I Thought I Knew My Best Color, But a Pro Completely Changed My Mind

Welcome to I Tried It Month, where we'll be publishing a new fashion, beauty, or wellness article every week that features a first-person account of shaking up an old habit, pushing beyond a comfort zone, or simply trying something new. Follow along for four weeks of storytelling, including everything from trying new beauty treatments to copying the most risqué runway looks of the season.

Before my first experience seeing a color analyst, I was convinced that I was an orange girl. Any bright color worked for me, especially on vacation, but orange was just my moment… with lots of gold jewelry. I was truly in a state of shock upon entering the color-analysis studio and seeing the way my skin looked immediately washed out when they put the color orange on me during my consultation. The entire experience was filled with surprises and information I didn't expect to learn. After a lifetime of dressing like I have warm undertones, I was most surprised to learn that my undertones are cool. My shopping experience will never look the same.

It may seem like an obvious answer to some, but my first question before embarking on this journey was, "Why, though?" I'm a busy New Yorker, so when it comes to trying new things, that's always my first thought. Color-analysis expert Ari Cho convinced me with just one sentence. When I first walked in and asked her why I should tell my lovely readers to try out this experience for themselves, she said, "We want to be the main character, not our clothes."

How did you get interested in color analysis?

I got my first personal color done two years ago in Korea, and at the time, it wasn't really too popular in the U.S. Last December, I went back to Korea. I got certified and trained at an academy there. I came back to New York, graduated from Parsons School of Design in May, and opened Ari/rang Color Studio in August. It hasn't been too long since we opened, but it's been very exciting.

Why personal color?

Personal color is really all about knowing how to look and feel our best. We're looking at your natural color characteristics that you're born with. Think the color of your eyes, your hair, your undertones. We use the PCCS hue circle chart and a 146 fabric-draping method to identify your best colors. By putting these fabrics up against your face, we are able to find the colors that highlight your natural color characteristics. Our studio adopted Korean color-analysis processes, as Korea is very advanced in the personal color world. After getting trained there, I knew I had to bring it back to New York so that I could help people find their personal colors without having to fly all the way to Korea.

What if people don't like their results or are bummed to see that they can't wear one of their favorite colors?

Everyone has their own style. Fashion is all about creativity and expressing yourself! I always try to emphasize that I'm not telling you to throw away your favorite dress. The goal is to look and feel your best while wearing your favorite clothes!

Do you have any tips for finding your colors at home?

Start by looking at the colors in your closet, and when you go shopping, don't be scared to try different things. If you only try on black clothes when you go shopping, you'd never know that you look better in other colors! When you're shopping, try to be more open-minded. Most people have a hard time identifying whether the color is warm toned or cool toned, but expanding your style preferences will help you be more creative and get closer to finding your best colors. You won't know until you try, so don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone!

How does choosing the right color for you change how you feel?

It can really boost your confidence. Many of my clients feel extra confident walking out of here because they now know how to look and feel their best.

At our studio, we not only look at the colors but also look at fashion and makeup recommendations for each client. They are able to see which colors work best for them and learn how to apply those colors during their consultation. Personal color is also really important when it comes to business, especially if you are client facing, because it's really all about knowing how to present and brand yourself in the best way possible.

Do people of different races share the same color palette?

People of different races can share the same color palette, as the seasons (color palettes) that we look at in our personal color theories can exist in all races. Maybe if you have darker skin, there are higher chances that you'll look better in darker colors since they won't wash you out, but even within the darker colors, we have to look at warm vs. cool tones, brightness, and saturation levels because it really depends on the individual.

Any last thoughts?

Everyone should get their personal color analysis done. I get a lot of messages from clients, telling me about how excited they are to shop and feel good in their best colors after their consultations! It's honestly life-changing, and I love seeing our clients leave Ari/rang with more confidence and a smile on their face!

One of the wildest parts of this experience was seeing the way my face changed based on the color swatches that were placed underneath my face. Colors that I had thought were so good on me washed me out when compared to the colors that the professionals recommended. 

My final conclusion and one of my favorite things that Ari told me was that I should still wear the colors that I love and that make me happy. However, knowing how to dress for a special occasion or big moment is crucial, and I'll never shop the same way again. If you're unable to see a color analyst IRL, don't let that stop you from shopping based on your complexion. You most certainly won't regret it.

Once you've discovered your color palette, shop these pieces: