Start If You’re Curious
If all of this is new to you and you’re thinking, “Okay Tania, but where do I begin?”—start small. Pick a few shades that make you feel good when you wear them. Pay attention to which colors earn you compliments. You’ll start to notice patterns and you’ll know to reach for those colors when you’re shopping and getting dressed!
You can also:
- Take an online color quiz. I used this one to create the images above!
- Order a DIY draping kit
- Book a virtual color analysis
- Stand in front of a window with different colored scarves or shirts and watch how your skin-tone changes
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Verse Of The Day
1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)
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🙂 i just did the online color quiz. maybe because my hair has always been lighter, my season did not change, but it was better to be able to refine it more. Thanks for the resources!
Found it 🙂 I am a fall
Love the vibrant colors and the orange hobo😃
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I am glad you said your colors change as you age. I have found that to be so. I would like to have it done professionally. Good post
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Love the green sweater!
What colour season are you?
I don’t know. I’m supposed to have my colors done, but the lady hasn’t called me yet.
I had.my “colors” done when I was in my early 30’s – winter/cool. Although, there are some summer colors that I could wear as well.
I’m curious to see if this has changed now that I’m in my late 60’s.
🙂
This is so interesting to me. Thank you.
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🙂 What season are you Tanya? I feel like we have the same coloring….
I honestly don’t know. A local lady in town is supposed to do my colors, but she hasn’t messaged me yet.
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Thanks for the tips on colors!
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Spot on topic for me. I’ve stopped coloring my hair since Covid and am now free from the hassle of covering my roots with every shampoo between colorings (my hair grows fast). While I am still drawn to jewel tones, I drift more to blues rather than my favorite color red. And white? Ick, get me a scarf or jacket/sweater-STAT!
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Found it! And that green sweater is gorgeous
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Found it! First time! I’ll be interested to see what color your analysis stylist decides you are. I have my opinion from the pictures you posted.
What a great post! Thanks much Tania!!
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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You can do a color analysis by doing ChatGPT. There are lots of videos on how to do it.
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But Tania, what is YOUR season? or did I miss it??
No, I haven’t had mine done yet. There is a local lady who wants to do it, and I’m waiting on her to get back in touch with me.
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Good information today.
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Found it! Thanks for this post, Tania. These are good tips to help me.
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Which season are you?
I’m not sure. I’m supposed to have mine done, but the lady hasn’t contacted me back yet.
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Found it. I wish I could find someone reliable to get my colors done. It gets harder to figure when you age. Hair color has changed slightly but I’ve been high lighting for years anyway. My skin tone has really gotten pale and I’ve developed rosacea, so more redness. Yup, aging is not for sissies! 😄
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Found it!! Not sure of my colors. Thanks for this information. I have a candle holder like you bought I love it.
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Found it! Thank you the information! Love you in bright colors!
Found it Interest, I know when a color feels good
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You’re so right that colors make a huge difference! Years ago I had this pale yellow linen outfit that I loved, because it was soft and cool. Every time I wore it, my husband thought I was sick! So, even though I loved it, it went to Goodwill. Then, when I had a color analysis, I realized why! Jewel tones are my friends! Maybe it’s time to redo, since I’m older and grayer.
Thanks for the timely post.
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I used to be an autumn. However I think my skin tone is more neutral. Since I quit coloring my hair and it’s now a light silver I look better in bright colors and neutrals like white navy and black. I look terrible in the fall colors like rust and some shades of olive green. I’m actually enjoying it wearing more colors. I had so much neutral in brown shades. Only the deep brown looks good because it’s close to black. Very interesting post. I think you look good in all the colors.
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I love this post! I had a color analysis years ago. I haven’t changed a lot except for my hair color. I went from Ash Blond to Gray. My eyes are a soft blue. I still wear mostly the same colors and get a lot of compliments. I do venture into some bright colors sometimes. It’s been fun!!
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Found it. I need to redo my colors as my hair and face are both lighter and more washed-out. Wonder if there is an app to drape colors with our face?
I don’t know, but there is one for almost anything, so there is a good chance there will be.
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This a very timely post. I’ve been exploring getting this done. But am having trouble stomaching the price tag!
Thank you
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Found it! Wearing the right colors makes a huge difference. Great post.
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Found it! I’m a warm spring and always get compliments when I am wearing my best colors.
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Found it! I definitely want to have a professional do my colors. I find it confusing trying to do it on my own. How do I go about finding someone who does that where I live?
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You look so good in fuchsia!
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Do you have a neutral undertone?
Every color you wear looks good on you.
I don’t now about my undertone. I am probably more warm than cool, but I’m not sure.
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Found it! I’m in the category of trying to let my gray grow out. It’s going to be a process but I think I can handle it!! Interested in seeing how my colors change.
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Thank you for all the work you put into all this post.
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Love the breakfast video. The carnivore diet is interesting! I am curious how your blood work will be once you are on it for awhile. Please let us know. Yes, you look great in the pinks. Thanks for your bog today.
I’ll be sure and let you know.
Found it! I’m a summer, for sure!
Found it! I had my colors done several years ago and immediately switched from black tops and dresses to navy. What a difference!! I have similar coloring as you do Tania and the black was much too harsh for me. I love all shades of blue and some pinks and purples.
Those sound like great choices.
Found It! Great post, I’m so interested to know what my best colors are…my problem is that I love so many colors and clothes in general I have too many of both ! I think objectively I’m a spring….
FOUND IT. I had this done back around 1990. It was really eye-opening to see how draping a color across your chest and neck can completely change the look of your face! I’m probably due for a new analysis. ha
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I think I need to redo my colors. It’s been a few decades since I had them done.
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What were the results of your color analysis?
I have some one that is supposed to call me with an appointment, but I’ve never had mine done.
