COLOUR analysis is more than just helping people look good, as it can also build confidence, strengthen personal identity and improve professional image, says Brand Image Pro founder Coach Zurene Cheah Ai Ping.
The 39-year-old said understanding which colours suit an individual could help people present themselves more confidently while avoiding unnecessary spending on clothing, cosmetics and accessories.
“Our slogan is ‘Transform Your Colour, Transform Your Life’. We believe that when people understand their colours, they can embrace their identity, connect with others authentically and inspire those around them,” she said in an interview with Buletin Mutiara.
Zurene, whose studio is located at Elite Avenue in Bayan Lepas, said Brand Image Pro had helped more than 1,700 people over the past five years through its colour analysis and image consulting programmes.
She said many of its clients were doctors, medical officers, dentists, teachers and other professionals who wanted to improve their appearance and confidence without losing their individuality.
“Our clients are generally not looking for a drastic makeover. They want to look presentable, authentic and confident, especially in their professional roles,” she said.
Zurene said colour analysis could also benefit business owners by helping them align their personal image with their business branding, while organisations could use it to strengthen professional presentation and communication.
Among those who sought her advice was Penang designer Chew Kai Hung, who designed the bag carried by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Budget 2025 announcement.
She said she advised him on using colour psychology to strengthen his personal image, social media presentation and business branding, as well as on how colours could help his products stand out.
“We want local creative talents in Penang to have the confidence to create their own trends instead of simply following what others are doing,” she said.
Zurene explained that colour analysis generally classified people into four seasonal categories — spring, summer, autumn and winter — based on the colours that complemented their appearance and the image they wanted to project.
Spring types were associated with a youthful, cheerful and energetic appearance, while summer types tended to project elegance, sophistication and refinement.
Autumn types were generally associated with maturity, meticulousness and earthy colours inspired by nature, while winter types were linked to boldness, distinctive appearances and a more dramatic image.
She said these categories could help people choose suitable clothing, makeup and accessories, but stressed that they served as guidelines rather than strict rules.
Zurene cited the example of a client classified under the winter category who did not look her best in black, a colour commonly associated with that season.
“In such cases, we provide alternatives, such as navy blue, so clients can feel comfortable with their appearance while achieving their image goals,” she said.
One of her most memorable experiences involved Natasha, a 10-year-old girl of mixed Chinese-Indian parentage who sought colour analysis in 2024 after participating in modelling pageants without winning a title.
Natasha had a naturally darker complexion than some of the other contestants, prompting her mother to ask whether she should try to look fairer or embrace her natural skin tone.
Zurene said she asked the girl what she wanted, and Natasha replied that she wanted to win as herself.
After receiving colour analysis and image guidance, Natasha embraced her natural complexion and projected a confident, elegant appearance on stage. She subsequently won the Miss Oriental Princess title in 2024.
“For me, it is not just about winning on stage. I want the younger generation to accept their own skin colour and identity instead of feeling pressured to conform to society’s expectations,” Zurene said.
She said the experience reinforced her belief that people could learn to highlight their strengths without rejecting their natural appearance.
Zurene said Brand Image Pro also worked with community groups to conduct colour analysis programmes for women from the B40 income group, helping them identify their skin undertones and choose suitable clothing and makeup colours.
“When they learn to embrace their natural skin tone, they can look and feel their best without trying to change who they are,” she said.
Zurene, who graduated from the Penang Women Entrepreneurship Mentoring Programme (PWEMP) in April 2021, said the programme helped her develop the business knowledge needed to grow her venture.
She had also received image consulting training from the International Image Institute in Kuala Lumpur and learned from mentors including Dr Wendy Lee, Elizabeth of Elizabeth Image Branding and Stella Hong of Stella Inn Academy.
She said the state government’s support for women entrepreneurs had given her opportunities to develop her skills, and she hoped to extend similar opportunities to other women, particularly those from the B40 group.
One of Brand Image Pro’s clients was a teacher preparing to take on the role of principal at a government secondary school in Penang. The teacher sought advice on projecting greater confidence in public speaking and leadership.
Zurene said she guided the client through colour psychology, makeup, personal shopping and posing for photographs as part of a six-month transformation programme.
The teacher was subsequently promoted to principal.
Zurene said the company was also exploring the integration of artificial intelligence through a memorandum of understanding, with the aim of making colour and image consulting more accessible.
Another initiative was Icon Circle, a platform launched this year for businesspeople and professionals to connect through image, communication and networking.
She said the company hoped to expand its programmes in leadership image, corporate training and personal branding while making its services more accessible to professionals and business owners.
Zurene said the company also worked with business partners to promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles through its branding and business activities.
She said she hoped to continue working with the state government, elected representatives and other partners to provide more learning and development opportunities for B40 women.
“Colour consulting is not just about beauty. It is about helping people become more confident, accept themselves and make better choices. We want them not only to look better, but also to feel better about themselves,” she said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting