Season comparison
Am I a Summer or a Winter?
Summer and Winter are both cool seasons; the difference is contrast and chroma. Summers have softer, lower-contrast coloring and look best in muted, medium colors like dusty rose and slate blue, while Winters have high contrast and look best in vivid colors, pure white and black. If black and pure white make you look harsh, you are probably a Summer; if pastels make you look washed out, probably a Winter.
Updated
Summer vs Winter tests
| Test | Summer | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Black top | Heavy, shows shadows | Sharp and striking |
| Pure white | Stark; soft white is better | Bright and clean |
| Pastels | Natural, fresh | Washed out unless icy |
| Fuchsia | Too loud | Lights up the face |
| Contrast | Low to medium | High |
The border seasons
True Summer and True Winter sit next to each other: both are cool, and the question is whether you need softness or brightness. Soft Summer is far from any Winter, and Bright Winter is far from any Summer. If you are torn, compare the True Summer and True Winter palettes in the mirror.
Why so many people get typed as Summer
Indoor light, phone screens and beauty filters lower contrast and add a cool cast, so faces look softer and cooler than they are. That pushes online results toward Summer. Retake your photo by a window in daylight before deciding.
Summer vs Winter makeup and hair
A Summer looks best in soft rose, raspberry and mauve lips, cool pink blush and grey or taupe eyeliner; a Winter in true red, blue-red, berry and fuchsia lips, crisp black liner and cool pink blush. For hair, Summers suit ash blonde, ash brown and mushroom shades, while Winters suit espresso, soft black and cool dark brown. Golden highlights are hard for both cool seasons.
Still unsure if you are a Summer or a Winter? Compare the Soft Summer, True Summer, True Winter and Bright Winter palettes, or take the free color analysis test.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Can a Winter wear Summer colors?
Some, especially cool medium shades, but they may look dull. Winters do better in the clearer versions.
Can a Summer wear black?
Black is usually too harsh; charcoal, greyed navy and plum give depth more kindly.
Is there a test for this?
The free color analysis test separates Summer and Winter with the black, white and compliment questions.
Find your colors today
Start with the free test, or upload a selfie: your first photo analysis is free, and the full AI report adds a 30-color palette, makeup and hair.