CLEAR WARM
If you suit gold best, but silver is ok. Orange-red, lemon yellow, bright peach, ivory, turquoise, and other warm, medium strength, bright colors make you pop. A CLEAR WARM needs more color and brightness than they appear to have naturally, and the right colors gives them a sunny and fresh look. The higher intensity CLEAR WARMS can get away with some CLEAR COOL colors because of their similar need for a bright hues, but never without makeup. Your best color will mirror your eyes, and you will receive the most compliments when wearing sunny and warm shades. Berry colors and dark, dusty, cool colors, or faded colors in general, are not for you.
Khloe Kardashian, Vanessa Williams, Beyonce, Tyra Banks, Cameron Diaz, Blake Lively, Miranda Kerr,
Ni Ni, Lauren Conrad, Mandy Moore, Leslie Mann, Marcia Cross.
Ni Ni, Lauren Conrad, Mandy Moore, Leslie Mann, Marcia Cross.
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IF YOU ARE A CLEAR WARM, YOU MAY HAVE
Eyes: Blue, turquoise, mixed blue, green, gray-green, mixed green, cold green, olive green, topaz (brownish), light hazel, soft hazel, light pale brown, or light brown eyes. Sometimes even deep brown eyes.
Hair: Light to medium golden blonde, very bright, golden and deep blonde hair, light brown, medium brown, or medium to dark golden brown, deep golden brown or even black-brown. Some may even have coppery red, strawberry blonde, or soft auburn, light and soft red hair. May have a mousy look or blonde or red highlights. (Signs of ashiness may indicate that you're a SOFT COOL instead, e.g. Jennifer Aniston, Bianca Balti and Leona Lewis).
Skin: Bronze, deep warm brown, brown-black, brown, olive, golden, golden beige, neutral beige, ivory, light ivory, ivory with warm pink or peach undertones. Light peach, porcelain. May have freckles.
Don't be too concerned with whether or not the people in the photos match your identical color combination, such as tan, hair color and eyes. The most important thing is that you have the right contrast level, and look good in the colors on the chart. If you do feel the need to identify with the CLEAR WARM "poster girls", best to google the names above without makeup, natural hair color and in daylight. Makeup, lighting, spray-tans, and photoshop can change the overall appearance a lot.
Eyes: Blue, turquoise, mixed blue, green, gray-green, mixed green, cold green, olive green, topaz (brownish), light hazel, soft hazel, light pale brown, or light brown eyes. Sometimes even deep brown eyes.
Hair: Light to medium golden blonde, very bright, golden and deep blonde hair, light brown, medium brown, or medium to dark golden brown, deep golden brown or even black-brown. Some may even have coppery red, strawberry blonde, or soft auburn, light and soft red hair. May have a mousy look or blonde or red highlights. (Signs of ashiness may indicate that you're a SOFT COOL instead, e.g. Jennifer Aniston, Bianca Balti and Leona Lewis).
Skin: Bronze, deep warm brown, brown-black, brown, olive, golden, golden beige, neutral beige, ivory, light ivory, ivory with warm pink or peach undertones. Light peach, porcelain. May have freckles.
Don't be too concerned with whether or not the people in the photos match your identical color combination, such as tan, hair color and eyes. The most important thing is that you have the right contrast level, and look good in the colors on the chart. If you do feel the need to identify with the CLEAR WARM "poster girls", best to google the names above without makeup, natural hair color and in daylight. Makeup, lighting, spray-tans, and photoshop can change the overall appearance a lot.
The stereotypical CLEAR WARM is usually a natural brunette, but could have been blonde as a child. This is the "beach blonde" that can tan easily, but the CLEAR WARM consists of many other variations than just that. You can virtually have any skin color (as long as it has a warm undertone), any hair color from blonde to black-brown, and a wide range of eye colors. CLEAR WARM, simply means that you have a brightness to you overall look, a warm undertone to your natural hair color and skin, as well as a preference for the sunny, warmer colors. Gold suits you best because it has the right glow for your warmth, but silver can look good too.
