How to Find Your Perfect Colors

74 Comments

Rainbow Crayons
Photo by Sir_Fish

If you’ve ever picked up the latest issue of Vogue, and read about this season’s “new black”, you know that “it colors” come and go in fashion.

For example, last spring the hot shade in fashion was yellow, and this winter, the “it” color is purple. But if you’ve ever tried to wear one of those colors and found that you just didn’t look right, you need to keep reading.

Regardless of what the trendy colors are, there are some shades that are always going to look good on you, and some that aren’t. No color looks good on everyone, and it’s just a fact. This has to do with your coloring, or the way your eye color, hair, and skin tone combine to give you a look.

Your coloring makes the difference between whether you can wear gold or silver jewelry, whether that bright red halter top will look fabulous or horrible on you, and even what shades of makeup you can pull off. It’s really important to know what your perfect colors are, or you risk looking completely messed up!

So how can you figure out what colors look best on you?

Believe it or not, there’s one old school way to tell what your colors are that is still relevant after many years. Seasonal color analysis, the study of a person’s coloring, is what we’re going to get into today.

What is Color Analysis?

Basically, color analysis is all about your natural coloring (hair, skin, and eyes), and how that combo complements or contrasts with the things you choose to wear (makeup colors, clothing, or even jewelry.)

Color analysis breaks people’s colorings down into the four color seasons -Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. These color seasons are broken down even further, into 3 different categories per season. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s really helpful if you want to get a basic idea of what shades work for you.

How to find out which season you are:

So which season are you? Find out with the quick quiz below, courtesy of Cindy Busch Color Analysis.

Quiz - what season are you?

Now that you know what season you fit into, keep reading to find out what that means for your clothes, shoes, accessories, and makeup!

By the way, If you’re having trouble with the first question, grab a mirror and find a well-lit place. Bring one item of clothing each that’s navy blue, charcoal grey, honey beige, and soft brown. (If you don’t have one of those, don’t worry. Just use what you have.) Put each piece of clothing up near your face, and observe what it does to your skin tone. If the color becomes the focus instead of your face, it’s not right. If it makes you light up, makes your eyes look brighter and your hair look better, you’ve found your winner!

Getting more specific

Now that you know what general category you are, there are three types of coloring within each “season.” Sound confusing? I promise, it’s really not as bad as it sounds.

Find your season below, and read the descriptions to find out which type you are & see your best colors!

UPDATE: As of 10/19 I’ve updated this list to be more accurate and in-depth with info I got from the book Color Me Beautiful. Some people thought they were left out of the list, so I hope it can include almost everyone now.

Also, to be more specific, if you are Asian, Latina or African, you will probably be an Autumn or Winter. If you are Caucasian, you will probably be a Spring or Summer. Hope that helps clear up some confusion!

Types of Springs

1. Light Spring:

  • Eyes: Blue, green, turquoise, or light hazel.
  • Hair: Light to medium golden blonde, ash blonde or light to medium brown.
  • Skin: Ivory with peach tones, pink beige.

Best colors for Light Springs:

Colors for Light Springs

From Left: Camel, khaki, light gray, blue charcoal, taupe, warm pastel pink, baby pink, clear salmon, coral, watermelon, fuchsia, clear red, creme, light green, bright golden yellow, moss green, blue green, clear aqua, powder blue, light purple, periwinkle, violet.

2. Clear Spring:

  • Eyes: Turquoise blue, green, golden brown or topaz.
  • Hair: Medium to dark brown, or brown-black. May have red highlights.
  • Skin: Bronze, deep warm brown, brown-black, light ivory, light peach, or porcelain.

Best colors for Clear Springs:

Colors for Clear Springs

From Left: Navy, grey, charcoal, black, light grey, turquoise, yellow, marigold yellow, mint, green, dark green, clear teal, hot turquoise, true blue, purple, purple-gray, peach, salmon, true red, warm pastel pink, hot pink.

3. Warm Spring:

  • Eyes: Topaz, olive green, light hazel, or warm turqouise.
  • Hair: Light golden brown, red, strawberry blonde, or deep golden blonde.
  • Skin: Bronze, golden beige, ivory, or porcelain. May have freckles.

