Color profiling: Am I a soft summer? ETA: draping photos added in comments - YouLookFab Forum

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Color profiling: Am I a soft summer? ETA: draping photos added in comments

Kristin

My head is spinning. I've read all I can find about color profiling by season and I'm eager to pinpoint what I am so I can start refining my wardrobe.

I think I'm a soft summer, but I'm not sure.

When I look at this photo of myself, I see warm eyes (a soft/muddy turquoise with gold around the pupil), mostly mousy brown hair, but with some warm/auburn undertone and highlights, and both warm and cool - neutral - skin. But Summers are supposedly cool all around (though neutral skin tone can be a feature).

http://flic.kr/p/pesMGo

What do you see?

I've thought perhaps I'm a soft autumn instead since my hair is rather dark and because I do have sine warmth. Or maybe I'm a true summer. Or could I be a spring of some kind?? Color confusion has set in. :-/

Using your knowledge of the 12-season system, do you suspect, as I do, that I am a soft summer?

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from Alassë

MsMaven

Veteran

I think you are a summer--and that is judging on one photograph. Is that your natural hair and lip color? My Mom usually dressed in summer colors. I'm sure she was an autumn.

I don't see much warmth in this photo of you.

Kristin

@MsMaven, thank you for the feedback. I need your objective eye! Yes - it's my natural hair and lip color; no makeup or dye.

I think I'm resisting being a summer! Maybe I'm not a soft, but a true. That might be a better fit for me, allowing some brighter colors into my palette. In my profile picture, I'm wearing makeup and I have my hair straightened. It always looks warmer to me when it's straight, like a golden brown, but even then, the warmth s subtle, and only in some highlights around my crown. My hair underneath is pretty dark/cool.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My guess based on this photo is True or Cool Summer. I see cool and rosy tones and you look amazing in blue!

I'm not an expert, by the way.

SandyG

Veteran

As I understand Summers, it's a muted/saturation difference between Soft and True. Here's a comparison that I found interesting -- and Kristin Stewart's looks are changeable so she's a good example. Maybe it will help you?
http://www.truth-is-beauty.com.....mily-blunt

Your comfort level for bolder/saturated colors might make or break your feeling about being a Summer. You have pretty coloring but I'm not sure what you like, or if muted colors are your thing. Let us know

jennifer

Veteran

Probably the easiest way to tell if you are warm complected ( and set your mind at ease)would be to try a colour up near your face in a decided other colour group. For instance orange, ( and I mean the same as the fruit - not a version of it that is a pinky coral )if you are a solidly warm complected type orange should look good or great. If pinks are better then cool is probably your type.
Personally , I think you are probably a Summer as your "home" type . I'd recommend that you check the book as to what the crossover colours are and have fun with them. Try to use the core Summer colours that work best for more investment pieces for best longevity. Because of your lovely strong eye colour and dark hair I'd think you are likely a Cool Summer ( I.e. you crossover to Winter colours)
I identify as an Autumn but play with other crossovers ( and a few outright not-my-colours!!!) but try to make sure I have enough core items in my best colours and allocate funds more towards those. Flirtations with other seasons are likelier to be something from a clearance rack or thrifted, and may not get a reasonable cost per wear.

Kristin

Muted colors often/usually make me feel old, tired, sleepy and drab. This is why I was questioning the self-diagnosis as "soft." I love bold, deep shades of blues and greens - but especially blues - that lead me away from the gray, muted palette.

I'm finding it so helpful to read your comments - thank you all.

It's funny to read my hair described as "dark." When I picture myself, I usually see a hair color from some time ago. Or maybe it's the hair of my dreams, which is a golden brown, like a golden retriever dog's coat. Either way, it's not what I have now, and looking at my photo through your eyes and according to your descriptions of me, I can see myself so much more clearly. My skin tone is much cooler than I had thought, and my hair IS rather dark! Could I be a winter?!? But no - winter colors drown me out.

