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.
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 gray, 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:
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:
From Left: Navy, gray, 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 turquoise.
- 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:
From Left: Camel, bronze, golden brown, dark brown, stone, gray 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, gray 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:
From Left: Light gray, gray 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:
From Left: Medium gray, light gray, 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, lavender, 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:
From Left: Light gray, gray 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:
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:
From Left: Mahogany, brown, medium gray, camel, khaki, gray, 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:
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:
From Left: Black, charcoal, black-brown, red-brown, icy gray, gray, 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:
From Left: Medium gray, charcoal, black, dark taupe, icy gray, taupe, icy blue, icy lavender, lavender, 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:
From Left: Light gray, medium gray, dark gray, 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!
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.
any suggestions for doing color analysis on a gril socut troop of teens.
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!!!
Great tips! Yellow is my color! 🙂
Grace, thank you! 🙂
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!
i have bleach blonde hair crystal blue eyes an a nice tan??? what do i need were
Thanks so much for this post! It was really easy for me to find which colours would suit me best! Some colours I stumbled across accidentally, others I didn’t even think of! Thank you so much!
This was a total change for me, I use to buy just black and white all the time, I would wear all black most of the time and in the summer I would dress in all white. The odd time I would wear black and white, I felt so bland after many years of that.. A friend of mine tried to get me to buy other colors and the only colors I bought were one red item, yellow, pink, brown. When I was wearing different colors other than black or white, my friends wouldn’t recognize me at first. This was an amazing site for me and I feel like a new person, thank you soo much.
This article its just perfect for me, im always wondering which colors may look better on me and how do i know they are correct and these tips really helped me out.
I think im going to make some changes on the way i look thanks to the articles on this web, they are amazing!! keep the good work!!
Fab article. Thanks for taking the time to share this information with everybody!
Hello Zephyr:
okay, i know it im a lil bit late, but i have been looking at colour analysis for few years and as a colour person (asian/whatever) i would say the analysis method they were used would applied differently toward non-white person. despite the fact a majority of people of the world have dark hair and dark eyes, the undertone of eyes and hair shift from people to people and the skintone would still have a lot of variety in terms of light or dark, warm or cool.
for example, i have dark ash brown hair and light-brown eyes and pale beige skin with slightly rosy cheeks. the constrast of me is not strong at all, so that would qualify me as a summer. I would look better with soft muted pastels than black/white or icy colours.
Alek Wek and Tyra Banks are both Black, but i would say Alek Wek is winter and Tyra Bank is rather summer.
here are few book that are more gear toward coloured/non-white backround:
Colour for Life (this one is new and I own this myself, which i find it wonderful) is written by two fashion stylist, and have updated example of celebrity plus makeup examples. in stead of “spring/summer/fall/winter”, they use “sun/moon/earth/star” instead.
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Color-Therapy-Perfect-Palette/dp/B0030ILW8I/ref=pd_sim_b_17#_
Women of Colour (which is older as you can tell on cover) is literally applying the principle of colour analysis (light/dark, warm/cool, bright/mute) on colour women according to their own background. If anyone have the problem that they have dark colouring and don’t look good with autumn or winter colouring or simply don’t think the blonde part part do them justice, this might be the book would solved their problem.
http://www.amazon.com/Women-Color-Darlene-Mathis/dp/1892123053/ref=pd_sim_b_33
Hi, i’m not really sure where I fall. I have Blue/aqua ish eyes. White tan-ish skin. Hair color between Mousy brown and chestnuty brown. Which doesnt really put me anywhere specific? I look good in brown.. and grey…?
I love the way you layed it out.
Does anyone know which one I’d be?? I’m kind of mixed Asian so I have black hair, beige/golden skin, and brown eyes. I cant decide between deep autumn or deep winter… help! =)
Say your eye color and skin tone match a type, but your hair color doesn’t, simple fix: dye your hair one of the colors that are listed under that type- it might even be more flattering than your natural color. Or if you wish to dye your hair, and aren’t sure what will flatter, pick one of the other colors listed under your type.
For instance, I’m a deep autumn, and my hair is naturally black, but I could dye it medium brown, medium to deep auburn, dark brown, or deep chestnut and still be a deep autumn.
