Light Summer color palette
Light, cool and soft: powder blue, lavender, rose pink, mint and soft gray. Light Summer is one of the 12 seasons of color analysis: light first, cool second.
What is Light Summer?
Light Summer is the lightest summer season. Its colors are light first and cool second, with a soft, airy quality, like a watercolor. It borders Light Spring, which is warmer and a little clearer, and True Summer, which is cooler and deeper.
| Dimension | Light Summer |
|---|---|
| Hue (undertone) | Cool (secondary) |
| Value (lightness) | Light (dominant) |
| Chroma (clarity) | Medium, in between |
The Light Summer color palette
Light, cool, gently muted colors: powder blue, periwinkle, lavender, lilac, rose pink, soft raspberry, mint, sea-foam and light aqua. Every color below links to its own page with hex, RGB and OKLCH values, shades and matching colors.
Light tones
Medium tones
Best neutrals for Light Summer
Soft white, light gray, dove gray, cool taupe, rose-beige and light navy or slate blue.
Colors Light Summer should avoid
Black, orange, golden yellow, rust and heavy earth tones. Very saturated brights look harsh on light coloring.
The colors below come from Deep Autumn, the season with the opposite traits. They are the least flattering on Light Summer coloring.
How to tell if you are a Light Summer
- Skin: Light, with a cool or neutral-cool undertone: pink, rosy or porcelain. It may burn easily.
- Hair: Light: ash blonde, light cool brown or silver-blonde. Natural highlights are cool, not golden.
- Eyes: Light and soft: blue, blue-gray, gray-green or soft aqua.
- Contrast: Low. Everything is light and gentle, so dark colors overpower quickly.
Coloring is a tendency, not a checklist. The surest test is to hold colors from this palette and from True Summer and Light Spring under your chin in daylight and see which make your skin look clear and even. The color analysis quiz narrows it down in a few questions.
Light Summer outfits and wardrobe
Build a Light Summer wardrobe on two or three neutrals, then add medium tones for most of your tops and save the strongest colors for accents near the face. Four starting combinations from this palette:
Everyday: Cadet Gray, Light Pink and Light Gray
Work: YInMn Blue, Dark Gray and Light Blue
Evening: Deep violet, Light Cornflower Blue and Anti-Flash White
Weekend: Pale Mauve, Celeste and Pewter
Light Summer makeup, hair color and jewelry
- Lips: Rose pink, soft berry, cool pink and mauve-pink.
- Cheeks: Soft rose and cool pink.
- Eyes: Taupe, gray, lavender, soft plum and gray-brown liner.
- Hair color: Ash and beige blondes, and light cool browns. Avoid brassy gold and copper.
- Jewelry and metals: Silver, white gold, platinum and rose gold.
Light Summer vs True Summer and Light Spring
| Season | Traits | Signature colors | Metals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Summer | Light, then cool | powder blue, lavender, rose pink, mint and soft gray | Silver, white gold, platinum and rose gold |
| True Summer | Cool, then soft (muted) | rose, raspberry, cool blue, periwinkle, lavender and blue-green | Silver, platinum, pewter and white gold |
| Light Spring | Light, then warm | peach, warm pink, buttercream, mint and aqua | Light yellow gold, rose gold and polished brass |
If several Light Summer colors look slightly off on you, try the neighbor that shares your strongest trait. Medium tones such as Pastel Pink, Thistle and Light Blue Grey are the easiest way to compare.
All 12 color seasons
- Light SpringLight, warm and clear: peach, warm pink, buttercream, mint and aqua.
- True SpringWarm and clear: coral, poppy, golden yellow, grass green and warm turquoise.
- Bright SpringSaturated and warm-leaning: hot coral, poppy red, lime, turquoise and violet.
- True SummerCool and softly muted: rose, raspberry, cool blue, periwinkle, lavender and blue-green.
- Soft SummerMuted and cool: dusty rose, mauve, slate blue, soft teal, sage and gray-plum.
- Soft AutumnMuted and warm: sage, camel, terracotta, soft olive, muted teal and salmon.
- True AutumnWarm and rich: rust, pumpkin, mustard, olive, forest green and teal.
- Deep AutumnDeep and warm: chocolate, brick, rust, olive, forest green, deep teal and aubergine.
- Deep WinterDeep and cool: black, burgundy, emerald, sapphire, plum and deep teal.
- True WinterCool and vivid: true red, fuchsia, royal blue, emerald, icy pink, black and white.
- Bright WinterVivid and cool-leaning: hot pink, true red, electric blue, emerald, violet and icy tints.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Light Summer color palette?
Light, cool and soft: powder blue, lavender, rose pink, mint and soft gray. The full palette below has 30 colors with hex codes, including neutrals such as Anti-Flash White, Cadet Gray and Dark Gray.
What colors should a Light Summer avoid?
Black, orange, mustard and other heavy or warm colors. They are either too dark or too warm for light, cool coloring and make the skin look sallow.
Light Summer or Soft Summer?
Light Summer is lighter overall and can wear pastels. Soft Summer is medium in depth and looks best in dusty, grayed colors. If pastels wash you out, try Soft Summer.
What metals and jewelry suit Light Summer?
Silver, white gold, platinum and rose gold.
How do I know if I am a Light Summer?
Light Summers usually have light, with a cool or neutral-cool undertone: pink, rosy or porcelain. It may burn easily. Take the color analysis quiz or compare yourself with True Summer and Light Spring, the two closest seasons.
Use the Light Summer palette
Open the palette in the generator to build a wardrobe board, a brand palette or a mood board, then export it.