%20Logo.svg)
True Summer is the original Summer season in the four seasons colour analysis and sits between Light Summer and Soft Summer on the seasonal flow chart.
Its opposite season is True Winter. Both are cool, but True Winter is dark and bright; whereas True Summer is light and muted and cannot handle the icy, intense and highly-contrasted colours of Winter.
I. Natural Appearance
A True Summer's appearance is typically quite gentle. Although the skin is often fairly light and paired with medium-dark hair and eyes, the resulting contrast is medium rather than high.
Because, unlike True Winter, this colour season is muted. And where brightness adds to contrast, muted colouring takes away from it.
The combination of all of these factors makes True Summers overall appear cool (though not frosty) and gentle.
Consequently, these natural characteristics will need to be repeated in your make-up.
So remember, a natural look on you is a gentle, dewy look. And the True Summer colour palette lends itself well to creating the required coolness.
II. The Colour Palette
If you want to learn more about the True Summer colour palette, please refer to the comprehensive guide.
True Summer's primary colour aspect is cool, and its secondary aspect is muted.
Hue
In line with True Summer’s primary colour aspect, the colours sit on the coolest end of the hue scale. That means they contain blue undertones but no yellow ones. There are very few yellow shades on the palette, and even those have a heavy tint of blue to cool them. Instead, you will find lots of blues, turquoises and greys, which are naturally cool.
Value
The colour palette ranges from light grey to dark brown and is so quite broad. Overall, though, more colours are medium or lighter rather than truly dark. This is because True Summer cannot handle too much contrast.
Chroma
The colours are medium in chroma and overall lean more towards the muted end of the scale. They are dusky and greyish rather than saturated and bright.
The Wardrobe Guide
Learn how to build a flattering and functional wardrobe tailored to you.
Learn More
III. Make-up Colours
True Summer 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 Summer skin is cool and ranges from fair to tan. 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 are matte, smooth and silky. True Summer does not benefit from glowing make-up. A matte appearance is gentler and more suitable.
Avoid peachy foundations with warm undertones that will clash with your naturally cool complexion.
Bronzer & Highlighter
Bronzer is supposed to bring out the warmth in the skin. This is the opposite of True Summer skin. Since there is no warmth in your skin whatsoever, all that bronzer would do is make you look sick. Please stay away from it!
Eye Make-up
Eye make-up colours are also taken from the neutral area of the True Summer palette except for eyeshadow colours. Highlight eyeshadows come from the complementary and accent colours areas on the palette.
Eyeshadow
Your neutral eyeshadows are the whites, greys and taupes on the colour palette. For highlight eyeshadow colours, opt for the pinks, plums, blues and greens on your palette.
When selecting eyeshadows, opt for a matte finish or a slight shimmer and make sure that the colours are cool.
Avoid bright and warm eyeshadow colours that will clash with your complexion. The same goes for glitter and sparkly eyeshadows. They are not a good match for your muted appearance.
Make sure to blend your eyeshadows in really well. Harsh lines do not look good on True Summers.
Mascara
Even though your appearance is darker than that of a Light Summer and is cool like a Winter, black is still too harsh on you. Choose mascara in cool, dark grey tones instead.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner colours are similar to mascara with the addition of the more colourful aubergine. Helpful tip: to bring out your eyes, choose an eyeliner in a similar colour to your eyes. That will make them pop!
However, on a True Summer, eyeliner can almost be too harsh, so make sure to blend it in well with your eyeshadow.
Again, avoid black since it's too harsh on you. Your darkest colours here are forged iron and turbulence.
Lip & Cheek Make-up
Blush and lip colours come from the pink and plum areas of the True Summer colour palette.
Blusher
Blush colours inspired by the pink and plum area of the colour palette. These colours are cool and muted and will give you a fresh-faced appearance.
Like with your eye make-up, make sure to blend your blusher in really well. Any harsh lines will be even more visible on you than on other types.
Avoid overly bright and warm colours - such as oranges and reds, as well as any sparkly blushes. Opt for a matte finish or a very slight shimmer.
Lipstick
True Summer lipsticks are pink or plum-coloured. To make them as cool as possible, they are blue-based.
And like with your blusher, avoid overly bright and warm colours - such as oranges and red. Opt for a matte or shiny finish. Sparkle or gloss can easily be too much on you.
IV. Make-up Looks
Natural Looks
True Summer make-up is at its best when it is cool and gentle, but with a pop of colour.
A natural make-up look is one that will mimic the characteristics of your natural appearance. For a True Summer, this means coolness and gentleness. A dark lip combined with heavy eye make-up on a True Summer will overwhelm them.
What is required here is a nude lip, delicate skin with a fresh pink blush and subtle, light eyeshadow. Take a look at Emily Blunt here. Because it's cool and muted, her make-up is unobtrusive and gives her a very natural look. Even the slightly highlighted lip doesn't stand out but blends in with the rest of her look.
Dramatic Looks
For dramatic looks, the same principle as above applies. Keep your make-up cool and soft; and avoid heavy, opaque colours.
You can choose from the many deep berry and plum colours to liven up your lips. Add a smoky eye in one of your cool grey shades and you've got a party look!