Best colors for Warm Springs:

Warm Spring Colors

From Left: Camel, bronze, golden brown, dark brown, stone, grey green, peach, light orange, coral, tomato red, rust, buff, green, light true green, evergreen, emerald turquoise, jade, teal, moss, deep periwinkle.

Types of Summers

1. Light Summer:

  • Eyes: Blue, grey or green.
  • Hair: Light to medium ash blonde or light to medium ash brown.
  • Skin: Pale beige, porcelain, ivory or pink beige. (Usually pink-toned.)

Best colors for Light Summers:

Colors For Light Summers

From Left: Light grey, grey blue, cocoa, taupe, powder pink, rose pink, rose, coral pink, clear salmon, clear red, light lemon yellow, light aqua, blue green, spruce, light navy, sky blue, medium blue, lavender, violet.

2. Soft Summer:

  • Eyes: Gray-blue, hazel or soft turquoise.
  • Hair: Light to medium ash brown, mousy brown. May have blonde in it.
  • Skin: Light to medium neutral beige, ivory.

Best colors for Soft Summers:

Colors for Soft Summers

From Left: Medium grey, light grey, taupe, cocoa, rose, raspberry, rose pink, deep rose, baby pink, soft fuchsia, burgundy, light lemon yellow, light green, turquoise, jade, green, forest green, navy, periwinkle, lavendar, dusty purple, teal.

3. Cool Summer:

  • Eyes: Gray, blue, or slate.
  • Hair: Medium to deep ash brown. Little to no red tones.
  • Skin: Ivory, pink beige, gray beige, or neutral beige.

Best colors for Cool Summers:

Colors For Cool Summers

From Left: Light grey, grey blue, cocoa, buff, light brown, taupe, icy pink, soft fuchsia, deep rose, burgundy, turquoise, jade, green, aqua, light aqua, true aqua, lavender, dusty purple, warm dusty purple, periwinkle, navy.

Types of Autumns

1. Deep Autumn:

  • Eyes: Dark brown, dark hazel, black, or dark green.
  • Hair: Medium brown, medium to deep auburn, dark brown deep chestnut or black.
  • Skin: Warm beige, neutral beige, golden brown, dark brown, olive.

Best colors for Deep Autumns:

Colors for Deep Autumns

From Left: Black brown, black, light yellow, marigold, peach, terracotta, salmon pink, tomato red, deep red, true red, dark rose, lemon yellow, camel, jade, moss, lime bronze, hot turquoise, cerulean, chinese blue, evergreen, dark purple, purple.

2. Soft Autumn:

  • Eyes: Light brown, soft hazel, blue, or gray-green.
  • Hair: Golden blonde to medium brown or mousy brown. May have blonde or red highlights.
  • Skin: Ivory, neutral beige, warm beige, golden brown.

Best colors for Soft Autumns:

Colors For Soft Autumns

From Left: Mahogany, brown, medium grey, camel, khaki, grey, light peach, deep rose, light coral, dusty pink, coral, terracotta, buttermilk, mint, emerald turquoise, turquoise, jade, evergreen, purple, dark purple aubergine.

3. Warm Autumn:

  • Eyes: Brown, olive green, hazel or topaz.
  • Hair: Medium golden brown, red, auburn, strawberry blonde or golden blonde.
  • Skin: Bronze, golden brown, golden beige, ivory, or warm beige.

Best colors for Warm Autumns:

Warm Autumn Colors

From Left: Camel, khaki, coffee brown, cream, medium brown, dark brown, light salmon, dark peach, salmon, pumpkin, rust, terracotta, aubergine, light yellow, light moss, evergreen, marigold, emerald turquoise, teal, forest green, deep periwinkle, purple.

Types of Winters

1. Deep Winter:

  • Eyes: Black, black-brown, or dark hazel.
  • Hair: Black-brown, medium brown, steel gray, or salt & pepper.
  • Skin: Black, medium beige, black-brown, or olive with no pink or peach undertones.