If this type of thing really interests anyone, you should look up a color analysist in your area. It usually is about $100 – 200 to have her look through thousands of colors to find the one that looks best on you. I’ve had it done and it’s awesome. The lady who did mine told me what make up colors to buy, and what colors would be good to dye my hair if I ever wanted to mix it up. It was really fun, too, being a fashion-lover who loves colors 🙂
I liked the article. I have lived a weird life and I’m 15. I don’t know how to match clothes or anything like that. I have med brown hair and up to my elbows have farmer tan but the rest is white. I don’t know which season I am so if someone could help me out I’d appreciate it.
Hi!
I was wondering if someone could give me some advice. Tomorrow I’m having pictures taken and I’m TOTALLY clueless on what to wear…I have dirty blonde curly hair and grey-blue yes. I’ve heard you’re supposed to wear shirts that match your eye color, but I’m not totally sure! Any help would be fabulous thank you so much!
Hi guys,
I see a lot of you are really worried because you feel left out, but in fact you are not. I read a book called “Color me Beautiful” a long time ago, which explained in detail a lot of what was commented in this post and what counts for your color analysis is first of all your skin color and its undertones, and then your hair color. Just a few days ago I found out that they have an online site. They have the color test there too. Maybe it might be a good idea to research yourselves because I know there is more out there than just this post. Think of it as your starting point… And by the way I am latina 100%, live in Guatemala, and I do not feel discriminated, I understand that there is more of us with this coloring, we just happen to be a whole continent of people who have similar coloring and so there has to be a big group of us that fit into the winter category, not because of discrimination but genetics 😉 Way to go on the post, I loved how you put it all together!
Mon, thanks for the message but I can’t find any online test on the colormebeautiful website.
I’d actually be surprised because they seem to make money out of the 90 quid ‘consultations’ they advertise.
Do you know if there is actually any online test there? I’d be grateful if you let me know 🙂
For me the best thing is an online test, and tests from different places can give us the most exact verdict.
What if you look good in like, almost all colors. what season are you then? And what if you have warm hair, neutral eyes and cool skin?
im a deep winter
Hi! I have always had some sort of trouble when it comes to this. Because I sometimes fall into winter or into autum category. After reading this (extremely helpful btw) I now belong to both the deep autumn and deep winter.. Like, is that even possible or am I just plain dumb? haha.. love the blog and thanks xoxo
This was wonderful! I am already VERY attracted to these colors already, but it’s good to know!
Exellent Post!
Its look like I am sort of a Summer (Blue Eyes & ivory-pinkish Skin) that leans towards Warm spring (my (golden deep blonde) hair match this part of the season while skin and eyes didn’t), and it’s funny thing is that warm springs and summers are my favorite part of the seasons! 😀
I already knew somewhat what colors are flattering on my colorings. The colors from the warm spring really make my eyes look brighter while summer colours flatter my colorings. ^_^
…but I didn’t know what part of the season I belong to so this post was really interesting.
I love color analysis and feel it’s very helpful when shopping for clothes, makeup or jewelry. I just have one question though. I seem to fit into the deep winter category because I have dark brown hair and med. brown eyes but my skin is very fair with freckles so I’m not completely sure. Do you think that I’m between a deep winter and a clear winter, due to the very pale skin? Thanks.
nice article but lil bit long and difficult to understand but i have picked it very nicely thanks for giving color choosing idea
nice article but i’m at a bit of a loss as what to go by,my hair colour as it is know or my natural colour before i went white or the colour i dye it.confused
Thank you for this excellent intro!
None of them apply to me! (Dark brown eyes, dark brown hair, pale skin)?
Has anyone found their colours change with graying hair?
I was soft autumn but am now told I’m light spring?
I am a Warm Spring/Warm Autumn. This explains why I overlap between the two so well 🙂
Silver grey hair and blue eyes light skin.
what is my season color?
I’ve always known that I was a winter.
but not a cool winter.
Good tips.
blessings
The season analysis leaves a lot out. It IS a good guideline but I fit in between soft summer/soft autumn. For example, my skin is very pale and I have light brown freckles. My skin is warm. My hair is a lighter chestnut (brown with a slight reddish cast. My eyes are clear GREY-BLUE! So I’m obviously a neutral. I look best in soft autumn, but according to my eye color I’m a soft summer….
