Light Spring vs Light Summer: Which Colour Season Are You?
How to tell if you're a warm-leaning Spring or a cool-leaning Summer when your colouring is light and delicate.
If your colouring is light and airy, you might feel stuck between Light Spring and Light Summer. Both share low contrast and a delicate look, making them tricky to tell apart. The difference isn't how light your skin is, but how your undertone reacts to colour right next to your face.
Why undertone matters for light seasons
It's easy to assume that light features mean you're a Summer. But Light Spring is also airy and often just as pale. At Very YOU, we judge undertone by which colours create harmony with your skin rather than using vein tests. Try holding a piece of warm, golden yellow fabric against your face, then a cool, icy blue one. If the yellow makes your skin look bright and consistent while the blue makes you look a bit grey, you're likely leaning into the Light Spring palette. If the icy blue brings out clarity in your skin and the yellow feels like it's just sitting on top of your features, you're probably a Light Summer. This isn't about whether your skin is warm or cool in a vague sense; it's about how specific pigments work with your complexion.
How to tell the difference through your best colours
Light Spring is a warm, bright season. Think of early morning sunshine: warm corals, bright peach, soft lime green and warm aquamarine. These need that yellow-based warmth to pop. They're generally clear rather than muted, which gives you that fresh look. Light Summer is the cooler cousin, with a palette filled with soft blues, powdery pinks, lavender and cool greys. These feel calm rather than punchy. If a bright peach makes your skin glow, you're likely in the Spring camp. If that same peach makes you look sallow, but a dusty rose makes your eyes look clearer, you're a Light Summer.
Can you borrow between the two seasons?
Yes, and you probably already are. Because both sit at the lighter end of the spectrum, there's significant overlap in the colours you can wear. Many people find they can wear the lighter, neutral side of their neighbour's palette without issue. If you're a Light Spring, you can often borrow the softer, more muted blues from the Light Summer season page if you avoid the very cool, icy tones. If you're a Light Summer, look for the neutral-warm peaches or soft teals in the Light Spring palette. Keep the depth consistent; very dark or heavy colours will usually overwhelm your features, no matter if they're warm or cool.
Does black and white work for you?
For both, pure black is usually too heavy. It creates high contrast that masks your delicate features instead of supporting them. Charcoal or soft navy are much better neutrals. For white, Light Spring often does better with an ivory or creamy white. Light Summer usually shines in a crisp, slightly cool-toned bright white or a soft, chalky grey. If your white shirt makes you look washed out, try a slightly different shade.
Putting your season into practice
Once you have a better idea of where you sit, shopping gets easier. If you're a Light Spring, your personalised shop will help you find those warm, clear tones. If you gravitate towards the cooler, soft blues of a Light Summer, you can filter your results there instead. If you're still not sure, try our interactive quiz for a clearer picture of your season, style and body type. Colour analysis is just a tool to help you feel confident in your clothes (it isn't a list of rules).
Frequently asked questions
Does my hair colour decide my season?
It plays a part, but it's not the final word. Your natural hair colour is one factor, but your skin and eyes matter just as much. If you've dyed your hair, one season might feel more accessible, but your underlying season stays the same.
What if I have high contrast?
Light Spring and Light Summer are defined by low to medium-low contrast. If you have very dark hair and very light skin, you might belong to a more contrasting season, even if your colours are light.
Can I be a neutral season?
Most people find they lean clearly towards warm or cool once they see the colours against their face. If you find you can wear both, you might sit closer to the middle, but most of our clients find they have a definite preference.
If your colouring is light and airy, you might feel stuck between Light Spring and Light Summer. Both share low contrast and a delicate look, making them tricky to tell apart. The difference isn't how light your skin is, but how your undertone reacts to colour right next to your face.