So, I'm going with the True/Cool summer assessment for now. I'm going to try that on for size and see how it fits. I'm tempted to go With Light Summer because I'm so attracted to the palette. But part of this for me is finding my "grown-up" look - my truest self - to take me into the next stage of my life as a new mom and mature woman. I want the look hat is going to reflect the deepest knowledge and acceptance of myself. Thanks for helping me on the path to finding that.

...and SandyG, the Emily Blunt/Kristen Stewart link was SO helpful. The most helpful thing I've seen yet on Summers. I feel more sure after reading it that I, like Emily, am a True Summer. Thank you!!!

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Kristin, I'd urge you to consult experts if you want a valid answer. John Kitchener of PSC does an online version of color analysis - inexpensive but little to no education for you. Christine Scaman and her students offer in-person analysis - more expensive but you see exactly how your face changes in response to the different drapes so you're not going on belief, but evidence. Considering how much money you'll spend based on the advice, it only makes sense to consult the best.

E

Veteran

I'm a self-diagnosed soft summer and I would be overwhelmed by the blue of your shirt in that pic. I also feel like I glow in mutes colours, I never feel drab in them. In case that helps at all!

Helena

Veteran

Hi there, I too agree with the Cool Summer likelihood - I am a Cool Summer and I also have that gold ring around my pupils, as well as some warmer tones in my hair that come out in the sun, which also confused me. I sort of came to peace with it when I decided that I could definitely pull off a "too bright" cool color better than a "too warm" soft color ... whereas I believe the reverse would be true for a soft summer. Have fun working through it!

Kristin

Here are some other pics of me. They're not as 'neutral' as the one i already posted in that i'm out and about wearing make-up and various clothing, but they give a better sense of my coloring in different situations. I feel like such a chameleon!

https://flic.kr/p/ph2vbe
https://flic.kr/p/oZidt2
https://flic.kr/p/pgvqSe
https://flic.kr/p/pgKpLj

(Sorry they're all individually linked to Flickr; I don't yet have the member status to post pics here).

I will likely "get my colors done" by a pro soon. It will help me focus, I think, and have more confidence in my choices.

Still thinking Cool Summer?

Thanks for the input, everyone!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I am a soft summer "deep", because I have dark hair, and can wear dark muted colors well. I would say try on grey. That usually seems to decide if you are neutral or warm, because you'll look like death in grey, but light up if you're a soft summer. (-:

For me, dark charcoal grey works well with my complexion. I lean towards cool, but both gold and silver actually work well with my complexion. Purples, plums and blush pink in addition to navy or smoky blue, and dead neutral grey are also good on me.

Maybe try some colors from the different pallets you're thinking of, take a photo in natural light, and see what you think looks best?

Kristin

Jenava, I appreciate your recommendations. How do you know you classify as a deep soft summer and not a winter?

Is your hair your natural color in your profile pic? When I see you I see a much cooler skin tone than my own. I know it's hard to tell from one photo...

I will try my own draping and see what I come up with.

rabbit

Veteran

If Jenava isn't a winter I'll eat my hat (or photos have been really distorting her colors on my monitor and I need to learn more about this seasonal color stuff). I was thinking you might be a winter too, until I saw your second bunch of photos. I thinking trying gray is a good plan, also comparing how you look with a strong cool pink versus a solid orange to try to get a sense of the warmth of your skin tone.

I've always thought of myself as winter, but with a few highlights in my hair and a bit of freckles and more sun in the summer I can wear a few summer colors as well. In particular a deep pinky coral, which I don't think goes for winters, but works on me, and quite a few reds. I think I've found that using the color charts as guidelines is somewhat helpful, especially when deciding on neutrals to form the backbone of my wardrobe, but with accent colors I have to really test them and it's okay to find something off the charts as long as my eye (and an outside observer) tells me it works. (Also certain colors on my chart won't work if they are a shade too muted or bright for example).

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I hope it's a cupcake hat, rabbit. LOL. Soft summer deep is often mixed up with winter. My natural hair color is a shade lighter than what I currently have. I've recently had my hair color guy go more neutral - my hair has been quite warm, and even red, in the past. I think it looks much better with my complexion now. (-: But when I was young it was quite a bit lighter.

