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SOFT AUTUMN: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO YOUR COLOR PALETTE AND CAPSULE WARDROBE

Soft Autumn combines the warm, inviting undertones of autumn with the soft, understated qualities of summer, making it a distinctive category in the 12-season color analysis system. This seasonal blend is perfect for those who have an overall gentle warmth in their features, where no single element stands out prominently. If you find yourself drawn to soothing, neutral tones like beige and olive, and feel a sense of calm at the sight of a misty forest morning, Soft Autumn may be your ideal match.

This guide will explore the Soft Autumn profile in detail, including physical characteristics, makeup recommendations, and a tailored color palette. You’ll also discover essential wardrobe staples for Soft Autumns and learn how to create a custom palette that enhances your natural beauty. Keep reading to uncover how to fully embrace and elevate your Soft Autumn style.

THE 12 SEASONS OF COLOR ANALYSIS

Seasonal color analysis is a transformative tool that reveals which colors enhance your natural beauty and boost your confidence. By assessing the undertones of your skin, eyes, and hair, this system places you into one of 12 unique color categories, each offering a tailored palette that highlights your best features.

This approach is based on six key color elements: warm, cool, deep, light, soft, and bright. Within the warm spectrum, the Autumn color family is distinguished by its medium to dark, muted hues.

The Autumn palette includes:

  • Soft Autumn (your focus today)
  • Warm Autumn
  • Deep Autumn

In this guide, we’ll explore the Soft Autumn palette—a harmonious blend of warm undertones and subtle contrasts that creates a soothing, refined look.

SOFT AUTUMN IS WARM AND SOFT

Soft Summer is characterized by the following attributes: warm hue, medium value, and muted chroma.

Warm Hue: Soft Summer has a warm undertone, typically red, though it can sometimes appear cooler due to various pink or white overtones. This can make it challenging to differentiate between Soft Autumn and Soft Summer.

Medium Value: Soft Summer features medium-value colors. While Soft Autumn generally leans towards medium to dark values, Soft Summer colors may range from medium pinks and reds to deeper greens and blues, depending on the specific family.

Muted Chroma: The most defining trait of Soft Summer is its muted chroma. Unlike bright colors, Soft Summer colors are subdued and lack intense vibrancy. Bright hues are not suitable for this palette and can help distinguish it from Soft Autumn.

While Soft Autumn shares warmth with its seasonal counterparts, its defining characteristic is its muted gray undertone. This gives Soft Autumn a softer, more subtle appearance compared to the more vibrant Autumn types.

Skin: Soft Autumn skin often ranges from gentle beige to taupe. Skin tone may shift from a golden glow in the summer to an ashy warmth in winter due to sun exposure.

Eyes: Eyes in Soft Autumn are usually brown, green, or blue with a soft, opaque quality. Unique patterns, such as olive overlays and brown specks, are common.

Hair: Hair color in Soft Autumn is generally in the brown family, from light to medium or dark shades, and may include gold, red, or faint auburn highlights. Dark blonde and occasionally medium blonde hair are also seen. Hair color complements the overall muted, harmonious look of the Soft Autumn palette. Features are balanced and unassuming, coming to life when paired with the appropriate colors for the season.

MAKEUP FOR THE SOFT AUTUMN WOMAN

To enhance the Soft Autumn look, your makeup should reflect its warm and soft characteristics.

Eyes: Opt for light neutrals such as cream, blush, and copper, or rich tones like brown and olive. For accents, consider soft plum or warm teal to add subtle depth.

Cheeks: Choose neutral warm shades like sand, coral, and peach to create a natural, peachy glow that complements the Soft Autumn palette.

Lips: Nude shades, along with copper and caramel, work beautifully for everyday looks. For a bolder statement, try chestnut, mocha, or coral red.

Avoid cool tones such as pink or berry red lipsticks, cool blue or green eyeshadows, and soft pink blushes. Dark lip colors are also best avoided as they can overpower the Soft Autumn’s gentle aesthetic.

