How to Do a Scarf Test at Home to Find Your Best Colors

Introduction

Color Analysis scarf test is the best way to get idea about your natural coloring and which colors harmonize best with you. It’s a visual method where you drape different fabrics under your face to see how various shades affect your skin, eyes, and overall appearance as a symmetry in the face.

Professional consultation is of course the best way to find your type, but I know that most people try to find their type at home. In this article, I will try to give you some advice on how to do the Color Analysis scarf test at home to get the best results.

Let’s break down exactly how to do it.

New to Color Analysis?

Discover how the 4 Seasons & 12 Subtypes can help you find your perfect colors in our detailed guide!

My tip for getting started

Sticking to the fact that you need to find the type, an easier approach to colour typology is to look for characteristics – brightness vs softness, cool vs warm, deep or light.

What You Need for a Color Analysis Scarf Test

Different colored fabrics, scarves, or even T-shirts (preferably a mix of warm, cool, light, dark, muted, and bright colors). It is necessary to be sure that you know what is cold and what is warm etc.
Natural daylight (preferably near a window, without direct sunlight).
A large mirror.
A neutral top (white is optimal).
Clean, makeup-free face.
A hair tie or a headband to pull your hair back.

Step-by-Step Scarf Test

Step 1: Prepare Your Space

Find a place with strong natural light. Ideally, use a mirror that allows you to see your face and neck clearly.

Avoid artificial lighting — it can distort how the colors look against your skin.

Step 2: Prepare Yourself

Remove all makeup.
Wear a neutral white top.
Put away accessories such as earrings and earrings.
Pull your hair back so that no color from your hair distracts you.
Cover your hair with a white scarf.
TIP – Use a transparent powder. You can better focus on how your complexion and symmetry is changing if you take away any shine from your skin.

Step 3: Start Testing Colors

One by one, hold different fabrics or scarves under your chin and around your shoulders.

Look carefully at how your skin, eyes, and lips react.

Pay attention to:

Does your skin look clearer, healthier, and brighter?
Do your eyes sparkle more?
Does your face look fresher — or dull, tired, or shadowed?
The lines between the lips and nose stand out?
Is the nose straight?
Are your cheekbones the same height?
Does your forehead look higher?
Do your eyes appear asymmetrical?

You are not judging the fabric itself — you’re observing how your face changes when surrounded by different colors.

Insight: The more beautiful you are, the harder it is to see the difference. That’s why it’s difficult to identify models with very symmetrical faces and glowing skin.

Step 4: Compare Tone Families

First compare warm vs. cool undertone (gold vs. silver, coral pink vs. cool pink, yellow-green vs. teal (blue-green))
Compare light vs. dark colors. At this point you should know the temperature and darkness of your palette.
Compare soft (muted, dusty tones) vs. bright (vivid, clear tones).

Notice which groupings are more flattering.

after you choose whether you are spring, summer, autumn or winter, compare your best colours with your worst (if dark students suit you best, compare with light and warm).

Step 5: Notice the Patterns

After testing several colors, you will start noticing a pattern:

If you look great in warmer undertones → You may have a warm undertone.
If cool undertones flatter you → You may have a cool undertone.
If bright colors overpower you → You may suit softer, muted tones better.
If your face looks dull with muted colors → You may need bright, clear colors.

It’s all about harmony — not just “what you like,” but what enhances your natural features.

Tips for a Successful Scarf Test

Use natural daylight only.
Artificial light can change color perception dramatically.
Be sure what scarves you’re comparing.
If you can’t tell the difference between warm and cool colors, summer and winter colors, vibrant and soft ones, etc., it will be very difficult to find your color type without help.
Be rested.
Do the test when you feel good — tiredness can make your skin look worse and skew results.
Use transparent powder
You can better focus on how your complexion and symmetry is changing if you take away any shine from your skin.
Trust your first instinct.
Your immediate reaction (“wow, I look fresh!” or “ugh, I look tired”) is often the right one.
Take photos.
Take a photo with each color and compare them later. It’s easier to spot patterns.
Focus on the characteristics of the colours not on the specific type
An easier approach to colour typology is to look for characteristics – brightness vs softness, cool vs warm, deep or light.
Ask for neutral feedback.
If you have someone objective, you can ask them what they see (but avoid people who will project their preferences on you).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Testing under artificial light.
Warm or cool bulbs can heavily distort true colors.
Wearing makeup.
Even minimal makeup can change the way colors interact with your skin tone. A bad dark pencil on your eyebrows or eyes, but also mascara that is too hard for you can affect the test.
Sticking to the fact that you need to find the type.
An easier approach to colour typology is to look for characteristics – brightness vs softness, cool vs warm, deep or light.
Rushing the process.
Give yourself time. If you’re tired, stressed, or in a hurry, postpone the test.
Overthinking it.
Trust the overall impression rather than analyzing tiny details. Harmony is something you feel.

Conclusion

The scarf test is the most powerful tool to understanding your personal coloring and finding the colors that truly flatter you.

It’s not about strict rules or being “perfect” — it’s about seeing when your natural beauty shines the most.

Done thoughtfully, the scarf method can give you valuable insights and a strong starting point for deeper exploration into color analysis.

Understanding your color type can revolutionize your approach to fashion and styling. By identifying whether you’re a Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter — and further refining this through subtypes — you can choose colors that enhance your natural features and create effortlessly flattering outfits.

Remember, color analysis serves as a guide, not a rigid set of rules. It’s about discovering what makes you feel confident and authentic. With this knowledge, you can make informed choices about your wardrobe, clothing purchases, and even makeup selection.

Start exploring your personal palette and embrace the power of color!