My husband is a deep winter - dark brown eyes, black hair. The test is to try yourself in black. Black doesn't work great for me, but dark charcoal is wonderful. It's the opposite for hubby. But, we can wear a lot of the same colors, it's true. Also, blush looks fab on me, and not on him.

rabbit

Veteran

chomp chomp

Ah, you are right. Black works on me, and blush doesn't.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Here are some soft summer colored outfits of me - and one where I'm wearing black near my face (which I try to avoid, so don't have anything else recent to show).

Red and coral are more the autumn colors, aren't they? I can't wear either of those colors well unless they skew very pink or blue.

Kristin, I think the best thing is to try on a bunch of these colors that are "signature" for the season and take a photo in natural light with no makeup. Post those up and let's see if we can take a better guess...

ETA, in the last photo you can see that my eyebrow color is a tad off. I've since switched to a cooler-colored pencil. My hair color is also a bit darker in that one. It's the oldest photo of the bunch.

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Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Rabbit, red on winters is also fab (but not on summers) so that makes total sense!

Anonymous

Kristin,
I found the chic fashionista's site on seasonal color helpful so you might want to check that out. It's hard to tell colors online but I wonder if you are a deep autumn. You have dark hair, but it appears that you have a warmer tone to your skin. I have dark hair, but am fair skinned, with more of a redhead's complexion. From what I can tell deep autumn is the closest that I can find to what season I might be. The chic fashionista site shows pallettes of colors that people of different seasons are more likely to look good in that might be helpful.

Kristin

I can't wait to be able to view & post photos here! I'm not quite yet an Active Member (one day to go) so I'll wait until I am before posting. It'll be easier, I think. And hopefully I'll get a little break from my baby this weekend (he's 10 weeks old) in order to stage my photo shoot.

Stay tuned!

Kristin

Thanks, Gwennie! I'll check it out right now!

Vix

Veteran

Hi Kristin --

I too looked at your second batch of photos -- love your curls! -- and wow, radical difference from the other shot which reads very dark cool-toned hair and paler skin. [I get it, most candids turn me into Elvira.]

I put 2 of those shots of you below for easier scanning by YLFers.

My first impression is muted, softer, warmer -- but a) that's all relative and b) ya gotta drape colors to see what works to make you glow!

Without seeing test colors I'd guess some kind of autumn blend or spring blend (ok, maybe Soft Summer) vs a True Summer, but l look forward to your next installation!

ps Jeneva you look stunning in those colors.

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sparlingo

(website)

I am not knowledgeable in this area, but am intrigued by the concept. May have to round up some photos of myself soon and ask the same.

I'm basically just chiming in to say that you are STUNNING. And you look very good in white!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Hm, I concur that there might be a soft autumn deep (or, toned autumn) going on here, rather than summer? How does coral or rust look on you compared to, say, mid-tone grey or a more pink-toned blush?

Congrats on the baby, BTW!

tulle

Veteran

Kristin, if your eyes, hair, and complexion seem to come into focus when you wear forest green, slate blue, cool grays, off-whites and rosy browns, and if heathered wools, denims, and pewter are reliably magic for you, you are probably (and I think you may be) a Soft Summer. These colors are boring on Autumn types; they come alive in the deep teals, russets, olive greens and golden ivories & copper that make Summers look a bit sickly. Cool grays do nothing for Autumns; shades of orange, from peach to bittersweet, are kryptonite for Summers. Hope that helps--I do think it's fun to play with color: when you get it right, so many things click into place!

T.

Kristin

Ok, ladies! I'm back and ready for some decisive action. I actually just sent some photos into Reachel Bagley of http://www.cardiganempire.com for a $12 consultation. As I'm awaiting her reply I'll continue gathering opinions here.

I did some informal draping and post the pictures below. I am in natural lighting at a window, though not a super sunny one. I was limited by the colors in my own wardrobe and in that if my husband. I don't know how effective these pictures are. I should probably try again under better circumstances with lighting, no make-up and a wider scope of "drapes." But maybe we start to get an idea of what does and doesn't work..?