This group have a medium contrast level, and needs more brightness and color than they naturally appear to have. Your best colors are the ones that look as if they have been bathed in sunlight and mirror the color of your eyes. A CLEAR WARM is at it's best when hair color, makeup, clothing, and everything they wear looks just like that. The goal is to look bright, sunny and colorful.
It's also important to point out that a CLEAR WARM's need for contrast is different from that of the CLEAR COOL and DEEP COOL. It's not a light and dark kind contrast, but rather all about color, which is typical for the warm types.
With only a medium level of contrast, it means that the best colors for this group has to be more or less of a medium contrast level too. Basically, pure colors that have a little white added to the mix. Saturated, but not too strong, light or dark. Even the CLEAR WARM's navy blue is less deep and more colorful.
The CLEAR WARM and CLEAR COOL are sister groups, and that means that this group can look ok in pitch black and pure white too, even though ivory and warm grey would be better. The trick to borrowing colors from cusping groups, is to balance the look with the help of your own color chart. E.g. wear tomato red lips when wearing an all black outfit, or add an ivory white shirt instead of pure white to your black suit. It can also be a good idea to use makeup to crank up your contrast level, just to hide the fact that a color is actually too strong, too cool and so on.
The tolerance for other colors will usually be defined by the CLEAR WARMs own glow. A bright look and a fresh skin tone is crucial for this group to look it's best. A CLEAR WARM with a tan skin and bright warm hair, can get away with a lot more than one with a pasty winter skin and a neutral hair color. It's a little bit like with the body types, you can't break more than one rule at a time.
Bright and golden hair is usually the best look for a CLEAR WARM, but which exact hair color would look the best can vary a little from one CLEAR WARM to another, depending on the sub-group. All three CLEAR WARM sub-groups have a different take on contrast, because they are flowing in very different directions ("the bright" is flowing towards the CLEAR COOL, "the soft" is flowing towards the MUTED/SOFT WARM, and "the true" towards the LIGHT WARM). For example, since the CLEAR WARM soft is flowing into an autumn type (An autumn doesn't suit blonde hair) a faded look such as light hair, can look a little dull on them. A little "contrast" around the face would be much better (e.g a warm brown, strawberry shade, or copper). In general, an ombre, bronde, or highlights, as long as it's in a bright or warm shade, are considered pretty safe for this type. Choose between, bright copper, strawberry blonde, strawberry brown, hazelnut, chocolate, caramel, golden brown, dark golden blonde, golden blonde and so on - The most important thing is to make sure that the balance between you eye, skin, and hair color gives you the warmth, depth or brightness level that your particular sub-group needs.
WORST COLORS ARE Dusty cool, berry colors or dusty dark colors.
The only dark or dirty colors you can get away with are those that are warm and still has a colorful brightness to them.
Black and platinum blonde, or cold shades in general, are not hair colors for your sunny look.
Remember that your biggest no colors are the ones that will clash with either your eye, skin or hair color, no matter if everything else tells you it should be great.
This group have a medium contrast level, and needs more brightness and color than they naturally appear to have. Your best colors are the ones that look as if they have been bathed in sunlight and mirror the color of your eyes. A CLEAR WARM is at it's best when hair color, makeup, clothing, and everything they wear looks just like that. The goal is to look bright, sunny and colorful.
It's also important to point out that a CLEAR WARM's need for contrast is different from that of the CLEAR COOL and DEEP COOL. It's not a light and dark kind contrast, but rather all about color, which is typical for the warm types.
With only a medium level of contrast, it means that the best colors for this group has to be more or less of a medium contrast level too. Basically, pure colors that have a little white added to the mix. Saturated, but not too strong, light or dark. Even the CLEAR WARM's navy blue is less deep and more colorful.
