Scroll through Instagram reels and TikTok videos long enough, and eventually you’ll come across the curious practice of figuring out what colors look best on you.
Typically, a woman seated in front of the camera has a stack of colored fabric swatches placed against her. As she flips through them, viewers may notice her complexion brighten or sallow depending on how each color plays with her skin tone, eye color, and shade of hair.
The beauty trend’s popularity, made mainstream through a viral cultural phenomenon in South Korea, even drew actor Robert Pattinson to a color analysis chair to promote a movie.
San Luis Obispo County residents can refresh their wardrobe closer to home thanks to Paso Robles color analyst Carla Cisneros and her business Coastal Color Code.
“I use a 16-season system, and using a professional draping technique … I narrow down the palette that makes my clients look the most fresh and alive,” she said. “In a 12-season system, I’m a deep autumn. Sixteen seasons has more nuance. Our deep autumn leans more neutral and has more winter influence that I don’t have.”
Cisneros is describing the seasonal types that color analysis sorts people into. The practice gained steam in the 1980s thanks to Carole Jackson’s book Color Me Beautiful.
A person’s “season” dictates their undertone and the colors that suit them best. They can be a “cool winter,” a “warm spring,” a “light summer,” a “soft autumn,” or any of the remaining 12 categories in between.
Cisneros told New Times she’s a “true autumn,” but an analyst got it wrong the first time she paid for the service.
“I got ‘deep winter,’ which is deep pinks and purples, and I didn’t own anything in those colors in my entire house. Not a yoga roller, not a beach towel,” she said. “The lipsticks are also deep pink, and it didn’t look right.”
Cisneros found deep browns and burgundy to be more harmonious on her.
The experience made Cisneros want to learn the skill for herself. Last summer, she enrolled in the six-week color analysis course offered by the International Image Institute in Toronto. She began seeing clients at Coastal Color Code in November 2025.
Her services go beyond clothes. While Cisneros scrutinizes her clients’ appearances against a rainbow of fabric, she also has them try on lip colors, mascara, and jewelry to nail down individual palettes.
Later, each client gets a “color strip” that summarizes the shades that suit them. The back of the card contains words that describe how their season appears to the world. A “true autumn” like Cisneros would be warm, earthy, rich, soft, and deep.
Clients also receive a PDF color report that tells them about the tones that suit them, the ones to avoid, color combinations, Pinterest mock-ups of outfits, pattern recommendations, and even tips on hair color they can play with.
‘I hope people can see themselves, instead of picking apart what they don’t like. You see yourself at your best at the very end.’
—Carla Cisneros, Coastal Color Code founder
“Choose warm browns like chestnut, golden brown, or light mahogany,” the “true autumn” color report read. “For highlights, think soft copper, amber, or warm caramel to add gentle brightness. Avoid black, cool, ashy, or icy tones.”
A 90-minute one-on-one session at Coastal Color Code costs $225. It’s $400 for two people and $525 for a group of three.
Group sessions called “color parties” for four or more people are also available. The cost varies by group size and location.
Clients can meet Cisneros at Cashmere Salon in 1401 Park St., Paso Robles, or welcome her into their home for the analysis. Cisneros drives to clients from Paso Robles to Arroyo Grande.
She also holds virtual sessions for $100. A week after receiving payment, Cisneros will send photo requests to virtual clients. She uses those images to analyze clients’ shades.
“I compare warm and cool, I compare the seasons, I put your face over 100 colors,” she said.
So far, Cisneros has done color analysis for 150 people. Interested clients can book a session with her at coastalcolorcode.com.
“I hope people can see themselves, instead of picking apart what they don’t like,” she said. “You see yourself at your best at the very end.”
Fast fact
• Depth Perceptions Diving Services owner Chuck Rawlinson will receive the Central Coast Aquarium’s 2026 Ocean Stewardship Award. The ceremony will take place on Sept. 19 at the aquarium’s gala fundraising event, Where Magic Meets the Sea. Purchase tickets to the event at centralcoastaquarium.org/calendar/catch2026. ∆
Reach Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal at brajagopal@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Student Guide 2026.