I'll also share the pic I took for Reachel. This is in full sunlight and gives a picture of my coloring that surprised even me. Who knew that without make-up on, in good lighting, I am such a ginger?? I should've, since I was very auburn as a child and my brother was/is what we affectionately call a "fire crotch" (did not help his case that our last name is Firestone).

I'll look forward to hearing what you think. Thank you for caring & sharing!

Picture 1: black, 2:taupey brown, 3: bright/royal blue, 4: deep pine green, 5: cream, 6: white, 7: coral/pink, 8: periwinkle, 9: bright pink, 10: beige (heathered wool), 11: bright yellow/green, 12: royal blue again, 13: grey, 14: fuschia, 15: bright emerald green, 16: heathered wool, turquoise/Aqua, 17: natural sunlight wearing light heathered Aqua,18: camel

P.S. Jenava, thanks for posting your pics as a soft summer demo. That pink jacket looks fab on you. I can't say I've ever worn that shade (is that blush?) and you pull it off stunningly. And thanks for the baby congrats! He's a treasure.

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smiles33

I'm also a new member and I can't see your photos, Kristin, but I went to the link for Cardigan Empire in your last pot as I'd love to get a color analysis of myself. Unfortunately, the links to order any of her services are broken. Can I ask how you did it? Did they just break? I noticed a bunch of photos are also missing on some of her older posts, too.

Thanks!

Sarah A

Veteran

It is always so hard to see this on the monitor but to my eye I think you are more flattered by the warmer middle intensity tones of 4,5, 7,13,16. I have struggled with determining my own category for a few years (but havent gotten motivated to do a true professional draping, or even go get items from the closet like you have, bravo!) I will be curious to see others opinions.

You may choose to add onto the title "ETA: draping photos added in comments" so that those who have commented already can know there is something additional to come back to see if they wish. ETA in YLF speak is "edited to add"

Alassë

Veteran

Thank you for going to the trouble of drapes & pictures, Kristin! That's very helpful. (No makeup is best, for future drapes.) I have a few thoughts....

1: black - isn't so flattering
2: taupey brown - great on you!
3: bright/royal blue - isn't so flattering
4: deep pine green - pretty good
5: cream - pretty good
6: white - isn't so flattering
7: coral/pink - great on you!
8: periwinkle - isn't so flattering
9: bright pink - a little draining
10: beige (heathered wool) -
11: bright yellow/green - isn't so flattering
12: royal blue again - isn't so flattering
13: grey - pretty good
14: fuchsia - isn't so flattering
15: bright emerald green - pretty good
16: heathered wool, turquoise/aqua - great on you!
18: camel - isn't so flattering

Obviously you're not a winter, but you knew that already. It's interesting that both the coral pink and the deep blue/pine green shades flatter you, so I'm not sure that your season is narrowed down yet. Could you try some make or break shades (from http://www.prettyyourworld.com.....rself.html)?

Soft Summer vs. Soft Autumn

Blue Green vs. Olive Green

Soft Fuchsia vs. Salmon Pink

Burgundy vs. Mahogany

Here are a couple of example palettes:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/211880357440011231/ soft summer
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/211880357439941534/ soft autumn

Kristin

smiles33, email ReachelBagley@gmail.com. I can't remember/find the link I followed to buy her services from her site. She has been quick to respond via email, though, so hopefully she can help you out that way!

Sarah A, thanks for the feedback and the title edit recommendation. AND for cluing me in on ETA - I was wondering about that.

Alassë, thank you also for your feedback! I will follow your recommendation to drape the make-or-break colors...if I can find them in my/my husband's closet.

You girls rock!

And sorry if my responses on here are ever delayed, misspelled, curt, or in any other way undesirable. I am usually typing with one finger on my iPad while holding a sleeping baby. If I were at my computer I'd be composing love letters to each person who is helping me with this!!!!

Just fir fun, I've included a pic of my sweet baby boy, 11 weeks old now.

Thank you!!!

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