This post is part of a series outlining the basics of each seasonal color palette. If you’re looking to become acquainted with the palettes, this is a good place to start.

Common Presentations of Soft Summer

Soft Summer, like all seasons, has a huge range in terms of what they can look like. These Soft Summer celebrity examples are merely a guess, since we can’t know what they would look like in real life with every season tried following proper methodology, however in photos they resemble exemplars I have personally seen. Please keep in mind that any season can present with any hair, skin and eye color.

Soft Summer Hair Colors: These can range from full on soft, muted blonde-as-an-adult to hair that gives off the impression of being black (but is actually several shades warmer, lighter and softer than actual black). The average natural color is probably medium brunette, with the more defining character being the softness and undertones ranging from lavender-mauve to pink sand.

Soft Summer Eye Colors: Probably the most common feature of Soft Summer eyes is that, like the colors themselves, they are rarely just one color. Any combination of blue, green and grey is common. Typically, one can make out some warmth to the eye, though some blue eyes here may appear cooler. Fully brown eyes with no other color in them are rare, however those that blend brown with green are often seen and may appear predominantly brown from a few feet back. Soft Summer often believe their eyes to be a colorless grey, and their eye whites never white enough, though this is a misunderstanding of this season created by the optical illusion of their eyes next to too-bright color.

Soft Summer Skin tones: Like hair and eyes, Soft Summer skin tones range from fair to deep, but are most commonly medium. Often, the skin has very apparent “warm” overtones, which create speculation that she is an Autumn or Spring coloring.

Soft Summer Color Dimensions

Soft Summer’s predominant color quality is softness. This doesn’t mean that they must wear all neutrals or only the most muted colors that can be made, but simply that of all seasons excluding Soft Autumn, this coloring has the least tolerance for brightness.

In addition to being soft, Soft Summer is also cool-neutral. They can balance both warmer and cooler colors, even in the same outfit, but overall their best colors do have a cooler quality.

Finally, Soft Summer colors are medium-dark. Those with soft summer coloring often believe they are not a summer or some kind of darker version of summer, because head to toe pale pastel looks are too light for them. This is true, however normal for the season. It is equally true that they are not at their best in extremely dark shades.

Soft Summer Colors

Soft Summer’s best colors include all of those that fit withing the color dimensions mentioned above, but include raspberry red, soft coral, pastel yellow, sage, pine, teal blue, petrol blue, periwinkle, burgundy, and mauve. Please note that color names are subjective and may yield colors not in this palette.

Soft Summer Neutrals

Soft Summer’s best neutrals include all of those that fit within the color dimensions mentioned above but include off-black, medium navy, green-grey, taupe, lavender-grey, mink brown, stone, pink beige, and dirty white. Please note that color names are subjective and may yield colors not in this palette.

Soft Summer Makeup

Soft Summer has a wide array of pink, mauve, berry and soft red lipsticks to choose from. Medium dark shades of berry, violet pink, and cool rust are among the most successful choices. Click here to view my soft summer lipstick picks.

I hope that you’ve found this helpful in learning about the Soft Summer color palette! If you’re struggling to figure out your coloring, I would be happy to set up a time to talk and see if I can help.