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before you shoot

How to take your photos

Two minutes here saves you a retake. Your season is read from the actual colour of your skin, so the photo has to show your real colouring, not the camera's idea of it.

Claire walks you through both shots · 2 min · captions on screen
Why this matters: a filter, a warm indoor bulb or a sunset all shift your skin tone by more than the difference between two seasons. Get the light right and the analysis is right.

1. Light

The single thing that decides whether your analysis is accurate.

Do

  • Stand facing a window, in the daytime
  • Indirect daylight, soft and even
  • Light falling on your face from the front

Don't

  • Direct sun, it blows out your skin
  • Flash, it flattens your undertone
  • Indoor bulbs, they add fake yellow or blue
  • Night, or a window behind you

2. Your face

We need to see your natural colouring with nothing competing.

Do

  • Bare face, or as close as you can
  • Hair pulled back off your face and neck
  • Look straight at the camera, neutral expression
  • A plain top, ideally white, grey or black

Don't

  • Foundation, bronzer, heavy blush or lipstick
  • Glasses, hats or big earrings
  • A brightly coloured top, it reflects onto your skin
  • A busy or coloured wall right behind you

3. The camera

Filters are the most common reason a photo gets rejected.

Do

  • Use the main camera, held at eye level
  • Stand back far enough that your head, shoulders and upper chest all fit
  • Prop the phone and use the timer, or shoot in a mirror
  • Hold still so it comes out sharp

Don't

  • Beauty mode, smoothing or any filter
  • Screenshots or photos of photos
  • Group shots, or anyone else in frame
  • Heavy edits, brightness or saturation changes

4. The wrist shot

Optional, but it is what confirms whether you are warm or cool toned.

Do

  • Turn your inner wrist toward the light
  • Get close enough to see the vein colour
  • Same daylight as your face photo

Don't

  • Shoot it in different lighting
  • Cover it with a watch or bracelets
  • Use fake tan or self-tanner on that arm

Our camera checks your light and sharpness live, so you'll know before you shoot.