Best colors for Deep Winters:

Colors For Deep Winters

From Left: Black, charcoal, black-brown, red-brown, icy grey, grey, hot pink, true red, rust, aubergine, blue red, mint, lemon yellow, light green, emerald green, olive, purple, clear teal, bright periwinkle, blue, navy, chinese blue.

2. Clear Winter:

  • Eyes: Bright blue, hazel, violet, or green.
  • Hair: Black, chestnut, medium brown, or dark brown hair.
  • Skin: Black, deep brown, neutral beige, pale olive, milky white. (Usually translucent.)

Best colors for Clear Winters:

Clear Winter Colors

From Left: Medium gray, charcoal, black, dark taupe, icy grey, taupe, icy blue, icy lavendar, lavendar, icy pink, clear red, raspberry, raspberry pink, aubergine, icy yellow, bright golden yellow, hot turquoise, emerald turquoise, purple, dark purple, royal blue, navy.

3. Cool Winter:

  • Eyes: Charcoal gray, blue, dark brown or violet.
  • Hair: Blue-black, silver, salt & pepper. No red tones.
  • Skin: Cool brown, olive, or neutral beige.

Best colors for Cool Winters:

Colors For Cool Winters

From Left: Light grey, medium grey, dark grey, black, charcoal, taupe, rose pink, hot pink, purple, blue red, deep rose, burgundy, icy blue, icy pink, lemon yellow, emerald turquoise, hot turquoise, bright periwinkle, royal blue, purple, navy, dark purple.

A few more tips

Bear in mind that the colors above are not an all-inclusive list of the colors that will work for you, but they are some of the best colors that you should definitely try to incorporate into your wardrobe! Even just a few new tops in those colors will make a huge difference.

Also, you may fit into a couple different categories. That’s okay, it’s normal and no big deal. The seasons are just supposed to give you a general idea of your colors – they’re not supposed to be strict rules that you need to follow religiously.

If you try on some clothes in your colors, you’ll quickly learn that wearing the right colors makes a huge difference in the way you look. I encourage you to experiment with different shades and see which ones look best on you, as well as which ones you like the most! Then buy these colors up whenever you spot them in stores. If you want, you can print this article out and take it shopping with you, so you’ll always have your colors at hand.

Your Thoughts?

What do you think of seasonal color analysis? Is it lame or helpful? What about your personal colors – are they a fit for what you already have in your wardrobe, or do you need to go buy some new pieces?

Let me know what you think in the comments!

Posted on on September 29, 2008 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: , , , , ,

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74 Responses to “How to Find Your Perfect Colors”

  1. 1
    September 29th, 2008 at 7:04 pm

    What an awesome post! I can tell you put a lot of thought and effort into this. You really have to consider everyone to make something so detailed like this. Thanks for all of your work!

  2. 2
    September 29th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

    I COMPLETELY agree with Jess. The post looks great. The new layout of CF is even better! You did an ah-mazing job. Congrats! :)

  3. 3
    September 29th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

    Oh and btw- I found I was a clear winter (milky white skin, darkdarkdark brown hair, green eyes) & you were RIGHT! Those colors look great on me. Thanks again.

  4. 4
    September 29th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    This is a great post! I found your blog through fuel my blog. I just found out I am a warm Spring. Very cool! I like your colors, they are similar to my blog. check out my blog at thesugaredlotus.com

    Cheers!
    Alie

  5. 5
    September 29th, 2008 at 11:59 pm

    Love this post! I always second guess myself when it comes to one colour vs. another because I’ve always found my tones hard to compliment (light olive/ warm beige, medium golden brown hair and v. dark brown eyes). Figuring out I’m warm autum has just simplified my winter wardrobe shopping tremendously!

    Thanks. Really practical and well-written article.

  6. 6
    September 30th, 2008 at 3:22 am

    Thanks for the post! I’m a Deep Winter and the post totally reassured me that my wardrobe is great for me! Thank you!

