cool summer

This subtype is the original Summer season. Their colours are mixed with blue to cool and grey to soften, which creates a dreamy palette filled with watercolour opulence.

characteristics

Cool Summer is found between Light Summer and Soft Summer on the seasonal flow. This subtype features a moderate to high contrast level meaning their best colours are similar to those in their own palette in either hue or value. Their palette includes cool tints like wedgewood blue, wisteria purple and rose pink.

CONTRAST

Cool Summer individuals have moderate levels of contrast due to their hair typically being darker than their skin and eyes. However, this level of shade variance is reduced by the softened chroma across your appearance. Depending on the individual's natural appearance, they may have a naturally matte or sheer complexion, grey pigmentation in their eyes and a glistening hair shine.

SKIN TONE

We see Cool Summer individuals with fair through to tan skin tones. They have blue or pink undertones, which means we will see either blue or purple veins beneath the skin. As such, they can only wear cool metals as gold, bronze and brass are disharmonious. Their complexions also tend to be matte or sheer with little naturally dewiness. They may have freckles and also tend to burn then tan.

EYES

Typical examples of eye colours we see across Cool Summer include blue, brown, green, grey and grey hazel. However, any colour which is somewhat cool is possible. Due to their soft chroma these colours tend to have a touch of grey pigmentation, which reduces their reflectivity in contrast tests. We may also see soft separation on the outer iris edge as well as a pattern resembling crackled glass or flower petals on the inner section.

HAIR

Due to their moderate contrast level, Cool Summer individuals have deeper coloured hair. We see dark blondes through to dark brunettes and brown-black as well as dark grey. Colours are ash with no gold, honey or red accents. They also tend to have glistening finishes meaning individual flecks reflect the light rather than one glossy strip.

Bonny's News

stay in the loop

Best Value

Cool Summer - Member

£19.99

19.99

Valid for 12 months

Cool Summer: Hair Dye

Cool Summer hair is naturally medium depth with cool ash undertones. These are some blonde, brunette and fashion dyes that we recommend.

True Summer

Cool Summer: Lipstick

Cool Summer lipsticks are cool and muted. We're looking at blue-based colours mixed with some softening grey.

True Summer

colour palette

Cool Summer colours are reminiscent of a beach walk on a misty morning. A veil of mist drapes the shoreline, softening the morning light. Streaks of pale blue sky stretch above and delicate clouds drift lazily, their edges tinged with soft silver. Tufts of seagrass sway gently along the dunes, their green blades damp with the lingering mist. Scattered seashells and tiny fragments of driftwood nestle in the damp sand, treasures left by the retreating tide.

metals

As a dominantly cool subtype, warm metals are unsuitable for these individuals. Silver, white gold, pewter and platinum create balance. These should be light or medium depth and in either brushed or matte finishes. They should avoid dark metals as these are jarring against a delicate appearance. Similarly, polished finishes clash with soft chroma and look unnatural.

neutrals

Cool Summer individuals cannot wear true black as it is too stark against their delicate appearance. Medium-depth taupes and charcoal greys are more suitable. Similarly, grey-tinged whites and greyish blues are better than pure white. This bright neutral is harsh on muted individuals and can blanch the appearance making them look pale and unwell.

accents

Due to its dominantly cool hue, the Cool Summer palette contains more purples, blues and turquoises. These include marine green, rose pink, soft lilac and aquatic blues. There are two yellows but these are mixed with blue to cool and grey to soften resulting in muted variations similar to dried seagrass.

combinations

As their contrast level is moderate to high, colour combinations need to reflect what is in the Cool Summer individual’s natural palette. In the first two examples, we have shown how neighbouring hues on the colour chart pair well. Similarly, you can select multiple colours of varying depths from one column to create a monochromatic mix, as shown in the last two examples. Alternatively, light neutrals can be paired with dark accents to achieve a similar effect. This is what we have demonstrated in the third and fourth examples.

colours to borrow

Depending on which way the Cool Summer individual flows, they may be able to borrow colours from neighbouring Light Summer or Soft Summer. These respective subtypes each have a neutral-cool hue meaning some colours on their palettes are not cool enough for Cool Summer. Care needs to be taken to select the greens, blues and purples from these palettes in order to maintain balance. Please note that the colours marked with an asterisk above are taken from the Light Summer and Soft Summer palettes respectively.

colours to avoid

As a cool and soft subtype, Cool Summer’s worst colours are warm and bright, such as those seen in Warm Spring. The warm hues in the examples above clash with Jasmine's cool tones and reflect yellow on her skin, making her look sallow and sickly. This demonstrates that they are not suitable for her delicate appearance. Again, the colour codes above marked with an asterisk are taken from the Warm Spring sample palette.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.