Determining your color season can be tricky. Am I a Warm Spring or Soft Autumn? These two palettes can look similar at first glance, but there are key differences that set them apart. Keep reading to learn how to tell if your undertones, hair color and eye color match a Warm Spring or Soft Autumn seasonal palette.
In color analysis, there are four main color seasons that people tend to fall into: Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. The Spring and Autumn seasons are further divided into Warm and Soft (or Light) sub-seasons. So Warm Spring and Soft Autumn are two variations within the larger Spring and Autumn groups.
The Warm Spring palette contains warm, clear and bright colors with yellow undertones. The Soft Autumn palette has soft, muted colors with orange-red undertones. So while both seasons are warm-toned, Warm Spring is brighter and more golden while Soft Autumn is more mellow and earthy.
Here’s a quick comparison of the two color palettes:
| Warm Spring Colors | Soft Autumn Colors |
|---|---|
| Warm golden yellows | Muted peach |
| Clear medium greens | Dusty teal |
| Bright coral pinks | Rustic brick red |
As you can see, Warm Spring has a brighter, sunnier look while Soft Autumn is more low-contrast and earthy. Keeping these color profiles in mind, let’s look at how to determine if your characteristics fit one season or the other.
Hair Color
Your natural hair color can be a good starting point for assessing your seasonal palette. Here are some typical hair colors associated with Warm Spring and Soft Autumn:
Warm Spring Hair Colors
- Golden blond
- Golden brown
- Reddish brown
- Auburn red
- Strawberry blond
Warm Spring hair colors have golden, peach or reddish tones. Ashy or muted hair colors are not common for this season.
Soft Autumn Hair Colors
- Dark ash blonde
- Mousy medium brown
- Chestnut brown
- Dark auburn
Soft Autumn hair tends to be more neutral or ashy in tone, lacking the bright golden hues of Warm Spring. Overall the hair colors are darker and more muted.
Eye Color
Like your hair color, your natural eye color also gives clues about which seasonal palette suits you best. Here are typical eye colors for Warm Spring and Soft Autumn:
Warm Spring Eye Colors
- Blue-green
- Gray-green
- Hazel-green
- Clear blue
Eyes in the Warm Spring palette have a brightness and clarity to them, with a greenish undertone coming through. Pure brown or muted blue eyes are rare for this season.
Soft Autumn Eye Colors
- Golden brown
- Olive green
- Golden hazel
- Soft gray
The Soft Autumn eye colors lean more toward olive-green, grayed and golden brown tones. There is less brightness and clarity than the Warm Spring eyes.
Skin Undertones
Determining your skin’s undertones is one of the most important factors in finding your color season. Here’s what to look for:
Warm Spring Skin Undertones
- Golden peach undertones
- Rosy cheeks
- Greenish veins
- Tans easily
Warm Spring complexions take on golden peach and rosy undertones when exposed to sun. Veins appear greenish and skin tans readily without burning.
Soft Autumn Skin Undertones
- Yellow or golden undertones
- Peachy pink cheeks
- Blue or purple veins
- Tans less, burns more easily
Soft Autumn skin leans more yellow with peachy-pink facial tones. Veins are often blue or purple in hue. The skin struggles to tan and burns more readily than Warm Spring skin.
Best Colors to Wear
The ultimate way to know if you are Warm Spring or Soft Autumn is to drap yourself in the recommended colors! Here are some great color options to try for each season:
Warm Spring Palette Colors
- Golden yellow
- Coral peach
- Clear medium blue
- Periwinkle blue
- Kelly green
- Orange-red
These bright, warm hues will make a Warm Spring glow. Black and muted grays will be draining.
Soft Autumn Palette Colors
- Mustard yellow
- Terracotta
- Sage green
- Soft teal
- Brick red
- Olive green
These earthy yet soft colors will be harmonious on a Soft Autumn. Bright whites and neon colors will be jarring.
Still Not Sure? Get Draped
If you’ve assessed your features and tried different color palettes but still can’t decide between Warm Spring and Soft Autumn, consider getting professionally color draped. This involves working with a color analyst who will drape you in different colors to see what is most flattering.
Here are some tips for finding a color drape analysis:
- Search for a consultant who is trained in the 12-season color analysis system.
- Read reviews and look for mentions of color draping.
- Be prepared to spend $100-$300 for an in-depth analysis.
- Provide photos showing your natural hair, eye color and skin tone.
- Come make-up free with hair pulled back to get the most accurate assessment.
A professional color drape can provide clarity if you’re stuck between two seasons. The drapes don’t lie – you will see how your face lights up or falls flat in certain colors. This takes the guess-work out of determining your seasonal palette.
Summary
Finding your color season takes some analysis of your natural coloring and experimenting with different palettes. Warm Spring and Soft Autumn can be tricky to distinguish. Here are some key points:
- Warm Spring is brighter and more golden. Soft Autumn is more muted and earthy.
- Look at your hair and eye colors – Warm Springs have more golden, clear tones while Soft Autumns have more ashy, olive tones.
- Consider your skin’s undertones and how it tans or burns.
- Try draping yourself in each palette’s colors and see which you shine in.
- If still uncertain, invest in an expert color drape analysis.
With some thoughtful assessment, you can determine whether your characteristics align more with the Warm Spring or Soft Autumn seasonal color palette. Finding your best colors is well worth the effort – you’ll look healthy, radiant and simply glowing.
