Why everyone says Color Analysis doesn't work on Social Media

Hello, style enthusiasts!

I can't stop seeing comments on social media such as:

• "Colorimetry is a scam"
• "Colorimetry doesn't work"

And other comments when watching a video where a stylist uses draping on a client, such as:

• "The wall changes color too"
• "If a color suits you, it’s only in your imagination"
• "Warm and cool both suit you, it doesn't matter"

These comments, along with many similar expressions, aim to dismiss color analysis as something non-existent or purely subjective.

The real reason behind these comments

These comments have a practical and real justification. There is a key factor causing this confusion: they are made in videos where stylists perform "Color Draping" on their clients (not in a digital test such as this) or when people attempt to test themselves with clothes in different colors.

For example, when a person or stylist places a blue cloth (a cool color) on someone with warm undertones, the blue light reflected by the cloth bounces onto the face. This can make the face appear cooler and bluish. As a result, someone without much knowledge of color analysis theory may get confused and think the person has cool undertones, especially if their tone is close to neutral.

What happens if I wear a blue or cool-toned cloth? Does my appearance change?

The answer is: it depends. If you are close to neutral—that is, you have very few warm characteristics even if you are warm-toned—wearing cool-toned clothing might shift your appearance toward cooler tones. However, if you have intense warm undertones, wearing cool-toned clothing will make you look dull and lifeless.

The key is understanding that light bounces off clothing and creates subtle colors on the face. This phenomenon is what many people fail to grasp, leading to comments like:

• "The wall changes color too"
• "If a color suits you, it’s only in your imagination"
• "Warm and cool both suit you, it doesn't matter"

What about a digital color test?

A Digital Color Test is just as valid as a physical one. The main difference is that in a digital test, there is no light reflection, so no additional color is added to the face. This removes confusion for users with intermediate knowledge, making it easier to determine if a color suits a face or not.

Warning about TikTok filters

It is important to note that TikTok filters are not reliable tools, especially those that add makeup or slightly alter face tones. These filters can distort results, as seen with orange filters that add warm makeup to the face, completely changing the analysis and leading to results far from reality.

Conclusion

Color Draping analyses are particularly useful when done with a specialized stylist, while digital color tests are a simpler option for those who want to perform an analysis with minimal effort.

What do you think about this information? Did you already know it?