Makeup Tips Based on Your Personal Color Season
Why Personal Color Matters for Makeup
Choosing makeup colors that match your personal color season can:
- Make your skin look naturally radiant
- Enhance your eye color
- Create a cohesive, polished look
- Prevent that "off" feeling when something just doesn't look right
Let's break down the best makeup choices for each season.
Spring Types
Springs have warm undertones with clear, bright coloring.
Spring Makeup Palette
Foundation: Look for warm, peachy undertones. Avoid pink-based foundations.
Lipstick:
- Coral
- Peach
- Warm pink
- Light terracotta
Eyeshadow:
- Warm browns
- Peach
- Coral
- Gold
- Turquoise (as an accent)
Blush:
- Peach
- Warm coral
- Apricot
Avoid: Blue-based pinks, berry tones, dark browns
Summer Types
Summers have cool undertones with soft, muted coloring.
Summer Makeup Palette
Foundation: Look for pink or neutral undertones. Avoid yellow-based foundations.
Lipstick:
- Dusty rose
- Mauve
- Soft berry
- Muted pink
Eyeshadow:
- Soft gray
- Taupe
- Lavender
- Dusty blue
- Plum
Blush:
- Soft pink
- Rose
- Mauve
Avoid: Orange tones, bright corals, heavy black
Autumn Types
Autumns have warm undertones with rich, muted coloring.
Autumn Makeup Palette
Foundation: Choose warm, golden undertones. Yellow-based foundations work well.
Lipstick:
- Brick red
- Terracotta
- Burnt orange
- Warm brown
- Nude with golden undertone
Eyeshadow:
- Bronze
- Copper
- Olive
- Warm brown
- Moss green
Blush:
- Terracotta
- Warm bronze
- Apricot
- Brick
Avoid: Icy colors, blue-based pinks, silver
Winter Types
Winters have cool undertones with high contrast, clear coloring.
Winter Makeup Palette
Foundation: Choose neutral to pink undertones. Some Winters can wear olive undertones.
Lipstick:
- True red
- Deep berry
- Fuchsia
- Deep plum
- Blue-red
Eyeshadow:
- Deep gray
- Navy
- Deep plum
- Silver
- Icy pink
Blush:
- Cool pink
- Berry
- Plum
Avoid: Orange, mustard, warm browns
Universal Makeup Tips
Foundation Matching
Regardless of your season, always test foundation on your jawline in natural light. The right shade should disappear into your skin.
Lip Color Testing
When testing lipstick, apply it and step back. The right color will make your teeth look whiter and your skin look healthier.
Eyeshadow Placement
Your personal color affects which shades work best, but placement is universal:
- Lighter shades on the inner corner
- Deeper shades in the crease
- Your best accent color on the center of the lid
Blush Application
Smile and apply to the apples of your cheeks, blending upward toward your temples. The right color should look like a natural flush.
Light vs Deep Sub-Types
Light Types (Spring Light, Summer Light)
- Stick to lighter, softer versions of your season's colors
- Heavy makeup can overwhelm your delicate coloring
- Focus on brightening and enhancing rather than dramatic looks
Deep Types (Autumn Deep, Winter Deep)
- You can handle richer, more saturated colors
- Bold lip colors look natural on you
- Higher contrast makeup works well
Bright Types (Spring Bright, Winter Bright)
- Clear, vivid colors are your friends
- Avoid muddy or muted shades
- You can wear bold colors without looking overdone
Mute Types (Summer Mute, Autumn Mute)
- Soft, toned-down versions of colors work best
- Avoid anything too bright or neon
- Blended, diffused looks are most flattering
Building Your Makeup Collection
Start with these essentials in your personal color palette:
- Foundation with the right undertone
- Neutral eyeshadow palette in your temperature
- Two lipsticks - one everyday, one bold
- One blush in your most flattering shade
- Mascara - brown for Light types, black for others
Find Your Colors First
Not sure which season you are? Take our free personal color test to get your season and specific color recommendations for makeup, wardrobe, and more.