It can reveal hidden emotions and feelings, underlying desires and needs - no, it's not a half-hour session with a shrink, it's colour.

That is the belief of Brisbane colour consultant Debourah Borg-Sayer.

Ms Borg-Sayer has studied the psychology of colour for 20 years and has built a successful business advising people on what shades work best for them.

"I believe every colour you're are drawn to reflects a period in your life and acts like a vitamin pill for the body," she says.

Every tint had it's own message, and feeling drawn to a particular hue was the body's way of revealing that secret.

"If a (a person is) going through emotional stuff they crave orange.  If they are lacking energy or having back problems they might choose red.  Yellow is linked to the digestive system and is also a great study colour because it enables you to digest the information."

Turquoise is a great colour to wear when fighting off a cold, while pink is about nurture.

But for Ms Borg-Sayer the power of colour was most recognised by businesses.

The "colour lady", as she is known, advises organisations on colour choices for everything from stationery to web design and uniforms.

"One office I visited was all blue and clients weren't putting any money into the business because they couldn't make a decision.

"I added some yellow, which together makes green - the decision-making colour - and within three months sales had increased."

Ms Borg-Sayer also often replaces blue - an appetite suppressant - in restaurants with yellow, orange or red.

Yellow and black are avoided as the blend symbolises danger as in nature with bees.