The CLEAR WARM and CLEAR COOL are sister groups, and that means that this group can look ok in pitch black and pure white too, even though ivory and warm grey would be better. The trick to borrowing colors from cusping groups, is to balance the look with the help of your own color chart. E.g. wear tomato red lips when wearing an all black outfit, or add an ivory white shirt instead of pure white to your black suit. It can also be a good idea to use makeup to crank up your contrast level, just to hide the fact that a color is actually too strong, too cool and so on.
The tolerance for other colors will usually be defined by the CLEAR WARMs own glow. A bright look and a fresh skin tone is crucial for this group to look it's best. A CLEAR WARM with a tan skin and bright warm hair, can get away with a lot more than one with a pasty winter skin and a neutral hair color. It's a little bit like with the body types, you can't break more than one rule at a time.
Bright and golden hair is usually the best look for a CLEAR WARM, but which exact hair color would look the best can vary a little from one CLEAR WARM to another, depending on the sub-group. All three CLEAR WARM sub-groups have a different take on contrast, because they are flowing in very different directions ("the bright" is flowing towards the CLEAR COOL, "the soft" is flowing towards the MUTED/SOFT WARM, and "the true" towards the LIGHT WARM). For example, since the CLEAR WARM soft is flowing into an autumn type (An autumn doesn't suit blonde hair) a faded look such as light hair, can look a little dull on them. A little "contrast" around the face would be much better (e.g a warm brown, strawberry shade, or copper). In general, an ombre, bronde, or highlights, as long as it's in a bright or warm shade, are considered pretty safe for this type. Choose between, bright copper, strawberry blonde, strawberry brown, hazelnut, chocolate, caramel, golden brown, dark golden blonde, golden blonde and so on - The most important thing is to make sure that the balance between you eye, skin, and hair color gives you the warmth, depth or brightness level that your particular sub-group needs.
WORST COLORS ARE Dusty cool, berry colors or dusty dark colors.
The only dark or dirty colors you can get away with are those that are warm and still has a colorful brightness to them.
Black and platinum blonde, or cold shades in general, are not hair colors for your sunny look.
Remember that your biggest no colors are the ones that will clash with either your eye, skin or hair color, no matter if everything else tells you it should be great.
Now that you know which "season" you belong to, and what type of colors that suits your warm intensity, you might feel that you can pull of some colors that aren't on the CLEAR WARM chart. This might mean you have a "soft" or "bright" tendency, and that you look your absolute best in one type of the CLEAR WARM colors, such as the softer and warmer, or the brighter. It can also mean that you are flowing into a different group, such as CLEAR COOL, MUTED WARM of SOFT WARM, but if you borrow colors outside of your group, never go too soft and muted, or all cool, bold and bright. You can still run the risk of looking faded and dull, because you are above all a CLEAR WARM, and need hues that reflect that. These colors are based on your natural coloring, and might vary a little from one CLEAR WARM to another, but that's what the "add on" is for.
Basing you type on looks alone might not be the safest way to find your sub-group. For example, I have an ambiguous look, and so I couldn't find anyone that looked like me until I found "Dominique Reighard" (ANTM) (only my eyes are lighter with more blue in them). It might be difficult to find someone with your exact color combination, and at first I thought I was closer to Miranda Kerr or Vanessa William because of the allover color similarities. My contrast level still seemed a little softer and warmer, and even though I do pop in bright colors, the slightly softer CLEAR WARM shades still complement me more if I'm not wearing any makeup. I get compliments in both earthy and sunny, bright colors, but not all earthy colors work for me. So, that was a good indicator that I am a CLEAR WARM with a hint on MUTED WARM, a CLEAR WARM soft. If you can't quite decide, try out the group you lean towards the most. The fact that golden yellow and tomato red was a little bit better on me than lemon yellow and bright warm red, was my tiebreaker.
All the sub-groups look good in the same colors, they just have a different set of "best colors", a different approach to combining colors and prints, and are cusping towards different sister groups.
The best way of finding your sub-group, is to figure out which ones are your "best colors", and if they are the lightest, brightest or warmest.
