Colour analysis has become increasingly popular—and for good reason. When you understand the colours that truly suit you, getting dressed becomes easier, more intentional, and far more flattering. However, with popularity comes misinformation. Over the years, I’ve seen the same myths crop up again and again, often leaving people confused or convinced colour analysis “doesn’t work” for them.

Let’s clear things up. Here are five of the most common misconceptions about colour analysis, and the truth behind them.

1. Vein Colour Determines Your Undertone

You’ve probably heard this one: “If your veins are blue, you’re cool. If they’re green, you’re warm.” While this is one of the most widely shared tips, it’s also one of the least reliable.

Vein colour can be influenced by skin thickness, depth, lighting, and even hydration. For many people—especially those with olive or deeper skin tones—veins can appear blue, green, purple, or sometimes not clearly visible at all.

The truth: Undertone is determined by how your skin reacts to colour, not by a single physical marker. True colour analysis looks at harmony—how your skin, eyes, and hair respond when surrounded by different shades.

2. People With Richer or Deeper Skin Tones Are Automatically Warm

This misconception is particularly limiting and simply untrue. Just like fair skin, richer skin tones come in a full spectrum of undertones.

You can have:

Warm
Cool
Olive
Neutral leaning warm
Neutral leaning cool

…at any depth of skin tone.

The truth: Skin depth (how light or deep your complexion is) is completely separate from undertone (warm, cool, or neutral). Colour analysis is inclusive and works beautifully across all complexions when done correctly.

For example, Sabrina Carpenter & Rhianna are the same season. Both have very different compexions but have the same undertone.

3. If You Have Freckles and Tan Easily, You’re Warm

Freckles and tanning ability are often misunderstood as undertone indicators. While many warm-toned individuals do tan easily or have freckles, this is not a rule.

Cool and neutral individuals can also:

Tan deeply
Have freckles
Bronze in the sun

The truth: Tanning is a surface reaction of the skin, not an indicator of undertone. Your undertone stays the same year-round—even if your skin tone deepens in summer.

To note: Emma Watson and Megan Markle are the only warm seasons out of the bunch.

4. “I’m Very Pale, So I Must Be Cool”

Paleness is often mistaken for coolness, but they are not the same thing. Some of the warmest undertones exist in very fair skin, while some cool undertones appear deeper or more muted.

The truth: Fair skin can be warm, cool, neutral, or olive—just like any other skin depth. What matters is whether warm or cool colours bring life to your complexion, not how light your skin is.

All 4 of these women appear “cool” or “pale” but they’re all in fact Spring seasons and are warm.

5. Black Is a Universally Flattering Colour

Black is often considered a “safe” or universally flattering choice—but in colour analysis, it actually belongs to one specific season.

True black is best suited to Winter palettes, where high contrast and deep saturation enhance natural features. For other seasons, black can appear:

Overpowering
Draining
Harsh against the skin

The truth: While black may be stylish or practical, it isn’t flattering on everyone. Softer seasons often shine in charcoal, navy, chocolate, or deep muted tones instead.

To note, Zooey Deschanel is the only one who has black in her winter palette.

Final Thoughts

Colour analysis isn’t about rules or restrictions—it’s about understanding what works with your natural colouring rather than against it. When misconceptions are stripped away, the process becomes empowering, inclusive, and incredibly transformative.

If you’ve ever felt confused by colour analysis or assumed it “wasn’t for you,” chances are one of these myths played a role. The right analysis considers the whole picture—and that’s where the magic happens.

If you’re ready to discover your true colours, I’d love to guide you through it.

5 Common Misconceptions About Colour Analysis