There are several books you can read to learn more about color consulting, including Color Me Beautiful Make Up Manual, by Color Me Beautiful (Hamlyn, 2012); Color Your Life: Look Great - Spend Less!, by Raija Lydecken (CreateSpace, 2017); and Color Your Style: How to Wear Your True Colors, by David Zyla (Plume, 2011). Because networking is so important in getting clients, another recommended book is Essential Business Networking: Tips, Tactics, and Tools You Can Use, by Andrea Nierenberg (Pearson FT Press, 2014). Local libraries and online bookstores should have additional books on color, fabrics, and style.

Read blogs such as Mary Lou’s ColorInsights (https://www.colorinsight.biz/blog-mary-lous-colorinsights) to learn more about the field of color analysis. 

Talk to color analysts about their careers. Perhaps you could even job shadow an analyst as he or she works with a client. 

“Colors are forces, radiant energies that affect us positively or negatively, whether we are aware of it or not,” said Johannes Itten, a Swiss expressionist painter, designer, and teacher. Color analysts help people use color effectively in their clothing and accessories, makeup, and hair color. By identifying color schemes that present the individual in an appealing and confident manner, the person can improve the impression they make in both their professional and personal lives. 

In a typical color consultation, the color analyst meets with the customer and conducts an analysis (which can last three to four hours) of their skin tone, current use of makeup, current hair color, and existing wardrobe. They work in a neutral gray space that has specialized lighting to reduce or eliminate factors (sunlight, etc.) that may affect color perception. The process involves comparing colors and eliminating those (or various shades of a specific color) until the most complementary colors are identified. Some color analysts base their assessments on a “seasonal” color analysis process (i.e., what looks best during the four seasons of the year), while others develop their own unique systems. Color analysts also give advice on to effectively use contrast, texture, and design in one's clothing. This assessment is fact-based and tied to the analyst's expertise in color analysis, rather than the personal opinions of the customer.  

Some analysts provide clients with a custom fabric shopping fan with their best colors and/or a personalized guide that summarizes their advice. 

Color analysts work with individuals, groups, or both. Companies such as Color Me Beautiful train color analysts in color and its use in wardrobe and makeup. Those who wish to expand their services to the wider field of image consulting complete additional training so they can help clients work on their overall appearance and grooming, as well as improve their voices, body language, and etiquette.