Determining your color season can help you choose the most flattering clothing, makeup, and hair color shades. Two similar seasons that are often confused are dark winter and deep winter. While they share some similar characteristics, there are key differences between these color palettes.
Introduction to Color Seasons
The concept of color seasons categorizes people into groups based on their skin tone, eye color, hair color, and how they are affected by light. The four main color seasons are:
- Winter – Cool, icy undertones
- Summer – Cool, soft undertones
- Spring – Warm, golden undertones
- Autumn – Warm, earthy undertones
Within each season there are also sub-categories that further refine the colors that look best. Dark winter and deep winter are two variations within the winter color palette.
Overview of the Winter Color Palette
Winter color seasons are characterized by cool undertones and high contrast between hair, eyes, and skin. Winters look best in cool, bold colors that play up their natural contrast. Some key characteristics of the winter palette:
- Cool-toned and icy
- High contrast between hair, skin, and eyes
- Blacks, whites, jewel tones
- Bright cool reds, pinks, blues
- Silver metals and accessories
Within the winter palette there are three sub-categories:
- Bright Winter – Very high contrast between hair, skin, and eyes. Can wear clear, icy colors very well.
- Dark Winter – Medium to high contrast. Muted cool colors are most flattering.
- Deep Winter – Low contrast between hair, skin, and eyes. Intense shades of winter colors look best.
Characteristics of Dark Winter
Dark winters have medium to high contrast between their facial features and skin. They look best in the muted, cool side of the winter color palette that isn’t too bright or icy. Some key dark winter characteristics:
- Hair is dark brown to black
- Eyes are dark brown to black
- Skin is olive to tan
- Low to moderate contrast between hair, skin, and eyes
- Muted cool colors are most flattering
Here are some examples of muted cool colors that flatter dark winters:
| Color | Dark Winter Palette |
|---|---|
| Blues | Navy, steel blue, indigo |
| Greens | Dark forest, pine green |
| Purples | Eggplant, iris |
| Reds | Dried rose, burgundy |
Dark winters look best in neutral and earth tones that have a cool base. Their high contrast can handle some muted patterns and depths. However, bright colors overwhelm their natural mutedness. Pastels also make them look washed out.
Characteristics of Deep Winter
Like other winters, deep winters have cool undertones in their skin and favor icy cool hues. However, they have less natural contrast between their hair, eye, and skin color. Deep winters look best in the deepest shades of cool colors. Key deep winter characteristics:
- Hair, eyes and skin are all cool-toned
- Low to moderate contrast between hair, eyes, and skin
- The deepest shades of cool colors are most flattering
- Bright icy shades overwhelm them
Here are some of the rich, deep cool colors that flatter deep winters:
| Color | Deep Winter Palette |
|---|---|
| Blues | Navy, royal blue, sapphire |
| Greens | Hunter, emerald, pine |
| Purples | Eggplant, amethyst |
| Reds | Burgundy, merlot, plum |
Deep winters have a mysterious, sultry quality that is enhanced by wearing these saturated cool colors. However, muted shades make them appear washed out. Bright icy colors also overwhelm their natural depth.
Comparing Dark Winter and Deep Winter
Now that we’ve looked at dark winter and deep winter color palettes individually, let’s directly compare their characteristics:
| Feature | Dark Winter | Deep Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Hair color | Dark brown to black | Dark brown to black |
| Eye color | Dark brown to black | Deep blue, violet |
| Skin undertone | Olive, tan | Cool pink, red |
| Contrast level | Medium to high contrast | Low to medium contrast |
| Best colors | Muted cool colors | Deep, saturated cool colors |
As shown in the table, dark winters and deep winters share some similarities like dark hair and cool-toned skin. However, dark winters have more natural contrast which allows them to wear more muted shades. Deep winters have lower contrast so richer, darker hues suit them best.
Color Palette Comparisons
Looking at actual color palettes is helpful to see how the dark winter and deep winter shades differ. Here are some side-by-side color boards:
Neutrals
| Dark Winter | Deep Winter |
|---|---|
|
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The dark winter neutrals include muddy grays and olive beiges while deep winters can go darker into black and charcoal.
Blues
| Dark Winter | Deep Winter |
|---|---|
|
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Deep winters wear the inky shades of blue while dark winters suit the medium blues with a muted quality.
Reds
| Dark Winter | Deep Winter |
|---|---|
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Once again, the deep shades of red flatter deep winters while dark winters suit rusty reds with more brown tones.
Style Considerations
In addition to choosing the right colors, dark winters and deep winters will also differ in what clothing, makeup, and hairstyles harmonize best with their coloring:
- Dark winter style – Textured fabrics like tweed, wool, linen suit their muted high-contrast look. Makeup should enhance eyes and lips subtly. Low highlights and glossy dark hair completes the polished dark winter style.
- Deep winter style – Rich fabrics like velvet, brocade, and satin complement their palette. Heavy eye makeup and dark lipstick highlights their sultry allure. Jet black hair adds drama and mystique.
Assessing the level of contrast is key – dark winters suit a more understated elegance while deep winters shine in high drama.
Celebrity Examples
Looking at celebrity examples illustrates how dark winter and deep winter colors look different in real life.
Dark Winter Celebrities
- Jennifer Aniston
- Cindy Crawford
- Katie Holmes
- Keira Knightley
These dark winter celebs look best in muted, neutral earth tones that aren’t too icy. Their high-contrast coloring pops against fabric textures and minimal accessories.
Deep Winter Celebrities
- Angelina Jolie
- Rachel Weisz
- Catherine Zeta Jones
- Emily Blunt
Deep winter celebrities choose saturated, dark cool colors that play up their mysterious allure. Dark lipstick, heavy eyeshadow, and inky black hair complete the deep winter look.
Tips for Determining Your Season
Wondering if you are a dark winter vs deep winter? Here are some tips:
- Look at your veins – are they blue or greenish? Blue veins indicate cool undertones.
- Do silver or gold jewelry look best? Silvers suit cool skin.
- Which makeup shades harmonize – muted plums or rich berries?
- Analyze your natural contrast level. Can you handle both muted and saturated shades?
- Drape your neckline with jewel-toned fabrics. Which intensity looks most dazzling?
Getting professionally draped and color analyzed provides the most accurate result. But paying attention to how your skin reacts to color is very telling.
In Summary
Dark winter and deep winter may sound similar but they are distinctly different color seasons. Dark winters have medium contrast between their features and shine in muted, cool-toned shades. Deep winters have lower contrast so the deepest, most saturated colors of winter flatter them best. Drapes, makeup, and styling should also align with their level of natural drama. Determining if you are a dark winter vs deep winter is simply a matter of identifying which cool-toned shades make you glow.
Conclusion
Identifying your color season is an impactful way to determine the most harmonious clothing, makeup, and hair color choices. Dark winter and deep winter are two unique winter sub-seasons with distinct characteristics. Dark winters suit muted shades while deep winters shine in very saturated hues. Assessing your contrast level and whether rich or soft colors are more flattering can help uncover if you are a dark winter or deep winter. With the right cool-toned colors that align with your natural beauty, you’ll look radiant in any season.