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DoColorAnalysis

Season comparison

Soft Summer vs Soft Autumn

Soft Summer and Soft Autumn are both muted, low-contrast seasons; the difference is temperature. Soft Summer leans cool and looks best in dusty rose, slate blue and mauve with silver, while Soft Autumn leans warm and looks best in soft olive, muted salmon and khaki with gold. Compare a mauve and a terracotta scarf in daylight: the one that makes your skin look even is your season.

Updated

A flat lay of muted soft summer fabrics: dusty rose, sage grey, slate blue and mauve

Soft Summer vs Soft Autumn at a glance

Soft SummerSoft Autumn
TemperatureNeutral-coolNeutral-warm
Best metalBrushed silver, pewterBrushed gold, bronze
Signature colorsDusty rose, slate blue, mauve, sage greySoft olive, muted salmon, khaki, soft teal
NeutralsOyster, taupe, pewter, charcoal blueOatmeal, warm taupe, mushroom, coffee
LipsRose, mauve, soft raspberryWarm rose, terracotta nude, muted coral
HairAsh brown, smoky blondeSoft caramel, honey brown, muted copper

Four tests to separate the two soft seasons

  1. 1

    Mauve vs terracotta

    Soft Summer looks fresh in mauve and sallow in terracotta; Soft Autumn the reverse.

  2. 2

    Silver vs gold

    Brushed finishes for both, but one metal will look grey or yellow on you.

  3. 3

    Grey vs camel

    Cool grey flatters Soft Summer; camel and warm taupe flatter Soft Autumn.

  4. 4

    Rose vs peach blush

    Rose blush blends into Soft Summer skin; peach blends into Soft Autumn skin.

Makeup for Soft Summer vs Soft Autumn

Both soft seasons look best in blended, satin or matte makeup with no harsh lines. Soft Summer leans to rose and mauve blush, rose or soft raspberry lips and taupe, slate or plum eyeshadow. Soft Autumn leans to peach or soft terracotta blush, warm rose or terracotta nude lips and bronze or olive eyeshadow. Black eyeliner is too strong for both; soft brown, charcoal or plum is kinder.

Colors the two soft seasons share

Because both are soft, they share a band of in-between colors: soft teal, muted jade, taupe, soft plum and mushroom grey. If you cannot decide, build your wardrobe from these first and add the cooler or warmer accents once you are sure. See the full Soft Summer palette and Soft Autumn palette.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Can I be both Soft Summer and Soft Autumn?

You can sit right on the border, which is common for neutral undertones. Wear the shared colors near your face and pick metals and lipstick by the side that wins in the mirror.

Is Soft Autumn just a warm Soft Summer?

In practice, nearly: both are soft first. Temperature decides which colors look clean on you.

Which is more common?

There is no reliable census; both are frequently suggested online because indoor photos look soft.

Keep exploring

Olive skin color analysis

Why olive reads neutral and what to wear.

Summer or Winter?

Two cool seasons, soft vs vivid.

12 vs 16 season color analysis

How the systems differ and which to use.

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