Light pink is a popular color that falls somewhere between white and red on the color spectrum. But there is some debate around whether true pastel pink contains white, or if it’s a pure pale pink. Let’s take a closer look at the definition of pastel colors, the history of pastel pink, and examples to help determine if light pink qualifies as a pastel shade.
What are pastel colors?
Pastels are colors that have been muted or desaturated by adding white. Technically, pastel refers to artwork done with pastel chalk or pastel pencils. But the term has come to refer to any pale, muted shade.
Here are some key characteristics of true pastel colors:
- Very low saturation or intensity of color
- High value – very light in tone
- Mix of a pure hue with white added
- Soft, muted, and delicate effect
Adding white to a pure color reduces its saturation and brightens the tone. Desaturating a color makes it less intense and more subtle on the eyes. True pastels are created by mixing a proportional amount of white with a brighter shade.
History of pastel pink
Pink first emerged as a fashionable color in the 18th century. Prior to that, pink dye was difficult and expensive to produce. The earliest pastel pink fabrics were achieved by diluting red dye.
Later, pink became associated with femininity. By the 1950s, it was a staple women’s and girls’ color – from Barbie to appliances to fashion. But early pink was still quite saturated.
The first paler pinks involved adding light tints of color rather than white. In the 19th century, pastel pink became trendy for women’s formal gowns. It reflected innocence and femininity. Pastel pink continues today as a soft, romantic, and feminine hue.
Is light pink a pastel?
Light pink sits on the border between rich pink and pastel pink. It contains more saturation than a true pastel, but less than a bold pink.
There are a few ways to qualify light pink:
- Light pink is paler and brighter than a rich pink.
- It has more saturation than a true pastel pink.
- Light pink is created by adding white to pink, not replacing pink entirely.
- It’s associated more with brightness than softness.
Light pink tends to read as more youthful, bright, and playful. Pastel pink is more delicate, soft, and romantic. Here are some examples to illustrate the difference:
Examples of light pink vs pastel pink
| Light Pink | Pastel Pink |
|---|---|
| Lighter pink roses | Blush peonies |
| Flamingo pink | Ballerina tutu pink |
| Cotton candy | Pale pink candy floss |
| Pink pearl erasers | Dusty pink chalk pastels |
Light pink retains more of that pink quality, while pastel pink is more muted with white. Other examples include:
- Baby pinks vs. ballet slipper pink
- Watermelon vs. sorbet
- Neon pink vs. blush
- Salmon vs. seashell
So in summary, while light pink contains tints of white, it’s not as thoroughly mixed as a pastel pink. The result is a brighter, more saturated pink that isn’t quite a pastel.
How light pink is produced
There are a few ways light pink is made:
- Tinting – Adding small amounts of white to pink
- Toning – Mixing pink with small amounts of gray or beige
- Diluting – Adding a touch of water to pink paint or ink
- Washing – Layering translucent pink over white
These all reduce the saturation of pink to varying degrees. But they produce a subtler effect than replacing half the pink with an equal part white to make a pastel.
Light pink percentages
If we had to quantify it, light pink usually contains:
- 75-90% rich pink
- 10-25% white
While pastel pink is closer to:
- 50% white
- 50% rich pink
So in percentages, light pink hovers around 25% white or less added to pink. Pastels approach 50% white.
Light pink RGB values
We can also look at light pink in RGB color values. RGB stands for Red Green Blue. While there are many variations, these are typical RGB values:
- Light pink: RGB(255, 182, 193)
- Pastel pink: RGB(255, 209, 220)
Light pink has higher R values corresponding to more red/pink color. Pastel pink has higher G and B values, indicative of added white.
Is light pink pastel – conclusion
While it contains tints of white, light pink is not considered a true pastel shade. It has too much saturation compared to the high value, delicacy, and muteness of actual pastel pink.
Light pink is better described as a tinted pink, diluted pink, or softened pink – not a genuine pastel. It sits between rich pink and pastel pink on the color spectrum.
So in summary, while it has some pastel qualities, the intensity and brightness of light pink disqualify it from being a true pastel shade.
More differences between light and pastel pink
If you’re still deciding between light pink and pastel pink, here are a few more key differences:
| Light Pink | Pastel Pink |
|---|---|
| Vibrant | Muted |
| Warm | Cool |
| Playful | Romantic |
| Youthful | Delicate |
And some examples of when to choose light or pastel pink:
| Light Pink | Pastel Pink |
|---|---|
| Fun clothing for girls | Bridal shower decor |
| Statement lipstick | Subtle blush |
| Frosted cake | French macarons |
| Cheerful party supplies | Baby layette |
So in summary:
- Light pink is brighter and more playful
- Pastel pink is delicate and romantic
Keep these contrasts in mind as you choose your perfect pink!
How to make light pink
Want to work with light pink in your own projects? Here are some ways to mix up this pretty shade:
Paint:
- Add a small dash of white to pink paint
- Mix with a neutral paint like beige
- Water down pink paint slightly
Frosting:
- Mix a drop of pink food coloring into whipped vanilla frosting
- Add a tablespoon of milk to pink frosting
- Swirl together white and pink frosting
Crafts:
- Layer pink tissue paper over white paper
- Combine pink and white crayons
- Mix pink craft paint with a little white
Digital:
- Adjust RGB values just slightly from pink
- Reduce saturation of pink by 25% or less
- Darken a light pink tone with a neutral color
With some experimenting, you’ll be able to mix up the perfect light pink accent!
Light pink color pairings
Light pink is versatile to pair with both light and dark colors. Here are some combinations that look great with light pink:
- White – Creates a clean, spacious look
- Black – Striking contrast
- Gold – Warm and rich
- Mint green – Fresh and fun
- Pale blue – Sweet and romantic
- Silver – Cool tone contrast
- Sage green – Earthy
- Lavender – Pretty combo
Avoid pairing light pink with pale shades like cream or beige, as they’ll just wash each other out. Deep shades like navy, plum and emerald also tend to clash.
But with the right accent colors, light pink can add a bright, lively touch!
Light pink decor ideas
Here are some ways to gracefully incorporate light pink into home decor:
Living Room:
- Pink pillows on neutral sofa
- Oushak rug with pink accents
- Blush lamp shades
- Flower arrangement with light pink blooms
Bedroom:
- Light pink and white bedding
- Sheer pink curtains
- Pink quilted headboard
- Silver and pink abstract wall art
Bathroom:
- Pink bath mats and towels
- Soap dispenser and cosmetics in light pink
- Pink candles around tub
- Rosewater hand soap and lotion
Kitchen:
- Pink glass pendant lights
- Pink kitchenaid mixer
- Light pink dishes/mugs
- Dried flowers or herbs in pink tones
Use light pink to add an uplifting, cheerful touch!
Conclusion
While it contains hints of white, light pink has too much color saturation to qualify as a genuine pastel shade. With its warmth, vibrancy, and playfulness, light pink differs from the soft, delicate quality of actual pastel pink.
But there are many beautiful ways to work with light pink in decor, design, fashion, and more. Just think bright rather than muted when planning a light pink color scheme.
So in summary – while it may have pastel-like qualities, true pastels require more white than light pink contains. Use this guide to choose the perfect pink hue for your needs!
