A New Shade of Professional Development for Working Women
5 Takeaways from my Personal Color Analysis
What comes to mind when you think of professional development? Coursework, upskilling and leadership development, perhaps? You’re not alone. Personal style seems, well, personal, not a professional tool in your toolkit.
With 75% of executive women experiencing imposter syndrome, per a 2020 KPMG study, it is time to recognize cultivating confidence goes beyond clothing yourself in skill development. Consider not only heightening your expertise but harnessing your brilliance by embracing the uniqueness of who you are and feeling at home in your skin.
While you’ll have to hold off on that professional development funding request for your next shopping spree, the gift of showing up as your best self pays dividends in your career impact and earning potential.
Join me as I pull back the curtain behind this new-to-me phenomenon called personal color analysis where the colors of confidence are unveiled and the hidden layers of who you are peeled back for true transformation.
WHAT IS COLOR ANALYSIS?
Rewind to late last year when I listened to a podcast centered around personal color analysis. I had never heard of such a thing! It’s a consultation that uncovers your natural coloring giving you the keys to uncomplicate your closet and look dreamy in your clothes.
Always look your best and style never gone wrong? I’m in! So I roped in my friend, Colleen, for a girls’ day to discover our unique color palette with Style Coach and Personal Color Analyst, Stephanie Grabow.
Here’s the skinny. Color analysis is a scientific process to measure your natural coloring based on “three-dimensional attributes of hue, value and chroma.” In layman’s terms? It’s a personal consultation uncovering your natural coloring from 12 distinct seasonal color palettes to reveal what colors unleash your natural glow.
A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Expect to come with (or reveal) a fresh face. This is about the DNA of your coloring after all. Stephanie, our color expert, welcomed us into her stunning home. Immediately we felt at ease with her warm smile, genuine hospitality and gorgeously styled studio with macarons to boot! Once she shared the science of color analysis and gleaned our goals for the day (which was just pure fun!), we got started.
I faced a large mirror bookended by bright lights in a blush office chair. It’s a bit daunting at first to stare at yourself stripped down, gray bandana atop your head with only your imperfections glaring at you (I’m looking at you under eye circles), but it’s all part of the process.
Stephanie took time to point out the uniqueness of my face and my coloring - purple under the eyes, red patches. We noticed freckles, wrinkles and cheekbones. An analysis of all that makes you, well you!
Then comes the color draping. Stephanie uses color swatches that represent the three dimensions of color. She has a trained eye to see what colors harmonize with your natural coloring and which hues drain or change you. It took me a bit to see the subtle color lifts and pulls from my face, but when you do, it’s like sparks of magic before your eyes.
While the draping occurred, we chatted and laughed. Talked about daily stresses but also about our careers and our relationship with fashion, makeup and beauty.
I shared how I wear neutrals mostly, simple jewelry and makeup. Growing up, my family didn’t focus on hair, makeup or clothes. I was never taught the art and science of it. And if I’m honest, this process made me a bit uncomfortable.
It revealed a bit about the inward parts of me. I love to help others to stand out, but me? Oooh no. I feel most comfortable on the sidelines. I don’t like to draw much attention with color, makeup or accessories. The more we chatted the more I realized my lack of confidence shows up in how I present myself (gulp!).
Always putting the spotlight on others may be more of a shield than showing up as authentic, true and dare I say, bold Meg! It got me thinking: What do I want to communicate with my presence? Why do I feel so unnerved by it? These are questions I’m still pondering from our session.
THE REVEAL
Once Stephanie narrowed in on our color palette. The real fun began playing with makeup to suit our coloring, revealing the shine that is within both of us.
The results? I’m a bright spring and Colleen a bright winter.
TAKE 5
The color analysis session stirred up a lot of fun and food for thought on how I communicate with color. Here’s what I learned:
Get Comfortable Naked (Faced)
It’s refreshing to see (and appreciate) your face from behind the makeup. It was so interesting to hear how the idiosyncrasies of my friend’s and my face are so unique and beautiful in our own way.
Notice The Little Things
I was slow to the punch to train my eye on the magic of color. I see the color in my closet and makeup differently. I wield my to-go swatch of colors to see what works and what doesn’t to show up confident (even though I’m still figuring this color thing out)!
Be OK with Vulnerability
My insecurity was talking to me in the session. I don’t have to give up my favorite black jeans or staple neutral tees, but it got me thinking about how I show up and the push for owning color for my good!
Grow (Color) Confident
I have a lot of growth in this area - Stepping out of my neutrals comfort zone to embrace colors that are truly meant for my skin (and personality) to shine! I was surprised by the colors I could pull off that I never thought possible! Hello, caramel camel, it’s nice to meet you!
Impact-Ready
This experience turned me inside out. Understanding and leveraging my unique coloring will help me bring impact to my work and exude confidence while doing it. Win, win!
Stephanie’s joy-filled, wholehearted approach helps women, like you and me, level up our impact, uncomplicate our closet and define our personal style. Hands down reach out to her if you are an Indianapolis native. It was truly a fun and professionally awakening experience.