Colour Draping Explained
What colour draping is, how it's performed, and why it remains the gold standard test for identifying your colour season.
Colour draping looks deceptively simple — drape some fabric, watch the face. Done well, it's the most accurate colour analysis method available.
How draping works
Fabric drapes are held against the décolletage in neutral daylight. The consultant systematically pairs warm with cool, light with deep, and bright with muted — narrowing your season pair by pair.
What the consultant watches for
- Sudden skin clarity or muddiness
- Eyes brightening or dulling
- Lip colour fading or popping
- Shadow softening or deepening
Why drapes beat photos
Cameras shift colour temperature; eyes don't. A drape session gives feedback every five seconds, not after upload.
Frequently asked questions
How many drapes are used?
Anywhere from 40 to 100 depending on how close-call your season is.
Do drapes need to be specific fabrics?
They need to be matte, opaque and the exact reference colour of each sub-season — that's why professional drapes matter.
Ready to discover your palette?
Book your personal colour analysis or makeup session with Sue in Currambine or across the Perth metro area.