The best palette is not the one with the most shades. It is the one that gives you the right amount of choice for the way you actually work.
Paleta Studio custom Dermacolor palettes are available in six- and twelve-shade formats. In both cases, you choose every refill and arrange every position before the composition is added to your cart.
Start with the way you use your palette
Before thinking about individual shade codes, decide what the palette needs to do. Is it a compact everyday selection? A focused complexion kit? A broader professional palette for several people? The answer usually makes the format much easier to choose.
Choose 6 shades when you want a focused selection
The six-shade format works particularly well when you already know the tones you reach for most often and want to keep the palette concise.
- A compact format for personal use or a streamlined kit.
- Enough room for a small group of complexion shades, targeted correctors or a mixture of both.
- Easier to keep every shade intentional rather than adding colors simply because there is space available.
A six-shade palette can also be a useful second palette when you want to separate a specific task, client range or correction group from a larger kit.
Choose 12 shades when variety matters
The twelve-shade format gives you more room to work across different depths, visual directions and correction needs.
- More flexibility for makeup artists working with several complexions.
- Space to combine complexion shades with targeted correction and adjustment tones.
- More room for intermediate shades when you frequently mix or fine-tune color.
Twelve shades do not need to mean twelve completely different purposes. Repeating a shade you use frequently can be more useful than filling the final slot with a color you rarely reach for.
A simple rule of thumb
If you can name the six shades you need without hesitation, the smaller format is usually a strong choice. If your selection naturally expands because you need several depths, correctors or mixing options, the twelve-shade format gives you more breathing room.
Choose the shades before you worry about filling every position
Start with the shades that have a clear job in your routine. Then add only what improves the composition. This approach keeps the palette practical and makes future refill replacement simpler.
Color appearance can vary between screens, lighting conditions and skin. Use the Dermacolor shade name and code as your primary reference, and treat digital images and visual groupings as guidance rather than an exact color match.
Build and review before ordering
The Paleta Studio builder lets you choose the format, select each refill, repeat shades when useful and arrange the complete composition. Review every code and position before continuing to checkout.
Build your custom Dermacolor palette or use the Dermacolor Shade Guide to explore the available shades first.