Stop wondering what your best colors are. Shop and get dressed with purpose. Discover your Color Code!
Whether you followed a pin or a link or scanned the QR code on my postcard or banner, read below to find your Color Code and explore your next steps.
The Color Code system is also referred to as Dominant Color Characteristic Color Analysis. The Color Codes transcend the seasonal system and accounts for contrast levels plus it allows most people to have warm AND cool colors in their palette. Read more about warm vs. cool undertones (and how to look good in every color) here.
As a woman with dark brown hair, dark brown eyes and medium skin, I’m a Deep. Rather than being put into a box of Deep Autumn (warm) or Deep Winter (cool), I get to embrace all the deep, rich colors from both palettes.
Here are the six Color Codes, each with a description, example, and link to the Pinterest board.
If you have my postcard, they’re in the same order for your reference.
THE COLOR CODES
1. Clear.
Dark medium brown to black hair. Very light or medium skin tone. Bright eye color (green, blue or hazel) or dark brown.
My dear friend Tiffiny Spire is such a lovely Clear with her bright blue eyes and dark hair!
The stunning Nicole has fair skin, striking eyes and dark hair. She glows in white.
2. 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.
My friend Connie has that beautiful gray/silver hair!
Both of my parents are Cools with their silver/white hair!
3. Light.
Naturally blonde or white hair. Fair skin tone. Light to medium eye color. The light and bright quality to their hair and eyes is what makes them gorgeous. Lights can typically do bright colors and black and white well and “pull off” the pastels.
Jessica Pierce is a fabulous Light example.
Dawn looks so pretty in her colorful top with Light colors!
Sybil Imel is so stunning and has a bit more depth to her eyes and hair yet is still a vibrant Light.
Sybil above could almost be a Soft (below) but only if she added darkness to her hair and preferred more muted, dusty colors.
4. 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. Their eyes often have several colors or change color depending on what they’re wearing.
The SOFT Pinterest board.
My dear friend, neighbor and MakeUpdate cohort Jen Hoffman is a gorgeous Soft! She can do her hair with more blonde, more brown or even a little auburn and look fabulous.
5. Deep.
Medium to dark brown or black hair. Medium to dark skin tone. Hazel, brown or black eyes.
The DEEP Pinterest board.
Even though my face is rather fair, I tan in the sun and have dark hair and dark eyes.
Wearing teal, my Signature Color.
Two stunning Deeps! Check out those rich colors on them with a little bit of brightness.
Deeps can often wear some brighter shads as well.
6. Warm.
Red, strawberry blonde or auburn 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.
Isn’t Kim darling??
And my friend Hannah Johnson.
~~NEW!~~
7. Reverse Clear.
Light hair and dark eyes, typically with fair to medium skin. The reverse of Clear (which is dark hair and bright or light eyes, typcially with light skin).
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
Still not sure? This flow chart might help!
Blonde = Light or Soft
Brunette = Deep, Clear or Soft
Black = Deep, Clear
Gray or Silver = Cool
Red, auburn or strawberry blonde = Warm
About The Color Codes
Seasonal Analysis explained:
Many people are aware of the seasonal color analysis system of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Spring and autumn are warm vs. summer and winter are cool. This system eventually expanded into 12 seasonal palettes for added flexibility. The theory behind the system is that all women have a dominant characteristic and a secondary characteristic. It takes into account the hue (warm vs. cool), the depth (light vs. dark) and the clarity (bright vs. dusty or muted). You dominant characteristic is Light or Deep, Warm or Cool, Clear or Soft. Then your secondary characteristic is warm or cool. For example, if you are Light + Warm you are Light Spring. If you are Light + Cool you are Light Summer. In seasonal color analysis, I’m Deep (dark eyes, dark hair, medium skin). As for warm vs. cool, there is great debate around this topic! While strangers, friends and clients have typed me about 50/50 on warm vs. cool, the professionals all agree that I am neutral which is why I’m so glad I don’t have to choose between Deep Autumn or Deep Winter–I’m just DEEP.
Here’s a visual of it:
That’s the beauty of the Color Code system: you are simply Light, Deep, Warm, Cool, Clear or Soft. It’s more flexibile than the four seasons but less complicated than the 12. The vast majority of my clients are thrilled they don’t have to choose warm vs. cool and can enjoy the full range of colors. Deeps like me get to wear autumn AND winter colors–I simply focus on the deeper tones of each.
You might need to update your Color Code if…
- you take online quizzes and get mixed results on your season
- your hair color has changed (going gray–Cool–or going red–Warm–are the most common)
- you’ve gone from tanned to more pale
- you’ve gone from pale to more tan
- your seasonal color analysis has gotten too confusing (one system has 18 different sub-seasons–wow!)
NEXT STEPS
Digital Color Swatches for your Color Code update twice/year with the trend colors and will help you shop more strategically. It’s a digital version of your best colors and best neutrals including your metals and an animal print. Pull it up on your phone when you’re shopping to check the colors you’re buying. Just $19! Get yours here!
If you are…
- not sure which Color Code you fall into
- wanting specific hair color and/or makeup advice
- interested in creating a capsule wardrobe
- exploring colors for your online profiles or branding
…your best option is scheduling a Phoenix Color Analysis appointment.
They’re available for one person, two people or a group of up to six at our co-working space in Chandler-Gilbert, AZ or I can come to a pop-up within the Phoenix east valley for up to 20 people for $1,200. Read about all the options here.
My membership community is the best place to meet like-minded women, stay in the loop on what I’m up to and receive feedback from me and fellow members. There’s a library of resources and a forum where you can post questions, too. It’s just $11/month. Read more about Tabitha’s Closet here.
Stay in touch!
To stay updated on my news, events and pop-ups (and to get a peek into my colorful world as an Image Consultant, style mentor, wife and mom), join the Signature Color Style community by signing up for my email list. I send them monthly at most. Sign up here.
Hang out with 300+ ladies in my FREE private Facebook group here.
I’d be thrilled to help you fully explore and embrace your Color Code. If you’re not sure what to do next, contact me.
Here are posts with specific tips for each Color Code!
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
Please pin and share…and come back for more recommendations based on your Color Code!
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