  7. 7
    September 30th, 2008 at 3:36 am

    What about ladies like me that have black hair and brown skin?? but other than that, this is a great guide otherwise.. :D

  8. 8
    September 30th, 2008 at 3:37 am

    oh wait nvm about the previous post haha XD

  9. 9
    September 30th, 2008 at 7:49 am

    Well, looks like I’m in between Deep Autumn and Soft Autumn. I have dark brown eyes, ivory skin, and medium brown hair. At least now I have a better idea of what colors would look good on me. Time for shopping? hehe

  10. 10
    September 30th, 2008 at 7:52 am

    Nevermind. I’m definitely Deep Autumn.

  11. 11
    September 30th, 2008 at 8:31 am

    This is a great article but I’m totally confused. No category matches my type. My eyes are brown, my skin is white/pale (not very pale but normal – but nowhere nearbronze) and my natural hair colour is brown. I can’t find a category that matches all of these.

  12. 12
    September 30th, 2008 at 9:09 am

    This was so helpful! I’m Soft Summer, and the colors really confirmed my suspicions about what colors I can wear. I can’t wear any shade of orange, because it gives my skin a greenish tinge, and I don’t look too good in red either. Neither of those colors were included in the list, so I know it really works! Very cool!

  13. 13
    September 30th, 2008 at 9:57 am

    Nadia – What about a warm autumn – golden beige is a medium skintone that isn’t too pale. If not, don’t worry about it, you might not always fit perfectly into a category. It’s just supposed to be a guide for some possibilities.

  14. 14
    September 30th, 2008 at 2:15 pm

    My roomie and I just decided that our color analyses are both very accurate. I’m a Clear Winter, and she’s a Light Summer.. and neither of us can wear orange.. which is predicted by the analysis. Good find!

  15. 15
    September 30th, 2008 at 6:31 pm

    Wow, this is really helpful!

  16. 16
    September 30th, 2008 at 7:07 pm

    i don’t fit in any of the descriptions!
    My eyes are black, i have brown hair and my skin is very a light peach tone.
    what are the best colors for me?
    btw, i love your site :)

  17. 17
    September 30th, 2008 at 7:34 pm

    I feel like I have been left out. I have very dark brown hair, very dark eyes, and am very pale. I don’t fit into this chart, any ideas?

  18. 18
    September 30th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

    i fall in between deep winter and clear winter, but mostly… deep winter. i think also clear winter because of my hair colour :)

  19. 19
    October 1st, 2008 at 1:47 am

    I also feel left out although I may be a deep winter.
    I have black hair, black eyes, but pale olive skin.
    What am I?

  20. 20
    October 1st, 2008 at 3:06 am

    I second/third/w/e the motion of being left out. There are SOOOO many black-haired people out there and they were totally overlooked. Asians? yes? Blacks? yes? Middle Easterners? yes? There are plenty of others with black hair, including from Latin America and Indians, and I’m sure there’s even some from European countries who have black hair as well. That’s a hefty amount of people to overlook, I must say, especially when you can point out the red-heads (who are apparently going to fall in number, sadly!) but not the black-haired as much. We have one category: clear winter. And I don’t have blue or green or purple eyes.

    I know it’s probably not consciously done, not intentional. You do consider different races – I can see that with the skin colors. But it’s just a case in point about how westernized the world’s becoming that we by default think in terms of white people.

  21. 21
    October 1st, 2008 at 10:41 am

    Let’s not get too easily offended, Peggy. All of the Winter tones suffice for people with black hair and all different skin tones and eye colors. We were told that the charts may not fit each one of us to a T….I know that the autumn tones work best for me, but there is not one that describes me perfectly….I highly doubt that these color charts are a reflection of “how westernized the world’s becoming…”

  22. 22
    October 1st, 2008 at 10:47 am

    Peggy – I know that this list might leave some people out. I got most of this from books and researching online, and I do realize that some people might not fit perfectly into a category. It’s not meant to be racist in any way, at least not on my end! I totally apologize if it’s offensive to you.

  23. 23
    October 1st, 2008 at 3:21 pm

    awe i hope people cut you some slack! maybe for the people who don’t have a category can come up with some colors that they think are flattering and you can add to the list!

    I think the chart is super helpful & i love all of the colors for my group :)

  24. 24
    October 2nd, 2008 at 10:51 am

    I am Asian Indian and I certainly don’t feel left out. I am a deep winter thanks so much Zephyr for the time you took researching this. Time to go shopping!

