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Seasonal Color Analysis Guide

Find your perfect color palette with the 16-season method

What Is Seasonal Color Analysis?

Seasonal color analysis is a method of determining which colors are most flattering based on your skin tone, undertone, hair color, and eye color. It helps you discover a personalized color palette—known as your season—that enhances your natural beauty, brightens your complexion, and makes styling effortless.

While the original system uses four main seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter), the 16-seasonal color system goes further by introducing subtle variations—offering a more tailored, accurate result.

Why Use the 16-Season Color Analysis System?

The 16-season system refines your match by analyzing three traits:

  • Hue – Is your coloring warm, cool, or neutral?
  • Value – Are your features light, medium, or dark?
  • Chroma – Are your best colors soft and muted, or bright and clear?

With this system, you’re placed into one of four base seasons, each with four sub-seasons that account for depth and intensity.

Overview of the 16 Color Seasons

🌸 Spring: Warm, Bright, Uplifting

  • Light Spring: Delicate and sunny – soft blonde/light eyes with low contrast
    Best colors: peach, soft aqua, ivory, coral pink
  • Warm Spring: Warm and fresh – golden hair, warm beige skin, light to medium contrast
    Best colors: warm tomato red, salmon, turquoise
  • Bright Spring: Clear and high contrast – bright eyes, warm undertone, radiant features
    Best colors: lemon yellow, hot pink, jade green
  • True Spring (aka Clear Warm): Balanced spring warmth, classic spring coloring
    Best colors: warm corals, daffodil yellow, mint

☀️ Summer: Cool, Soft, Elegant

  • Light Summer: Cool but gentle – light eyes, light ash hair, low contrast
    Best colors: dusty rose, light periwinkle, powder blue
  • Cool Summer: Classic coolness – neutral-cool skin, medium contrast
    Best colors: mauve, cobalt, steel gray
  • Soft Summer: Muted and blended – cool-neutral skin, soft eyes/hair
    Best colors: slate blue, sage green, dusty lavender
  • True Summer: Pure cool tones – ashy hair, rosy undertones, blue/gray eyes
    Best colors: sky blue, cranberry, icy pink

🍂 Autumn: Warm, Earthy, Grounded

  • Soft Autumn: Gentle warmth – low contrast, muted coloring
    Best colors: mushroom taupe, moss, warm gray
  • Warm Autumn: Rich warmth – red or golden brown hair, olive or beige skin
    Best colors: terracotta, mustard, olive green
  • Deep Autumn: Dark warmth – high depth, muted but bold
    Best colors: espresso, burnt orange, deep teal
  • True Autumn: Classic fall tones – warm skin, brown eyes, golden undertones
    Best colors: rust, camel, avocado green

❄️ Winter: Cool, Clear, Dramatic

  • Cool Winter: Pure cool contrast – porcelain skin, deep dark hair
    Best colors: black, magenta, true red
  • Bright Winter: High contrast and vibrancy – jewel-toned eyes, clear skin
    Best colors: icy blue, emerald, fuchsia
  • Deep Winter: Dark and intense – very dark features, striking contrast
    Best colors: burgundy, navy, forest green
  • True Winter: Ultimate cool – icy tones, black and white harmony
    Best colors: charcoal, royal blue, shocking pink

How to Find Your 16-Season Color Type

  1. Start with Undertone:
    Are you warm, cool, or neutral? Look at veins, jewelry preference, and how your skin reacts to sun.

  2. Determine Value (Light vs. Dark):
    Do you have light, medium, or deep features overall?

  3. Look at Chroma (Soft vs. Bright):
    Are your features more blended or high-contrast and striking?

  4. Use Tools to Test Palettes:
    Hold color swatches near your face, or try a digital color analysis app that uses AI to identify your undertone and chroma.

🎨 Try our app to instantly find your 16-season type with just a selfie! Get started →

Why It Matters: Benefits of Knowing Your Color Season

Knowing your seasonal color type allows you to:

  • Shop smarter and build a cohesive wardrobe
  • Eliminate guesswork when choosing clothes, makeup, or hair color
  • Look naturally vibrant and polished
  • Feel more confident in your everyday appearance

You’ll stop saying “this color doesn’t look right on me” and know exactly why.

Can Your Color Season Change?

It’s rare but possible—aging, tanning, hair dye, or health changes can subtly shift your coloring. A re-analysis every few years can help you stay aligned with your most flattering shades.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Palette Made for You

The 16-season color system brings precision and personalization to your style. Whether you're a Bright Spring or a Soft Summer, knowing your color season will help you dress with intention and feel radiant every day.

Ready to find your season? Try our free color quiz or upload a selfie in the app for instant results.
✅ No guesswork. Just your perfect palette.