How this color analysis quiz works

This page shows how the quiz finds your color season: every question and score, how a result is chosen, and what has and hasn't been tested.

What it measures

Each person gets a score on three scales: cool to warm, light to deep, and soft to bright. Each scale has three questions, and each question changes one thing at a time.

The questions and their scores

Scores run from -1 to +1. "Not sure" isn't counted. Choosing gray or white hair skips the hair tone question, and neither hair question counts.

• 1. How light or dark is your natural hair? Depth: Very light -1, Dark blond -0.5, Medium brown 0, Dark brown +0.5, Near black +1.
• 2. What tone does your natural hair have? Warmth: Golden or red glints +1, Neither, quite neutral 0, Ashy or smoky -1.
• 3. How light or dark are your eyes? Depth: Light -1, Medium 0, Dark +1.
• 4. How do your eyes read from arm's length? Clarity: Clear and crisp +1, In between 0, Soft and blended -1.
• 5. Which swatch is closest to your inner arm in lightness? Depth: Very fair -1, Fair -0.6, Light medium -0.2, Medium +0.2, Tan to brown +0.6, Very deep +1.
• 6. Does a clear coral or a dusty coral look better near your face? Clarity: Clear coral +1, Both are fine 0, Dusty coral -1.
• 7. Which white looks better near your face? Warmth: Soft cream +1, Look the same 0, Bright white -1.
• 8. Which metal looks more natural next to your skin? Warmth: Gold +1, Both about the same 0, Silver -1.
• 9. Does a vivid color or a muted version sit better near your face? Clarity: Vivid +1, Both are fine 0, Muted -1.

How a result is chosen

• Each scale's score is the average of the questions you answered on it.
• A result needs at least 5 answers, with at least one on each scale. Otherwise the quiz takes you back to a question you skipped.
• Your season is the closest of the 12 positions below, and the second closest is your alternative.
• The wording comes from how much closer the first season is than the second. At 0.35 or more it says "Your answers lean clearly toward this season", at 0.15 or more "Your answers lean toward this season", and otherwise "Your matches are close". A line under the season name places a dot from that same difference, with no percentage, because a quiz isn't that precise.
• If every scale is under 0.25 from the middle, you get Balanced coloring and no single season.
• If you land exactly between two seasons, the quiz doesn't choose. It shows both and you pick.

This table lists where each of the 12 seasons sits on the three scales.

What has been tested

The scoring has been checked by computer across all 688,128 possible answer combinations. All 12 seasons can be reached, strongly warm answers never give a cool season (or the reverse), and warm and cool seasons come up equally often.

In simulated answers with some mistakes added, the top pick matched the intended season about 67% of the time, and the top two contained it about 96% of the time. That's why the result always shows an alternative. Changing one answer changes the result about 46% to 70% of the time, depending on the question. Twelve narrow seasons are sensitive by nature.

An earlier version asked how far apart your hair and skin are in lightness. We replaced it because, across answer combinations, it made Bright seasons far less likely for people with very deep skin and dark hair. This came from comparing combinations, not from testing with people.

What hasn't been tested

• The quiz has not yet been tested with a wide group of real people, or reviewed by a professional color analyst.
• Results may still differ across skin tones. That can only be checked by testing with people.
• Holding a screen near your face ("Try it on you") is an unproven aid. Room light and screen settings can change how colors look.
• Seasonal color analysis is a styling convention. We make no claim that it is scientifically accurate.

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