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COLOUR ANALYSIS
The best colour in the world, according to Coco Chanel, is the one that looks best on you. So what exactly are yours? They're likely to be those that either complement or contrast with the natural tones in your skin, hair and eyes. However, there is a complex science between understanding which colours work for us and their qualities. These we describe as their hue, value and chroma. They generally determine whether a colour is warm or cool; light or deep, and soft or clear but let's look closer at what those qualities mean.
Hue refers to the temperature of a colour, we use it to describe whether it is warm or cool. Yellow, for example, is warm whereas blue is cool. We can mix colours with yellow to warm them, whereas we use blue to cool.
Hue
Warm & Cool
Colour Seasons
seasonal flow theory
The colour analysis theory originated with Johannes Itten, a Swiss painter and art theorist, in the early 20th century. He introduced the idea in his work on colour theory in his book The Art of Color (1961), where he explored the relationship between colour and personality.
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Later, Suzanne Caygill expanded on Itten’s ideas by developing the "Caygill Method" in the '40s, which classified individuals into seasonal categories based on their skin tone, hair, and eye colour. Caygill is often credited with popularising the seasonal color analysis approach that is still used today. ​In the '80s, Carole Jackson, author of Color Me Beautiful, further refined and simplified Caygill's system for broader audiences. Jackson’s book was instrumental in making seasonal colour analysis a mainstream concept in fashion and beauty.
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The hue of the colours in your skin tone, hair and eyes determine which colour season you fall under - Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer. Depending on the contrast in these colours, you may fit into a distinct category of that season as described below.
seasonal flow theory
Twelve Subtypes
The 12 subtype colour analysis model is an evolution of the original seasonal colour analysis system. It was developed by Bernice Kentner, an American colour theorist, in the late '70s to early '80s. Kentner expanded the traditional four season system to include 12 subtypes by introducing nuances within each season.
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This method allows for more tailored colour recommendations based on subtle differences in skin tone, eye colour, and hair colour, which enhanced the accuracy of the original seasonal analysis theory.
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Each season is therefore divided into three subcategories depending on hue (warm or cool), value (light or dark) and chroma (bright or soft). Click the images below to explore each of these 12 subtypes.
Springs are always warm, bright or light. As a result, we see a range of contrast levels from high to low, which is often increased by their bright influence. They tend to have light blonde, brunette or reddish hair as well as warm, sparkling eyes with a yellow sunburst bordering the pupil.
Spring
vibrantly warm
