A complete styling guide if you're a bright winter.

Picture the winter sun on a snowy landscape, set against a backdrop of green mountains and a icy, pale blue sky. This is bright winter. 

This colour palette sits between true winter and bright spring on the seasonal flow chart and is characterised by its clear, intense and cool-toned hues with a hint of bright warmth. 

How to tell if you're bright winter.

Bright winter is categorised as the following: medium-cool hue, neutral value and bright chroma.

Medium-cool hue: The colours lean towards the cool end of the scale but are not extremely cool. This means the only time you'll see yellow (the warmest colour) would be if it's cooler shades of yellow, which have a tint of blue. Blue tones (the coolest colour) dominate this palette, with plenty of pinks, purples and blues, which are all naturally blue-based. 

Neutral value: There is an even amount of very light (true white) and very dark (true black) colours. However, it may look like it leans slightly to the dark end because of the emphasis on the blue undertones. 

Bright chroma: All colours are extremely saturated and vibrant. In fact, bright winter has the most intense colours of all the seasons. 

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What is bright winter's colour palette?

Bright winter's best colours include: 

• High-contrast neutrals: Pure white, charcoal grey and black. 

• Cool, vivid colours: Cobalt and sapphire blue, emerald green, ruby red and dark violet. 

• Clear pastels: Baby blue, lavender, mint green and icy pale pink. 

• Metallics: Silver. 

On the flip side, the colours to avoid if you're bright winter include:

• Muted and warm tones: Golden yellows, orangey browns and soft peach. 

• Earth tones: Olive greens, browns, terracotta and most colours inspired by nature. 

Building a bright winter colour palette is an easy process when you focus on this season's best colours. Here's an example of what a bright winter's colour palette might look like: 

Base: Pure white

Light neutral: Light charcoal grey

Dark neutral: Midnight black

Main colour: Sapphire blue

Accent colours: Ruby red, emerald green or violet 

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Celebrities with a bright winter colour palette.

Some notable people with a bright winter colour palette include Megan Fox, Olivia Munn, Tina Fey, Awkwafina, Courteney Cox, Camila Mendes, Dua Lipa and Jessica Gomes. Of course, this is only a guide and their colour palettes will change depending on their styling choices. 

Styling tips for bright winter.

Prioritise high contrast pairings: You have high contrast features so why not use clothes to accentuate this? For a more subtle look, you can pair a crisp white top with a black skirt or charcoal grey pants. For a more striking style, look towards vivid colours of pinks, blues and yellows. 

Experiment with colour blocking: Don't be afraid to mix items in blocks of solid colours (for example, a bright blue top with bright blue pants) or wear single items that are colour-blocked with panels of different hues. The latter can be achieved by wearing a cool bright pink knit paired with a bright yellow skirt or an orange dress layered with a striking cobalt blue coat. 

Prints and patterns are your friend: You're a bright winter who is vibrant and energetic, and this directly translates to dynamic patterns and prints. Opt for geometric prints and bold stripes — the more abstract, the better. 

Layer with texture: For added depth and dimension, incorporate textured fabrics like silk, satin, velvet or jacquard into your outfits. 

Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise: Add pops of colour to your outfit with scarves, belts, handbags and shoes. When it comes to jewellery, any silver pieces will complement the cool undertones of your skin. For added sparkle, wear icy diamonds, cool-toned pearls and gemstones like sapphire, emerald, ruby amethyst and aquamarine. 

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Beauty tips for true winter:

Base: Look towards foundations and concealers with a slightly pink or neutral base to balance any redness in your skin tone. Both glossy and matte makeup finishes work well for bright winters, and you can even use a mix of both in your overall makeup look, which will enhance your high-contrast features. 

Eyes: You can't go wrong with a classic black eyeliner, but you can also experiment with other hues like navy blue, deep purple or emerald green to really enhance your eye colour and make a statement. This also translates to your eyeshadow — try shades like cobalt blue, royal purple or even metallic silver to add depth to your eye makeup. 

Blush: Steer clear of orange-based blushes and instead, reach for a hue with a cool base to avoid making your face look warm and muddy. Good examples of cool-toned blushes include a fresh raspberry, a crisp pink or a soft mauve, all of which will add a natural flush to your cheeks. 

Lipstick: Luckily for you, bright winters can pull off bold and vibrant lip colours. From rich cherry red to fushia pink to deep plum, these electrifying hues will make a statement without looking odd or overpowering. Plus, it's an easy way to incorporate a pop of colour into your overall look if you're not a fan of bright clothes. 

Final thoughts on bright winter.

Wondering if you're a bright winter? If clear, cool and vivid colours enhance your high-contrast features, you might fall into this colour palette. Of course, this shouldn't deter you from wearing colours you love but aren't classified as bright winter. After all, your unique colour palette should naturally uplift your appearance and confidence. 

If you're looking to expand your palette, you can also consider borrowing colours from the sister seasons of bright winter: true winter and bright spring. 

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