  25. 25
    October 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 am

    Love the new layout! Straightforward and easy to use. :)

    Now, I’m Asian and I can see where Peggy’s coming from–it IS rather difficult to find these kinds of articles that are actually helpful if you’re not Caucasian. And it does become a little frustrating when most of the descriptions call for blue, green, or hazel eyes and blonde, auburn, or brunette hair and everyone who has black hair and brown eyes is lumped into one subset of Winter.

    With that said, it’s clear that a lot of time and research has been put into this, and it’s one of the best articles of its type that I’ve seen, both in terms of organization and visuals. Maybe in the future we will begin to see more-inclusive analyses. But for now, great work! :)

  26. 26
    October 2nd, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    nice

  27. 27
    October 6th, 2008 at 11:15 pm

    I am Hispanic and I was also left out, sort of. I have dark brown hair and eyes and I’m pretty sure that my skin is between pale and medium beige. According to the chart I would be a deep winter but I never wear those colors and I think they would look horrible on me. I wasn’t able to find the exact shades for soft summer to test it out, but the colors that I like to wear and that I think look good on me fit into that category, even though the guidelines don’t include my coloring.

    I think that this chart was well-done for the most part and has a category that would work for most people regardless of race, but you wouldn’t know it because the guidelines must have been made for white people. I am very glad that Peggy and Amy left comments because they both make good points. I certainly wouldn’t think that Zephyr made the chart meant to leave anyone out, but I strongly disagree with Amanda’s comment for several reasons.

    This chart might not be a perfect fit for everyone, even some caucasian people, but if there are only two categories out of twelve for people with dark hair and eyes when so many people have those characteristics, then there is a large group of people who have been left out because of their race; the comments even provide evidence to back it up. Racism tends upset people, and I think its unreasonable for anyone to expect that it won’t or to insist that people who are upset or disappointed not say anything. Hopefully someone will adjust this chart or make a new one that includes most people with dark hair and eyes, or any other combination that was left out.

    Other than that I really liked this post. Keep up the good work, Zephyr.

  28. 28
    October 7th, 2008 at 7:33 am

    Great reminder of something first published (to my knowledge) over 20 years ago.

    I lost the book I had that extended this, so thanks for posting.

  29. 29
    October 8th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    I’m not exactly sure what I would be as my skin tone isn’t really any of the ones mentioned. Overall though I think this is an excellent guide!
    Me:
    light brown hair with gold and red tones
    light purple-like yellow tan skin
    red brown eyes

    I know turquiose looks good on me but that’s about it! I have strange coloring though so I’m not surprised I couldn’t find it exactly.

  30. 30
    October 10th, 2008 at 11:00 am

    LOL… well im chinese asian and im a warm autumn… so i dont think its all about asians being put into one category

    cut the girl some slack ay!!
    XX

  31. 31
    October 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

    I’ve updated the guide – hope it makes more sense & includes more people now. I also added the note that if you’re Caucasian you will probably be a spring or summer, and if you’re Black, Asian, or Latina you will probably be an autumn or winter. Again I didn’t make this info up, I got it from books & researching online.

  32. 32
    October 20th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

    wow people should just relaxxxxx. this website does not dictate this is as a law, it is just a website with some suggestions and tips! people are taking it way too seriously. everybody needs to calm down.

    but on a happier note — i found it very helpful and true!
    keep up the good work zephyr :)

  33. 33
    October 21st, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    hey, i was just wondering if i can translate this article (awesome article by the way) to spanish. I have this website about fashion tips and it would be great if you let me publish this in spanish. of course i will put credits for you, beacuase is your article. plz answer me.

  34. 34
    October 22nd, 2008 at 2:05 am

    Thank you for updating the chart, Brianna. I really appreciate it. According the new chart I am a deep autumn. I haven’t tried wearing those colors yet, but I’m eager to see how they work out for me.

    However, I would also appreciate it if people wouldn’t tell others to “calm down.” When people tell me to calm down it just makes me more upset because I think that those kinds of comments are rude and condescending.

