“I believe one intentional and informed purchase outweighs ten spontaneous purchases that you end up donating the following year,” said Maclaine Noah, founder and owner of Color the Hills.
The personal color analyst started her business in Spearfish in January 2024 with a heart for people and color harmony.
Her goal is simple: to give people the tools to make informed clothing purchases, open their minds to new colors, and support local businesses in the process.
“Personal color analysis has taken social media by storm, and I wanted to bring this exciting tool to western South Dakota,” shared Noah.
Her training was done via True Colour International, and completed in person with three new analysts in Dallas in October of 2023. The organization has analysts all over the globe.
You may have seen color analysis videos online, where stylists help clients find their “color season,” a palette of colors that best complements their natural features.
From there, they are assigned one of twelve color seasons that will help guide their wardrobe, makeup, and jewelry choices.
“Color Analysis is a beautiful gift you can give a friend or loved one. What’s better than a practical tool that never changes?”
– Maclaine Noah
Spring and Summer palettes feature lighter value colors, while Autumn and Winter seasons have deeper tones.
Additionally, Spring and Winter seasons contain bolder colors, while Summer and Autumn have more muted ones. Each season is broken down into three subtypes for more specificity.
Noah says she was ruthless with her existing wardrobe after finding her color season, which is Dark Autumn.
“I sorted out the items according to my palette and recognized that many garments were difficult to work with,” she explained. “Some outfits were making me look a bit pale, or dull.”
After selling or donating many of those garments, she now has elevated standards for what she purchases.
Read more about the stylist, wife, mother, and intentional thrift shopper.
My services are perfect for…
Anyone who wears clothes! Okay, but actually: professionals, moms, dads, college students, husbands, wives, brides, grooms, creatives, and more. All of these clients are encountering garments and clothing that must function in different situations and contexts.
What I love about color analysis is…
It’s a science! You’re sent home with the tools to apply color however you’d like. You can be as strict or free with the color palette that harmonizes best with your natural features.
Before I ran this business…
I was in marketing and social media creating beautiful content for a Catholic non-profit. I’ve always desired to show beauty in my work!
Calendar of Colors
The 12 Color Seasons are:
Bright Spring
True Spring
Light Spring
Light Summer
True Summer
Soft Summer
Soft Autumn
True Autumn
Dark Autumn
Dark Winter
True Winter
Bright Winter
Something I love about South Dakota is…
The sound of driving out onto a gravel road, finding the sunset, turning off your car, and listening to the grass or trees blowing in the wind. Nothing beats the peace of South Dakota.
My favorite way to spend my free time is…
Thrifting. I love finding items you can’t find anywhere else. Not only that, but they carry a story that you get to continue.
I love to grab a bite or drink at…
Blackbird Espresso for breakfast (Morning Bun of course), Antuñez for lunch (Verde Chicken Enchiladas), and Nonna’s Kitchen for dinner (Crazy Green Spaghetti).
I couldn’t do it without…
My husband and our son. My husband Andrew has always encouraged my creative dreams and serves our family with unmatched joy.
Something I’m excited about right now is…
The consistent growth I see happening in Spearfish. It’s so encouraging to see so many local hearts and minds being supported every day.
For inspiration, I…
Browse the paint chip aisles at stores! When I was young, I picked up two or three at a time to create color combinations, take them home, and use them for crafting. Not too much has changed!
People might be surprised to know…
I am a HUGE Notre Dame football fan. Go Irish!
Color Me Impressed
True Colour International’s methodology measures personal color through three dimensions: hue, value, and chroma.
Something that is influencing me right now is…
The colors of Western style fashion. I’m originally from Indiana, and moved to South Dakota in 2019. The colors and patterns of Western South Dakota and Wyoming/Montana garments are so intriguing to me.
My favorite color is…
Red, but this is a hard question, especially for a color analyst! It’s interesting—I don’t wear red too often, but it has always captured my attention. To wear? Definitely a neutral dark olive green found in the Dark Autumn palette.
“The best part of my job is helping clients see how their natural features were perfectly created and work in beautiful color harmony.”
– Maclaine Noah
Readers should get their colors done if…
They’re curious about the process of color analysis, they want help reducing or expanding their wardrobe or choosing investment pieces in their closet. There are many ways color analysis can benefit your life!
Color analysis can be an investment, but…
Your colors stay your colors your entire life. Even if your hair goes gray, even if you get more tan in the summer, even if your hair gets darker in the winter. The investment reflects the training and results you’re guaranteed. You can ask my husband: in the end, you’ll end up purchasing less items because your closet coordinates properly and with ease.
