What to Expect in a Face-to-Face Colour Consultation
Have you ever wondered what really happens in a professional colour consultation?
Maybe you have tried an online quiz or AI app that told you your “season” in minutes, but you were left feeling uncertain it was correct and unsure how to even start implementing the information.
A face-to-face colour consultation is completely different. It is personal, practical, and deeply empowering. It gives you clarity and confidence that lasts for years. You will actually see and experience the difference a simple colour change can make to your skin and once you have that knowledge it is impossible to unsee it.
Here is exactly what happens when you book an in-person session with me at Ann Whitaker Style, so you know what to expect and how to get the most from your experience.
1. A Warm Welcome and Discovery Chat
When you arrive, we begin with a cup of tea or coffee and relaxed chat about you. We will talk about your lifestyle, your work, why you are wanting to have your colours analysed and what you would love to achieve from your session. I generally don’t ask you about the colours you like or dislike as the colour drapes will show us this information, sometimes clients like to share their preferred colours and sometimes they don’t, either way it will not influence the results.
The consultation takes place at my Kenmore based Brisbane studio in natural light so we can see your skin clearly, I only work during daylight hours as artificial lighting casts colour tones and shadows. For an accurate analysis you need to be makeup free, so before we start, I will check if you are wearing any makeup and if necessary, you will remove any makeup so I can see your natural undertone accurately.
If you do use fake tan on your face then please wait until it has faded out before coming for analysis, but if you have tattooed brows or lips, I have enough experience (18 years!) to work around these.
Watch (Video 1 – 0:00–0:30): This clip shows how we start with makeup-free skin and natural daylight to create the perfect conditions for accurate colour analysis.
2. Understanding the Colour System
Before draping begins, I’ll explain exactly how a colour analysis works and how the four seasonal palettes: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter are determined by undertone, clarity, and depth.
You will see examples of fabric swatches for each season and learn how cool, warm, muted, or bright colours can interact with the skin.
Many clients are surprised at how obvious the changes are once they see the fabrics against their face, so if you have been watching colour reveal videos and feeling confused it is vastly different in real life. It is very experiential, and you will definitely see the changes each colour combo makes against your own skin, and I will ensure you are comfortable and confidence with the diagnosis at each step of the way.
Watch (Video 2 – 0:00–0:25): This video demonstrates how warm and cool fabrics reflect differently on the face. Notice how the correct undertone instantly brightens the complexion and eyes and is harmonious with her skintone.
3. The Draping Process – Where the Magic Happens
This is where the transformation begins. Using a series of precision-dyed drapes, I’ll place different colours under your chin, first one warm, one cool; then once we have discovered whether you have a warm (yellow) or cool (blue) undertone we then do a further comparison between muted colours vs bright colours, and we’ll observe how your skin tone, eyes, and features respond.
We will look for signs of harmony:
• Skin looks smoother and more even.
• Eyes appear clearer and brighter.
• Lines and shadows soften naturally; it can be like a mini facelift.
• Your whole face looks more alive and balanced.
This process is collaborative. I will explain what we are seeing, and you will soon start to recognise the difference yourself. It is not about opinion, or the colours you like, or you don’t like it is about evidence you will see on your face.
One recent client likened it to the sorting hat in Harry Potter, you might want to be in a certain “house or season”, but the drapes are impartial and will tell us exactly where you are.
Video 3 shows the warm vs cool difference: These clips show the draping process in action. Notice how each fabric subtly changes the skin tone, highlighting when a colour enhances versus when it drains.
Once we know your undertone we then further drill down to find your final season by comparing muted vs bright colours against your skin
4. Discovering Your Perfect Palette
Once we have confirmed your season, we refine it to find your absolute best shades within that palette – your personal “wow” colours.
You will see your personalised Colour Swatch, which becomes your shopping and styling guide. This is a physical rather than digital swatch since a digital swatch will be affected by your phone’s colour settings. I will show you which neutrals form the foundation of your wardrobe, and which accent colours lift your look for special occasions.
We will also discuss how to approach those things in your wardrobe that might not be in your season, and I will explain how best to transition and accessorise these whilst you are in the process of updating your wardrobe into your new palette. The last thing I want you to do it panic and throw away half your old wardrobe on day 1, instead we talk about strategic moves and investments to get you started on your colour journey so you can embrace this new version of you in your time and according your budget allowances.
These were Chantal’s top colours
5. Makeup and Hair Guidance
We finish by exploring your best makeup shades – we colour match a tinted moisturiser, 3 lipstick colours and a blush, and note eye colours that will harmonise with your natural colouring rather than competing with it.
You will see the difference instantly when the right tones are applied. It is subtle but powerful.
If you colour your hair, I will guide you on which tones will enhance your skin and keep your overall look cohesive and radiant.
If you are thinking about transitioning to grey and embracing your natural silver sparkles, we will discuss the best approach for you based on your seasonal palette. Everyone can successfully embrace their greys, but each season will transition differently.
6. Your Personalised Colour Journey
At the end of your consultation, you will receive:
• Your personal colour swatch with its own wallet, which is your daily guide to choosing clothes and accessories that flatter you.
• The videos and photos from your colour reveal stages so that you can review the process at your leisure and use it for future reference.
• A booklet explaining all your colours and how to move forward, we will also go through this together, so you fully understand your next best moves.
• A Pinterest board in your season
• A link and discount code to Kettlewell Colours which is a clothing supplier in the UK who sections everything by season,
• You will also have the option to buy all the makeup that we discuss and tried on during the session and receive a discount code for my beauty devices.
• I also invite you to join my closed client FB community which is filled with beautiful caring women who are all embracing their new colour journey and love to help and support each other.
You’ll leave knowing:
• Which colours make your skin glow.
• How to combine shades for your everyday wardrobe
• How to shop with confidence and avoid costly mistakes
• How to build a wardrobe you love wearing
• How to start to implement your new colours into your wardrobe
• Your best colour tones for makeup, hair, glasses, nails, jewellery and of course clothing too.
Clients repeatedly tell me this session saves them time, money, and frustration, and gives them the confidence to look and feel like the best version of themselves every day.
READYTO DISCOVER YOUR COLOURS?
Book your consultation today and start your colour journey with clarity and confidence.
Book Your Colour Consultation Now