Ever looked in your closet and realized it’s a sea of black, grey, and was-this-even-a-good-idea beige? Same. And yet somehow, every time I tried something “fun” like mustard yellow or dusty mauve, I looked… tired. Or vaguely sick. Fast forward to me living in South Korea—a place where beauty trends move faster than K-dramas—and everyone’s talking about personal color analysis.
Curious (and low-key desperate to stop wasting money on clothes that don’t vibe with me), I booked a session. Spoiler: it wasn’t just helpful—it was surprisingly fun, low-key therapeutic, and left me feeling like I’d unlocked a cheat code to dressing better without overthinking.
Here’s the full scoop: what color analysis actually is, how it works in Korea, what the different color types mean, and why I highly recommend trying it (plus I’ll hook you up with my consultant at the end—she’s a gem!).
So, What Is a Personal Color Analysis?
In a nutshell: It’s like a custom color map for your face. A trained consultant analyzes your natural coloring—your skin undertone, eye color, hair tone—and identifies which colors complement you best. The goal? To figure out the shades that make you look healthy, glowing, and effortlessly stylish.
You know how some colors make your skin look radiant, while others drain you, even when you’re well-rested? That’s what this fixes.
And Korea loves this. Personal color analysis is practically a rite of passage here. Walk around Seoul and you’ll notice influencers, celebs, even regular folks raving about their results. It’s one of those experiences that blends beauty, self-discovery, and practicality all in one.
The Four Main Color Seasons (And Why It’s More Complex Than You Think)
At its core, the analysis categorizes you into one of four seasons—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter—based on two main factors:
- Undertone: Warm vs. Cool
- Clarity & Depth: Bright vs. Muted, Light vs. Deep
But here’s where it gets interesting: each season has subcategories, and understanding them gives you even more insight.
🌸 Spring: Fresh
Spring Warm types usually have:
- Warm undertones (yellow or peachy base)
- Clear, bright skin (sometimes with a natural flush)
- Light eyes (green, light brown, amber)
- Natural light to medium hair (warm blonde, light brown)
Best colors:
Peach, coral, ivory, warm pastels, turquoise, light apricot, mint green.
Avoid:
Harsh dark colors (like stark black…), overly cool shades (icy blues).
Spring types shine in fresh, vibrant, happy colors. Think blooming flowers and sunshine vibes.
(And yes. I get the irony that this is my type. As someone with a mainly black wardrobe.^^)
☁️ Summer: Soft
Summer Cool types have:
- Cool undertones (pink, rosy, or beige base)
- Soft, muted features
- Light to medium hair (ash blonde, soft brown)
- Eyes that are cool-toned (grey, blue, soft hazel)
Best colors:
Dusty rose, lavender, periwinkle, powder blue, cool greys, soft navy.
Avoid:
Overly warm or golden shades, bold neons.
Summer types look ethereal and elegant in soft, powdery shades—like a watercolor painting.
🍂 Autumn: Earthy
Autumn Warm types tend to have:
- Warm undertones (golden, olive, or tan)
- Deep, rich coloring
- Darker hair (chocolate brown, deep red, dark blonde)
- Eyes in warm tones (hazel, dark brown, green)
Best colors:
Mustard yellow, olive green, rust, burnt orange, camel, deep teal, chocolate brown.
Avoid:
Icy or cool shades, bright neons, pure white.
Autumns shine in earthy, spicy, cozy tones—basically everything you’d see on a fall Pinterest board.
❄️ Winter: Dramatic
Winter Cool types usually feature:
- Cool undertones (blue or neutral base)
- High contrast between skin, eyes, hair
- Dark hair (black, dark brown)
- Eyes that pop—deep brown, icy blue, dark green
Best colors:
Black (yes, black is finally a winner!), white, jewel tones (emerald, sapphire, ruby), icy pastels, bold red.
Avoid:
Earthy, muddy colors, overly warm shades.
Winter types have that dramatic, striking vibe and can rock high-contrast, bold colors effortlessly.
But Wait—What About “Muted,” “Deep,” or “Bright”?
Good question! The seasons also break down further:
- Light vs. Deep: Light types suit soft, pale shades (think Spring Light or Summer Light). Deep types thrive in richer, darker tones (Autumn Deep, Winter Deep).
- Bright vs. Muted: Bright types need clear, vibrant colors (Spring Bright, Winter Bright). Muted types glow in softer, dusty shades (Summer Muted, Autumn Muted).
This is why a professional consultation is so helpful—they’ll pinpoint where you land exactly, and trust me, it’s more nuanced than just “warm” or “cool.”