For example, you can be a
CLEAR WARM true, or should I say simply clear and warm, and the closest to LIGHT WARM (Cameron Diaz and Blake Lively). This type usually has blue eyes of some variation, but can have hazel (or something similar). Their skin tone is most likely a type of beige or ivory, that has a peach or warm pink undertone. They're naturally somewhat light skinned, but tan well (But don't get too focused on the skin tone. The most important thing is that you have a warm undertone, and can get a good tan). They are often natural brunettes or dark blondes, and was probably blonde as a child. Because of this (and their LIGHT WARM sister group), they usually look their best with bright golden blonde hair, but can also look great with dark golden blonde, light brown, strawberry blond, or copper hair colors too. Blonde is definitely the most natural look for a CLEAR WARM true, and will make them look like sunshine. Highlights and ombre is also a really good look. Just remember that platinum or white blonde is too light, and more of a LIGHT thing. Also, Icy cool blonde, is better left for the LIGHT COOL types.
This sub-group is the closest to the LIGHT WARM, and can easily borrow colors from that group. Their "best colors" are the lightest, sunniest and freshest on the CLEAR WARM chart, such as lemon yellow, aqua blue and warm pink.
If you are a CLEAR WARM true, the typical spring look should work more or less perfectly for you.
CLEAR WARM bright, a.k.a "The Spring with a hint of Winter" (Beyonce, Khloe Kardashian, Ni Ni and Miranda Kerr). This group may have a medium intensity level, but is probably leaning more towards the medium high, as they usually have some very bright features. Adding even more bright colors can make them pop, and muddy colors are the only thing that can mute their fiery look. This type is usually their best when hair color, makeup, clothing, and everything they wear look warm, sunny and bright. The brighter the colors, the brighter the CLEAR WARM bright will shine too (but remember to use the right kind of bright colors). The bright can come in many variations, and can sometimes look like they are a CLEAR COOL, DEEP COOL, MUTED WARM or DEEP WARM, instead of a CLEAR WARM in disguise. What gives them away, is that they look their best i CLEAR WARM colors. Milla Jovovich, NiNi, Beyonce and Tyra Banks are excellent examples of this eye trickery.
An important thing to understand about this type and their sister group, is that a CLEAR COOL has a very high contrast level, and a CLEAR WARM only has a medium one. Their bright colors need to match their own level of intensity, and the CLEAR WARM needs a contrast of color, not of light and darkness. Pitch black and pure white can still work well on them, but ivory and warm grey would be better. Also, always combine an all black outfit with some bright colors.
Because of the CLEAR WARM bright's unique take on contrast, it can vary a little which hair color suits them best, depending on skin tone and eye color. They will pop the most with bright blonde to warm brown hair, and the copper shades look the most natural on the lighter CLEAR WARM bright's, but not necessarily.
This sub-groups biggest enemies are wishy washy colors that are too pale and wash them out.
If you are a bright, then crank up your intensity with the brightest colors on the CLEAR WARM chart, and remember that for this sub-group it's not so much about what you can't do, but more about what you can do - Like taking advantage of your "sub-features" to get away with even more colors.
CLEAR WARM soft, a.k.a "The Spring with a hint of Autumn" (Leslie Mann, Mandy More, Lauren Conrad and Marcia Cross). The CLEAR WARM soft is the warmest of the CLEAR WARM sub-groups, and the reason for that is that this type is flowing into MUTED WARM or SOFT WARM, depending on your color combination.
