A Belated Birthday Gift and a Curious Adventure
Have you ever stood in front of your closet wondering why certain colors make you feel amazing, while others just feel… off? That’s exactly the kind of curiosity that led my best friend Molly and me to book a color analysis session with Jamie Sleutz at Kismet Salon, at 1066 Market Street in downtown Wheeling.
Molly had been watching some of those color analysis videos that pop up online—you know the ones where people discover their “season” and suddenly swear off half their wardrobe—and it piqued both of our interest. So as a belated birthday gift for her (and a little treat for me), we decided to find out what all the buzz was about.
From the moment we stepped into the salon, we knew we were in for something fun. Jamie—who co-owns the salon—greeted us with a warm smile and offered us mimosas or water. We settled into a cozy velvet couch as she started the process with Molly, and right away it felt easy and engaging. When it was my turn, the same vibe carried through—relaxed, collaborative, and honestly a lot more interesting than I expected.
What Even Is Color Analysis?
Color analysis is the process of finding which tones and shades best complement your natural coloring—your skin tone, eye color, and hair. Jamie guided us through it by showing swatches and helping us figure out where we landed on a few key spectrums:
- Light vs. Dark: How much white is in the color
- Soft vs. Bright: How much gray is in the color
- Temperature: Whether your undertones lean warm, cool, or neutral
- Contrast: How your skin, hair, and eye color all interact
From there, Jamie helped each of us discover our “season”—a grouping of colors that tend to work best for us—and a few “sister seasons” that offer some flexibility. I was convinced I’d fall into an autumn palette (warm earth tones have always been my go-to), but to my surprise, I ended up being a Soft Summer. Molly landed in the Cool Summer category, which felt totally spot-on for her.
It was fascinating to see how just holding up certain colors to our faces could instantly change the way our skin looked—some shades made us look more vibrant, others washed us out completely. There were definitely a few a-ha moments, and more than a few laughs along the way.
Meet Jamie Sleutz
Jamie has been a hairstylist for 21 years and has always had an eye for color. Originally from Sugarcreek, Ohio, she now lives in Colerain and co-owns Kismet Salon with best friend, Audrey Yakopin. She completed a certification through The Outfit Curator, a program that offers training in personal color analysis.
While the concept might sound complicated, Jamie’s approach is anything but. She’s knowledgeable without being rigid, and makes the whole thing feel collaborative and approachable. “I like to go by what looks better,” she told us during our session. “It can be complementary rather than exact.”
She explains each step in simple terms, and your opinion is always part of the process. It never felt like she was prescribing a list of dos and don’ts—instead, she was guiding us toward colors that naturally played well with our features and personalities.
She also ties the analysis into other areas like makeup and hair. We talked about lip tones, eyeshadow, jewelry metals, and even strategies for hair color. (“Low and slow—like brisket,” she said with a laugh, when talking about how to lighten hair without damaging it.)
Little Extras That Stick With You
At the end of the session, Jamie sends you a PDF fully equipped with everything you need to know about your newfound sense of self! She goes over everything with you and you have the chance to ask any additional questions. And if that wasn’t enough, she hands you a goody bag with some thoughtful and surprisingly handy takeaways: a bracelet in your best metal tone, a flattering lip color based on your season, and a pocket-sized palette booklet filled with personalized information. It’s kind of like a mini workbook that breaks down makeup tones, color blocking ideas, complementary patterns, and seasonal color guidelines. You don’t have to memorize it—you just tuck it into your purse and use it when you’re shopping or getting dressed.
What’s funny is, since our session, I’ve found myself subconsciously gravitating toward those Soft Summer colors when I’m out shopping. Maybe it’s a little mental shift, but there’s something about knowing what to look for that’s oddly satisfying. And while it hasn’t changed my life, it has made browsing a bit more fun—and intentional.
Just a Fun Way to Spend an Afternoon
For Molly and me, this wasn’t about reinventing our wardrobes or uncovering some deep inner truth—it was just a genuinely fun way to spend time together and try something new. Jamie created an easy, welcoming environment, and the whole experience felt like a little treat-yourself moment.
And the best part? Jamie is currently the only certified color analyst offering this in the Wheeling area—the closest options are up near Pittsburgh. So if you’ve been curious about finding your season, want to learn more about what works for you, or just need an excuse to sip a mimosa and chat about colors, Jamie’s your go-to!
Molly & Jamie- “True” or Cool Summer
