12 Season Color Analysis
Seasonal colour analysis groups people by how colors interact with their natural coloring. Four seasons set the temperature and mood; each splits into three sub-seasons based on what stands out most.
Not sure? Take the free quizHow the seasonal system works
Every season is a combination of four characteristics. They describe how colors behave next to your features — they appear in every skin tone, and no season is better than another.
- Undertone
- Warm (golden) or cool (rosy). This splits Spring and Autumn (warm) from Summer and Winter (cool).
- Value
- How light or deep your overall coloring is — hair, eyes and skin together.
- Chroma
- How clear and bright, or soft and muted, the colors that suit you are.
- Contrast
- How much your hair, skin and eyes stand apart from each other.
The four seasons
Spring
Warm and clear
Spring coloring is warm and clear. Springs look their best in fresh, golden-based colors with some brightness — the palette of a sunny morning rather than a cozy evening.
Spring overviewSummer
Cool and soft
Summer coloring is cool and soft. Summers look their best in blue-based colors with a gentle, slightly greyed finish — elegant rather than electric.
Summer overviewAutumn
Warm and soft
Autumn coloring is warm and soft. Autumns look their best in rich, earthy, golden-based colors — the palette of turning leaves, spices and forest greens.
Autumn overviewWinter
Cool and clear
Winter coloring is cool and clear, usually with noticeable contrast. Winters look their best in pure, saturated, blue-based colors, plus black and crisp white.
Winter overview
Spring sub-seasons · Warm and clear
SpringLight Spring
Fresh, sunny and delicate
Characteristics:
- Neutral-warm undertone
- Light depth, low contrast
Best colors:
- Peach Sorbet
- Buttercup
- Mint Leaf
SpringTrue Spring
Golden, lively and sun-kissed
Characteristics:
- Warm undertone
- Light to medium depth, medium contrast
Best colors:
- Marigold
- Tomato Red
- Leaf Green
SpringBright Spring
Vivid, clear and electric
Characteristics:
- Neutral-warm undertone
- Medium depth, high contrast
Best colors:
- Hot Coral
- Bright Turquoise
- Lime
Summer sub-seasons · Cool and soft
SummerLight Summer
Airy, cool and gentle
Characteristics:
- Neutral-cool undertone
- Light depth, low contrast
Best colors:
- Powder Blue
- Lavender
- Rose Pink
SummerTrue Summer
Cool, calm and refined
Characteristics:
- Cool undertone
- Light to medium depth, medium contrast
Best colors:
- Ocean Blue
- Raspberry
- Soft Teal
SummerSoft Summer
Muted, dreamy and sophisticated
Characteristics:
- Neutral-cool undertone
- Medium depth, low contrast
Best colors:
- Dusty Rose
- Sage
- Smoky Blue
Autumn sub-seasons · Warm and soft
AutumnSoft Autumn
Warm, mellow and earthy
Characteristics:
- Neutral-warm undertone
- Medium depth, low contrast
Best colors:
- Olive
- Salmon
- Moss
AutumnTrue Autumn
Rich, golden and spicy
Characteristics:
- Warm undertone
- Medium to deep depth, medium contrast
Best colors:
- Pumpkin
- Mustard
- Forest Green
AutumnDeep Autumn
Deep, warm and dramatic
Characteristics:
- Neutral-warm undertone
- Deep depth, high contrast
Best colors:
- Espresso
- Deep Teal
- Burnt Orange
Winter sub-seasons · Cool and clear
WinterDeep Winter
Bold, deep and striking
Characteristics:
- Neutral-cool undertone
- Deep depth, high contrast
Best colors:
- Black
- Emerald
- Ruby
WinterTrue Winter
Icy, clear and elegant
Characteristics:
- Cool undertone
- Medium to deep depth, high contrast
Best colors:
- True Blue
- Magenta
- Icy Lavender
WinterBright Winter
Brilliant, cool and dazzling
Characteristics:
- Neutral-cool undertone
- Medium depth, high contrast
Best colors:
- Electric Blue
- Hot Pink
- Emerald
Seasons people mix up
Side-by-side palettes and simple at-home tests to settle it.