    I don’t want to end my comment on a bad note, though, so I’ll end my comment with this instead: “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” -Coco Chanel

  35. 35
    October 22nd, 2008 at 11:31 am

    Florencia – You can translate it, but please give me credit for the original article and a link to the original. Glad you liked it!

    Shana – No problem, hope the new colors work for you! Also, I’m sure the people who said those things didn’t mean to offend you or talk down to you, but I apologize if you were upset about it! Also, love that quote :)

  36. 36
    October 22nd, 2008 at 4:59 pm

    thanks a lot zephyr, u r great

  37. 37
    December 10th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    Hi … I think that seasonal color analysis is very helpful

    I didn’t get my personal colors yet but I would love to …

    Nice article .. ;-) keep it up

  38. 38
    January 6th, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    Wow, what a great post! It really helped me :)
    I love ur site, keep up the great work ;)

  39. 39
    January 11th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    can you please help me i am so confuzzeled
    i have brown black eyes
    blonde ish hair
    and a bit darker than fair skin color
    HELP
    e mail me please!!!!

  40. 40
    March 8th, 2009 at 10:25 pm

    In answer to your questions
    What do you think of seasonal color analysis? Is it lame or helpful? What about your personal colors – are they a fit for what you already have in your wardrobe, or do you need to go buy some new pieces?

    About 26 years ago I paid to have a colour analysis done for me and my (then) 10 year old daughter. I also bought two sets of colour swatches which I at least still take shopping with me.

    It’s been worth every cent of the $200 I spent because it eliminated the “it looked good in the shop but now it’s horrible” mistakes, and even more importantly because the colours go with each other, things that I bought years ago still look good with the latest season’s fashion colours. This means that I have saved money over the years.

  41. 41
    April 19th, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Hey Zephyr,

    I’m having a lot of trouble figuring out which category I fit into. My hair is blonde, eyes dark brown, and skin is pale/medium with goldenish undertones. If you could just email me letting me know, I’d really appreciate it! By the way, I love CollegeFashion. :)

  42. 42
    April 23rd, 2009 at 9:48 am

    I have a very fair complexion and this article helps me a lot to find out my perfect color.

  43. 43
    April 26th, 2009 at 10:37 pm

    Thank you for making this “what’s your color season?” thing easy to understand. It turns out I was RIGHT when I thought gem/jewel tones look good with my coloring.

  44. 44
    June 2nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    Wow, I never knew I was a soft autumn. This will help me shop. Thanks!

  45. 45
    June 18th, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    This was really helpful and actually really interesting!
    I found that lime green actually works really well with my colouring (lightbrown and blonde hair, “topaz” eyes, pale olive skin) and tried alot of the colours recomended thank youuu xxx

  46. 46
    June 28th, 2009 at 7:18 am

    I LOVE seasonal color analysis. I got me the book “Color Me Beautiful” by Carole Jackson. I sure wish I knew of this a long time ago. It would’ve saved me a lot of time, energy, and expense through out the years. And most of all, I started trying on colors from the winter palette that I never thought of before. For instance, one day I showed up to work in a Chinese blue blouse. EVERYONE complimented me on it. All day I heard how great I looked in it. That’s never happened to me before. I already had mostly black, grays, and navy blues (the winter neutrals), but I didn’t know what color colors were for me. I’ve always liked some colors that are in the winter palette, but never had the confidence to get clothes in those colors until I started reading web sites on color seasons and then finally “Color Me Beautiful”. This has also helped me out tremendously with my cosmetic purchases. No more spending tons and tons of money on brown and beige eye shadows, blushes, and lipsticks that never look right on me. I really do wish that I had this knowledge since my teens.

  47. 47
    July 4th, 2009 at 12:05 am

    I don’t like how you stated “black” and “black-brown” as skin colours for Winter and also included “beige”. By beige, you obviously mean white skin, but no one’s skin is literally white so it’s understandable that you would say beige. But then you also said black…. No one’s skin colour is actually black or black-brown. I did find that offensive. All black people have brown skin. Even the darkest of us still have brown skin.

  48. 48
    July 4th, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    What about asians? you say blond and brunette.. i just feel like you are leaving some people out.