This sub-group usually has hazel or green eyes, sometimes cold green or almost blue. Their natural hair color is usually neutral to golden brown, but can also be dark blonde, ginger or strawberry blonde (but, most likely as a child). The skin is usually olive, golden, warm beige, ivory, or has a peach or warm pink undertone (anything warm really), and it's this combination of warm features that aren't quite warm and muted enough to be an earth-toned type or clear enough to be a typical spring, that defines the "soft". Many identifying with this type have probably never really found a perfect match in classic color systems, although spring was probably their closest fit. The CLEAR WARM soft is often confused for the SOFT WARM or SOFT COOL (summer-autumn mix), as they have some similarities. But for the SOFT WARM, the dominating feature is autumn with a hint of summer, and the other way around for the SOFT COOL. For the CLEAR WARM soft, the dominating feature is spring, but as I've mentioned before, with a dab of autumn. Because of this mix, the CLEAR WARM soft look their best in the softest or warmest colors on the CLEAR WARM chart. The CLEAR WARM soft, should always try to add more color and warmth to their look, and be careful not to drain their naturally fresh glow by going too earthy or too bold. Colors that are too soft, cool or light will make you look dull, and too saturated colors will overpower you. For the best CLEAR WARM soft look, combine your brights with the golden's and softs. Another note on using earth-tones, for example army green. Always pick the fully saturated army green and not the faded khaki kind, as you are not an actual MUTED WARM, just a sister group. So, even though you can borrow colors from the autumn groups, you can only really pull of the ones most similar to the freshness of the colors on your own chart.
All hair color other than the natural neutral look, has to be in a warm shade. Adding more color to the hair and turn up the heat and brightness on your look, can help you look even more fresh faced (especially if you have some neutral colored features). Think warm and fresh hair colors, not muddy and muted, and definitely not anything mousy or ashy. Colors that are too light or too dark, or red with cold undertones are especially harsh and draining for this type. Just, never go colder than a neutral. The little hint of autumn tones in the CLEAR WARM soft, still has an impact. A pure autumn can't have black or blonde hair, so for this sub-group it means that blonde hair can be a little more complicated than for the rest of the CLEAR WARM's (who usually look like blonde bombshells when they go light). Let's call it a "blonde sensitivity", and to make it easier, I will divide this sub-group into two sub-sub-groups - The CLEAR WARM soft deep (flowing into MUTED WARM clear or SOFT WARM deep) and the CLEAR WARM soft light (flowing into LIGHT WARM soft or SOFT WARM light). The degree to the "blonde sensitivity" will vary from one person to another, but in general, the lighter skin types can handle a much lighter shade of blonde than the deeper CLEAR WARM soft's. For lighter skin tones, I would recommend strawberry blonde, a really warm golden blonde, a dark golden blonde, or even a bright copper tone. Darker skin types, such as olive skin and similar, can become a little "grey" when they loose tan, so they will most likely need to be on the tan side to look fresh with blonde hair. Also, a golden or caramel ombre or highlights, is usually a lot more natural looking on their darker features than an all over blonde. Chocolate, caramel, golden brown, strawberry brown, and so on, is usually their safest look.
In short, deep, light, "blonde sensitive" or not, the only thing that matters is what looks good on you. The rules are only there to guide you. Lauren Conrad may have a tan skin and brown hair, but she can still look great as a blonde.
Basing you type on looks alone might not be the safest way to find your sub-group. For example, I have an ambiguous look, and so I couldn't find anyone that looked like me until I found "Dominique Reighard" (ANTM) (only my eyes are lighter with more blue in them). It might be difficult to find someone with your exact color combination, and at first I thought I was closer to Miranda Kerr or Vanessa William because of the allover color similarities. My contrast level still seemed a little softer and warmer, and even though I do pop in bright colors, the slightly softer CLEAR WARM shades still complement me more if I'm not wearing any makeup. I get compliments in both earthy and sunny, bright colors, but not all earthy colors work for me. So, that was a good indicator that I am a CLEAR WARM with a hint on MUTED WARM, a CLEAR WARM soft. If you can't quite decide, try out the group you lean towards the most. The fact that golden yellow and tomato red was a little bit better on me than lemon yellow and bright warm red, was my tiebreaker.
All the sub-groups look good in the same colors, they just have a different set of "best colors", a different approach to combining colors and prints, and are cusping towards different sister groups.
The best way of finding your sub-group, is to figure out which ones are your "best colors", and if they are the lightest, brightest or warmest.