INSPIRATION: THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF SOFT AUTUMN

The Soft Autumn palette is renowned for its serene warmth and subtle elegance, beautifully reflected in the imagery of a fog-draped landscape. This season’s colors blend the warmth of browns, reds, oranges, yellows, and greens with a gentle hint of gray, creating a harmonious and muted visual experience.

Nature provides rich inspiration for Soft Autumn. Consider the soft transition of a leaf changing colors, where summer’s vibrant hues gradually give way to autumn’s deeper tones. Similarly, the tranquil beauty of a spring scene illuminated by a setting sun offers a glimpse of the warm teal blues that define this palette. These colors capture the essence of Soft Autumn, balancing warmth with softness.

VISUAL INSPIRATIONS:

Leaf Transition: Observe a leaf in mid-transition, where summer’s brightness subtly merges with autumn’s rich, muted colors, embodying the essence of Soft Autumn.

Marigold Glow: The soft, muted glow of marigold leaves under gentle lighting highlights Soft Autumn’s range, connecting deeply with the natural cycle of change.

Sunset Brilliance: The warm yellow hues of a cloudy sunset, blending seamlessly with ivory and taupe, illustrate Soft Autumn’s palette as it transitions from day to night, capturing the season’s tranquil beauty and warmth.

These natural scenes offer a visual guide to embracing the Soft Autumn palette, encouraging you to explore and incorporate these muted, warm colors into your wardrobe and personal style.

SOFT AUTUMN COLOR PALETTE

When creating a Soft Autumn palette, begin with neutral tones and then explore the major color families.

For Soft Autumn, black and white are too harsh, so replace black with brown and denim, and white with ivory. Essential neutral colors for this palette include olive, blush, and camel.

Soft Autumns benefit from rich, muted hues. Burgundy and squash are ideal soft tones. Given the blend with summer, there’s a wider range of pinks available, though warm pinks like blush are particularly suitable. Yellows in this palette can include soft brass, flax, and marzipan. Greens should be medium to light, while blues can be cool but should have a green undertone to fit the autumnal theme. Warm purples, especially those with red undertones, complete the palette.

While most colors can be adapted to fit any season, some may be challenging to match for Soft Autumn. Warm pinks often translate well into blush, but cooler reds and blues without green can be unsuitable. Opt for purples with a red base rather than blue.

Certain colors should be avoided by Soft Autumns. Stark black and white are too high-contrast, and bright, saturated colors can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on warm pastels and soft hues, particularly blush and olive, to complement your Soft Autumn palette.

CHOOSING PRINTS FOR SOFT AUTUMN

Choosing the right patterns can significantly enhance your Soft Autumn style. To ensure your patterns complement your color scheme and align with your scale and contrast preferences, follow these guidelines:

  • Color Consistency: Limit patterns to less than 10% of colors that fall outside your Soft Autumn palette. This keeps your look cohesive and harmonious.
  • Scale: Choose prints with a small to medium scale. Large, bold patterns can disrupt the gentle and soft aesthetic of Soft Autumn.
  • Contrast Level: Opt for low-contrast prints. Soft Autumn’s charm lies in its muted, blended appearance, and low-contrast patterns will emphasize this quality.

Adhering to these principles will help you refine your Soft Autumn wardrobe and boost your confidence in pattern selection. Browse our curated image collection below for examples that perfectly embody these guidelines.

WARDROBE ESSENTIALS FOR SOFT AND WARM COLORING

Regardless of your style or personal aesthetic, there are essential items every woman should have in her wardrobe.

Begin with neutrals, which form the foundation of any wardrobe. Opting for similar shades of the same color can create a sophisticated, cohesive look through layering.

If you prefer a more vibrant approach, the basics remain important, but you can add flair with fun and quirky accessories in yellow, orange, purple, and blue. These colorful accents will bring interest and personality to your outfits.

