Personal color diagnosis not only contributes to enhancing the harmony of appearance by finding colors that suit an individual’s skin tone, but it is also noted for influencing psychological factors such as self-awareness, confidence, and social imp...
Personal color diagnosis not only contributes to enhancing the harmony of appearance by finding colors that suit an individual’s skin tone, but it is also noted for influencing psychological factors such as self-awareness, confidence, and social impression. However, there is still a lack of empirical research that verifies the effects of personal color diagnosis on external image change and internal psychological outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze how personal color diagnosis and the application of makeup suitable for the tone bring about changes in facial image, self-efficacy, and psychological satisfaction.
The types of personal color are as follows. The spring type is based on warm and clear colors, typically including Coral Pink, Ivory, Orange, and Peach. People of this type usually have a yellow-based bright and clear creamy skin tone, with fine and transparent skin texture, and often with freckles. Their outward features appear bright and lively, with a cheerful and cute style as their strength. They match well with warm and light tones rather than vivid and sharp ones, and their image often gives an impression of looking younger than their actual age.
The summer type corresponds to cool tones with a bluish undertone, and suits soft and light pastel colors. Representative colors include Lavender, Sky Blue, Rose Pink, and Pale Blue. Their skin tends to be medium-toned with a reddish hue, and their hair and eyes also have soft shades of grayish brown. In terms of image, they appear calm, sophisticated, and elegant. This type can further maximize elegance and refinement through colors of low saturation and high brightness.
The autumn type is centered on warm yet dark colors, giving a sense of depth and stability. Suitable colors include Golden Brown, Olive, Khaki, and Terracotta. Their skin has a yellow base with golden undertones, ranging from medium to dark. Generally, individuals of this type convey a calm and intellectual impression, and they are better suited to muted, nature-inspired tones than achromatic shades. Autumn colors are similar to spring, but while spring has a transparent rosy hue, autumn is distinguished by a muted, unsaturated blush tone.
The winter type is characterized by cool shades and strong contrasts. This type suits pure colors or blue-tinted dark tones, such as navy. Representative colors include Black, Navy, Fuchsia, Burgundy, Lemon Yellow, and Cobalt Blue. Their skin is close to white, and their hair and eye colors are dark and vivid, creating strong contrasts. Their image is sophisticated and urban, forming an independent and intense atmosphere, to the extent that the expression “cool charisma” is fitting.
Research method: After personal color diagnosis, the participants were divided into two types: warm-tone models and cool-tone models. After applying makeup suitable for the respective tones, only the makeup design style was altered to examine the suitability of warm and cool tones.
Research results: Before diagnosis, base makeup and lip products did not harmonize with the facial tone, giving a dull impression with redness emphasized. However, after applying base and lip colors suitable for the winter cool tone, the face appeared more vibrant, with clearer contours, creating a clean and refined image. Such external changes did not merely result in aesthetic improvement, but also led to positive effects in enhancing self-efficacy and psychological satisfaction. This is consistent with Choi Eun-mi (2023), who reported that personal color diagnosis strengthens self-efficacy and self-acceptance, and with Park Kyu-rim (2019), who revealed that color harmony contributes to psychological satisfaction and the enhancement of confidence.
Conclusion: This study empirically demonstrated that personal color diagnosis can contribute not only to external image improvement but also to psychological well-being and the strengthening of self-expression. Through this, personal color diagnosis can be confirmed as not merely a beauty service, but as a useful tool for identity expression and the formation of social relationships. It also holds significance as practical foundational data applicable to beauty education, image making, and the consulting industry.