Summer · Cool · Light
Light Summer Color Palette
Light Summer is the softest and most delicate of the three summer seasons, cool but light rather than deep or dramatic. If dark, heavy colors overwhelm your coloring while pale, cool shades feel effortless, you're likely a Light Summer.
The palette
Best colors to wear
Reach for color that's cool but light: powder pink, sky blue, lilac, seafoam, and periwinkle all sit naturally on a Light Summer. Soft ivory and pearl grey work as neutrals, keeping the delicacy this season needs.
Makeup shades
Lipstick works best in soft pink, cool rose, or light berry rather than deep red or anything warm-based. Blush should be soft pink, not peach. For eyes, lilac, powder blue, and pearl grey do more than charcoal or bronze, and a soft grey or brown eyeliner reads more natural than black.
Hair color
Light, cool tones flatter this palette: think ash blonde, cool light brown, or soft cool blonde. Warm or very dark tones tend to overpower the lightness that defines this season.
Gold or silver
Silver or white gold, in a delicate rather than bold style. Warm or bright yellow gold tends to feel heavy against this palette.
Colors to avoid
Black, deep jewel tones, and warm earth tones like rust or mustard tend to be the hardest for Light Summer. They add more weight and warmth than this season's light, cool coloring can carry.
Not sure this is your season?
Use three daylight selfies to check your actual undertone, contrast, and depth against Light Summer and the other eleven seasons.
Related seasons
Common questions
Is Light Summer the same as Light Spring?
No. Both are light, but Light Summer is cool and Light Spring is warm. Checking whether silver or gold looks more natural against your skin is the fastest way to tell them apart.
Can Light Summer wear bright colors?
Cool, clear brights in small doses can work, but they're best as accents. Muted or pastel versions of the same colors tend to feel more natural for everyday wear.