I have pale ivory, freckled skin; I have blue veins but I have a slight peachy-yellow cast and when I tan it’s only a little and it’s more like my skin takes on a soft golden glow but not a true “tan” tan; my hair is naturally a light chestnut brown with red and gold highlights; my eyes are a light, clear brown edging toward greyish green at the outer circle; I look better in silver jewelry but washed out in silver clothing, though I can wear grey well. So far I’ve narrowed it down to between soft autumn and warm spring. No idea which is truer to me.
I don’t think I fall into any category.
I have medium/dark brown eyes. Dark brown hair. ‘Ivory’ skin.
Help?
Kristina, it sounds like you are one of the “deeper” seasons – warm autumn, deep autumn or deep winter. Just from your description I’d lean towards deep winter because several deep winters have your coloring (ie Anne Hathaway and Audrey Hepburn) but you might also be a clear or cool winter. See if you look better in olive green, brown and turquoise (autumn colors) or cobalt blue, true purple and bright emerald green (winter colors.) That way you can narrow down which main season you are.
Hi there,
This is absolutely awesome. I love it ! It´s so easy to understand! Thanks so much!!
Hi. I can never figure out if I’m a Deep Winter or a Cool Winter…I have medium brown hair and black brown eyes like a Deep Winter, but I’m very fair which doesn’t match the skin description. I match the Cool Winter because of my dark brown eyes and neutral beige skin tone, but my hair isn’t blue black or silver salt & pepper. Which season is someone with a fair, neutral skin tone, dark brown eyes & medium/dark brown hair? Thanks
Do i use my natural hair colour?
I just wanted to let you know that this is an amazing article and I really appreciate the vast amount of effort you put into it! I’m using it right now in cleaning out my closet and its helping me sooo much.
Much better take on the Color Me book. Although many see me as a Winter, the colors never fit. Had an evaluation with a Color 1 analyst and bingo. Their philosophy was you can wear whatever colors are in your eyes. For me that is rust and olive green. Also can wear any color in the right depth and shade for you. This has been very successful for me. I found this sight for my boyfriend, who is Asian, and trying to find examples of what are the best colors for him. This site does a good job in presenting a more through range of categories than Color Me did and will give him a better idea of the best colors for him. Good job.
Confused. I always have had light brown hair that was blond until after first grade or so, but it is grey now and I haven’t changed it. My eyes are a medium brown (not light or hazel but not a dark, dark brown). I’ve been told my skin has blue undertones by a friend, but I really can’t figure that out for myself. My skin if fair to medium but not pale. The most compliments I’ve received have been when wearing a aqua or teal color. I have the book that I ordered recently, but the more I read, the more confused I get. I live in Georgia. Anyone there that could help or any other help would be appreciated.
I have light hazel eyes I’m very fair but not porcelline but hold jewelry and beige or yellow clothes look horrible on me I noticed I look good in bright blue and a deep green and purples my original hair color is dark brown but due my hair red still trying to figure out the right red too but I’m confused am i spring or winter or Autumn I know definitely not summer colors
Sorry I left of grays. & certain tan if lighter ones.
Please fix your colour labels as some don’t match the swatches or are missing
this is the first time i have seen myself completely thrown out of a different season as of what i am usually placed. now i am back to being utterly confused.
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
thanks a lot zephyr, u r great
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.
Ichi, it seems to me you are a clear winter just like me…
Wow, I never knew I was a soft autumn. This will help me shop. Thanks!
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.
i think im deep autumn or deep winter
mostly autumn i think!
nice post
I love this post! It’s so well thought out! I’ve got light brown skin with yellow understones, dark brown eyes, dark brown hair and I go very golden dark brown in summer (Even in the English sun!). I’m in the Deep Autumn catagory even though I’m English caucasian lol.
These are the color choices….
Fantabulous.! danx i have olways been lukin for something like but never quite understood what exactly that was.! 😀 Dis whola website is Fab.! Lub Eet.! <3
Thanx again.!
Luv u Zephyr.!
Hi 🙂 This post looks really good – I’ve always had this problem!
The chart you’ve used though really doesn’t apply to me so I was wondering if you could help!
What sort of colours would look best on Indian skin? I’m medium brown, I think – so not fair but not dark… An average Indian colour, I think!
Would be great to get some advice 🙂 Thank you!
I guess people with warm, red hair and cool, pink skin just don’t exist. People like me. Oh well, I’m used to being left out of these seasonal color analysis things.
News flash! Most redheads have cool skin.
