Seasonal Colour Analysis: What It Is and Why It Matters

30 June

You’re standing in front of the mirror, rocking an outfit that is on-trend? Check. Beautiful accessories? Double check.

But then you catch a glimpse of yourself and…something feels off. The colour is not popping. Instead of giving you “radiant runway star,” it’s serving “just woke up from a nap,” even though you’re feeling perfectly fine.

Here’s the truth: The problem isn’t you. It might be the colours.

We’ve all fallen for it…the attraction of what’s “in” or what looked incredible on the influencer on TikTok or the model online. But here’s the truth: not every shade is your best friend. Some hues adore you, while others…well, let’s just say they’re not your biggest fans.

This is precisely where seasonal colour analysis comes in, it’s a styling method designed to uncover the shades that help bring out your natural beathy with no makeup or filters.

What Exactly is Seasonal Colour Analysis?

Seasonal colour analysis isn’t just a tiktok trend, its a system that groups individuals based on their natural features like skin tone, hair and eye colour and contrast. Think of it as a cheat sheet for knowing what colours will make you glow and which ones might dull your shine or make you look tired or older.

Historically speaking, the concept isn’t new, it was huge in the 80’s when the book Color Me Beautiful came out. As time went on, colour analysts got more precise, and we began adding subcategories. Nowadays, you'll find systems ranging from the classic four seasons to a huge 24 seasons (well that I know of). Personally, I practise the 12 season colour analysis method.

What makes seasonal colour analysis special is how it is all about you! Your natural features, your colouring and what brings you to life! If you’ve got warm features such as chestnut hair, hazel eyes and a yellow look to your skin you are most likely a Autumn or Spring. However if you have a pink look to your skin, ashy brown or icy blonde hair and blue eyes you might find yourself coded as a summer or winter, ‘the cool seasons’. But colour analysis doesn’t always follow the text book, occasionally we get thrown a curve ball and when we start the draping process we discover you are a season we didn’t quite predict and this is why the draping process is so important ( weather done online or in person).

The Four Home Colour Seasons Explained

At its core colour analysis groups colours into four "seasons": Summer, Winter, Autumn and spring. These aren’t tied to the weather. Rather, they’re focused exclusively on colour qualities.

Spring

Spring colours are warm, bright, and fresh. They are typically flattering on people with golden skin tones and golden hair.

Light Spring: Soft pastels and gentle colours like mint green or apricot; great for naturally delicate and fair features.
Clear Spring (True Spring /Warm Spring): Crisp, bright colours with a warm undertone, like turquoise, lime green, or golden yellow.
Bright Spring (Strong Spring): Very Vibrant colours. Such as flamingo pink, coral, Fluro orange; this is one of the rarest seasons to fall into.

Summer

Summer is all about cool, muted, and soft tones (e.g. pastels, dusty blues, and calming mauves). Think Margot Robbie in her Barbie era. Or perhaps Sabrina Carpenter on her tour. These shades work wonders for cool skin tones, lighter hair, and eyes that tend to be grey-blue or soft green.

Light Summer: Light and airy tones like baby blue and blush pink.
Clear Summer (True Summer/ Cool Summer): Cooler colours like icy lavender or steel-grey blue. These colours are almost as bright and intense as deep winter.
Mute Summer (Soft Summer): Muted pastels and softer shades with greyish undertones, think dusky rose and musk green.

Autumn

If rich reds, golden yellows, and olive greens don’t scream Autumn, nothing will. It’s the earthy season with the neutrals everyone wants. These colours tend to look best on people with warm brown eyes or auburn hair. this season is super diverse, just look at the range- from Ed Sheeran to Beyonce, two very different people but both suit the autumn colours perfectly.

Dark Autumn (Sometimes called Deep Autumn): Think moody rich tones like terracotta, black/brown and olive green. Basically, anything earthy but with darker.
Deep Autumn (True/Warm Autumn): A mix of warm tones like burnt orange, rich gold, or pumpkin spice but some colours are clear enough they could pass as spring colours.
Mute Autumn (Soft Autumn): The softest and most understated autumn with colours like sage green and gentle brown or beige. The people in this season are often told they look very neutral or gentle.

Winter

Winter colours are cool, bold and crisp. Think jet blacks, crisp brilliant white, and cobalt blues. These suit people with cooler undertones, striking hair (like black or ash brown and sometimes salt and pepper), and icy blue , green or brown eyes.

Dark Winter (Deep Winter): Rich jewel tones like amethyst purple, emerald green, or sapphire blue. Some people in this season can even have a bit of a warm yellowy overtone.
Deep Winter (True/Cool Winter) Crisp and clean colours like pure white, cherry red, and navy blue that scream elegance.
Bright Winter (Strong Winter): This is the other very rare season to fall into. Bold, high-contrast colours such as fuchsia pink and electric blue lye in this palette.

How Do You Find Your Colour Season?

You can start experimenting with colour right now—all from the comfort of home. Here are a couple of easy tests:

White vs Beige: Hold both colours up to your skin and notice which one makes you look healthier and brighter. White works well for cooler tones; beige tends to flatter warmer tones.
Orange vs Pink: Try these hues. If the warm orange lights you up, you’ve got warmer undertones. If the cool pink wins, you might have cooler undertones instead.

Of course, if you want a more accurate analysis, nothing beats professional insight. At YourSZN, we offer top-notch online and in-person 12 season colour analysis services.

Whether you go for our Online Package where you must submit the required photos and you’ll eceive your personalised document and a PDF on your season or our Premium Package, which includes clothing, hair, makeup, jewellery, nails and even perfume recommendations, we promise to make the process fun, relaxed and informative.

If you’ve got a group of five or more keen to discover the colours that make them shine, we also offer group colour analysis sessions. Perfect for corporate events, hens’ nights or special celebrations.

Why Does Seasonal Colour Analysis Even Matter?

No more wasting money on clothes you never wear because they don’t feel “right.” And once you know your colours, shopping becomes faster and less stressful while your wardrobe or suitcase always looks cohesive.

Common Myths About Colour Analysis

Let’s clear up some misconceptions because colour analysis isn’t about putting you into a box, fashion is supposed to be fun and colour analysis helps you be confident in your own skin.

“You can’t wear your favourite colour unless it’s in your season.” Wrong! You can wear your favourite colour just try wearing it lower down (like on trousers or skirts) if it’s not ideal near your face.
“You must follow your seasonal colour analysis rules.” Nope! Your palette and seasonal guide is meant to give you a solid starting point, not trap you in a fashion prison. It’s the perfect way to introduce colours you wouldn’t have tried before or learn something new about yourself and how you like to express your personality thorugh fashion. As I like to say do whatever you like, even I don’t follow the ‘rules’ all the time. You will always catch me wearing the ‘wrong’ jewellery and in the wrong contrast.

Seasonal Colour Analysis and Sustainable Fashion

Knowing your colour palette isn’t just a style win it’s a planet win too! You will find you shop much smarter and save more money and stress less when you know your palette.

Discover Your Perfect Seasonal Colour Palette

Let’s be honest: If second-guessing outfits were an Olympic sport, many of us would win gold. But it doesn’t have to be this way! We are here to help you learn what brings our your shine.

Through online or in-person consultations or group sessions, we’ll match you to your perfect palette!

You can book our services here.
You can enquire about group bookings here.

Latisha Sykes