You've booked your colour analysis. Now for the practical question: what do you actually wear to a colour analysis? The short answer is a plain, light, neutral top, a bare (or nearly bare) face and your hair tied back. Below is the longer answer, plus why each part matters, so you arrive relaxed and get the clearest result.
Why what you wear makes a difference
During a colour analysis I hold fabric drapes under your face, one after another, in natural daylight. Together we watch what each colour does to your skin, eyes and hair. The right colours make you look brighter, smoother and more awake. The wrong ones cast shadows, bring out redness or make you look tired.
Anything else near your face competes with those drapes: a bold top, a strong lipstick, a fresh tan. The less there is to distract, the clearer the answer. That's really the whole idea behind everything below.
What to wear: a plain, neutral top
A plain top in white, light grey or beige. These sit quietly in the background and let the drapes do the talking.
No pattern, print or logos. Stripes, florals and slogans pull the eye away from your face.
Not black. Black is so strong that it changes how your skin reads next to it, and it makes almost every drape look harsher than it really is. (More on that in Why Black and White Might Be Working Against You.)
A simple neckline. A crew neck, V-neck or boat neck lets the drape sit close to your neck. Polo necks and big collars get in the way.
The rest of your outfit doesn't matter. Wear comfortable trousers or a skirt you can sit in for an hour and a half.
Can I wear makeup to a colour analysis?
A clean face is best. Foundation, concealer, bronzer and blusher all add colour to your skin, and your skin is exactly what we're reading.
If you'd feel more yourself with a little on, keep it minimal: a touch of mascara is fine. Please skip heavy eyeliner, strong lipstick, contour and bronzer.
Two more things:
Fake tan: if you can, let it fade before your session. A fresh tan shifts your skin tone and can tip the result.
Bring your makeup instead: if you have a favourite lipstick or blusher, pop it in your bag. Once we know your season, we can check whether it works for you.
Hair: tied back, off your face
Tie your hair back or clip it up so your face and neck are clear. Bring a hair tie just in case.
If you dye your hair, come as you are. Your season comes from your natural colouring (skin, eyes and the undertone underneath it all), so there's no need to change anything before the session. If you're wondering whether your current hair colour suits you, ask me. It's one of the most common questions I get.
Jewellery, glasses and accessories
Jewellery: leave statement earrings and necklaces at home, or take them off when we start. Small studs are fine.
Glasses: bring them if you wear them every day. I'll ask you to take them off for the draping (if you are able to see without them), and you can try them on again afterwards to see how the frame works with your colours.
Scarves, hats, coloured hair clips: off for the session.
What to bring
A few clothes you love and a few you never reach for. We'll hold them against your palette, which usually explains a lot about why some pieces never get worn.
Your favourite lipstick or makeup, if you'd like them checked.
Your questions. Write them down beforehand so you don't forget anything on the day.
Before your session I'll also send you a short temperament quiz. Please fill it in before we meet. It helps me understand how you like to dress, not just which colours suit you.
Where and when
Colour analysis works best in natural daylight, so sessions take place during daylight hours.
At my studio in Osdorp, Amsterdam: there's parking outside the building, and trams 1 and 17 stop close by (Meer en Vaart or Osdorpplein Oost).
At your home: choose a room with good natural daylight near a window, a mirror and a table or some clear space.
I work in English, Dutch and German.
Coming as a group?
The same advice applies to everyone in a Duo, Trio or Quartet session and at a Colour Party. Forward this post to your group so everyone arrives ready.
The Evening Masterclass works differently. Each guest sends me a daylight photo with no makeup beforehand, and I complete the analysis in advance. On the night itself, you can wear whatever you like. See all group formats on the Groups page.
Your quick checklist
Plain top in white, light grey or beige (no black, no pattern)
Clean face, or a touch of mascara at most
Fake tan faded, if possible
Hair tied back, hair tie in your bag
Statement jewellery off
A few favourite and never-worn clothes to check
Temperament quiz filled in
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear black to a colour analysis? It's better not to. Black is strong enough to change how your skin looks and makes it harder to read the drapes accurately. White, light grey or beige work much better.
Can I wear makeup? No makeup is ideal. A little mascara is fine, but skip foundation, bronzer, blusher, heavy eyeliner and strong lipstick.
I dye my hair. Does that matter? No. We work from your natural colouring, and your hair is tied back during the draping. We can talk about whether your current hair colour suits you.
What if I wear glasses? Bring them. You'll take them off for the draping (if you are able to see yourself without them), and we can look at your frames afterwards.
Ready to book?
A solo colour analysis with me is €185 and takes 1.5 hours. You go home with your pocket colour card, a colour swatch and a PDF guide to your season. For a full breakdown of prices and what's included, read How Much Does Colour Analysis Cost in Amsterdam, and What's Included?
Curious where it all starts? Your Undertone Is Where It Starts explains the first thing I look at.
Book your colour analysis or email me at hello@colourbella.com with any questions. I look forward to seeing you, in your plain beige top.