CONCLUSION

The Soft Autumn palette offers a harmonious blend of warm, muted tones that can complement a variety of skin tones and hair colors. By incorporating these colors into your capsule wardrobe, you can create timeless and versatile outfits that reflect your personal style.

25 BEST FALL MAKEUP LOOKS TO TRY THIS SEASON

With the crispness of fall in the air, we’re greeted by an array of new beauty inspirations straight from the fashion week runways to carry us through the colder months.

It’s that time of year when you sift through galleries of runway looks, saving screenshots of models adorned with glitter accents, rosy cheeks, and more. The fall 2024 beauty trends are particularly exciting, offering plenty of opportunities for those eager to experiment with their makeup.

Ready to explore? We’ve compiled insights from the runways and consulted with top makeup artists to bring you the most anticipated fall 2024 makeup trends. Plus, we’ve included expert tips and must-have products, making it easy for you to stay on trend and recreate these looks yourself.

RED LIPS

“Per brands like Thom Browne, Molly Goddard, and Richard Quinn, punchy, bright red lips are back in full force,” says celebrity makeup artist Tomy Rivero. “Women now feel empowered to wear a red lip throughout the day, leaving behind the idea that a bold red lip should be reserved for evening wear or special occasions. Plus, the accent fits right in with the trendy mob wife aesthetic.” This fall makeup idea is perfect for those who want to make a statement.

SOFT LIPS

For a soft, ethereal look, begin with a mattifying primer to create a dewy, blurred canvas. Complete the look with a lipstick that complements your natural lip color.

RASPBERRY POUT

A raspberry lip and muted gray eyeshadow create a cool-toned makeup look that’s perfect for fall. A raspberry lip and muted gray eyeshadow create a cool-toned makeup look that’s perfect for fall. A bold red lip and a subtle shimmery eyeshadow create a glamorous and sophisticated look that’s perfect for special occasions.

GLITTER PLAY

Glitter eyes add a touch of fun to any look. We love the playful combination of glitter and liquid liner. Silver is a versatile choice that complements almost any outfit.

GRANNY SMITH GREEN

For a unique fall makeup look, try soft, iridescent green eyeshadow with a touch of gold. Pair it with peach blush and nude lips for a stunning, unexpected combination.

SUBTLE CAT EYE

One of the standout makeup trends from fall 2024 was the subtle cat eye. This look was often paired with minimal makeup for a refined and feminine effect. At LovesShackFancy, Bobbi Brown Global Pro Artist Amy Conway embraced the coquette girl trend by using soft pink tones and creating a delicate winged eye with gel liner.

CHRISTIAN COWAN

For a high-glam look, emphasize your eyes with sleek eyeliner, voluminous lashes, and face gems, inspired by the models at Christian Cowan. Makeup artists Lori Taylor Davis and Doniella Davy used Half Magic’s decals at the inner corners of the eyes to create a dazzling, three-dimensional effect.

LUXE LINER

The flawlessly blended eyeliner in this look is incredibly satisfying. The peachy-nude shadow and lips create a perfect fall makeup combination that you’ll want to wear again and again. Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Satin Kajal Liner is easy to apply and provides long-lasting results.

BRONZE BEAUTY

Smoky bronze eyes, shimmering glossy lips, and smoky eyeliner are the perfect combination for a fall makeup look. To keep your skin looking fresh and radiant all day, mist your face with Evian’s Brumisateur.

MOD METALLIC

For fall, metallic silver eyelids, generous coats of mascara, and nude lips are the perfect combination. Add a touch of black liner to your lids to craft an abstract shape if you’re feeling adventurous.

DOUBLE WING

A radiant complexion combined with black and purple winged liner demonstrates the stunning impact of layering eyeliners and experimenting with wing shapes. And let’s not forget those flawless brows! For a glowing finish, try Armani Beauty’s Neo Nude Foundation, which offers a lightweight, dewy look while keeping your skin hydrated.