I’m still confused as not sure which category I fall into? I have natural conker brown/chestnut colour hair, green eyes and naturally fair skinned although can tan a bit in the summer months. I tend to wear mostly black, grey, blue as I’m not sure what suits me and I’m colour ‘unconfident’. Can you help me please? 🙂
Actually there are a lot of spring and summer Asians. I know this for a fact because I attended an info session held by a color match/analysis company (which specializes in finding what seasonal tones people are) in Korea. I myself am a summer toned Asian. Just wanted to clear that up!
I am definiely a mixture of Winters. when young was white blond hair (even white brows), dark choc. eyes, turned light brown when 13 (brows too) hair turned a light brown with blond highlights, then darker medium brown with an auburn highlights before more dark brown, brown; now hair 3/4 gray eyes look hazel at times and gray at times, have, a sort of light olive skin, or med dark, .Navy, Choc brown, any pink (fuschia get lots compliments as does chocolate brown and purple must be the best and turquoise and lavender or pale purples, red/orange & true red) all pinks, hot pink, soft pinks, rose,, mauve, pastels in lavender family, any purple, bright yellow or liiiight med yellow, red, red orange bright orange, most greens., most blues, turquoise ..i find the lightest of pastels do onot look as goood I like the color analysis…bearing in mid we are individuals with varying depth of colors in skin and hair. colors listed get most compliments
Hmmm. according to the description i’d be a clear spring, but that color range includes yellow, orange and a deep grassy green. Yellow is a color that i very much dislike and it also doesn’t suit me at all, pretty much the same for orange. The color range I love corresponds to the 3 summer types. But I ain’t fitting the summer description, according to the description i’m either a winter or spring type. Need help :/
I always spent my half an hour to read this webpage’s articles or reviews daily along with a mug of
coffee.
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 🙂
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 🙂
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
nice
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!
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 🙂
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.
Nevermind. I’m definitely Deep Autumn.
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!
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
Wow, this is really helpful!
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
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…”
oh wait nvm about the previous post haha XD
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?
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!
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.
i fall in between deep winter and clear winter, but mostly… deep winter. i think also clear winter because of my hair colour 🙂
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
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?
What about ladies like me that have black hair and brown skin?? but other than that, this is a great guide otherwise.. 😀
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.
I COMPLETELY agree with Jess. The post looks great. The new layout of CF is even better! You did an ah-mazing job. Congrats! 🙂
Thanks for the post! I’m a Deep Winter and the post totally reassured me that my wardrobe is great for me! Thank you!
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 🙂
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.
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.
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.
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. 🙂
I have a very fair complexion and this article helps me a lot to find out my perfect color.
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?
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. 🙂
I totally think this is very helpful to put you in the right direction.
I have hazel green eyes, medium dark chestnut hair with red highlights, skin is a natural beige. I am clear autumn and warm autumn, but i can wear some colors from other seasons. the colors that looks aweful on me is reds, pinks, peach, salmon, light orange, terracotta, rust they make my skin look sickly pale.
unless i use them as a pop of color away from my face ( purse slacks or shoes).
I think the color analysis should be used more often to help others determine their potential season and interseason catagory.
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Nana,
the only way is to try on clothes that fit into the autumn catagory deep, soft and warm. also try the summer cool, soft and light , but if you are also curious about spring then try light, clear and warm.
wright down all the colorsfrom each season and catagory (or copy and paste) and try those colors on and if they look good on and compliments your skin then put a check mark by that color and repeat, if it clashes and makes you skin pastey then cross out. when you are done you will know what season(s) you are. don’t be surprised if you fit under more than one season and catagory.
that is the way i had to figure out what catagory and season i am, but i fit under summer and spring and some winter, but not all colors only a few from each.. no icy colors.
i hope i shed a little light on the subject and swept away the confusion. 😉
Which am i if i have dark brown eyes and dark blonde hair, gold in sun? Im not warm autumn, i have light skin! And warm autumn says ‘bronze’ eyes, not dark bronze.. Confused.