How Does a Color Consultation Work in Korea? (aka What to Expect)
So, what actually happens during a session? Here’s how mine went down (and yes, it felt a bit like being backstage at a fashion show—minus the stress):
1. Arrive Bare-Faced (Don’t Panic)
No makeup, no tinted sunscreen, no lipstick sneaking in—your natural skin tone needs to shine through. It felt a little vulnerable, but trust me, it’s essential. (The consultants also have make-up remover at their studios so don’t worry if you feel uncomfortable arriving bare-faced.)
2. Undertone & Feature Check-Up
The consultant examines your natural coloring up close:
- Skin undertone (warm, cool, or neutral)
- Eye clarity & color
- Hair tone (including whether it’s dyed or natural)
Some even shine natural light on your face to see how your skin reflects.
3. Swatch Draping—The Main Event
You sit in front of a mirror, and she drapes a literal rainbow of colored fabrics under your face. You’d think it’s subtle, but I was shocked at how quickly some colors drained me while others made me look like I had flawless skin (spoiler: I don’t).
4. The Big Reveal
After testing countless swatches, she identifies your main season and subcategory. She’ll explain why certain colors work and others don’t—whether it’s because of undertones, brightness, or depth.
5. Customized Recommendations
Here’s where it gets good:
- A breakdown of your best clothing colors
- Suggested makeup shades (lipstick, eyeshadow, blush) plus makeup check (e.g. we brought makeup we currently use and she checked whether it was a match)
- Hair dye recommendations
- Even tips for jewelry—gold vs. silver!
Many consultants (mine included) provide takeaway material with photos, swatch charts, and color tips tailored just for you.
Why It’s Worth It (And Honestly, Super Fun)
✨ Self-Discovery Minus the Overwhelm
There’s no pressure to buy anything or fit into trends. It’s about learning how to enhance your natural look, not change it.
✨ Instant Clarity (Literally and Figuratively)
Post-consultation, you’ll realize why certain outfits always felt “off” and why you instinctively reach for that one lipstick shade over and over.
✨ Travel-Friendly Experience
Visiting Korea? Instead of another beauty product haul (which, let’s be honest, might sit unused), book a session. No excess baggage required, and you’ll leave with practical knowledge you can use forever.
✨ Expats, This Is for You Too
Living in Korea long-term and feeling swamped by beauty standards? This is a fun, low-key way to carve out your personal aesthetic without getting lost in the trend cycle.
✨ You Can Do It With A Friend
Friend date alert! Many consultants also offer sessions for up to three people. I attended mine with a friend and it was super fun! (Though we basically learnt that we’re mistakenly mainly wearing each other’s season instead of our own.^^)
Meet My Consultant: Highly Recommend!
I have to give major credit to Nicole from In the pink. She made the whole process feel comfortable, informative, and actually exciting.
Here’s why I loved her:
- Super professional but friendly—she explained everything clearly, no gatekeeping.
- Fluent in English (huge plus for non-Korean speakers!).
- Gave me a super detailed post-session report, complete with swatches, makeup shade recommendations, and hair color suggestions.
- Bonus: She offered snapping photos during the session so I could compare before/after vibes.
If you’re interested, here’s where you can find her:
📍 서울특별시 성동구 1119호 (Seongsu)
📲 Instagram @in_the_pink_color
Highly suggest booking early—she’s popular!
📝 Quick Tips Before You Book:
- Do:
✅ Show up bare-faced (bring some makeup to touch up after if you have plans!)
✅ Wear neutral clothes (so your outfit doesn’t throw off the analysis)
✅ Take photos and videos—trust me, you’ll want to reference them later. - Don’t:
❌ Stress about being labeled a certain “type.” It’s about knowing what enhances you, not boxing you in.
❌ Feel pressure to change your entire wardrobe overnight—use it as a guide, not a rulebook.
Final Thoughts:
Turns out, knowing your personal color palette isn’t about sticking to rigid rules—it’s about finding what naturally flatters you and makes you feel confident. I left my session not only understanding why certain clothes never felt quite right, but also excited to shop smarter (and with fewer regrets).
Does my wardrobe still consist of mainly black which happens to NOT be my color? Yes. But has the consultation encouraged me to stray away from my safe color more often? Also yes.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Korea or living here long-term, I can’t recommend this enough. Think of it as a small investment with a huge return: better selfies, easier shopping, and—most importantly—feeling like the best version of yourself.
Ready to find your colors? 🎨
Interested in learning more about Korean culture? Check out my blog posts about Dancheong, making your own DIY souvenirs, Korean Culture with a Twist, Lotus Lantern Festival, and Traditional Children’s Games as seen on Squid Game.
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