Previously I referred to these as your Dominant Color Category but the higher-ups realized that terminology could be a bit confusing so now we refer to them as your Color Code (Light, Deep, Soft, Clear, Warm, Cool).
Your Color Code
For the next few weeks, I’ll be updating some Pinterest board descriptions and blog posts to reflect the new Color Code verbiage but I’ll put it all here for you as well.
It’s worth noting that unlike the seasonal system, we only have SIX Color Codes to keep things simple. You might be in need of an update if you think your “type” was wrong or is outdated.
This NEW cheat sheet might help narrow it down, finding your Color Code based on your hair color.
There are six categories (or codes) each with a link to the Pinterest board:
1. Light.
Naturally blonde or white hair. Fair skin tone. Light to medium eye color.
2. Deep.
Medium to dark brown or black hair. Medium to dark skin tone. Hazel, brown or black eyes.
The DEEP Pinterest board.
3. Soft.
Light to medium brown hair (or ‘mousy’ or ‘dishwater blonde’). Light to medium skin tone. Medium intensity eye color like hazel, brown, blue or green.
The SOFT Pinterest board.
4. Clear.
Dark medium brown to black hair. Very light or medium skin tone. Bright eye colors (green, blue or hazel) or dark brown.
5. Warm.
Red hair or golden blonde or brown hair with reddish highlights. Any skin tone, sometimes with freckles. Green, blue, brown or hazel eyes.
The WARM Pinterest board.
6. Cool.
Silver, gray or ash brown hair. Light to medium skin tone (often with a pink undertone). Blue, green, hazel or brown eyes.
The COOL Pinterest board.
~~NEW!~~
7. Reverse Clear.
Dark eyes and light hair, typically with fair to medium skin. The reserve of Clear, which is dark hair and bright or light eyes.
This code is quite rare but can also happen when a brown-eyed lady’s hair turns white with age. It’s a gorgeous look! Like a Clear, they look great in bright colors and high contrast.
The REVERSE CLEAR Pinterest board
Not sure which Color Code you fall into? Wondering if you got it right?
Your best option is scheduling a Phoenix Color Analysis appointment.
Here are posts with specific tips for each category!
Wearing the right animal print
Wearing the right RED for your Color Code
Wearing Classic Blue for your Color Code
Making any outfit work for your Color Code
Summer outfits according to your Color Code!
Fall outfits according to your Color Code!
Please pin and share…and come back for more recommendations based on your Color Code!
First of all, congratulations and praises for Kate! How exciting! I didn’t make it to AZ this summer but have been following your posts. So happy for you!
I read, with great interest, the new classifications for our color type. I seem to be able to wear both “Warm” and “Clear.” I’m far from a red head (although in my 20s I did dye my hair reddish and everyone loved it…) And I love rocking the animal prints as well as bold mustard golds and oranges. Pastels are NOT for me…as you know…but I like white, and have a wonderful summer white pantsuit that is old as decades, still fits, and looks great.
So…what am I? LOL, thank you, Tab!
Thank you my friend!! 🙂 I do loooove the warm tones on you, especially the orange! And it’s funny, the white doesn’t always work on the same girls as the warm tones because white is considered cool. I think you’re one of those fortunate ladies who can wear a variety of colors because you’re quite neutral. I agree on avoiding the pastels, though–definitely not your vibe! 🙂 If you like the Clear colors, I say go for it! And you can adjust for the seasons, so for now go with the orange, red and even moss green if you want.
Hi Tabitha 10 years ago I had colour analysis and was told I’m a clear spring I had dark brown hair light skin and blue grey eyes I have always enjoyed the spring colours though I’m not overly warm looking!
Last year I let my hair go grey and now unsure of my colours am I still a spring ?
I would say I’ve cooled down a little but have I lost my clarity as my hair and skin are both light now ??
Hmm. We would probably have said you were a CLEAR with the dark hair, light skin and bright eyes. If you’re more gray now, that’s definitely COOL. For women in transition, I always recommend wearing the colors with cross-over between both categories so for you that would be a pink (maybe magenta, maybe more hot pink), purple, a teal or turquoise and royal blue. The COOL-er you get, you can do more high contrast black and white and you can do metallic silver! I hope that helps.
Hi, Casey! You sound exactly like a Soft Spring! It’s right in-between Autumn & Spring (but still predominantly spring)! It’s essentially both Clear and Soft. I am a biracial Soft Spring (similar to Dominique Reighard but my eyes & skintone are browner). This color analysis blog goes in-depth about this less talked about color group (https://www.idealiststyle.com/blog/clear-warm-the-rules-of-wearing-colors). It changed my beauty life- I get so many compliments now! She also has a Soft Spring specific page as well (https://www.idealiststyle.com/blog/best-clear-warm-soft-looks). I really appreciate the blogs of Idealist Style, Truth is Beauty, and of course Tabitha Dumas for doing color anayalsis the right way (like not automatically stereotyping ethnic people into Deep seasons). For, example, I’ve always noticed how Kerry Washington looks great in Clear (aka Bright) Spring colors. You don’t even have to know about colour analysis to take notice of that. Someone would have to try really hard to make themselves believe that she looks good in deep or earthy colors. Yet so many analysists are brainwashed that way. But Tabitha here has her correctly listed as a Clear, which she is!
Hope these links were of help to you! 🙂
Best Wishes, Nicole
Whoops, meant to say it’s essentially Clear & Warm, with a touch of softness!
Hello. i have black hair and eyes, light skin tone. ive never been able to determine my undertones because i feel like i might be in between, its not clear nor obvious if i lean more to warm or cool. (I’ve checked all sorts of online tests). What do you think could be my color code? I am an oriental asian.
Which category would you use for someone with white/blonde slightly warm hair, fair skin but dark brown neutral eyes?
Too much value contrast between hair/skin and eyes to be soft. Not cool as hair and maybe skin are just a bit warm, too light hair & not enough warmth to wear warm, hair too light to be clear, too light to be deep, can’t be light because of the dark brown eyes.
I’m stuck!
Hey there!! My goodness, that is a tricky one!! If we met in person, I’d narrow it down to two of the six Color Codes then we could explore the “crossover colors” between both, or sort of modify each to help them meet in the middle. If that makes sense 🙂 Sounds like you could almost be a “reverse clear” https://www.pinterest.com/tabithad11/color-code-reverse-clear/ with the light hair and dark eyes. But if those bright, clear colors overwhelm you, look at the next most likely….probably Light just due to the fair skin and light hair. Soooo…..maybe a mid-tone purple, almost amethyst? A magenta pink instead of pale or hot pink. Experiment with the right greens to accentuate your eyes–there are probably a few “no” shades and a few that will make you shine! You’re welcome to email me pictures, too! tabitha@tabithadumas.com