Soft Summer: Lipstick

Soft Summer lipsticks are dusty and cool with a moderate depth to balance their natural contrast level.

In this article, we’ve used a variety of red, pink, orange, purple and brown lipsticks to demonstrate which colours we’d advise for Soft Summer as well as those you should avoid. Affiliate links have been used to provide additional visual examples.

Please note, this advice is generic for all Soft Summer individuals and recommendations will vary based on your unique colouring. Some trial and error may be required in order to find the best shade for yourself. For personalised advice, we suggest purchasing a Colour Analysis package with the makeup option.

Soft Summer lipstick palette wheel featuring soft pinks, purples and reds. Colors labeled: Cardinal, Mauve Orchid, Blush, etc.

Soft Summer lipsticks are taken from the reds, purples and pinks on the colour chart.

This subtype belongs to a season influenced by light value so colours are fairer than those we see in Soft Autumn.

Those who lean closer to Cool Summer will have a slightly higher contrast level and will need deeper colours to maintain balance. However, those flowing towards Soft Autumn will need the neutral coloured products rather than those mixed with cool blue.

Six images of a smiling blonde Soft Summer woman, each with different lipstick shades ranging from burgundy, crimson, blue red, coral red.

Red Lipstick

Soft Summer individuals look best in dusty, cool reds that harmonise with their muted and delicate colouring.

Burgundy, as seen in example one, works beautifully for Poppy due to its purple undertone, allowing her natural beauty to take precedence over the colour. A good option would be L'Oreal Paris Rouge Signature Metallic Liquid Lipstick in 205 Fascinate.

Similarly, the blue red in example three, with its pinkish tint, appears lighter and softer, complementing her delicate features for a natural and understated look. You could try MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red.

Example two shows a slightly brighter crimson, similar to Pat McGrath Opulence Aqua Marine MatteTrance Lipstick in 041 Guinevere. Its muted quality still aligns with her soft chroma, visibly brightening her complexion and making it ideal for a glam occasion.

Certain reds should be avoided by Soft Summers, such as the coral red in example five, which reflects yellow onto her skin. The bright red in example four also overwhelms her soft features and blanches her complexion - both would be better suited to Bright Spring individuals.

Additionally, the warm red in example six is too rich and deep, resulting in an unnatural and aging effect, making it more appropriate for Dark Autumn individuals.

Six identical smiling women's faces in circles against a black background. Blonde Soft Summer woman. Lips in varied shades of pink.

Pink Lipstick

Belonging to a cool season, the Soft Summer lipstick chart includes a range of pink products. These colours must be soft and cool with a light to medium value.

Example one shows a blue pink similar to Angicolor lipstick in #02 Pink. This is also quite soft, which works really well for this subtype. We see Poppy before we see the lipstick indicating a colour balance.

The cool pink in example two has a similar effect but is slightly lighter than the previous colour. This pink lights up Poppy's image as its chroma matches her. It also has a touch of cooling blue that draws out the rosy glow in her cheeks. You could try NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream in Milan.

In example three, we see a nude pink. This is Poppy's "my lips but better!" shade. A good option would be Sculpted by Aimee Lip Duo 2-in-1 Lipstick & Liner in Naked.

Soft Summer individuals need to avoid bright, warm and dark pink lipsticks.

The hot pink shown in example four is bright and cool making it better suited to Bright Winter. This hue blanches Poppy's face as it overpowers her delicate image. Similarly, the candy pink in example six is cool enough for her but it is too bright and light. She needs dusty colours to maintain her chroma as well as some depth to balance her moderate contrast level.

The yellow pink in example five demonstrates why colours need to be cool. This makes her look slightly orange as it is too warm for her cool hue. This would be better suited to a Light Spring type.

Six circular portraits of a blonde smiling Soft Summer woman show different lipstick shades from violet, plum and berry to dark purple.

purple Lipstick

Berry and plum lipsticks can be a great choice for Soft Summer individuals due to their cool hue. These must be slightly dusty rather than bright, however.

The cool mauve we have used in example one looks incredibly natural on Poppy whilst giving her a pop of colour. It does not reflect any colour onto her face and we ultimately see her before the lipstick. This can be likened to Oulac Makeup Kissproof Liquid Lipstick in Long Beach Kiss.

Another great option is the rose plum shown in example two, which is similar to Estèe Lauder Pure Colour Matte Lipstick in No. 420 Rebellious Rose. This colour lights up Poppy's appearance and makes her look younger.

Example three shows a dusty violet, which also works really well for Poppy. You can compare this to the electric violet in the example five, which is a bright variation. Note that the dusty colour looks natural whereas we see example five before we see Poppy. This demonstrates that it is not suitable for her colouring. A good option would be IMMISSONI Luxury Vegan Lipstick in Violet Dreams.

Soft Summer individuals must avoid the bright purples recommended to Bright Winter such as the magenta in example six. This colour throws white on her face as it is too intense for her delicate image.

The eggplant in example four is also too dark and dramatically ages her. Despite its cool leanings, it would be better suited to a Dark Winter individual.

A blonde Soft Summer woman is smiling in six images with different orange, peach, brown and nude lipstick shades.

Other Lipsticks

Lipsticks we do not recommend for Soft Summer include orange and brown neutrals.

We already know that Soft Summer needs a hint of blue to their lipstick products to maintain their hue. The bright orange in example one is warm and vibrant, which means it matches neither Poppy's hue nor her soft chroma. This colour blanches her image and give her a yellow tinge.

The peach nude in example three is soft but also warm. A cooler nude such as the mauve variation assessed under purple lipsticks would be better suited.

As well as vibrancy and warmth, Soft Summer individuals also need to be cautious with deep colours such as the burnt orange in example two. Such depth is ageing on Poppy. It would work well for a Warm Autumn or Dark Autumn individual.

Soft Summer individuals do need some moderate depth to balance their contrast as they flow towards Autumn. Nude colours work well for them if they are pinkish but very light variations such as that seen in example five are blanching.

Similarly, brown colours are often too warm and dark for them. This is demonstrated in examples four and six as the warm colours remove the rosy glow in her cheeks.

Six circular portraits of a blonde Soft Summer woman with nude pink lipstick in gloss, satin, lustre, matte, velvet and powder finishes.

Lipstick Finishes

Due to Soft Summer's muted chroma, they need soft finishes such as matte, powder and velvet to echo their natural colouring. Anything with a shimmer or shine is unsuitable as it looks jarring and unnatural.

Unlike Cool Summer, they cannot handle satin or cream products even if balanced with matte eye and complexion products. Care should be taken to nourish the lips prior to makeup application. You could incorporate lip scrubs and masks into your evening skincare routine in order to prep a smooth base.

Soft Summer - Lipstick Chart [Digital Download]

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