Seasonal Color

Exploring the Delightful World of Summer Colors: A Guide to the 12 Seasonal Color System

Welcome back, everyone!

I’m excited to introduce a new series that delves into the captivating world of the 12 seasonal color system. In this blog post, we’ll focus on the four main seasons and explore the unique characteristics of each sub-season within summer. Instead of isolated shades, we’ll take a visual journey through photos to experience the quality, personality, and energy of summer colors. So, let’s dive in and discover the enchanting world of summer hues together! I cover this thoroughly in my video, so scroll to the end to watch. I also offer a virtual color package here.

To help you decode ANY color system, check out my virtual guide on navigating the world of personal color: https://thealignedlover.com/product/virtual-guide-navigating-the-world-of-seasonal-color/

Embracing the Beauty of Colors

Before we delve into the specifics of the seasonal color system, it’s important to remember that it is more of an art than an exact science. The aim of this system is to guide you towards the most beautiful colors that harmonize with your natural shading. It’s a tool that offers a probability cloud of colors that will most likely look lovely on you, enhancing your unique beauty. However, there are also colors that may look okay, and some that may not suit you as well. It’s essential to approach this system with an open mind and embrace the softness and versatility of color.

Discovering Summer


Summer, as a season within the color system, is characterized by softness, low chroma colors, and a cooler undertone. We’ll predominantly find blues, greens, and pinks within the summer color palette, with minimal presence of warm colors like yellows, reds, or oranges.

Summer Blues


Let’s begin with the blues of summer. Light summer blues have a touch of warmth, a hint of yellow. Think of turquoise, aqua, or the bright blue skies. True summer blues are completely cool, lacking any warmth. Imagine the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean or the color of indigo dye. Soft summer blues are muted but retain a subtle warmth. Picture foggy sunrises or sunsets at sea, faded blues, and hues with a touch of gray.


To get a sense of how these colors come to life, let’s take a look at some summer natives donning various shades of blue. Gwyneth Paltrow looks stunning in a gorgeous aqua shade that complements her creamy complexion. January Jones radiates luminosity in a powdery blue that enhances her features. Margot Robbie shines in cornflower blue, which beautifully accentuates her rosy beige skin tone. Moving on to true summer blues, Katrina Bath stuns in a mesmerizing teal ensemble, highlighting her flawless skin. Megan Boone captivates with her velvety dark blue, reminiscent of the vast Pacific Ocean.

Exploring Summer Greens


Within the summer color palette, greens also play a significant role. Light summer greens exhibit a touch of warmth and yellow, reminiscent of pale avocados or the shoreline of a Caribbean beach. True summer greens are cooler, leaning towards blue-green shades, akin to deep ponds or the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis. Soft summer greens have a hazy quality, resembling succulents or the bluish-green hue of kale leaves.


Let’s observe how these greens harmonize with the features of summer natives. Emilia Clarke exudes elegance in a beautiful cool green that enhances her hair and lip color. Olivia Wilde showcases a softly shimmering dark emerald green that adds richness to her overall appearance. Megan Boone shines in a green shade that brings out her eyes and lip color with a soft radiance. Soft summer greens come alive on Sarah Jessica Parker, Adriana Lima, and Christy Turlington, each showcasing their unique beauty in shades ranging from velvety teal to soft sage.

Summer Pinks


Light Summer pinks evoke the image of delicate peachy pink roses and the soft hues of a clear sky at dusk. Think of daisy pinks and the irresistible pink treats found in bakery pastry cases. Moving on, True Summer pinks are reminiscent of lavish rose bouquets and the succulent sweetness of raspberries. Many roses naturally fall into the category of true summer pinks. Additionally, we encounter Soft Summer pinks, which possess a touch of gray or a cocoa shade. This variation can be compared to darker rose wines, certain bird species with a grayish hue, Himalayan pink salt, cactus flowers, or the alluring dusk of a pink-tinged sunset.


