THE SEASONAL COLOUR ANALYSIS. WHAT COLOUR SUITS YOU BEST?
Seasonal color analysis is a system that helps you identify the colors that harmonize most beautifully with your natural features, making you look radiant and vibrant. By understanding your unique color palette, you can make informed choices about clothing, makeup, and accessories that enhance your natural beauty.
MASTER CLASS IN PILLS
When it comes to fashion, you can play it safe with neutral tones or follow trends like the color of the year, but the best choice is often finding a palette that complements your skin tone. Wearing the right colors can make you glow, while the wrong ones can leave you looking dull and tired. If you’re fond of a color that doesn’t quite suit you, simply use it as an accent.
WHAT IS “COLOR ANALYSIS”?
Seasonal color analysis is a process that determines the best colors for an individual’s natural coloring. By assessing factors like skin tone, hair color, and eye color, a consultant will use drapes from different color palettes (known as “seasons”) to find the most compatible colors for you. This analysis helps identify which colors have a positive or negative effect on your appearance.
Each person has their own “season,” and this is the magic of color harmony.
A Brief History of Color Analysis
The concept of color analysis dates back to German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who developed “color psychology.” American artist Albert Munsell further explored color by classifying it into value, hue, and chroma. In 1928, Johannes Itten, a professor at the Bauhaus, suggested that portraits looked better with certain colors based on a person’s skin and hair tones.
Robert C. Dorr developed the Color Key System, classifying complexions as either cool or warm. Fashion designer Suzanne Caygill, influenced by this system, popularized color analysis in the 1950s, focusing on how color affects style and personality. Bernice Kentner’s book Color Me a Season further refined this concept, while psychologist Carole Jackson’s Color Me Beautiful simplified it for the general public in the 1980s.
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR SKIN TONE
The first step in color analysis is identifying whether your undertone is warm or cool. Undertones are determined by hemoglobin, carotene, and melanin, and they remain constant throughout your life, unlike skin overtone, which can change with sun exposure or other factors.
Here are a few methods to determine your undertone:
Foundation Test: Dab pink-based foundation on one cheek and yellow-based foundation on the other. The one that blends in is your undertone. Pink indicates cool, while yellow signals warm.
Gold vs. Silver Test: Hold gold and silver jewelry near your face. If gold enhances your skin, you’re warm. If silver looks better, you’re cool.
Vein Test: Look at the veins on your wrist. If they appear blue, you have a cool undertone. If they’re green, you have a warm undertone.
Sun Test: People with olive skin that tans easily tend to have warm undertones, while those with fair skin who burn are typically cool. However, darker skin tones can fall into either category.
Hair Test: Examine your natural hair color. Warm tones often have golden or copper undertones, while cool tones are ashy or dark brown. Redheads can be tricky, but if your hair is more auburn or strawberry blonde, you may have cool undertones.
By identifying your undertone, you can find colors that flatter your complexion, making you feel radiant.
SOFT SUMMER: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Soft Summer is a distinctive seasonal blend that combines the cool undertones of summer with the soft, muted grace of autumn. As part of the 12-season color analysis system, it helps individuals discover the shades that truly enhance their natural beauty.
Do your features exhibit a gentle, understated coolness where no single trait stands out, yet everything works harmoniously? Are you drawn to soft, subtle colors that seem to elevate your look effortlessly? Perhaps the serene beauty of a misty morning over calm waters speaks to your soul?
If you’re nodding along, you might be a Soft Summer! This is your ultimate guide to understanding Soft Summer in the 12-season color system. From physical characteristics and ideal makeup to color palettes and wardrobe essentials, we’ve got everything you need to build your perfect Soft Summer wardrobe and create a personalized palette that suits you.
FEATURES OF SOFT SUMMER
DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS
Soft Summer is defined by three key traits: a cool hue, medium value, and muted chroma. Let’s break down each of these characteristics:
Cool Hue: Soft Summer’s undertone is always cool, meaning it has a blue base. However, overtones of beige or yellow can sometimes give a warmer or olive appearance, which may cause confusion when distinguishing Soft Summer from Soft Autumn.
Medium Value: Soft Summers generally fall in the middle of the value spectrum, from light to medium-dark. Some individuals may even have such dark features that they resemble Deep Winter. These darker Soft Summers should stick to the deeper, richer muted shades within the palette to stay aligned with their season.
Muted Chroma: The defining trait of Soft Summer is its muted chroma, which refers to the lack of intense, bright colors. Everything about Soft Summer is softened, with low contrast between features like skin, eyes, and hair. Bright or saturated hues should be avoided, as they overwhelm the subtle beauty of this season.
Soft Summer holds a unique place in the color spectrum with its cool blue undertones, often tempered by beige or yellow overtones, creating a neutral yet nuanced appearance.
Unlike other summer seasons, what truly sets Soft Summer apart is its muted chroma. This refers to the soft, low-saturation quality that characterizes the skin, eyes, and hair. The overall look is less about contrast and more about a harmonious, grayed softness.
In terms of value (lightness or darkness), Soft Summer offers one of the widest ranges within the Summer family. While some may lean towards lighter tones, most Soft Summers fall in the medium-dark range, making it the darkest of all summer seasons.
SOFT SUMMER FEATURES
Skin Tone: Soft Summer skin can vary from creamy beige or ivory to dark beige. For people of color, dark beige is common, and light-skinned Black women often fit within this season as well.
Eye Color: While soft blue, gray, or green eyes are frequently associated with Soft Summer, eye color can also include muted brown shades. The defining feature is the subdued quality, often showing patterns like crypts or autumnal flecks, giving the eyes depth without sharp contrast.
