Disclaimer: Personal branding is a hot topic and while I am a color expert, I am neither a graphic designer nor a branding expert so check with yours before you make any major branding decisions.
I have, however, color analyzed thousands of people, have worked with dozens on their brand colors and what to wear for headshots AND have assigned hundreds of Signature Colors.
Brand colors are serious business. But of course it should also be FUN!
As a first step, a Color Analysis appointment is crucial to determining the colors that help you look your best and send the right message. Most people use colors from their Color Code palette to guide their branding decisions for that “online to real life” consistency. Book here.
**NEW for 2026** A fantastic way to maximize your personal brand is a Color Analysis with Discover Your Signature Color for $347! Book your Discover Your Signature Color with Color Analysis here.
My brand and my “vibe” has evolved over the years but it has nearly always been pink and turquoise. I love the logo my talented design team created for me over 11 years ago, based on my friend’s original artwork.
This is her artwork digitized…
…and turned into a logo for web and print.
This was some of my inspiration.
The colors are meant to be fresh, playful and uplifting with an air of elegance and an artistic flair.
I am whimsical. I’m girlie. I like to keep things light and airy, from my home decor to my favorite skirt…and that’s reflected in my brand colors.
So what does that mean for YOUR brand colors?
Like your professional image, you have to ask yourself what image you want to project. Do you want to come across as
- an expert
- friendly
- trustworthy
- edgy
- modern
- chic
- “old school”
- kind
- dynamic
- playful?
Those all have a different mood and a different color. Opinions on the meaning of colors vary but here are some common interpretations:
Royal blue = professional
Pink or magenta = girlie and youthful
Emerald green = classy
Army green = down-to-earth
Red = sassy and spicy
And my favorite, teal = elegant yet playful.
A critical step in figuring out your personal brand colors is to determine how you want people to feel about your brand or how you want people to feel when they interact with your brand.
“She’s always so _____” or “Every time I see his posts, I know they’re going to be _____”
Here are some other things to think about as you narrow it down.
When people refer you to their friends or clients, what do they say about you? “You’re going to love how she thinks outside of the box” (unexpected colors like orange and green) or “He pays attention to every little detail so you don’t have to” (reliable colors like blue and gray) or “They’ll treat you like family.” (familiar colors like red and brown).
Are you tried and true or always on the leading edge?
Do you want to challenge people or make them feel at ease?
Do you want to be known as kind? Reliable? Always on-the-go? Youthful? Inspiring?
So brainstorm. Ask your favorite clients. Make note of brands you love and admire.
People in finanace tend to need to look trustworthy. Anyone in design needs to look current and put-together. A coach or consultant needs to look like the person their ideal client is looking for!
As for me, my big goal is to be approachable, light-hearted, feminine and FUN. I want people to be comfortable with me and feel like they can talk to me because that’s what matters when we’re working on their content strategy, organizing their closet or in a fitting room together. My brand reflects that.
I could do all black and gold to look chic or wealthy or trendy but I’d rather look colorful, vibrant and happy.
Figure out YOUR main brand identity descriptors then choose the colors that will convey the message.
Most brands need black and white, or cream and gold, or white and gray PLUS one main color (often in a logo) and an additional accent color. The combination can be sharp or subtle depending on the mood you’re going for. My suggestion is to pay attention to warm vs. cool colors (orange + green + brown is warm vs., blue + pink + black is cool) to make sure they don’t clash.
Currently my main colors are black and white with teal and pink. It’s in my headshot, on my business cards and is reflected in my events and my promo items. I also like a little bling and some whimsy!
Having a Signature Color also helps with personal branding. Mine is teal and shows up in everything from my pedicure to the pens I give out to the ink I use to sign a card (because it’s my “signature color,” get it?).
Ideas for incorporating your Signature Color into your branding:
- let your Signature Color guide your brand’s color palette
- have your head shots done wearing your Signature Color, or a color that coordinates nicely
- make sure the neutrals in your brand palette work with your Signature Color
- wear a name tag in your Signature Color
- order business cards that showcase your Signature Color
- have your Signature Color represented at your table or booth at vendor events
- have your Signature Color incorporated into your wardrobe in clothing pieces and accessories
- package giveaways, thank you gifts and mailings in your Signature Color
Sometimes I use a deep pink, or even a dark coral (both great colors for me and represented in my brand colors)…but most of the time, when I have a choice of colors, I choose turquoise or teal.
Your brand colors should be a reflection of your personality and style. And you should LOOK like your brand when you’re meeting clients or attending events. Continuity builds likeability and trust.
Having a Signature Color helps you stand out and makes you unforgettable. Make sure your brand colors do the same thing.
What about you? Are your brand colors “you,” or are you in need of an update?
Remember Color Analysis with Discover Your Signature Color is $347! Book your Discover Your Signature Color with Color Analysis here.
If you’ve recently had a Color Analysis with me, ask about special pricing for a stand-alone Signature Color appointment for $97. .
For a PDF download of colors for branding and image, click here.
If you need help with brand colors, book with me on my online scheduler here.
I’m fun, I love to laugh and teal is my signature color.
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