Embracing Your Summer Colours: The Four Summer Sub-Seasons

Welcome to the Summer season — it’s a beautiful place to find yourself.

If you’re all set to add a cool touch of tranquility to your life with a serene, refreshing hues, read on to learn more about the colours that will suit you best.

First up, what are Summer colours like?

Summer colours are known for their cool, calming, and soft hues. They’re typically considered subtle and smoky — there’s a stunning range of pastels, plus rosy pinks, grey-blues and delicate purples.

No matter what type of Summer you are, don’t shy away from any of the beautiful colours in the palette. But when you know which sub-season you fall under, you’ll know which Summer hues to pick up first.

So let’s find out more about each Summer sub-season.

The Light Summer Type

Do you have a light and delicate look? If so, you might just be a Light Summer — otherwise known as a Pastel Summer.

Light Summers are usually known for their fair skin, light hair, and eye colour, all of which maintain the cool, soft essence of the Summer season.

Heavier shades and hues can be overpowering for Light Summers in large quantities. Shades with a touch of white are likely to be more harmonious, and will bring out the brightness in your eyes. From soft yellow and pale mint to sky blue and lavender purple, pastel colours will complement your unique look.

The key to a great Summer look is layering colours tonally over a light and neutral base for an effortless elegance that will have you glowing.

True Summer

Are you a True Summer? Then you're a true reflection of all the cool, soft, and light characteristics that we expect from the Summer. You might have the classic Summer look — ashy, mid-brown hair, grey or blue eyes, and skin that harmonises with your hair and eye colour. Your features are soft and balanced, so the strongest shades in your palette can be overpowering if you wear too much of them.

As a True Summer, you sit right in the centre of the Summer palette, with a perfect blend of coolness and softness. You look your best in the classic Summer colours — rose and clover, cornflower and delft, plum and airforce blue.

When it comes to colour combinations, it's best to follow the classic Summer guideline of tonal dressing. Avoid too much contrast, and shine in your brighter colours by pairing them with softer tints.

Brown summer

If you’re a Brown Summer (otherwise known as a Soft Summer), you’re the warmest type of Summer there is. Softness takes centre stage in your look, but you’re still cool overall.

With tinges of red in their hair, brown or hazel eyes, and a golden glow to their skin, Brown Summers can resemble their Autumn cousins at first glance. Their skin tone may vary, but there is typically little contrast between hair, eyes, and skin colour.

Brown Summer's most flattering colours are autumn-inspired, featuring rose browns, dusky pink, and soft reds and berry shades.

When it comes to colour combinations, it's best to stick to the classic Summer rule of layering tonal colours with minimal contrast.

Deep Summer

Also known as Dark or Bright Summers, Deep Summers stand out with the richness of their appearance, but they still have the coolness of a typical Summer.

Deep Summers often resemble Winters, with striking features and deep brown or grey eyes. Their hair is often dark, and their skin can be of any tone.

Positioned at the coolest end of the Summer palette, the colours of Deep Summer are closer to Winter than Summer or Autumn, if all four seasons are viewed as a continuous spectrum.

Deep Summer's ideal colours include deep and cool shades of burgundy, navy, raspberry, and sea green.

While a tonal look is suitable for most Summers, Deep Summers may find that adding a bit of contrast enhances their look. Mixing dark and light colours, or pairing a bold pink or blue with a toned-down outfit, can make a statement.

What kind of Summer am I?

Uncertain of your place in the Summer palette or whether you are a Summer type at all? Identify your season and sub-season now to build a wardrobe filled with hues that enhance your natural beauty.

Coming soon: make an appointment with your nearest Luminary stylist to find out more about your unique Summer beauty.