The TikTok color seasons trend has exploded in popularity recently, gaining traction as users are fascinated with pinpointing their personal color palette. The trend is based on the concept of color analysis or seasonal color theory – the idea that people can be categorized into different groups based on their physical attributes and which colors suit them best (SOURCE1). On TikTok, videos about identifying your color season have racked up millions of views as people eagerly attempt to find their most flattering hues. The trend has resonated with users looking to optimize their self-presentation and style.
The goal of determining your color season is to find the range of colors that bring out your best features and make you look radiant. The theory is that everyone falls into one of four main seasons – Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter. Each palette is comprised of hues that complement specific hair, eye and skin tone combinations. Identifying your seasonal palette allows you to create color coordinated outfits that give you an instantly polished appearance. It essentially provides style guidelines customized to your unique physical attributes (SOURCE2).
The 4 Main Color Seasons
There are four main color seasons that are used in seasonal color analysis: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each season has its own distinct color palette and characteristics.
Spring
The Spring color palette contains light, warm, and clear colors with a yellow undertone. Some key colors in this palette include peach, coral, mint green, sky blue, and violet. Spring color types tend to have warm complexions with golden undertones in their skin, eye, and hair color (source). Their overall coloring is delicate and light. Spring types look best in pastels, warm and soft shades, and generally avoid very deep or bright colors.
Summer
The Summer palette contains soft, cool, and muted colors like mauve, jade green, and deep rose. Summer types have cool skin undertones with ash blonde, light brown, or silver hair. Their eyes are also cool-toned, in shades of blue, gray, or green. Overall, Summer types suit pale, muted colors and should avoid very warm or saturated shades (source).
Autumn
Autumn color types shine in warmer, earthier colors with yellow, orange, and golden undertones. Typical Autumn colors include terracotta, olive green, navy blue, and cobalt. Autumns generally have medium to darker complexions with golden undertones. Their hair is darker blonde to light brown, and their eyes are hazel, green, or golden brown. They look best in rich, warm colors but avoid extremely light pastels (source).
Winter
The Winter palette includes cool, deep, jewel-toned colors like royal blue, magenta, emerald, and violet. Winters have very fair skin with pink or neutral undertones. Their hair is dark brown, black, salt & pepper, or icy platinum blonde. Their eyes are also typically very dark. Overall, Winter coloring is dramatic and high-contrast. They shine in bold colors but look overwhelmed in pale, muted shades.
Determining Your Color Season
Figuring out your personal color season is an important first step before choosing a palette of colors that will complement your natural features. There are a few key factors that help determine your season:
Hair Color: Look at your natural hair color (not colored or highlighted hair). If your hair is lighter than medium brown, you likely have a cool undertone. If your hair is medium to dark brown or darker, you likely have a warm undertone.1
Eye Color: Cool undertones are associated with lighter eye colors like blue, green and gray. Warm undertones are associated with darker brown/black eyes. If your eyes are somewhere in between, look at the rim – if it’s darker, you’re likely warm, if it’s light, cool.2
Skin Tone: Check the veins on your wrist – are they blue/purple (cool) or green (warm)? How does your skin react to the sun – burn or tan? These are indicators of undertone. You can also drape different colored fabrics near your face to test.3
Once you’ve assessed your dominant undertones, you can narrow down your seasonal palette further by considering contrast level between hair, eyes, and skin. The clearer your dominant characteristics, the easier identifying your season will be.
Spring Color Palette
The Spring color palette consists of warm, clear colors that have a brightness and warmth to them. This palette works well for those with warm skin undertones. Some examples of flattering colors in the Spring palette include:
- Warm yellows like lemon, maize, and daffodil
- Peachy tones like melon, peach, and coral
- Golden browns and tans
- True reds and orangey reds
- Emerald greens and leafy greens
- Crisp navy blues
- Soft rose pinks and peach
The overall look of the Spring palette is bright, warm, and illuminated. These colors harmonize well with golden blonde, strawberry blonde, and copper red hair. They also complement warm skin tones with yellow, peach, or golden undertones.
Summer Color Palette
The Summer color palette consists of cool and delicate colors that are flattering for those with cool skin undertones. This palette is ideal for those with fair, light skin that sometimes appears pinkish or ruddy. The colors in the Summer palette range from soft muted tones to lighter pastels.
Some examples of flattering colors in the Summer palette include:
- Cool blues like Open Air, Aster Purple and Sea Green
- Muted grays like Dusty Blue and Ash Brown
- Soft pinks and peaches
- Lavender
- Icy blues and greens
The hallmark of the Summer palette is its cool, delicate nature. The colors are designed to compliment those with fair cool-toned skin. By wearing colors in their flattering Summer palette, those with this seasonal coloring can really thrive.
