your best season - the colour seasons explained
why do some outfits make you shine?
It happens to all of us—you put on an outfit and, for some reason, you feel radiant! People comment on how great you look, and when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror…you agree! Your skin looks smoother, your eyes are more vibrant—you feel comfortable in your own skin.
and sometimes…the opposite happens
Something feels off. You buy the same sweater as your friend—it looked amazing on her! But you don’t feel so great in it. People ask if you got enough sleep the night before. Are you not feeling well? Chances are, you’re not wearing your right colors!
what is color analysis?
The concept of finding the right colors for your skin tone is often referred to as “getting your colors done.” Someone with a trained eye will pin back your hair (if it’s not your natural color), point your face toward diffused natural light, and begin to drape you with fabric swatches. The intent is to determine which season you fall into—and thus learn which colors make you look most radiant.
Color analysis began in the 90s with a book called Color Me Beautiful. It was trending then, and in case you haven’t noticed…30 years later, it’s trending again in a big way! While there used to be only four seasons you could be typed as—Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Winter—there are now sub-seasons within some systems, with 8 or even 12 categories you may fall into.
how does one go about finding their season?
Some people are easy to type using tools such as portia-ella's FREE colour analysis quiz. Others are a little more difficult to determine—their undertone may not be as obvious. It’s always best (and most fun!) to have your colors done in person. Typically, these professionals have gone through extensive training and know what they’re looking for—brighter eyes, fewer shadows, smoother skin. Ask in your local community groups if there’s someone in your area who offers in-person color analysis.
Second best would be finding someone who can virtually drape you online. There are also apps—a popular free one is called Vivaldi Color Lab. If you want to go down the rabbit hole, there are Facebook groups where you can ask for opinions by following their instructions to drape at home and submit your photos.
As a start, take our quiz HERE. Make sure you select your natural hair color (undyed). This makes a big difference in the outcome because it indicates the levels of melanin you were born with.
does this mean i can only wear certain colors?
Let’s make this clear: You CAN wear anything you want if it makes you happy! Don’t let the color season theory be a ball and chain in your life. Sometimes you may choose to wear something not in your best color because it has value to you in other ways—a good fit, a sentimental gift, or it’s appropriate for the occasion. However, there will be certain colors that you simply feel your best in. Knowing your correct season is valuable for this reason—especially when it comes to purchasing investment pieces for your wardrobe.
Interestingly, there’s usually a shade of every color in each season. For example, everyone can wear yellow—but there will be a BEST yellow for you. Same goes for blue, green, purple…even pink! Orange and peach are tricky—they only look good on warm season types (Spring/Autumn).
the four colour seasons explained
winter – cool · deep · vibrant
temperature - Cool undertones—blue, pink, or neutral. Some Winters have cool olive skin tones (ashy or grayish rather than golden).
contrast - High contrast between hair, skin, and eyes.
colour characteristics - Hue: Cool (blue-based), Value: Dark or very light, Chroma: Clear and vivid
typical colours to wear - Neutrals: Black, pure white, charcoal gray, navy, Accents: Jewel tones—emerald, sapphire, royal purple, ruby red, Avoid: Warm earthy tones like camel, orange, mustard
best makeup choices – [Shop Your Winter Colors] - Blush: Cool pinks, berry tones, fuchsia, Eyeshadow:Charcoal, silver, icy blues, jewel tones (emerald, sapphire), Lipstick: True red, berry, plum, fuchsia, pink nudes (if eyes are dramatic), Avoid: Warm browns, orange-based shades—they clash with Winter’s cool clarity
overall feel: Crisp, icy, and elegant—like a snowy landscape with sharp contrasts.
summer – cool · soft · light
temperature: Dominated by cool undertones, just like Winter, but much softer and less intense. Skin often has pink, rosy, or neutral undertones, and some Summers can have a cool olive tone, though it appears more muted and blended than in Winter.
contrast: Summer types usually have low to medium contrast between hair, skin, and eyes (e.g., ash brown hair with light skin and gray-blue eyes). This means Summer colors need to be soft and blended, not stark or high-contrast.
colour characteristics: Hue: Cool colors (blue-based rather than yellow-based). Value: Light to medium—no extremes of very dark or very bright. Chroma: Soft and muted, not clear or vivid.
typical colours to wear: Neutrals: Soft gray, taupe, rose beige, navy (but softer than Winter’s navy). Accents: Dusty pastels like powder blue, lavender, soft pink, sage green. Avoid: Harsh, bright colors (like Winter jewel tones) and warm earthy shades (camel, orange, mustard).
