Three axes do all the work
Every season is just a position along three sliders. Once you can place yourself on each, your season almost names itself.
CoolWarm
LightDark
MutedBright
- Hue (warm–cool) — your undertone: golden vs. blue-based.
- Value (light–dark) — how light or deep your overall coloring is.
- Chroma (bright–muted) — how clear and saturated vs. soft and grayed your colors are.
Each season has one dominant trait it's named for, plus a secondary lean — which is why the twelve come in families.
Spring · warm, fresh, clear
Light Spring
Delicate, warm, low contrast
Warm (True) Spring
Golden and lively
Bright (Clear) Spring
Vivid, high-energy
Summer · cool, soft, gentle
Light Summer
Soft pastels, cool
Cool (True) Summer
Dusty, blue-based
Soft Summer
Muted, smoky, low contrast
Autumn · warm, rich, muted
Soft Autumn
Warm but gentle, blended
Warm (True) Autumn
Earthy, golden, deep
Dark (Deep) Autumn
Rich, intense, warm-leaning
Winter · cool, deep, vivid
Dark (Deep) Winter
Cool, deep, high contrast
Cool (True) Winter
Icy, blue-based, striking
Bright (Clear) Winter
Crisp, saturated, jewel-like
Don't get boxed in. Neighboring seasons overlap on purpose — Soft Summer and Soft Autumn share a lot, and many people sit on a border. Your season is a center of gravity, not a fence. The labels are tools to help you choose; trust your mirror over any chart.
How to use this
Find your undertone first, then judge your value and chroma — are you light or deep, clear or soft? That points you to a family, and the example palettes show whether it feels right on you. From there you can build makeup and a wardrobe that all speaks the same language.