Spring vs Autumn Color Palette

Both Spring and Autumn have warm undertones, but they differ in brightness, saturation, and depth. Here's how to tell which warm season you are.

Quick Answer: What's the Difference?

Spring people have bright, clear, light warm coloring. They look best in vibrant, saturated warm colors like coral, peach, and bright yellow-green.

Autumn people have rich, deep, muted warm coloring. They look best in earthy, golden, subdued warm colors like rust, olive, and burnt orange.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Spring

Brightness: Light to medium coloring
Saturation: Clear, vibrant colors
Undertone: Warm with yellow-peachy base
Best colors: Coral, peach, bright yellow-green, clear turquoise
Avoid: Dark, muted, or dusty colors
Hair: Golden blonde, strawberry blonde, light auburn
Eyes: Light blue, green, hazel with golden flecks
Skin: Peachy, golden, ivory with warm glow

Autumn

Brightness: Medium to deep coloring
Saturation: Rich, muted, earthy colors
Undertone: Warm with golden-olive base
Best colors: Rust, olive, burnt orange, deep teal
Avoid: Bright, icy, or neon colors
Hair: Auburn, copper, dark brown with red tones
Eyes: Brown, amber, hazel, deep green
Skin: Golden, olive, warm beige with bronze glow

5 Key Differences Between Spring & Autumn

Brightness & Contrast

SPRING:

Springs have lighter overall coloring with lower contrast between hair, eyes, and skin. Think Emma Stone, Amy Adams, or Blake Lively – bright, glowing, delicate features.

AUTUMN:

Autumns have deeper overall coloring with medium-high contrast. Think Jessica Chastain, Julianne Moore, or Emma Watson – rich, warm, more intense features.

Color Saturation Preference

SPRING:

Springs look best in clear, saturated, vibrant colors. They can wear bright coral, true turquoise, and sunshine yellow without looking washed out.

AUTUMN:

Autumns look best in rich, muted, earthy colors. They can wear rust, olive, and burnt sienna without looking muddy.

How They Look in Black

SPRING:

Springs look harsh, washed out, or aged in pure black. It's too dark and heavy for their delicate coloring. Navy or chocolate brown is much better.

AUTUMN:

Autumns can sometimes wear black (especially Deep Autumns), but they still look better in warm browns or deep olive. Black can work if styled with warm accessories.

Makeup & Lipstick Test

SPRING:

Springs look amazing in coral, peach, and warm pink lipsticks. Terracotta and brownish tones can look too heavy or muddy on them.

AUTUMN:

Autumns shine in brick red, terracotta, and brownish-red lipsticks. Bright coral or pink can look too bright and artificial on them.

Metal Preference (Gold Tone)

SPRING:

Springs look best in bright, light yellow gold or rose gold. Think 14k light gold – shiny, delicate, not too heavy.

AUTUMN:

Autumns look best in rich, deep yellow gold or antique gold. Think 18k-22k gold – warm, substantial, luxurious.

Common Confusions Between Spring & Autumn

⚠"I have red hair, so I must be Autumn": Not necessarily! Light auburn and strawberry blonde hair often indicates Spring. Only darker auburn/copper hair suggests Autumn.
⚠"I tan easily, so I'm Autumn": Many Springs also tan! The key is whether you have light or deep overall coloring, not just sun reaction.
⚠"I like earthy colors, so I'm Autumn": Color preference doesn't equal your season. Try draping – hold both bright coral (Spring) and rust (Autumn) near your face. Which makes your skin glow?
⚠"I'm warm, so it doesn't matter if I'm Spring or Autumn": It DOES matter! Wearing the wrong warm season colors can make you look dull, tired, or aged. Springs in Autumn colors look muddy. Autumns in Spring colors look washed out.