  49. 49
    July 14th, 2009 at 11:15 am

    Oh, come on, people! This guide is not intended as a racial thing. Nobody is being intentionally left out, and certainly not by the blog author because she copied it out of a book.

    I’m sure the use of ‘black’ and ‘black-brown’ isn’t that much of a problem – especially since ‘white’ IS also used as a descriptor, not only ‘beige’. Besides, there are many different tones listed here other than those, all trying to represent the enormously varied hues of a whole world of different skin types. There are many kinds of white and many kinds of black and many kinds of every other colour! Just because you don’t feel yours is listed here doesn’t mena there’s been any offence – just pick the one that is CLOSEST to your own skin. This is hardly an exact science; it’s trying to compartmentalise every colour scheme on the planet! The same goes for eye and hair colour – pick the one that’s closest to yours.

    I don’t fit into a category, either – I have very dark brown hair (with red highlights in the summer), very very pale white skin and blue-grey eyes, which would seem to make me a clear spring except that those colours are the ones poeple tell me aren’t great on me e.g. pink, yellow, turqouise. I get much more praise for warm spring colours, which apparently don’t suit those with dark hair.

    But I don’t care, ’cause it’s all in fun after all :-)

  50. 50
    July 14th, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    What if you’re Blue-eyed, auburn/brown hair, and pink-based skin with light brown freckles?

  51. 51
    July 31st, 2009 at 1:58 am

    thanks a lot! that was totally helpful… now i know how to stop buying those clothes that i never wear!

  52. 52
    August 1st, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    YESH. I am a Clear Winter, and its totally correct. I look best in bright jewel tones. I have deep bluey-greeny hazel eyes. Super dark brown hair and pretty fair/pale skin. :) and my BFF is a deep autumn, with dark brown eyes, dark brown hair and olive skin. Hers is only off by the 2 blues. She CANNOT work blues : /

  53. 53
    August 4th, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Much of this confusion over seasons stems from the prepackaged seasonal catagories. The original creator of seasons was Suzzane Caygill who hand picked each color for her client. Then after analysing the colors she selected she declared the person a particular season. It wasnt the other way around. There are still good color consultants out there who hand pick colors. I had mine done some years ago and it was impressive and acurrate. I encourage others to look into it. By ’seasonal’ standards I would be a Spring type with recessive Autumn and Winter leanings which modify my colors deeper, and takes the edge off the bright pastels. Anyway, this method works for eveyone since it is individalized and doesnt put people in boxes. I’m African American btw.

  54. 54
    August 13th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    Nice guide and very helpful!

  55. 55
    August 22nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    any suggestions for doing color analysis on a gril socut troop of teens.

  56. 56
    August 25th, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    Please help-
    I have dark brown hair, very pale skin (not rosy though) and my eyes are honey-coloured with dark green outer rims.
    Can anyone make something out of this? XD
    Thank you!!!

  57. 57
    September 4th, 2009 at 8:53 am

    Great tips! Yellow is my color! :)

  58. 58
    September 11th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    Ichi, it seems to me you are a clear winter just like me…

  59. 59
    September 14th, 2009 at 10:40 pm

    Great post. It turns out I’m a clear spring which is really helpful to know as most of my clothes are those colours anyway. I love this post and the site. Good work.

    One quick thing, I couldn’t have figured out I was a clear spring from the flow chart because I am the one spring that can’t wear the browns and wears all the grey tones instead.

  60. 60
    September 22nd, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    Grace, thank you! :)

  61. 61
    September 26th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

    I found this to be very accurate…at least for me. I never put a lot of thought into what colors “were for me”…but I have noticed that the ones I tend towards…are the ones in my group…”Deep Autumn”…Thanks for this because now I know I am on the right path… :)

  62. 62
    October 24th, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    Hmmm I have ALWAYS tried to find out which color I was, but I can never get it right with these things. They always point to your eye colour too much, when I think skin tone is more important…

    I have very dark brown eyes. But I am naturally dirty blond and quite freckly….
    I think I’m a warm spring but I can’t be included in any Summer/Spring since my eyes are dark brown.

