Deep Winter at a glance
- Also called
- Dark Winter
- Family
- Winter: cool, clear and medium to deep
- Strongest trait
- Deep
- Hue
- Cool-leaning neutral
- Value
- Deep
- Chroma
- Medium to bright
- Best neutrals
- Pure white, icy grey, charcoal and cool dark brown
- Black?
- Yes
What makes Deep Winter different
Deep Winter is defined by depth first. Its colours are rich and dark, so pastels and very light shades look washed out, while deep colours look natural and polished. As a Winter season it also shares the family traits: cool, clear and medium to deep. Put together, the best colours for a Deep Winter are true red, cranberry, deep cherry and burgundy.
Are you a Deep Winter?
Often dark brown to black hair, dark brown, black-brown or deep cool hazel eyes, and skin from fair to very deep with neutral or cool undertones. High contrast. Many women with deep skin tones are Deep Winters.
Colouring alone does not decide your season, because many people share the same hair and eye colour. What you see when colours sit next to your face matters more. You are likely a Deep Winter if most of these are true:
- Black looks striking on you, not draining.
- Pastels and earthy browns look dull.
- Jewel tones look natural on you.
- Silver and white gold flatter you; yellow gold works in small doses.
Not sure? Take the quiz, then compare this palette with your neighbours in the drape mirror.
The Deep Winter color palette
Neutrals first: these are the base of a wardrobe, for coats, trousers, knits and bags.
Then the colours, for tops, dresses, scarves and anything near your face.
Tap a colour to copy its hex code. Screens show colour differently, so treat these as a guide and compare real fabric in daylight.
Colors a Deep Winter should avoid
These fight Deep Winter colouring most. They are not banned: keep them away from your face, in trousers, skirts, shoes and bags.
Can a Deep Winter wear black?
Yes. Black is one of your best neutrals, even right next to your face.
Best metals and jewelry
Silver, white gold, platinum and gunmetal; yellow gold in small, polished pieces. Your metal is the easiest colour decision you will make, because jewellery sits right at your face. If you are choosing gold, our guide to 14k vs 18k gold explains which one to buy for every day.
Deep Winter makeup
- Lips: True red, cranberry, wine, deep berry and plum.
- Cheeks: Berry and cool rose.
- Eyes: Charcoal, black, plum, deep navy and cool brown, with black mascara.
Your season guides the colour of lipstick, blush and eyeshadow. Foundation is different: it should match your skin's depth and undertone exactly, whatever your season. See how to match your foundation shade.
Deep Winter nail colors
Nails are the easiest place to wear your palette, since they sit near your face whenever you talk with your hands.
Hair color for a Deep Winter
Black, espresso, cool dark brown, blue-black or dark cherry. Golden highlights and caramel balayage usually soften your contrast too much.
Outfits, contrast and prints
High contrast suits you: black with pure white, emerald with black. Bold, graphic prints and sharp lines.
Three outfit formulas in Deep Winter colours:
- Black coat, pure white shirt, sapphire scarf, silver earrings.
- Wine knit, charcoal trousers, black boots.
- Emerald dress, black heels, true red lipstick.
Deep Winter vs similar seasons
- Deep Winter or Deep Autumn? Deep Autumn is the warm twin. If espresso, olive and gold beat black, sapphire and silver, compare it.
- Deep Winter or True Winter? True Winter is cooler and brighter. If icy colours and fuchsia look better than wine and pine, look there.
Your Deep Winter palette card
Save the palette as an image for your camera roll, to check colours while you shop.
A 1080 by 1350 image, the size of a portrait phone post. It is drawn on your screen; nothing is uploaded.