Autumn Color Palette
The Autumn color palette consists of warm, muted colors that flatters people with moderate and neutral skin tones. This palette is characterized by earthy colors like olive green, dark hazel, amber and golden brown
Some examples of ideal colors in the Autumn palette include:
- Warm greens like moss, sage, and forest green
- Rich ambers, golds, and browns
- Muted reds and russet colors
- Soft teals and blues with a gray undertone
These muted, low-contrast colors create a grounded, cozy look for Autumns. They bring out the warm undertones in moderate skin tones beautifully. Wearing colors within your seasonal palette helps enhance your natural appearance.
Winter Color Palette
The winter color palette is characterized by cool, bold colors that complement very cool skin tones. Winters look best in shades with a blue undertone like jewel tones, bright pastels, and stark neutrals according to Your Color Guru. Recommended colors for winters include:
- Cool, vivid blues like royal blue, cobalt, and sapphire
- Emerald greens and deep forest greens
- True reds and burgundies with blue undertones
- Pinkish purples and eggplant
- True black, white, navy, charcoal gray
- Icy pastels like lilac, mint, and sky blue
Winters look best sticking to the cool end of the color spectrum and avoiding warm, muted tones according to The Concept Wardrobe. The bold saturation of winter colors complements their fair neutral or olive skin and brings out the rosiness in their cheeks.
Tips for Your Palette
Each color palette comes with specific tips for makeup, clothing, hair, accessories, and overall style. Here are some key recommendations for each season:
Spring
Spring palettes look best in coral pinks, light peachy tones, sky blues, and grassy greens (source). Clothing in pastels, lightweight fabrics, and delicate details complement this palette. For makeup, pinky blushes, rose lip colors, and peach eyeshadows are ideal. Light brown or blonde hair works best, with accessories in mint, peach, light blue, yellow, or white.
The overall spring style is fresh, delicate, and feminine.
Summer
Cool summer tones like icy blues, true reds, dusty purples, and mossy greens are ideal (source). Flowy, airy fabrics in solid colors or monochromatic prints create soft summer outfits. For makeup, opt for berry lips, neutral eyes, and light pink or peach blush. Silver, platinum blonde, ash brown or black hair matches this palette nicely. Accessories look best in muted, cool colors.
The summer style has an elegant, understated beauty.
Autumn
Warm autumn palettes suit camel, olive green, rust red, and mustard yellow (source). Rich fabrics like velvet, leather, and heavy knits in earthy neutrals create a cozy autumn wardrobe. Amber, gold, and copper jewelry looks great, along with warm brown, auburn, red or black hair. For makeup, deep plums, bricks, terracottas and brown-based reds for lips, cheeks and eyes create a natural, burnished glow.
The autumn style embodies coziness and warmth.
Winter
Cool winters look stunning in true red, royal blue, evergreen, bright white, and magenta (source). Tailored coats, rich fabrics, crisp patterns, and striking details make up a polished winter wardrobe. Red, fuchsia, plum, navy blue or black hair complements the winter palette. For makeup, deep berry lips, smoky eyes, and contouring create drama. White, silver and gunmetal gray accessories finish the opulent winter look.
Winter style conveys richness, glamour, and bold sophistication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Determining your color season can be confusing. Here are some common questions people have:
How do I know if I’m a neutral season like Summer or Winter?
Those with neutral undertones may struggle to decide between Summer and Winter seasons. A key difference is that Summers have muted, soft coloring while Winters have an icy, cool brightness. Summers shine in silver metals while Winters suit white metals. Evaluating your eye, hair and skin color against color swatches can help determine which palette fits best. See this guide for more tips.
What if I change color seasons?
As your hair color and complexion changes, you may shift seasons. Getting lots of sun in summer can warm your skin tone and move you into Autumn. Going blonde may shift you to Spring. Don’t worry about sticking to one rigid palette. Evaluate your current coloring and select the most harmonious colors for you today. Focus on choosing shades that make your skin glow.
How can I find colors that work for my season?
Use your seasonal color palette as a guide, not a rulebook. Look for hues and tones that flatter you. Certain colors like black, brown and gray work across seasons. Pay attention to how you feel and look in different shades. Notice which colors bring out your eyes and make your skin radiant. Soon you’ll hone your instincts for choosing colors perfectly suited to your complexion and season.This guide has more useful tips.
Conclusion
Knowing your TikTok color season can offer many benefits to improving your style, confidence, and appearance. The key takeaways are that there are 4 main color seasons – Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each season has a unique color palette that flatters different hair, eye, and skin tones. Determining your personal color season is achievable through an online quiz or analysis of your natural features. Once you know your season, you can use that color palette to make clothing, makeup, and style choices that enhance your beauty. Your best colors can give you a polished, put-together look in photos and real life. Most importantly, finding colors that complement your natural features can boost self-esteem and mood. TikTok’s color seasons are a fun, popular way to discover hues that make you look and feel your best.