    This seems to be for people who have coloured eyes… if you have brown eyes, you are assumed to just be tan and have dark hair, which is not true!!

  63. 63
    November 21st, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    Helped a lot! Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  64. 64
    December 12th, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    Love this. I have really light skin with freckles and I have blond hair. I always have trouble finding colors to wear but this helps so much. Especially when I want to wear brighter colors instead of darker colors which I prefer more anyway. :)

  65. 65
    December 14th, 2009 at 11:23 am

    I think I am a warm Spring. I have true blue eyes which isn’t listed, but otherwise I fit the catagory pretty well and those are the colors that I feel look best on me. Is that possible? My skin is a peachy ivory (not extremely pale), and my natural hair color is a golden dark blond/light brown. I usually dye my hair and I’ve been told that I look very natural as a brunette and that red hair works for me. What do you think?

  66. 66
    December 26th, 2009 at 1:01 am

    i think im deep autumn or deep winter
    mostly autumn i think!
    nice post

  67. 67
    January 2nd, 2010 at 8:43 pm

    I’m having some trouble figuring out which category I fit into. I have ash blonde hair, and “blue” (they can look more green if I wear green) eyes. The hard part for me is what my skin tone is. I would consider my skin pale… I wear ivory foundation now, but I’ve also worn “porcelain” ones by Cover Girl, and I don’t know what undertones I have… Like if they are peach or pink… And to complicate things, I have a lip gloss I really like called “pink pout” that looks more peachy-orange to me in the container. Ha ha, maybe I just have really poor color-sight, or maybe I’m over analyzing. I’m going to study it a bit more and try some colors I already have, but any category suggestions from anyone would be helpful. :)

    And Zephyr, thank you so much for all the hard work you put into this article, and the blog as a whole. I found it a couple days ago (the college wardrobe article pulled me in) and I’m completely addicted. <3

  68. 68
    January 2nd, 2010 at 9:11 pm

    Nevermind, I’m definitely a Light Summer!

  69. 69
    January 10th, 2010 at 9:59 pm

    I have dark brown eyes, and a golden blonde shine to my brown hair , and my skin is neutral beige…HELP ME!!!!!! I think I’m a soft summer, but my eyes don’t match…PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!!!! I’ll check back in a couple weeks to see if anyone left me a comment!!!!

    ~ Melanie

  70. 70
    January 11th, 2010 at 11:12 pm

    @Melanie: Have you looked at warm autumn? If that doesn’t seem to suit you, here’s what you can try. Wear your soft summer colors in your main outfit pieces. Then choose your accessories in colors that bring out the shade of your eyes, especially in things around your face like headbands, earrings, necklaces, scarves, etc. Make sure those things don’t overpower your delicate summer colors though — stick to soft pastels like peach, coral, salmon, yellow, and cream, or metals for jewelry like copper.

  71. 71
    January 15th, 2010 at 2:28 am

    I was really lucky to find out my colours. Recently I was at a holiday camp and there was a woman who does this as a job who worked it out for me (for free). I have blue eyes, pale skin and mousy hair… summer :)

  72. 72
    January 31st, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    Hi, I stumbled on this website today and remembered I had used it last year to change the color palette of my clothes. I had been dressing as a Cool Winter but am actually a Warm Spring. The reaction to the new look was immediate; people said I looked brighter, my skin looked great, and my eyes were popping. This really works! Thanks!

  73. 73
    February 2nd, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    I know that I have cool undertones to my skin but I don’t technically fit perfectly into the cool winter category because I have brown eyes, dark brown hair, which has a little bit of red highlight when in the sun and fair skin. There doesn’t seem to be a spot for fair skin in the winter category. Do you ever see winters with fair skin? Would I be someone who would be between summer and winter? Thank you for the fun site!

  74. 74
    March 3rd, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    I have warm peach toned fair skin with olive green eyes and natural auburn hair (just think Lindsay Lohan in Just My Luck). I guess that would make me a deep autumn or a warm autumn. Because my coloring is deeper, I guess that would make me a deep autumn. The colors are all basically what I have in my wardrobe along with warm autumn colors. This was really helpful!

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