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True Autumn is the original Autumn season in the four seasons colour analysis and sits between Soft Autumn and Dark Autumn on the seasonal flow chart.
Its opposite season is True Spring, and in contrast to the latter, True Autumn’s appearance is muted and rich instead of bright and fresh.
I. Natural Appearance
A True Autumn's appearance is generally very distinguishable. The rich, warm glow that radiates from every feature is distinctly autumnal.
The contrast in True Autumn's natural appearance is medium. That is because Autumn is a muted colour season. And while brightness increases contrast, muted colouring decreases it.
However, the colouring of the features is quite rich and appears brighter than its neighbour season Soft Autumn. This is due to the underlying warmth, which creates the impression of brightness. But this is not actual brightness - it's a rich glow.
To achieve a harmonious make-up look, you need to repeat these natural characteristics in your make-up. So remember, a natural look on you is a rich, glowing look.
II. The Colour Palette
If you want to learn more about the True Autumn colour palette, please refer to the comprehensive guide.
True Autumn's primary colour aspect is warm, and its secondary aspect is muted.
Hue
True Autumn’s primary aspect is warm. Thus, the colour palette sits at the warmest end of the hue scale. This means the colours contain yellow undertones but no blue undertones at all. Consequently, you will find very few shades of blue (which is the coolest colour of all). And you will only see warmer shades of blue that have a tint of yellow, like turquoise. Instead, there are more yellows, greens and warm browns, which are naturally yellow-based.
Value
The colours range from fairly light (beige) to fairly dark (deep brown). And while most colours are in the middle of the value scale, there are more that lean towards the darker end.
Chroma
In line with this season’s secondary aspect, the colours are medium-low in chroma. This means they are not saturated. However, the colours may overall appear more saturated because our eyes are more reactive to warm colours.
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III. Make-up Colours
True Autumn make-up colours are taken from the same colour palette that is used for clothing.
Complexion Make-up
Complexion make-up includes foundation, concealers and bronzers. These are typically be taken from the neutrals palette.
Foundation & Concealer
True Autumn skin is warm with golden undertones and ranges from fair to dark. Often, it has a bronzy glow to it. However, it's not possible to give recommendations on complexion make-up - such as foundation and concealer. These are best colour-matched to your individual skin.
Generally, though, foundation and concealer are best when they have a matte or satin finish. Dewy or shiny finishes will look off on your rich but muted complexion.
Avoid cool tones with blue undertones that will clash with your naturally warm complexion.
Bronzer & Highlighter
Bronzer was made for True Autumns! It brings out a healthy, golden glow in your appearance.
The best bronzers for True Autumn are warm and rich. Some trial and error might be required to find the perfect shade for your skin tone, but make sure to use a yellow-based bronzer.
Autumn is about low lighting. On a face, that means contour. Shadows go deep in True Autumn clothing, and so they should on the face.
You can use bronzer both as contour and brow bone colour. Instead of bronzer, you can also use a slightly darker powder than your foundation.
Interestingly, you can go quite a bit darker than you think and create bold shadow emphasis and once blended, it still looks normal.
Avoid bronzers that are too shimmery, though. These can overwhelm your muted colouring.
Eye Make-up
Eye make-up colours are also taken from the neutral area of the True Autumn palette except for eyeshadow colours. Highlight eyeshadows come from the complementary and accent colours areas on the palette.
Eyeshadow
Neutral eyeshadow colours are the beiges, khakis and browns as well as olive and golden shades on the colour palette.
For highlight and accent eyeshadow colours, opt for the oranges, reds, purples and greens on your palette.
When choosing eyeshadow, opt for an overall matte or shimmery finish. You can also add a metallic highlight to your eyelid. Just be careful not to overdo it and blend it out with a matte eyeshadow.
Avoid glitter finishes and cool, blue-based eyeshadow colours, which will clash with your warm and rich appearance.
Mascara
As a warm and muted season, your colouring does not tolerate black. Instead, choose mascara in warm dark brown or dark grey tones.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner colours are similar to mascara with the addition of the more colourful teal blue and fern green. Helpful tip: choose a similar eyeliner colour to your eyes to bring them out.
Again, avoid black since it's too extreme. Your darkest colours here are chicory coffee and forest night.
Lip & Cheek Make-up
Blush and lip colours come from the orange, red and brown areas of the True Autumn colour palette.
Blusher
Blush colours for a True Autumn are best when they are warm and glowing. Depending on the depth of your skin tone, you can either try the lighter pink and orange shades or go darker towards the brown end of the palette.
Avoid pink and blue-based blush tones that are too cool for your warm colouring. Make sure that your blusher is neither very matte nor overly shimmery.
Lipstick
True Autumn lipstick colours are a range of oranges, reds, warm pinks and browns. Lipsticks are best when they are either matte or have a slight golden shimmer.
IV. Make-up Looks
Natural Looks
True Autumn make-up is at its best when it's warm and glowing with low-lights.
A natural make-up look is one that will mimic the characteristics of your natural appearance. For a True Autumn, this means richness combined with warmth.
True Autumns look amazing in warm make-up that would look like a sunburn on most of the other seasons. Orange and red blushers can be intimidating if you've never used them before. But on a True Autumn, they look nothing but natural.
All Autumns do well in natural looks - those that we tend to think of when we hear natural make-up. The beiges and browns look great on your eyes, and with a nude lip, you've got the perfect daytime look!
Bronzer, too, is a fabulous way to enhance the warmth of your colouring. True Autumn is, in fact, the season that wears bronzer the most comfortably and most beautifully.
Dramatic Looks
For dramatic looks, the same principle as above applies. Keep your make-up warm, rich and glowing and avoid bright, cool colours.
There is plenty of depth in the colour palette to create warm smoky eyes. Deep red or berry colours are perfect for a dramatic lip. And a bit of bronzer adds extra glam.
Matte finishes work beautifully with this muted palette, but some shimmer cannot go amiss. Add some metallic highlights to your face - whether as bronzer, blusher, lipstick or eyeshadow. But keep your metallic colours to accents only, not all over.
