If you have already explored the Soft Summer Comprehensive Guide, now it's time to dig into this season's hair, accessories and make-up guide!
Considering that you are one step ahead and want to always have your best colours with you (and stop spending money on impulsive buys), make sure to check our digital and physical colour swatches. Think of this as your ultimate style companion!
Soft Summer Hair Colours
Soft Summer's hair might be dark blonde, grey or various shades of medium brown but it always has an ashy tone.
Blonde can be tricky to find a harmonious colour. Make sure you keep ashy and cool-based, and avoid anything yellow or golden. Tones of red are almost certain not to flatter you.
If you are doing all-over colour, make sure you are opting for a neutral/cool tone and try to keep your natural contrast (medium or low). It's good to mention that Soft Summers would struggle to seamlessly pull off shades that are far from their palette without overwhelming their delicate beauty.
Accessories
Metals
Because your natural colouring is neutral-cool - and because Soft Summer flows into Autumn - you can use both warm and cool options. However, silver will probably look a lot better on you.
When opting for gold, make sure to choose one that is not too orange or too dark. Rose gold also works.
Metals are best when gentle and muted – brushed, matte, satin and hammered metals are great options.
Antiqued metals can work as well as long as they are not too dark. Avoid bright and shiny metals since they will overwhelm your soft colouring.
Natural gemstones such as Pinkish Pearls, Rose quartz, Smoke Quartz and Fluorite are perfect examples that flatter your natural soft appearance.
Pearls are another great option. But look for ones with complex colouring, those in which different values are combined – from light to medium-dark. Avoid snow-white pearls.
Sunglasses
Like everything else, soft summer eyewear needs to be muted. Metals can be any of the discussed above, and even better when brushed or matte.
Darker colours work for you, but avoid black as it can be too harsh on your soft colouring - opt for grey and charcoal instead. Powdered finishes are particularly flattering.
Also avoid shiny metals, bright colours and anything reflective.
Make-up
To achieve a harmonious look, you should mimic your natural characteristics and your natural contrast with your make-up. If you want more info on soft summer's features and contrast levels, click here.
Foundation and concealer
If you are a soft summer, your primary colour aspect is the softness of your features (low chroma) and your secondary aspect is your neutral-cool undertone (hue).
There is no easy way to find your perfect foundation, it really is a matter of trial and error.
However, you should always select foundations and concealers with cool or neutral-cool undertones (pinkish look). A matte appearance is ideal for you, so products are best when they are matte, smooth and silky.
Avoid shiny and dewy finishes with warm undertones as they will clash with your naturally soft and cool complexion. If you’re new to all of this, I highly recommend you try the makeup on in-person.
Lots of brands have “W, N, NW, NC, C” on the label, which makes easier to match your undertone.
Its worth mentioning that MAC uses a different method, and it’s the opposite of other brands: A person with warm undertone would be suited well to an NC foundation whereas a person with cool undertones would be better suited to an NW foundation. A person with a beige undertone (neutral) would be perfectly suited to an N foundation.
Bronzer & Highlighter
Bronzer is supposed to bring out the warmth in the skin. Thanks to the warmer Autumn influence, Soft Summers can handle small amounts of bronzing and contouring. For contouring, choose a cool, matte colour or a powder foundation that is two shades darker than what you would normally wear.
Highlighter brings out all the shine and brightness. These are the opposite of a Soft Summer' beauty, so highlighters don’t really flatter you. Good news, you don’t need to spend money with it!
Eyeshadows
Your neutral eyeshadows are the creams, browns and greys on the colour palette. For highlight eyeshadow colours, opt for the the muted, cool pinks, plums, blues or greens from your palette.
When selecting eyeshadows, opt for a matte finish and stay away from anything shimmery or glitter.
Avoid overly dark, bright colours and also eyeshadows with a strong yellow/warm undertone.
Blushes
Soft Summer has lots of pinks on the palette, so there is a great variety of blushes to choose from.
Opt for matte finishes, they will give you a fresh-faced appearance; anything sparkly or shiny will look off on you. And make sure to blend your blusher really well.
Avoid bright and warm colours, like oranges and reds, as they will clash with your soft and cool complexion.
But again, trying these colours on in person will be an essential learning curve. Some colours to shoot for are soft mauve, dusty rose and cool plum.
Mascara and Eyeliner
True Summer Mascara and Eyliner Colours
Eyeliner and mascara are the darker shades from your palette. You wont regret investing on greys instead of black. Once you try the slightly softer colours instead of black you’ll be amazed at how much more harmonious and gentle it can be with your colouring.
As an eyeliner, you can use any colour from your palette, such as browns, greys and more colourful purple or navy colours. If you want to bring out your eyes, choose an eyeliner in a similar colour.
Lipsticks
Soft Summer lipsticks are a variety of pinks and plums. For a harmonious look, choose a matte finish.
Avoid anything glossy and sparkly - and also bright and warm colours - such as oranges and red.
The level of intensity you will be aiming for should match your contrast level. This will ensure balance and that your lip colour won’t pull focus.
This can also dependend on the purpose of the makeup; if you want to look balanced and harmonious, repeat your contrast level. If you want a dramatic effect and an impactful look, going a few shades darker will do the trick.
Nail polish shades
Embracing your palette is not just about following rules, but celebrating your unique self. If you have any questions or need help with anything—whether it's how to use your swatch or styling tips—please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always here to support you along the way!
Yours in style,
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