Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is Seasonal Colour Analysis?
- Understanding the Four Seasons in Colour Analysis
- 3.1 Spring
- 3.2 Summer
- 3.3 Autumn
- 3.4 Winter
- Step 1: Identifying Your Skin Undertone
- Step 2: Observing Your Hair Colour
- Step 3: Considering Your Eye Colour
- Step 4: The Jewellery Test
- Step 5: The Neutral Test (Black vs. White)
- Step 6: Testing with Seasonal Colour Drapes
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Practical Benefits of Knowing Your Colour Season
- Conclusion
1. Introduction
Choosing colours that flatter your natural features can completely transform your style. Seasonal colour analysis helps you discover a palette that harmonises with your skin tone, eye colour, and hair shade. Instead of guessing which shades look best, you’ll have a clear framework that guides fashion, makeup, and accessory choices.
2. What is Seasonal Colour Analysis?
Seasonal colour analysis is a system that categorises individuals into four broad “seasons” — Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each season has a specific set of colours that complement the person’s natural colouring. This method, popularised in the 1980s, remains widely used by image consultants and personal stylists today.
The goal is to identify colours that bring vibrancy to your face, minimise shadows, and create balance between your natural features and your wardrobe.
3. Understanding the Four Seasons in Colour Analysis
3.1 Spring
Spring individuals have warm undertones, light to medium hair (blonde, light brown, auburn), and bright eyes (blue, green, hazel). Their best colours are warm, clear, and light, such as peach, coral, turquoise, and golden yellow.
3.2 Summer
Summer types feature cool undertones, soft or ashy hair (blonde, brown, or grey), and soft eye colours (grey-blue, muted green, soft hazel). Their palette includes pastel, muted, and cool shades like lavender, rose pink, dusty blue, and soft grey.
3.3 Autumn
Autumn people have warm undertones, darker hair (auburn, chestnut, golden brown), and deep eye colours (green, hazel, brown). Their best palette is rich, earthy, and warm, with colours like olive, rust, mustard, and teal.
3.4 Winter
Winter individuals have cool undertones, dark hair (black, dark brown), and striking eyes (deep brown, icy blue, or grey). Their palette is bold, high-contrast, and cool: think emerald, royal blue, pure black, and crisp white.
4. Step 1: Identifying Your Skin Undertone
Your undertone is the key to determining your season.
- Warm undertone: Skin has yellow, peach, or golden hues. Veins on your wrist appear greenish. Gold jewellery looks flattering.
- Cool undertone: Skin has pink, red, or bluish hues. Veins appear bluish or purple. Silver jewellery suits best.
- Neutral undertone: A mix of warm and cool. You may suit both gold and silver jewellery.
5. Step 2: Observing Your Hair Colour
Hair colour plays a secondary but important role.
- Warm seasons (Spring & Autumn): Hair often has golden, auburn, or honey tones.
- Cool seasons (Summer & Winter): Hair usually has ashy, deep, or dark tones without golden highlights.
6. Step 3: Considering Your Eye Colour
Eye shades can reveal your seasonal category.
- Spring: Bright and clear eyes (blue, turquoise, light green).
- Summer: Soft, muted eyes (grey-blue, soft hazel, muted green).
- Autumn: Deep, rich eyes (brown, hazel with golden flecks, dark green).
- Winter: Intense eyes (deep brown, icy blue, dark grey).
7. Step 4: The Jewellery Test
Jewellery helps confirm undertone.
- Gold looks radiant on warm undertones.
- Silver enhances cool undertones.
- If both look equally good, you may fall into a neutral season.
8. Step 5: The Neutral Test (Black vs. White)
Try on pure black and stark white clothing.
- If black and white look sharp on you, you may be Winter.
- If they wash you out, you’re likely another season.
- Soft white, cream, or ivory often suits warm undertones.
9. Step 6: Testing with Seasonal Colour Drapes
The most accurate method is draping fabrics of different seasonal palettes near your face in natural light. Notice how your skin reacts:
- Do you look more vibrant, or does your complexion appear dull?
- Do your eyes pop, or do they fade?
- Does your skin tone look smooth, or do shadows appear?
Stylists often use professional draping kits, but you can try with clothing at home.
10. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing undertone with surface tone: Tanned skin does not change your undertone.
- Following trends over suitability: Not every fashionable colour suits every season.
- Assuming one feature determines the season: A combination of skin, hair, and eyes matters.
11. Practical Benefits of Knowing Your Colour Season
- Clothing: Saves time and money by guiding shopping choices.
- Makeup: Helps select foundation, blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow shades that enhance your features.
- Accessories: Determines jewellery, scarves, and eyewear that complement your colouring.
- Confidence: Wearing your season’s palette makes you look healthier, vibrant, and polished.
12. Conclusion
Seasonal colour analysis is not about strict rules but about discovering what naturally enhances your beauty. By identifying your undertone, hair, and eye colour, and testing with jewellery and draping, you can confidently find your palette. Once you know your season, you can build a wardrobe and beauty routine that consistently highlights your best features.