How to find your power color in 6 steps

Everyone has a color like that: you put it on and you instantly look fresher, stronger and more confident. People say you look great, without knowing exactly why. That is your power color.

Below you can read what a power color is, how to discover yours in six steps, and how to use it at the moments that matter.

What is a power color?

A power color is a color from your own palette that gives you the most. Your skin looks even, your eyes light up and you radiate confidence. It is not just a pretty color, but a color that strengthens you.

Often your power color is a stronger version of a color that is already in your appearance, for example in your eyes, your lips or your hair. That is why it feels natural, even when it is a pronounced color.

How to find your power color: 6 steps

1. Pay attention to compliments. In which color do you often hear that you look good or rested? Others sometimes see the difference sooner than you do.
2. Cross off the colors that make you look tired. With which colors do dark circles stand out more or does your skin look sallow? Those are out. Also read 7 signs a color does not suit you.
3. Look at your own coloring. What color exactly are your eyes? Do you see green, gold or grey in your iris? A stronger version of that color is often a strong candidate.
4. Test in daylight. Hold three or four candidates under your face, without make-up. Take a photo with each color and compare them side by side.
5. Look in your wardrobe. Which garment do you reach for again and again when you want to look good? Is there a color that keeps coming back?
6. Choose one and wear it for a week. Wear your favorite candidate a few times and notice how you feel and what people say.

Power color examples per season

Your power color always comes from your own palette. These are examples that often work well per season. Do not know your season yet? Then read what the 12 seasonal types are.

How to use your power color

At important moments

A job interview, a presentation, a first date or a party. Especially at moments when you want to come across confidently, this color is a welcome anchor.

Close to your face

The effect is greatest with a top, blouse, sweater or scarf. Trousers or a bag in your power color are nice, but do less for your appearance.

As an accent

Is a whole outfit in one color too much for you? Then wear this color as an accent on a neutral base. You can read which neutral colors go with it in wearing neutral colors.

In make-up too

A lipstick or nail polish in (a variation of) your power color is a subtle way to wear it every day.

Combining your power color

A power color looks best when the rest of your outfit supports it instead of competing with it. Three ways that almost always work:

• With your neutral base: a top in this color with trousers in navy, camel or dove grey, depending on your season.
• With a calm color from your palette: choose a second color that is softer or lighter, so your power color keeps the leading role.
• With matching jewelry: gold with warm power colors such as coral and rust, silver with cool ones such as raspberry and royal blue.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a trend color as this color: a color that is everywhere right now is not automatically the color that strengthens you.
• Too much at once: a power color from head to toe can overpower you. One or two items is usually enough.
• Only in accessories: a bag in your power color is nice, but you only see the real effect close to your face.

Your power color in photos

In photos, the effect of color is often even more noticeable than in real life. A color that makes you look washed out quickly looks grey in a photo, while this color makes your face light up. Do you have a photo shoot, a profile photo for work or a party where lots of photos are taken? Then deliberately choose your power color near your face. You will see that you like yourself a lot better in those photos.

Power color or favorite color?

They are not always the same. Your favorite color is the color that makes you happy, this color is the color that makes your face come alive. Sometimes they coincide, often they do not. Also read how to wear your favorite color anyway.

Want to know for sure which colors are your power colors? With a color analysis you get your complete palette, so you choose this color from colors that suit you.

Looking for inspiration? On our Pinterest page we collect outfits and color combinations for each seasonal type.

Frequently asked questions

Read also: How to wear more color and What colors suit me?