Ever wonder what colors look best on you?
Lots of people do. Some have made careers of it, among them Rachel Nachmias, a Moorestown personal stylist, expert color analyst, and best-selling author.
Simply put, Nachmias helps people figure out what groups of colors – formerly known as color seasons – work best with their individual skin tones and complexions, then assists them in adjusting their wardrobes.
There is a real science to the choices; Nachimas has spent years studying the nuances of color theory and educating others.
Nachmias shared her expertise in free, hour-long sessions at the Pinelands Library in Medford and the Evesham Library in Marlton on July 15. Each event – dubbed Unearth Your Color Story – began with a lesson on color theory and how it influences the way a person responds to color.
Nachmias sat in front of participants with several laminated diagrams and example sheets she eventually passed out to them after each library segment.
“Human color vision is not objective, but rather contextual,” she explained. “Our eyes do not see color as it is, but rather as it’s being presented to us in context, and it’s happening all the time.”
That explains why a shade of lipstick on one person may look completely different on another. Other colors surrounding the main shade can influence an individual’s ultimate perception: It’s known as simultaneous contract in color theory.
Analysts like Nachmias use the Munsell Color System, one of the most established models of perceptual color theory, to determine the best hue for clients. Nachmias – who has had her business for more than a decade – helps clients in one-on-one sessions at her Moorestown home studio or in group settings like parties and corporate events.
No matter the occasion, Nachmias always relies on the same system.
“The Munsell model is three-dimensional,” she noted. “We have three sets of rods and cones in our eyes, so we need a three-dimensional model for all those colors. The dimensions are called hue, value, and chroma.”
Those dimensions are what influence the 12-Tone Cycle or 12-Season System. Color seasons each based on winter, spring summer and fall help a person find a balance within their personal palette, but there are also sub-categories – like dark winter or spring bright – that allow for more nuance in color variety.
Nachmias demonstrated how she does a color analysis with the help of a volunteer at the Pinelands Library. Dawn Hatcher of Medford Lakes was draped in a muted gray cape and hair covering to provide a neutral backdrop against her skin. Nachmias then put a variety of fabrics from every season over Hatcher so attendees could watch how she compares the colors, then explained how she interprets the visual contrasts with each.
“I think she confirmed my suspicions of what my correct colors are,” said Hatcher, who had a feeling summer colors would work best for her.
At the end of the analysis, Nachmias indicated that Hatcher is best suited for the light summer season, with its shades of light, medium soft and cool neutral. Fitting color options are coral pink, robin’s egg blue and light navy.
Nachmias will host two more color analysis events on Tuesday, Aug. 4: 11 a.m. at the Burlington County Library and 2 p.m. at the Pemberton Community Library.
Rachel Nachmias, a Moorestown color analyst, worked with volunteer Dawn Hatcher at the Pinelands Library on July 15.
