In Reflection

By Grace Clarke & Ayush Madan

Colour analysis has made a dazzling comeback – particularly on TikTok – where influencers and image experts showcase how discovering your unique colour palette can highlight skin tone, eye colour, and overall vibrancy. At Masala, we set out to explore the transformative effects of personalised colour analysis, eager to see how tailored palettes could elevate our style and confidence. Our search for the top colour analysis experience in Thailand led us to The Reflectionist Image, helmed by none other than Karima Chiwachart(Kru Gift), a Certifiied Image Consultant and trusted authority in the field. With her expertise and detailed approach, Kru Gift stood out as the premier guide to help us unlock the power of personalised colour analysis and embrace our true selves.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH COLOUR

Grace

I like to think it was an early viewing of The Devil Wears Prada (2006), that set me on a path into the captivating world of personal colour analysis, seasonal palettes, and sartorial silhouettes. With high facial contrast—porcelain skin, deep brunette hair, and dark brown eyes—I found myself drawn to the art of enhancing my natural features. Growing up in a Southeast Asian country, however, meant navigating a beauty landscape that often didn’t cater to my specific tones. Complexion product frequently leaned too yellow, making my skin appear sallow instead of radiant. My true deep dive into colour analysis began last year with the resurgence of seasonal colour theory on TikTok. This trend unveiled an entire realm of personalised hues and tones that I hadn’t fully explored, leading me to understand the nuances that celebrate and elevate my individuality.

GRACE’S ASSUMPTIONS
Jewellery: Silver/white metals
Seasonal Palette: Cool tones, perhaps a winter?

Ayush

Since I have black hair, brown eyes, and a brown complexion, I have a low facial contrast. But truthfully, I never considered this when buying clothes for much of my teen years. Thus, finding my own style has been quintessential to my recent past. But while thrifting and catering my everyday wear has improved, Indian weddings are still always a toss up. Before the days of Biba and Myntra, I would just end up with a multicoloured mix of sherwanis and kurtas picked out by my folks. I remember a brown and maroon kurta complimenting my features perfectly, while a more vibrant blue with red flowers completely washed me out. One of the few kurtas I often wear at wedding receptions is navy, because surely, a darker blue is better… right?

AYUSH’S ASSUMPTIONS
Jewellery: Gold
Seasonal Palette: Autumn, maybe Spring?

PREPARATION

On the analysis day, we were both asked to wear clothes with colours we felt confident in, and bring along a few of our favourite vibrant outfiits to receive feedback on. Before a personal colour analysis, women should refrain from doing any make-up and men should shave or at least trim their facial hair so Kru Gift can easily drape fabrics over you and see how it looks with your skin, eyes, and hair. Grace was also asked to bring her make-up with her for advice on different shades of lip products eye shadow, and blush. I even brought my concealer to make sure I was using the correct shade.

OUR COLOURFUL EXPERIENCE

The Reflectionist Image by certified image consultant Karima Chiwachart (Kr Gift) offers an immersive journey into understanding and enhancing your persona essence through the lens of colour theory. This meticulous service begins with a workshop-style session where Kru Gift shares the scientific foundations behind personal colour theory, illustrating that it’s more than just finding hues that loo good on your skin. It’s a holistic approach that aligns with your entire harmony, factoring in undertone, value and intensity.

Undertone reveals if your natural pigmentation skews cool, neutral or warm. Value measures whether your tones are more bright or muted, and intensity evaluates your depth, reflecting how vivid or soft your overall look is. Kru Gift also explain that each colour season embodies a personality; your ideal season should resonate not just visually, but also align with who you are.

The experience then transitions into personalised analysis, beginning with a brief conversation about your personality and aspirations—key insights that Kru Gift seamlessly integrates into her evaluation. The first step involves analysing your facia contrast, assessing the interplay between your hair, skin and eye colour, even noting the brightness of your scleras – the white of the eye. This foundational step sets the stage for a deeper understanding of your colour compatibility.

Next, an interactive fabric draping process helps pinpoint your undertone and seasonal palette. Kru Gift drapes you in various hues, alternating between warm and cool shades, encouraging you to observe the subtle shifts in how your complexion reacts. During this process, it is important to look straight at your face and note the subtle differences in your undereyes and fine lines. This collaborative process uncover not just your ideal shades but reveals an ombre of tones that align with your colour depth. Kru Gift’s keen eye also identifies which fabric patterns best accentuate you natural features, ensuring your clothing choices emphasise, rather than overshadow, your innate beauty.

The service extends to finding your optimal metal for accessories, discerning whether gold or silver better complements your undertones. For makeup enthusiasts, Kru Gift meticulously reviews your current makeup stash, advising on products that align or clash with your palette. Her recommendations cover everything from blush and foundation shades to lipstick hues, nail varnish, and even hair colours. For masculine clients, she offers insight into suitable eyewear shapes and frame colours, also suggesting makeup bases for those who appreciate subtle coverage.

The Reflectionist Image is not merely a colour analysis; it’s an experience that unveil how personal harmony can be expressed through every colour, pattern, and accessory you choose, guiding you to present the most authentic and confident version of yourself.

RESULTS

Grace

I’ve often thought of myself as someone with a wintry colour palette—a kaleidoscope of powder pinks, milky whites, berry bliss, and deep blues, complemented by frosty metals like silver, white gold, and platinum. I discovered that I am, indeed, a Bright Winter, a revelation that both affirmed my initial instincts and held a delightful surprise. Kru Gift, who confirmed my palette with a knowing smile, said it made perfect sense that I belonged to the Bright Winter family, but emphasised that it was the bright tone in particular that matched my personality: dynamic, full of life and unapologetically bold. It was a moment that resonated deeply; my reflection now felt not only authentic but also unexpectedly invigorated. Hue knew

Ayush

Well, colour me surprised. Autumn, my favourite season, has always felt like the right backdrop for my style. Thus, I was relieved to find out that my palette is indeed a War Autumn. I love to imagine myself walking down Park Avenue in a forest green turtleneck, layered with a caramel brown coat, and, of course, my trusty Doc Martens. It’s a colour combination that feels quintessential to who I am—a blend of comfort, warmth and boldness, the traits that embody this seasonal palette. While my navy kurta may have to be decommissioned, it was a relief to confirm that gold is still my best friend, as will only be buying gold jewellery going forward. From now on, the question “is this my colour?” never needs to be asked. I can simply pull out my palette and check! At least until I enter my silver fox era…

Interested in finding your personalised seasonal palette?
Instagram: @thereflectionist.image
Tel: 081 565 5549
LINE:@thereflectionist