Personal style analysis unlocks keys to hairstyle, makeup, clothes to have you looking your best
Let's be frank -- appearance matters, especially in Korea. An edgier look may help you appear more polished and attractive. It is one way politicians, big-name personalities and other elites in Korean society put their best foot forward and leave a good impression.
Now, people eager to unlock the secrets to presenting their best selves are turning to so-called "personal analysis" to understand their unique features and improve their self-presentation.
Indeed, a professional might offer advice that contradicts what you once thought worked for you.
In the case of this reporter, I had believed my long black hair made me look well put together and attractive to most people. A cropped top or a slim-fit top, which I thought created a slimming effect, paired with baggy paints to avoid looking skinny, was my go-to look to feel confident and comfortable.
But that turned out to have been a big fashion mistake.
A personal analysis showed that I have a triangle body shape and a round face. To dress for this kind of body shape, I was recommended to wear halter and bateau tops that could add volume to the upper body and to refrain from wearing strapless or spaghetti strap tops. A "CS curl perm," a natural-looking combination of C and S-shaped curls that would create an illusion of a shorter face shape, was recommended.
Figuring out ideal look
Han Jeong-ha, who has been operating a personal color and body analysis center called ColorMui in Seoul's Dongjak-gu for over two years, is behind finding the right key to people looking their best.
Han, who holds certificates in color and body shape analysis, is a personal style expert helping transform clients' looks by curating their lookbooks. She says finding the ideal look is all about finding the best line and body proportions, as well as balancing them.
"Color analysis" is one tool many clients use to determine their best colors, according to Han. The analysis categorizes people into four seasons and 16 subgroups to decide which colors best fit their hair, makeup and outfit colors all by analyzing their natural color tones.
In addition to color analysis, which has been trending for years, personal body analysis is currently gaining popularity, according to Han.
"The concept emerged about two years ago, and a growing number of people are seeking body analysis to find a dress that matches their body type and hides problem areas," Han said. Most of the clients are women in their 20s and 30s who come for an hour-long analysis session priced at 89,000 won ($61).
In a survey of 1,200 men and women between ages 13 and 69 conducted July 4-9 last year by market research firm Embrain Trend Monitor, 46.5 percent of respondents in their 20s said they had purchased some form of personal consulting services, reflecting the rising trend in young people seeking professional advice to improve their physical traits.
The survey also showed that 60.5 percent of 20-something respondents gravitate toward receiving body shape analysis, while 55 percent showed interest in getting beauty consulting to find their personal color. Some 49 percent indicated interest in expert advice to improve their hairstyles.
To assess which clothing style best fits a person's figure, Han measures various parts of her client's body -- height, shoulder, forearm, waist, hip and thigh, among many other areas. Based on a calculation, she categorizes her clients into six categories.
If you have shoulders that are narrow in comparison to your hips, you are categorized as a "triangle" type, or a "pear" shape. If your bust and hip measurements are even, you have a "curvy" shape, or an hourglass body type, whereas an "athletic" shape, or a rectangle body type, means you are not particularly curvy. An "oval" body type refers to a figure where you are curvy through the midsection and an "inverted triangle" shape refers to a figure where the shoulders are the broadest part of the body and the hips and the thighs are narrower. A "straight" body shape is one in which the body is a straight silhouette with minimal curves.
Han also measures the vertical and horizontal proportions of the face to better figure out a person's overall body shape, because the shape of the face contributes to how the entire silhouette appears. After measuring, she labels her clients into seven groups: oval, round, long, inverted triangle, square, heart and diamond.
"It is a sad truth, but first impressions are pivotal. If you make a positive first impression, it often leads people to think about you favorably, and understanding what works best for you can help you better present yourself," Han noted.
"This way, people do not have to get trapped in fast fashion and trends that do not suit them and, at the same time, can feel good about their appearance," she said.
junheee@heraldcorp.com