I keep coming back to this article, because I’m really confused. I used to think I’m a light or soft summer, but I’m not that sure anymore. The problem is, I have gray-blue eyes and mousy brown hair (definitely ashy, no golden in it), but my skintone has yellow, not pink undertones. I’ve tested myself with drapes at home, but the problem is that I can’t really say which colors flatter me and which makes me look bad – for me, they all make me look ugly. I’ve read somewhere that you can’t be a mixed type and that it doesn’t exist in nature – and if you are mixed it means you’re dyed your hair the wrong color or tanned to much. But I haven’t dyed my hair and I don’t tan at all (I wear SPF 50+ sunscreen all year round). Does it mean I am some kind of freak of nature?
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!
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!
I’m of the belief that redheads are *not* always Autumn or Spring. Take myself, for example. I have dark auburn hair, fair skin that glows pink whenever I wear pure white (note *glows* as in healthy look glow, *not* ruddy inflamed), and dark brown eyes that are almost black.
However, I look my best in colors like pure white, black, raspberry, purple, hot pink, turquoise, and a bright, clear, cobalt blue. Gold jewelry does not suit me, in fact it drains any color from me as well as saps me of any energy. But silver jewelry totally suits me, and it gives me the same glow as pure white does.
And as for eye shadows, *never* recommend brown for me. A friend and I went to Walgreen’s and I held a brown eye shadow duo to my eye. Well, she said that the brown eye shadow duo makes my eyes look *entirely black*, and it hides away what little brown you can see in my eyes if you’re not touching noses with me.
So what I’m saying is that me being a natural redhead, and looking good in colors from the Winter palette (but *not* from the Autumn palette), how could I be diagnosed as an Autumn when those colors don’t suit me? If anyone could answer that question, I’d be so thankful.
@Ali: Just from your description, I would think you were a spring or a winter. Check out the light spring or clear winter colors — they have wide ranges, fit the way you’ve outlined your appearance, and give you a few nice bright colors to work with as well as a wide palette of neutrals. I, too, usually dress in whatever I want (people usually gravitate to colors that suit them), and I look equally good in grey or brown, although not navy. Since I have auburn hair and light brown eyes, I put myself in the soft autumn category. Most of the colors I wear anyway, but it encouraged me to try things like a coral tank top that I would never have worn before.
Hi, enjoyed the article, i do this with drapes (never did turn it into a business) and love to see my friends look 10 years younger with smoother skin. I’ve also counseled friends on hair color – and get lots of compliments on my own hair color — very important to choose correctly between warm and cool colors. Nice article here, just a note of caution, I’m very fair but not a summer, both times someone ‘did’ me, they worked hard to conclude that i was a winter. Nothing beats seeing the drapes done on you. For one thing, I have 25 drapes for each season and you may be doing the best colors for you From What You Have Seen So Far, which may not be the Best Best. (Ali, find someone to use drapes, but make sure they are positive what you are and not just done because of time)
So this really confuses me. I’ve never done the whole “color” thing. I pretty much wear anything I like. And I have no idea whatsoever what I am! I look good in both navy/gray ,and honey/light brown, I have dark brown hair, light brown eyes and fair skin and I don’t really feel I fit in any of the categories….. I suppose I would be a cool summer..
Guys please help me out I have NO idea what I am and can’t distinguish what I am.. I think all the spring and autumns describe me please help
My eyes are a dark green, olive green i guess and sometimes appear hazel? but they are really an olive green. My hair is naturally just a golden-ish medium brown but right now its medium-dark brown a bit golden
my skin tone I have noooooo idea so please look at this picture and tell me what I am if you know? Olive? Beige? Golden or Pink? Maybe even “Ivory” even though I’m extremely pale some of my tan never goes away 🙁
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs056.snc1/4506_1143077090754_1042269834_424855_2168228_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs249.snc4/39811_1344802102281_1298114774_30785509_3902844_n.jpg
(I’m on the right.. sorry it’s a terrible picture! lol)
Thanks so much for any help
OOH also when choosing a hair colour do we choose our natural colour or current?
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! 🙂
80% of the World Population is Winter.
10% is Summer.
8% is Autumn.
2% is Spring.
So, most of you out there, are simply going to be Winter.
90% of you, (winters & summers), will typically look good in “free gifts” and “palettes” from make-up companies.
The remaining 10%, (autumns & springs), most make-up made isn’t even made with you on the radar! Foundations are getting better, but still a far cry from what the rest of the world gets to choose from.
A similar thing happens with clothing.
When you are part of that 10%, the gauntlet has been thrown!
And for those feeling it is so tragic to be part of 90% of the population: get a grip! The world is made for you! Be thrilled!