Hair Color: Hair tends to range from medium to dark brown, though lighter hair or even gray is also common. Soft Summer hair generally lacks warm highlights, often displaying an ashy, gray tone. Although hair color is less critical in determining one’s seasonal palette, it complements the overall soft, cool aesthetic of this season.
HARMONIOUS BALANCE
Soft Summer features are characterized by an overall harmony created by their muted chroma and the gentle, seamless contrast between skin, eyes, and hair. This balanced combination gives Soft Summers a soft, understated beauty that truly shines when they wear the right colors. Although their features may appear subtle or neutral at first glance, they become strikingly captivating when accentuated by the muted, cool tones that complement their natural palette.
MAKEUP FOR THE SOFT SUMMER WOMAN
To truly enhance Soft Summer features, your makeup should align with the season’s cool and muted color palette. The aim is not just to enhance beauty, but to create a seamless harmony with your natural tones. Soft, cool shades like dusty pinks, mauves, muted lavenders, and cool browns will complement your complexion and bring out your understated elegance without overpowering your features.
To enhance your Soft Summer look, choose light neutrals like icy pink, blush, and dusky blue for an effortless, everyday vibe. For more dramatic occasions, opt for rich shades such as charcoal or navy. If you want to add an unexpected pop of color, soft plum or warm teal are perfect accent hues.
When it comes to cheeks, neutral cool shades are your best friends. Look for soft hues like sand, soft pink, or rose to create a creamy, glowing complexion that aligns with the Soft Summer aesthetic.
For lips, nude tones work beautifully, along with blush pink and mauve. If you want to go bold, choose cooler shades like rose, berry, or plum.
Avoid warm tones that clash with your natural coloring, such as fiery reds, oranges, and yellows for your eyes, or bronze shades for the cheeks. Steer clear of overly dark lip colors, which can create a harsh contrast and disrupt your natural softness.
INSPIRATION: THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF SOFT SUMMER
Soft Summer is more than just a seasonal color type; it embodies an aesthetic deeply connected to the natural world. Its palette draws inspiration from the calming hues of misty mornings, serene oceans, and soft sunsets, showcasing the beauty created by the greatest Creator (Genesis 1:31).
Picture a foggy dawn over still waters—the cool grays and muted blues reflect Soft Summer’s essence. This color range includes gentle tones of gray, blue, purple, pink, and understated red.
Ocean Views: Soft Summer echoes the soft beauty of an island volcano veiled in pink and purple fog, blending seamlessly with the tranquil sea.
Mountain Scapes: A pink sunset fading into lavender mist over subdued green mountains captures the cool, muted vibe of this season.
Wintry Waters: A wintry lake scene, showcasing various muted blues, further illustrates Soft Summer’s peaceful, soft color profile.
Soft Summer’s palette is a reflection of the earth’s natural harmony, blending delicate, muted beauty with the tranquility of nature.
SOFT SUMMER COLOR PALETTE
When building a color palette for Soft Summer, start with versatile neutrals before exploring a range of colors.
Charcoal and denim are softer alternatives to harsh black, while a muted soft white works better than bright white. Add foundational shades like sage, blush, and dove gray to your wardrobe for a balanced look.
For reds, choose cool shades like ruby or soft red, and skip orange since it’s too warm. Stick to cooler yellows, such as corn or chiffon. Greens should have a touch of blue and stay in the medium range. Soft Summers can enjoy a variety of blues, from purple-blues to green-blues. Finish off with purples that have cool undertones.
Although every color may have a version that works for Soft Summer, some are harder to match. Cool pinks can sometimes look more like purples, many reds may appear too warm, and yellows without a green tint are often too warm. Blues and purples leaning more toward blue rather than red will flatter Soft Summers best.
It’s important to avoid certain colors, like stark black and white, which create harsh contrast. Bright, saturated shades can overwhelm Soft Summer’s natural softness. Medium pastel colors like rouge and steel blue are ideal choices.
Lastly, be cautious with colors from other seasonal palettes. Bright Spring, Bright Winter, and Warm Spring shades are often too vivid, warm, or high-contrast for Soft Summer, making them less harmonious with your natural tones. Stick to muted, cool shades for a balanced and flattering look.
CHOOSING PRINTS FOR SOFT SUMMER
Choosing the right prints is key to enhancing your Soft Summer look. To make sure your prints work with your color palette and personal style, consider the following:
Color Consistency: Ensure that at least 90% of the colors in your print come from the Soft Summer palette. This keeps your look cohesive and harmonious.
Scale: Opt for small to medium-sized prints. Large prints can feel overwhelming and take away from the soft, balanced nature of Soft Summer.
Contrast Level: Stick with low-contrast prints. Soft Summer looks best in muted, blended patterns that reflect its subtle and gentle charm.
Following these guidelines will help you choose prints that enhance your wardrobe and boost your confidence.
WARDROBE ESSENTIALS FOR SOFT AND COOL COLORING
No matter your style, there are a few key items every woman should have in her wardrobe.
Start with neutral basics, as they are the foundation of any outfit. Sticking to similar neutral shades creates a cohesive and polished look. Layering different tones of the same color adds depth and a luxurious feel.
If you prefer a more colorful style, neutrals are still essential, but you can bring in personality with vibrant accessories. Adding fun pieces in shades of pink, green, purple, or blue can give your outfits an exciting pop of color while still looking put together.
CONCLUSION
The Soft Summer color palette offers a refreshing and timeless aesthetic that suits a wide range of individuals. Its soft, muted tones create a harmonious and sophisticated look. By understanding your undertones and incorporating these colors into your wardrobe, you can enhance your natural beauty and radiate confidence. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different shades and textures to create your unique style. With a little creativity and confidence, you can effortlessly rock the Soft Summer look and feel your best.