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As I am going gray, I find that I’m leaning to more cool colors in my closet. I really appreciate this post as I googled this over the weekend myself!
This is such a timely post. I’ve noticed that colors that used to look good on me have shifted over time. Thanks!
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I believe that wearing one’s best colors is one of the most impactful things that we can do to look alive and vibrant. Many women have good instincts about what colors flatter them. however, I have met many women who don’t have a clue. I was color analyzed and then trained to do color analysis in the old “Color Me Beautiful” system back in 1984. I learned that I am a spring. I found that I had always chosen to wear spring colors, so I did not need to do a wardrobe overhaul. However, I always disliked the 4 season system. There is not enough nuance.
I, for example, have medium, golden brown hair, hazel/greenish, golden-brown eyes, and very fair, golden ivory skin. I look best in medium toned, bright, warm colors. Muted, and especially grayed down colors do not suit me. Neither the old spring nor autumn palettes are exactly right. Some of the spring colors are too light and some of the autumn colors are too muted. I overlap the two warm seasons. Bright, clear chroma rusts are some of my best colors. They are not found in the old spring palette. Not all rusts are for me. If they are muted, I give them a hard no. Warm, pastel pinks and yellows from the spring palette wash me out because they are too light. I chose 40 years ago to wear the colors that I knew were right for my coloring.
During the pandemic, when I had extra time on my hands, I once again delved into the world of color analysis to see what is currently being offered. I found that the system that jibes best with my own thoughts about color is Jen Vax’s “Your Color Style”. She eliminates the (IMHO) silly names such as blue autumn and true spring (are other springs fake?). She divides people into the categories warm vs cool, light, medium, or deep, and bright vs soft. In her system I am bright, warm, medium. I feel that I sit very nicely in that category. The colors I have chosen to wear since I was a teen are found in that category. The only thing I did not like about Jen’s system is that the analyses are done online. I truly believe that we need to be draped in person so that we can learn to see how different colors affect us. I was granted that gift when I trained as a color analyst in 1984. It was fascinating, for example, to see how a woman’s dark under-eye circles could be almost eliminated when she was draped in the correct color. I have never carried around little color samples – either cloth or paper – to figure out whether or not a color is in my palette. I learned to tell the difference between warm and cool versions of a color, clear chroma and muted versions of a color, and to me, the very obvious depth of a color. I do not believe that learning to see how color affects us is difficult. I highly encourage everyone reading to seek out a skilled analyst or to drape yourself in different colors in front of a window to see how different colors affect your appearance. The right colors really do make a difference!
This is all great advice.
Found it! I need to add more color to my wardrobe as I too tend to go with black and white.
At 76 I had my colors done last year by House of Colour. I have a cooler skin but definitely a warm undertone. I am a paintbox Spring which means I get to wear all of my bright warm happy colors.
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I enjoyed today’s post, had my colours done years ago, I’m a mid-fall. Your season suggestions are right on! I pegged you a spring first few blogs I read. Thanks for all you do each and everyday for your followers.
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I had color analysis done last summer, I’m a Warm Fall. Colors i would not normally buy are olive, brown, mustard, but I do love burgundy. Also, I’ve always and forever warm silver jewelry, turns out gold is best for me! It’s really fun to have done!!
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Found it. Nice post.
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We did this in college and I floated somewhere in the middle. Mostly warmer, but cool tones looked good too, aside from some pastels and yellows. I’m blonde with brown eyes, dark blonde now that I’m older. Apparently not a popular combination. I still can’t figure out what I am, but I do know what colors wash me out and I don’t like on me. Some look better with a tan and some look better without a tan.
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FOUND IT🙂. Think I will give the color analysis a try
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Found it. What a great post today! I had my colors done “back in the day” but coloration does change as we mature. I had fun with the colorwheels. Thank you😘
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I love color analysis. I had my colors done about a year ago and it has changed everything. I am a spring and used to wear a lot of black and white. Those colors tend to wash me out and now that I wear spring colors it has changed everything. Would highly recommend!
I’ve personally found color analysis to be one of the most helpful things I have done to streamline my wardrobe and look well put together every day. One note for your gurls – it is important to do the color analysis WITHOUT makeup on. Your skin undertone needs to be as is, au natural, for the best accuracy. It also helps to cover up your hair, especially if you color it something other than your natural color. 🙂
Good advice!
I learned a lot from the personal stylist who did my color analysis a couple years ago. 🙂 Fortunately for me (I’m what is called a deep autumn (or blue autumn)), I love the colors that look best on me. The only bummer for me is pink, as there really is only one pink that looks good on me, and it’s hard to find. I scoop it up anytime I can!
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Thanks for the color tips. Too often I think women get stuck in a color type and are not willing to go “outside the box”. They may discover a whole new look if they try, especially as we age!
My issue it the opposite! I love all colors, not just the ones that look the best on me.
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Found it! Color analysis is very interesting.
I think so too.
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Found It! The blue and white dress the second one looks the best on you. Also the green sweater. I think you are a warm which would be gold jewerly and ivory. I am opposite of you i am a cool winter. I wear silver jewerly and white. I began doing Carol Jackson color me beautiful in 1989. I agree completely with you, purchasing clothes that are your color are the clothes you wear the most.
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I am warm tone. It has been years ago when I did the color swatch. I am going to take the quiz.
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Found it. I did a color analysis a few years ago and it really does make a difference. I love black, but black does not look good on me LOL. It put me out of my comfort zone and made me try different colors.
Black is a hard color for a lot of women to wear. Navy is a better option for most of us.
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Great info! This confirmed I’m a Summer person… for more reasons than fashion. 😊
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Found it Great tips and advise!
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Bright colors look great on you Tania. You look outstanding in the Fuschia/hot pink dress.
~Lisa~
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