Let’s take a moment to appreciate how some celebrities effortlessly embrace these summer pinks. Margot Robbie, our new Barbie, looks stunning in light summer pinks, as Barbie pinks tend to align more closely with true summer shades. Gwyneth Paltrow exudes whimsical charm in a very light pink hue, while January Jones and a plethora of other celebrities gracefully adorn themselves in various shades of light pinks. Notice the perfect blush and lipstick choices that complement their hair and brows. In the midst of this spectrum, we find Emily Blunt shining in true rose pink, Kaya Scott Delario embracing the romantic and mysterious stamina pink, and Megan Boone radiating with a vibrant raspberry pink. Raspberry can be considered the true summer equivalent of scarlet, as the summer palette leans towards warm colors with pink undertones. Finally, we encounter soft summer pinks at the bottom, displaying a hazy, vintage aesthetic or a gentle touch of cocoa brown. Rosario Dawson looks sensually exquisite in a lovely soft pink shade that resembles delicate skin, while Adriana Lima and Bianca Balti showcase their stunningly unique takes on this dusty, bronzy, or hazy pink palette.

Captivating Summer Yellows


Although yellows offer fewer options within the summer palette, they possess a captivating charm when worn correctly. When summers opt for the right shade of yellow, it can be described as a crisp and whimsical color, striking a perfect balance between brightness and subtlety. Light summer yellows feature a hint of warmth, reminiscent of pale egg yolk or golden tones. True summer yellows resemble the lightest butter or the delicate shades of pastry creams, reminiscent of banana milkshakes or refreshing lemon sorbet. On the other hand, soft summer yellows exhibit a darker and more muted quality, resembling melted beeswax or the dough used in delectable pastries.

Let’s explore how these summer yellows grace the red carpet. Margot Robbie looks luminous in a slightly warm, touched-by-sunlight yellow hue. Gwyneth Paltrow dons a pale yellow that exudes an ethereal quality. Lily Reinhardt stuns in the perfect pale yellow shade, while Emily Blunt dazzles in a gorgeous true pale cold yellow, reminiscent of a lemon’s vibrant hue. Katrina Bowden and Emilia Clarke both showcase their own interpretations of pale yellow, with Katrina adding a mesh twist for an even softer, regal appearance. Emilia Clarke’s dress features delicate yellow embroidery, adding subtle accents to her attire. Bianca Balti offers a bronzy gold blouse, representing a more dusty quality within the soft summer yellow range. Rosario Dawson and Adriana Lima also embrace the allure of lemon yellow, radiating freshness and elegance.

Mesmerizing Summer Purples


Now, let’s immerse ourselves in the enchanting world of summer purples. Light summer purples possess a touch of warmth, reminiscent of warmer lavenders or violets. On the cooler end of the spectrum, true summer purples evoke the captivating allure of amethyst, eggplant, plum, and even shades of indigo or succulents. Soft summer purples, on the other hand, channel the delicate essence of dried lavender or the richer hues of eggplants. Picture purple roses and the ethereal beauty of hazy purple sunsets.

Within this mesmerizing purple spectrum, our favorite celebrities shine brightly. Margot Robbie enchants us with a lovely, slightly warm purple, while Reese Witherspoon graces us with a magical, fairy-tale-like violet hue, exuding a powdery sweetness. In the middle, Katrina Bowden exudes elegance in a mauvy purple, Kaya Scodelario embraces a perfect purple highlight for true summers, and Emilia Clarke dazzles in a softly shimmery, darker purple shade. At the bottom, hazy purples take center stage, with their dusty and smoky quality. These softer shades of purple resemble ethereal moths, magenta hues, and the enchanting beauty of purple roses. Adriana Lima and Rosario Dawson radiate with captivating lemon yellow attire, perfectly complementing their respective looks.

Honor the Mystery of Color


As we conclude our exploration of summer pinks, yellows, and purples, it’s important to note that this guide only scratches the surface of the diverse range of shades found within the summer palette. By understanding the vibrant energy, chroma variations, and changes in color temperature, we can better recognize and appreciate the captivating colors we encounter in our daily lives. Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we’ll embark on an autumnal adventure, delving into the rich hues that define the fall season.