Knowing your contrast level can help you enhance your natural beauty with makeup. Contrast refers to the difference between your skin, hair, and eye color. It can be low, medium, or high. This contrast level guides you to shades that suit you best. Combine it with your color season—Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter—for balanced, flattering looks.
What Is Contrast in Makeup?
Low Contrast: Your skin, hair, and eye colors are similar. For example, light skin, blonde hair, and light blue eyes. Features blend subtly together.
Medium Contrast: Your skin, hair, and eyes have some difference but aren’t strikingly different. Slightly darker hair or eyes compared to skin.
High Contrast: Your features have strong differences. Think fair skin with dark hair, or deep skin with bright eyes. Each feature stands out.
How Contrast Relates to Color Seasons
The seasonal color system (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) helps match colors to your skin tone—warm or cool—and shows if you suit soft, bright, light, or dark shades best. Your contrast level also plays a big role. Let’s explore contrast levels and color seasons!
Low Contrast: Soft and Light Seasons
Low Contrast Individuals:
If you have low contrast, you’re likely in one of these seasons: Soft Autumn, Soft Summer, Light Spring, or Light Summer. Your features have a subtle balance, so aim for softer makeup to create harmony. Bold looks can overwhelm your delicate features.
- Soft Autumn (Warm, Muted Tones):
Makeup Colors: Warm, muted shades like peach, soft brown, dusty rose, and olive.
Contrast Tips: Keep it soft and blended. Monochromatic looks for eyes, lips, and cheeks work well. - Soft Summer (Cool, Muted Tones):
Makeup Colors: Cool, muted colors like mauve, soft plum, taupe, and lavender.
Contrast Tips: Light, blended makeup with soft pink or lavender blush and subtle lip colors. - Light Spring (Warm, Light Tones):
Makeup Colors: Peach, coral, light gold, and warm pinks.
Contrast Tips: Bright, warm tones work well. Try soft coral or light gold eyeshadows. - Light Summer (Cool, Light Tones):
Makeup Colors: Pastels and cool shades like soft pink, lavender, and cool beige.
Contrast Tips: Embrace airy, pastel tones. A light pink blush and soft lip color highlight your low contrast beautifully.
Medium Contrast: Cool and Warm Seasons
Medium Contrast and Seasonal Colors Made Simple
If you’re a medium contrast type, you likely fit into Warm Spring, Warm Autumn, Cool Summer, or Cool Winter. Here’s a quick guide to flattering makeup colors and tips:
- Warm Spring (Warm, Bright Tones)
- Makeup Colors: Peach, coral, warm pinks, light gold.
- Tips: Stick to warm, bright tones to add a natural glow. Use warm blushes and bronzers for a fresh, radiant look without going too dark.
- Warm Autumn (Warm, Rich Tones)
- Makeup Colors: Rich browns, deep corals, golden shades.
- Tips: Choose earthy colors like soft browns and burnt oranges. Avoid overly dark shades to keep the look balanced and warm.
- Cool Summer (Cool, Medium Contrast Tones)
- Makeup Colors: Blue-based pinks, plum, gray.
- Tips: Go for cool shades with medium saturation. Add depth with subtle contouring and soft eyeshadows for a natural finish.
- Cool Winter (Cool, Higher Contrast Tones)
- Makeup Colors: Blue-based reds, deep purples, icy pinks, black.
- Tips: Embrace a bolder look with higher contrast. Try darker lip colors or defined eyes with black eyeliner. Cool winters shine in striking, dramatic styles.
High Contrast: Bright and Deep Seasons
High contrast people often fit into Bright Spring, Bright Winter, Deep Autumn, or Deep Winter.
Bright Spring (Warm, Bright Tones):
- Makeup Colors: Bold coral, turquoise, vibrant pink, peach. These vibrant shades add warmth and energy.
- Contrast Tip: Go for bold, warm shades on lips and eyes. Coral lipstick or pink blush enhances your features.
Bright Winter (Cool, Bright Tones):
- Makeup Colors: Electric pink, bold plum, icy blue, clear red. Bright Winter shines with vivid, clear shades.
- Contrast Tip: Go bold! Crisp reds or bright blues make your features pop.
Deep Autumn (Warm, Deep Tones):
- Makeup Colors: Rich browns, deep reds, olive green. Deep, earthy tones give a grounded look.
- Contrast Tip: Dark lipstick and earthy eyeshadow look stunning for this season’s high contrast.
Deep Winter (Cool, Deep Tones):
- Makeup Colors: Deep blues, wine, black, silver. Cool undertones suit intense shades.
- Contrast Tip: Dramatic makeup like deep red or berry lipstick paired with bold eyeliner enhances natural contrast.
Conclusion
Whether your features have low, medium, or high contrast, knowing how this fits with your color season can help you choose the best makeup. Matching your makeup to your natural colors and contrast level can create looks that highlight your beauty. Embrace your color season and discover shades that make you shine!
