Picture a burst of sunshine beaming over a green meadow filled with bright-coloured flowers. This is true spring.
Also referred to as warm spring, this colour palette sits in between bright spring and light spring on the seasonal flow chart and is characterised by warm and vibrant colouring that gives off an optimistic, cheerful and energetic vibe.
How to tell if you're true spring.
True spring is categorised as the following: warm hue, medium-light value and medium-bright chroma.
Warm hue: Colours sit at the warmest end of the hue scale, meaning they contain yellow undertones but no blue ones (the coolest colour of all). If blues do exist, they will contain a tint of yellow, like turquoise or mint. Naturally yellow-based hues dominate this palette, like peachy pinks, warm greens and golden yellows.
Medium-light value: Colours steer towards the lighter end of the scale because of the heaviness of yellow undertones. However, darker colours of blue and purple are no strangers to this palette and help support the lighter hues.
Medium-bright chroma: Colours are saturated and bright rather than dull and muted.
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What is true spring's colour palette?
True spring's best colours include:
Warm neutrals: Golden brown, warm beige and camel
Vibrant hues: Coral pink, butterscotch yellow, warm peach and golden orange
Clear and bright tones: Electric blue, emerald green and turquoise
Earthy shades: Rust, terracotta, olive green and amber
On the flip side, the colours to avoid if you're true spring include:
Cool tones: Icy blues and greys
Muted pastels: Powder blue, soft lilac, dusty rose and soft lavender
Pairing harsh contrasting colours: Examples include black and white, deep purple and neon green, royal blue and hot pink or electric blue and bright yellow
Building a true spring colour palette is an easy process when you focus on this season's best colours. Here's an example of what a true spring's colour palette might look like:
Base colour: Warm ivory
Light neutral: Light camel
Dark neutral: Rich chocolate brown
Main colour: Golden yellow
Accent colours: Olive green, coral pink or turquoise blue
Celebrities with a true spring colour palette.
Some notable people with a light summer colour palette include Blake Lively, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams, Charlize Theron, Hayden Panettiere, Goldie Hawn, Kristen Bell, Kylie Minogue, Cynthia Nixon, Diane Kruger and Elsa Pataky. Of course, this is only a guide and their colour palettes will change depending on their styling choices.
Styling tips for true spring.
Experiment with colour blocking: Embrace clothing in bold, saturated hues into your wardrobe, which can be worn individually or paired together with other bright pieces.
Get creative with prints and patterns: Luckily for you, a true spring can seamlessly pull off bold prints and patterns. Look for floral, geometric or abstract prints in vibrant colours and don't be afraid to mix and match prints for an even more eclectic look.
Opt for relaxed and flowy pieces: To add to your effortlessly chic style, you're guaranteed to look drop-dead gorgeous in flowy clothing that allows for ease of movement and comfort. Prime examples of these include roomy dresses, wide-leg pants and maxi skirts.
Statement accessories are your friend: Add another dimension to your outfits by incorporating bold metallic jewellery, colourful scarves and vibrant belts and handbags.
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Beauty tips for true spring.
Base: Steer clear of heavy, matte foundations as these will appear too harsh against the softness of your skin. Instead, opt for a lightweight dewy foundation - or even a tinted moisturiser - in a soft, warm tone to enhance your natural luminosity. For an extra touch of radiance, complete your foundation with a light dusting of translucent powder and a spritz of hydrating setting spray to give your skin a healthy, dewy glow.
Eyes: Pair brown eyeliner with eyeshadow in warm and vibrant colours, like coral, peach or golden bronze. To add depth and definition, add a touch of warm brown or bronze eyeshadow in the crease, and finish with a coat of mascara to enhance your lashes.
Blush: Steer clear of cool-based blush and instead, opt for peachy or coral shades that add a healthy pop of colour to your cheeks. You can lightly blend the blush upwards towards your temples for an even more youthful and radiant glow.
Lipstick: If you prefer a natural look, try a sheer lip glow in a warm, peachy shade for a healthy touch of shine. If you want something bolder, go for a creamy or satin lipstick in coral, peach, warm red or rosy pink.
Final thoughts on true spring.
Wondering if you're a true spring? If warm and bright colours make your appearance look balanced and lighter, you might fall into this colour palette. Of course, this shouldn't deter you from wearing colours you love but aren't classified as true spring. 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 true spring: bright spring and light spring.
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