Meet Yvonne Jordan | The Palette Edit Founder & Color and Style Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yvonne Jordan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yvonne, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always been fascinated by color. I love painting and drawing with colored pencils, and I am especially intrigued by how color influences the way we perceive different faces and features. In fact, I often thought of my own face as a kind of blank canvas—perfect for experimenting. From the moment I was allowed to wear makeup, I played with shade combinations, quickly noticing that some tones enhanced my features while others did not. The same was true with clothing.
Over time, I started hearing conflicting opinions about my skin tone. Some professional makeup artists said I was warm, others insisted I was cool. Eventually, I had my “colors done” through a traditional draping method. I was labeled a “summer,” and while many summer shades looked decent, others completely washed me out. I went most of my adult life believing I was a summer and got good at using makeup to counterbalance those not-quite-right tones. The traditional drapers were onto something—but they didn’t quite get it right. I also found it difficult to find base makeup shades to match my coloring. With thousands of brands and colors on the market, finding shades to suit my skin tone was overwhelming. Plus, most makeup professionals profiled me too light and I ended up looking pasty. Often when I found a makeup shade that seemed to work, it failed me under different lighting at home or in the office. After discussing my makeup failures with others, I learned that almost all women had similar experiences.
Early in my career, I worked in makeup and fashion, but my professional journey took a different path. I earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in strategic marketing communications. I spent years working in marketing and advertising and later moved into director roles in the high tech, broadband and energy industries. Although far from the beauty industry, these roles taught me how to lead, strategize, and build something from the ground up.
Still, the creative spark never left me. I knew I wanted to do something more personal and meaningful. I considered everything from web design to fine art to makeup artistry. Then the idea clicked: I could bring together all of my skills—my creative eye, business experience, and lifelong obsession with color—to build something new. I revisited the concept of color analysis and started to refine it. I experimented with multiple tools and methodologies, including my own visual assessments, and eventually developed what would become The Palette Edit.
When I tested the method on myself, I discovered something that had never been captured before: I had warm undertones with cool influences. Not quite “neutral,” but a hybrid. I applied my method to friends and family across a range of skin tones and ethnicities and found that it consistently worked. They were often amazed at the accuracy—and I realized: you can’t always fit people into neat, seasonal categories. Each person’s coloring is like a fingerprint.
The Palette Edit specializes in online personalized color analysis. But we go far beyond just naming a season. When a client uploads a makeup-free photo in natural light, they receive a tailored beauty playbook—with curated makeup recommendations by brand, and wardrobe color guidance that complements their exact skin tone and features. From budget-friendly options to luxury picks, everything is hand-selected for that unique individual. To maintain objectivity and integrity, we are not affiliated with any makeup brands.
The Palette Edit officially launched in May 2025, and the response has been encouraging—from early international clients to opportunities like sponsoring USOA Ms. California. My goal now is to continue growing organically, connecting with people through social media, and showing them that when it comes to beauty, one size never fits all.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Although The Palette Edit is still in its early stages, I’m incredibly excited about the future of the company. It’s the culmination of my career experience and long-standing passion for makeup and color theory—grounded in the belief that everyone can look their best with the right use of color.
The Palette Edit is unlike any other color analysis service I’ve seen. While personalized color analysis has been around since the early 1980s, the field has evolved. Many modern color analysists now use more refined systems that go beyond the traditional four seasons, and AI apps can instantly assign you a color season. Each method has its strengths and limitations.
What sets The Palette Edit apart is how we take color analysis to the next level. We carefully assess a client’s skin undertones and overtones, as well as their eyes, lips, and natural hair color. From there, we match those findings with exact makeup brands and shades—a key differentiator in our process. We also recommend wardrobe colors that harmonize with the client’s palette. All of this is done using a makeup-free photo taken in natural lighting.
We offer two service options:
• The Deluxe Color Analysis, which includes a comprehensive “beauty playbook” with three levels of makeup recommendations, from everyday essentials to bold statements.
• The Essential Color Analysis is a more streamlined version that still delivers targeted guidance.
Both services are designed to be convenient, reduce wasteful spending on unsuitable products, and ultimately help clients feel more beautiful and confident.
As a startup, I’m currently focused on growing the business organically through word-of-mouth and social media. While the process has its challenges, I find it energizing. It’s deeply rewarding to know that my services help clients feel more confident and aligned, with makeup and wardrobe choices that work beautifully in harmony.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta offers many iconic attractions that belong on every visitor’s bucket list, including Stone Mountain Park, the Botanical Gardens, Fernbank Museum, the High Museum of Art, and the Atlanta Zoo.
But when guests come to town, I also enjoy taking them to explore the vibrant downtown districts throughout metro Atlanta. Several nearby areas have experienced exciting revitalizations—among them Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Duluth, and Buford. Each offers its own charm, with artsy boutiques, unique attractions, and a wide selection of excellent dining options.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One of the most influential figures in my career was John Favalo, co-owner and vice president of an Upstate New York marketing firm specializing in technology and industrial accounts. John was a true trailblazer in the field, helping to elevate countless companies through innovative strategies and bold thinking. He was exceptionally talented, creative, and charismatic—a combination that played a major role in his success.
Early in my career, John saw potential in me and generously offered encouragement and opportunities for growth. We stayed in touch over the years, and he became a valued mentor throughout my journey in marketing and communications. John passed away unexpectedly a few years ago, but his influence remains with me. I will always remember him for the lasting impact he had on my professional path and success.

Website: https://www.thepaletteedit.com

Instagram: thepaletteedit

Facebook: The Palette Edit

Other: TikTok: @thepaletteedit1