What Keke Palmer’s Copper Hair Teaches Us About Color Analysis

Here’s the truth about color analysis: it isn’t about “rules” or someone handing you a palette and saying you can only wear beige or navy for the rest of your life. At its core, color analysis is about undertones—the subtle tones beneath your skin that determine how different shades sit on you.

Think of it like lighting. The same outfit can look completely different under fluorescent lights versus golden hour. Undertones are your built-in lighting system. When you wear the right colors, your skin looks more even, your eyes brighter, your hair richer. The wrong ones? Suddenly you’re looking tired, washed out, or like the outfit is wearing you.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

Warm undertones: shades of yellow, peach, or golden beneath the skin. These glow in earthy tones (copper, camel, olive, coral).
Cool undertones: hints of pink, red, or blue beneath the skin. These come alive in jewel tones (sapphire, emerald, plum, icy pastels).
Neutral undertones: a balance of both warm and cool—usually flexible, but best in softer or muted versions of colors.
Deep vs. Muted: It’s not just warm vs. cool. Some women look better in saturated, high-contrast shades (deep emerald, cobalt, burgundy), while others shine in softer, dustier tones (sage, mauve, sand).

The problem? Most of the “seasonal color analysis” charts you’ll find on Pinterest or in old-school style books were designed with white women as the default. Which means if you’re a woman of color trying to figure out your palette, those pastel-heavy Spring or icy Winter charts might feel totally off. The representation gap makes it confusing, frustrating, and—honestly—exclusionary.

But color analysis isn’t meant to be a box. It’s meant to be a tool. And the modern way to use it is about adapting these principles to every skin tone—celebrating deeper complexions, richer undertones, and the full range of what style looks like in real life. That’s where we come in. Our approach to color analysis is about making it inclusive, stylish, and wearable—so you can stop asking “Why doesn’t this color look good on me?” and start building a wardrobe that works with you, not against you.