NATURALLY DEFINED

A defined black eyeliner paired with a subtle highlight on the cheeks is a perfect everyday look. Adding a touch of highlight to the inner corners of the eyes enhances the effect beautifully. Finish with a soft, neutral lipstick, and you’ve achieved a chic, fall-ready makeup look that’s perfect for any day of the week.

BOLD AND BLUE

Bold colors can be a year-round staple, and this striking blue on the lids is a perfect example. For a stunning effect, keep the application simple while ensuring the color payoff looks expertly crafted, as if you spent hours perfecting it.

PURPLE SMOKE

Vivid, deep violet and purple shadows create a smoky eye that truly stands out. When paired with soft, natural skin and lips, this eye-catching look complements any fall wardrobe beautifully.

MAUVE LINES

Matte mauve lipstick combined with delicate liquid eyeliner on the inner corners introduces fall hues and a fresh twist on eye makeup. Lining the inner corners not only defines your eyes but is also surprisingly simple to achieve.

EMERALD FRAME

Enhance your fall eyeshadow look with a jewel-toned shade like emerald green for a bold and vibrant effect. Adding a smoky touch to the lower lashline elevates the look, while dewy skin and a soft lip provide a perfect balance. For flawless coverage, apply concealer under the eyes and blend with a brush like Anisa Beauty’s Angled Concealer Brush for optimal results.

OLIVE SMOKE

Give the classic smoky eye a fresh twist by blending three earth-toned shadows for a fall-inspired look. The combination of forest green, rust, and gold creates a vibrant and stunning eyeshadow effect that captures the essence of the season.

BERRY SHARP

Berry lips, glowing skin, and razor-sharp winged eyeliner—this look exudes major fall vibes. The precise liquid liner pairs beautifully with the softer lip stain and highlighted skin, creating a stunning seasonal effect.

Diffused Shadows

For a more toned-down version of the ’90s grunge aesthetic, Allen recommends a ‘messy, textured eyeshadow’ trend. This look, achieved by applying wet or dry shadow with a brush or fingertips, creates a smoldering, slightly undone effect that adds a touch of coolness and attitude to the eyes.

PINK CHEEKS WITH MAUVE LIPS

While summer and spring often feature a flushed cheek, this fall version offers a fresh twist, especially when paired with mauve lips. Start by lining the lips, then apply a matching lipstick. Blot to remove some color, achieving a more natural, understated effect.

SUN-KISSED AND SMOKEY

We adore this lighter, sun-kissed twist on the smoky eye, featuring smudgy lids and radiant skin. For choosing the right bronzer, Jamie Greenberg (a celebrity makeup artist based in California) suggests: “The best rule is figuring out if you have cool or warm undertones. That’s how you choose what kind of bronzer you use. You should like go 2-3 shades darker than your skin.”

ALLOVER TAN

We love a monochromatic makeup look, especially for fall. This one features bronzer concentrated on the apples of the cheeks, with matching bronze tones highlighting the lids and lips for a cohesive, seasonal effect.

Son Jung Won

According to Marc Reagan, Bobbi Brown Global Pro Artist, ‘Son Jung Won’s latest look pays homage to the ’60s with a modern twist. By combining a radiant, natural base with a striking, elongated eye, we’ve captured the essence of new-wave French style.’

All Dolled Up

This fall, long, flowing lashes are getting a dramatic upgrade. Inspired by the iconic looks of Diana Ross and paper dolls, veteran makeup artist Diane Kendal layered black nail polish onto Duo false lashes to create an ultra-thick, glossy fringe for Marc Jacobs’ show.

L’Agence

If you prefer a darker, more dramatic lip, deep, vampy scarlet was a popular choice during New York Fashion Week, including at L’Agence.

CONCLUSION

From bold red lips to smoky eyes, the possibilities are endless. Experiment with different colors, textures, and techniques to find your perfect fall aesthetic. Remember, the key to a great makeup look is confidence. So embrace the season’s beauty and step into fall with style.