4, 12, and 16 Seasons in Colour Analysis
Colour analysis is all about finding your personal colour palette that best enhances your natural beauty. Wearing the right colours can make you look brighter and more refreshed, almost as if you’ve “worn” botox that lasts forever.
Over the years, personal colour analysis systems have evolved – from the initial 4 seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) to the sophisticated 16-season model that we use today at Colour Pop Studio.
4 Seasons – The Initial Breakdown
The original colour analysis system divided people into four basic groups based on whether their skin undertone is warm or cool:
Spring – Warm and light tones
Summer – Cool and muted tones
Autumn – Warm and rich tones
Winter – Cool and contrasting tones
Advantage: Simple to understand.
Disadvantage: Nearly 50% of people do not fit neatly into any of these basic "true" seasons, as they have a neutral skin undertone.
12 Seasons – Including Neutral Undertones
The 12-season model added shades within each main group and restored the relevance of personal colour analysis. For example, additional palettes are developed from Spring: Bright Spring and Light Spring. These share characteristics with the neighbouring seasons, Winter and Summer, thus taking into account people with neutral undertones. This method is considered the foundation of modern colour analysis and finding personal harmony with the help of colours.
Advantage: This analysis considers additional characteristics such as value and intensity within the same temperature group, i.e., undertone.
Disadvantage: The system still lacks enough flexibility for people who share characteristics of both warm and cool palettes, which are still equated with the main or “true” season. Clients who fall into this category are usually advised to “borrow” colours from another warm or cool palette, which makes it more difficult for them to understand their personal palette and harmony, introducing doubt about the true value of personal colour analysis.
16 Seasons — The Most Precise System
The 16-season system introduced the final innovation in personal color analysis: separate intermediate palettes that connect seasonal groups:
Warm flow ➔ individuals whose personal palette is halfway between spring and autumn (warm undertones),
Cool flow ➔ individuals whose personal palette is halfway between summer and winter (cool undertones).
This makes the system flexible enough to encompass the true characteristics of each individual, including neutral undertones, transitional tones, and subtle differences in intensity and brightness. Within the International Image Institute, a final, universal palette was introduced for individuals who share characteristics of all seasons equally.
Why do we use the 16-season system in Colour Pop Studio?
The 16-season color analysis provides clients with the most accurate possible recommendations for which colors best suit their complexion, hair, and eyes. It creates a broader spectrum of palettes, meaning everyone will find their ideal one (which may not have been available in older methods with 4 or 12 seasons). We also recognize the subtlest transitions in undertones, values, and intensity, so no one needs to "borrow" color shades from neighboring palettes.
If you want a personal palette that will serve you forever, you can book your 16-season personal analysis in Zagreb here.
Are you interested in learning more about the theory behind personal color analysis?
Carole Jackson - Color Me Beautiful (4-season)
Kathryn Kalisz - Understanding Your Colour (12-season)
Karen Brunger - The Complete Guide to Colour Analysis (16-season)
