Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 12 color seasons?
The 12 color seasons are subdivisions of the four traditional seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) used in personal color analysis. Each traditional season splits into three variants based on a dominant quality. For example, Spring becomes Light Spring, True Spring, and Bright Spring. The system was developed from the Sci/Art method, grounded in Munsell color science.
How do I find my color season?
You can find your season through a professional in-person draping session with a trained color analyst, or by using a digital analysis tool like TruHue's free quiz. The analysis examines your skin's undertone (warm or cool), depth (light to deep), contrast (low to high), and chroma (muted to clear) to place you in one of 12 seasons. If you have already had a professional analysis, you can skip the quiz and tell TruHue your season directly.
What is the difference between warm and cool seasons?
Warm seasons (Spring and Autumn) have yellow or golden undertones and look best in warm-toned colors like coral, peach, olive, and warm browns. Cool seasons (Summer and Winter) have pink or blue undertones and look best in cool-toned colors like rose, lavender, navy, and cool berries. Undertone is the single most important factor in color analysis — it carries the most weight in determining your season.
Can my color season change over time?
Your underlying undertone does not change, but depth and contrast can shift with age, sun exposure, or hair color changes. This might move you to an adjacent season within the same temperature family. A True Summer might shift toward Light Summer over time. A re-analysis every few years can be helpful if you feel your palette no longer fits.
What is the Sci/Art color analysis system?
Sci/Art is a 12-season personal color analysis system developed by Kathryn Kalisz, based on the Munsell color science framework. It refines the original 4-season system by analyzing four dimensions of color: undertone (warm vs. cool), depth (light vs. deep), chroma (muted vs. clear), and contrast (low vs. high). Each season has a unique palette that harmonizes with that person's natural coloring.
What makeup colors work for every season?
There is no single shade that works for all 12 seasons — that is the whole point. However, within your season, you have a wide range of options. The key is matching the undertone, depth, and chroma of a product to your season's palette. TruHue scores any product as YAY, OKAY, or NAY for your specific season so you know before you buy.