best makeup choices – [Shop Your Summer Colors]: Blush: Soft rose, mauve, dusty pink. Eyeshadow: Taupe, soft gray, lavender, muted blues. Lipstick: Rose pink, soft berry, muted plum. Avoid: Harsh, bright colors or warm earthy tones—they overpower Summer’s softness.
overall feel: Gentle, romantic, and airy, like a watercolor painting with cool, blended tones.
spring – warm · light · bright
temperature: Dominated by warm undertones—skin typically has golden, peachy, or yellow undertones. Springs often have a fresh, glowing complexion that looks best in warm, lively colors.
contrast: Spring types usually have medium contrast between hair, skin, and eyes (e.g., golden blonde or light brown hair with warm skin and bright blue, green, or hazel eyes). Colors need to be clear and bright, not muted or heavy.
colour characteristics: Hue: Warm colors (yellow-based rather than blue-based). Value: Light to medium—no extremes of very dark shades. Chroma: Clear and bright, not soft or dusty.
typical colours to wear: Neutrals: Warm beige, ivory, camel, light warm gray. Accents: Coral, peach, turquoise, warm greens, sunny yellows, and bright warm reds. Avoid: Cool, icy shades (like Winter’s jewel tones) and muted, dusty colors (like Summer’s pastels).
best makeup choices – [Shop Your Spring Colors]: Blush: Peach, coral, warm pink. Eyeshadow: Warm beige, light gold, turquoise, fresh greens. Lipstick: Coral, peachy pink, warm red. Avoid: Cool, icy shades—they dull Spring’s warmth and brightness.
overall feel: Fresh, lively, and radiant—like a blooming garden in sunlight.
autumn – warm · earthy · muted
temperature: Dominated by warm undertones—skin typically has golden, peachy, or warm olive undertones. Autumn types often have a natural warmth that pairs beautifully with earthy, deep colors.
contrast: Autumn types usually have low to medium contrast between hair, skin, and eyes (e.g., auburn or chestnut hair with warm skin and green, hazel, or brown eyes). Colors need to be rich and blended, not stark or overly bright.
colour characteristics: Hue: Warm colors (yellow-based rather than blue-based). Value: Medium to dark—light colors are less common. Chroma: Soft and muted, not clear or icy.
typical colour to wear: Neutrals: Warm browns, camel, beige, olive green. Accents: Burnt orange, mustard, terracotta, deep teal, warm reds, and golden yellows. Avoid: Cool, icy shades (like Winter’s jewel tones) and pastel, dusty colors (like Summer’s palette).
best makeup choices – [Shop Your Autumn Colors]: Blush: Terracotta, warm peach, bronze. Eyeshadow: Olive, warm browns, deep greens, burnt orange. Lipstick: Brick red, warm brown, deep coral. Avoid: Cool, icy shades—they look harsh against Autumn’s warmth.
overall feel: Earthy, cozy, and luxurious—like a forest in fall with golden leaves and rich tones.
undertones & overtones (as it pertains to foundation shades)
Not to make things more confusing—but to explain a fact as it pertains to foundation shades. Many makeup brands classify their foundation shades as warm, neutral, or cool. In the case of Pure Anada: W (warm, soft gold), C (cool pink rose), N (neutral—a blend of both). But here’s the catch: foundations are designed to match your overtone—the color you see first. This doesn’t always translate to the same undertone.
Example 1:
Michelle (below) has a rosy tint to her skin. She wears Pure Anada Rose (15C) because it blends perfectly with her skin tone. One could assume she would be “cool”—but the C (in her foundation number) just references her pink OVERtone. Her UNDERtone has some warmth. Her skin is actually peachy pink—which makes her a warm, light, bright Spring!
Example 2:
Someone has a distinctive olive undertone. It’s not yellow or pink—but rather ashy. When it comes to foundation, this person usually chooses a shade with more yellow in the base. In the case of Pure Anada, that would be a color labeled with a W. This is their overtone. It does not necessarily mean they are a warm color season! In fact, when they wear warm brown, green, peach…they often look sallow! Their season could possibly be cool (most likely Winter). The icy, vibrant shades of Winter light up their complexion!
Essentially—don’t let your foundation shade indicate your season. Your foundation should blend seamlessly with your skin to match your overtone. Our seasonal sample packs are a great place to start.
