Spring and Autumn look similar on paper: both are warm, both have golden undertones. In practice, they couldn't feel more different — and people mix them up constantly. Here's how to tell them apart.
Spring: Warm, Clear, and Fresh
Spring's palette is warm like Autumn but also clear — the colors are clean, bright, and fresh. Think sunlight, fresh flowers, and warm pastels.
Spring palettes feature coral, warm pink, clear yellow-green, peach, and warm aqua. They look fresh and luminous, not heavy or earthy.
Spring people typically have:
- ✦Lighter, more delicate coloring
- ✦Golden or warm peachy skin tone
- ✦Often lighter eyes (blue, green, hazel, warm brown)
- ✦Brighter, clearer natural coloring overall
Best Spring colors: coral, warm yellow, peach, warm turquoise, warm mint, camel, ivory
Autumn: Warm, Muted, and Earthy
Autumn's palette is also warm — but it's muted and earthy. The colors have a dusty, bronzed quality that suggests fallen leaves, spice, and rich soil.
Autumn palettes feature terracotta, burnt orange, olive green, warm brown, mustard, and forest green. They're deep and complex, not bright and clear.
Autumn people typically have:
- ✦Richer, more earthy skin tones (golden, bronze, olive)
- ✦Deeper eyes (warm brown, hazel, dark green)
- ✦Overall coloring that feels rich rather than bright
Best Autumn colors: terracotta, olive, mustard, warm brown, burnt orange, deep gold, forest green
The Key Test
The quickest way to tell Spring from Autumn: put on a clear, bright coral and then a dusty terracotta.
- ✦If the bright coral looks better → you're likely Spring
- ✦If the dusty terracotta looks better → you're likely Autumn
Clear vs. muted. That's the fundamental distinction.