Colour Analysis: The Role Of Contrast

In her 2022 Netflix documentary with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle explains that she wore neutral colours to official engagements as she wanted to 'blend in'. While I agree that it is heartbreaking she was made to feel that way, this use of colour was never going to be effective in her goals.

Why? Because she is a high contrast individual.

Her beautiful hair and eyes have similar deep values and therefore create shade variance with her light to medium skin tone. These features are also glossy, sparkling and luminous retrospectively, which creates additional areas of light and dark across her image.

In this post, our stylists will break down how they use your value and chroma to assess your contrast and help determine both your season and subtype.

Low to Moderate Contrast

Individuals with low contrast need colours that are similar to their own in either hue (warm or cool colours) or value (light or dark colours).

Their best combinations tend to be light neutrals with light accents or two varying shades of the same colour (i.e. light pink and a medium depth pink).

Light Spring is slightly higher than the others as Maya belongs to a season influenced by bright chroma. This means, despite the blend of her light skin, hair and eyes, her luminosity creates some much lighter areas. Depending on the individual, these may include a particularly glossy hair shine, eye colour with little to no grey pigmentation and a luminous complexion (those beauties who are lucky enough to look naturally dewy without any overpriced highlighter!).

Moderate to High Contrast

Individuals with light eyes and dark hair (or - though, less common! - dark eyes and light hair) have moderate levels of contrast.

Again, this may be slightly higher in Cool Winter and Warm Spring as these seasons both have bright chroma and therefore glossy hair, luminous complexions and sparkling eyes increase their shade variance.

Like low contrast individuals, these subtypes also need colours that compliment their own. However, they can afford to be a little more daring due to their slightly higher levels. Light neutrals are now paired with medium depth hues instead of equally pale variations, and bright accents are seen alongside darker neutrals.

High to Intense Contrast

High contrast types need colours which oppose their own. That means clashing hues and monochrome mayhem!

This is because these individuals tend to have natural depth (similarly, or equally, dark hair and eyes with lighter skin). We may also consider the lightness of their teeth and sclera (eye whites).

Dark Autumn has a slightly lower contrast than the others as it is from a season influenced by soft chroma - that means these individuals may have semi-matte complexions, greyish eyes and glistening hair shines (colour qualities which create blend).

In addition to this, Bright Spring types occasionally have lighter hair. However, their dominant clarity outweighs this light value. It is, of course, also possible to have a Bright Winter with lighter hair but the same chroma rule applies. Regardless of their specifics, high contrast subtypes need colours which echo their natural intensity.

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