Being a Light Summer

As a Summer palette, Light Summer has the ease and flow of water you wade in at the Florida beach or in a clear meadow stream, combined with a shot of Spring’s joyful sunshine. It’s brighter than the other two Summers, but still sun faded compared to the more saturated Bright Winter counterpart. As a cool neutral season, it has a hint of cool blue in its colors, but the pinks and reds can have warmth that True Summer does not.

Spearmint green, warm pink, the sky blue of a wide-striped spinnaker, sandy beige, soft yellow, light coral, watermelon, and medium purple are all at home here. Neutrals include taupe, bright navy, marshmallow white and a grey that’s not too blue. “Light” is an operative word in this season, so don’t weigh yourself down with dark navy, dark charcoal, or black, which can look entirely too deep and moody on a Light Summer.  Medium blue denims with some cornflower blue and not grey or brown are perfect, such as the “Rio” wash.

The luster of white pearls and opals are perfect for this season. Metals can be burnished or polished, in silver or light or rose gold. Leather in soft white, oyster beige, taupe, clear grey, and navy work well with everything.

In eye shadows and liners, cool beige, blue-grey, taupe touched with lavender, navy blue, medium purple, and warm pink can all work well and bring out different aspects of your blue or brown eye colors. Brown-black mascara is as dark as you want to go. For lips and cheeks, use clear warm pink and watermelon hues. Your light coral also makes a good red lip.