For example, you can be a
CLEAR WARM true, or should I say simply clear and warm, and the closest to LIGHT WARM (Cameron Diaz and Blake Lively). This type usually has blue eyes of some variation, but can have hazel (or something similar). Their skin tone is most likely a type of beige or ivory, that has a peach or warm pink undertone. They're naturally somewhat light skinned, but tan well (But don't get too focused on the skin tone. The most important thing is that you have a warm undertone, and can get a good tan). They are often natural brunettes or dark blondes, and was probably blonde as a child. Because of this (and their LIGHT WARM sister group), they usually look their best with bright golden blonde hair, but can also look great with dark golden blonde, light brown, strawberry blond, or copper hair colors too. Blonde is definitely the most natural look for a CLEAR WARM true, and will make them look like sunshine. Highlights and ombre is also a really good look. Just remember that platinum or white blonde is too light, and more of a LIGHT thing. Also, Icy cool blonde, is better left for the LIGHT COOL types.
This sub-group is the closest to the LIGHT WARM, and can easily borrow colors from that group. Their "best colors" are the lightest, sunniest and freshest on the CLEAR WARM chart, such as lemon yellow, aqua blue and warm pink.
If you are a CLEAR WARM true, the typical spring look should work more or less perfectly for you.
CLEAR WARM bright, a.k.a "The Spring with a hint of Winter" (Beyonce, Khloe Kardashian, Ni Ni and Miranda Kerr). This group may have a medium intensity level, but is probably leaning more towards the medium high, as they usually have some very bright features. Adding even more bright colors can make them pop, and muddy colors are the only thing that can mute their fiery look. This type is usually their best when hair color, makeup, clothing, and everything they wear look warm, sunny and bright. The brighter the colors, the brighter the CLEAR WARM bright will shine too (but remember to use the right kind of bright colors). The bright can come in many variations, and can sometimes look like they are a CLEAR COOL, DEEP COOL, MUTED WARM or DEEP WARM, instead of a CLEAR WARM in disguise. What gives them away, is that they look their best i CLEAR WARM colors. Milla Jovovich, NiNi, Beyonce and Tyra Banks are excellent examples of this eye trickery.
An important thing to understand about this type and their sister group, is that a CLEAR COOL has a very high contrast level, and a CLEAR WARM only has a medium one. Their bright colors need to match their own level of intensity, and the CLEAR WARM needs a contrast of color, not of light and darkness. Pitch black and pure white can still work well on them, but ivory and warm grey would be better. Also, always combine an all black outfit with some bright colors.
Because of the CLEAR WARM bright's unique take on contrast, it can vary a little which hair color suits them best, depending on skin tone and eye color. They will pop the most with bright blonde to warm brown hair, and the copper shades look the most natural on the lighter CLEAR WARM bright's, but not necessarily.
This sub-groups biggest enemies are wishy washy colors that are too pale and wash them out.
If you are a bright, then crank up your intensity with the brightest colors on the CLEAR WARM chart, and remember that for this sub-group it's not so much about what you can't do, but more about what you can do - Like taking advantage of your "sub-features" to get away with even more colors.
CLEAR WARM soft, a.k.a "The Spring with a hint of Autumn" (Leslie Mann, Mandy More, Lauren Conrad and Marcia Cross). The CLEAR WARM soft is the warmest of the CLEAR WARM sub-groups, and the reason for that is that this type is flowing into MUTED WARM or SOFT WARM, depending on your color combination.
This sub-group usually has hazel or green eyes, sometimes cold green or almost blue. Their natural hair color is usually neutral to golden brown, but can also be dark blonde, ginger or strawberry blonde (but, most likely as a child). The skin is usually olive, golden, warm beige, ivory, or has a peach or warm pink undertone (anything warm really), and it's this combination of warm features that aren't quite warm and muted enough to be an earth-toned type or clear enough to be a typical spring, that defines the "soft". Many identifying with this type have probably never really found a perfect match in classic color systems, although spring was probably their closest fit. The CLEAR WARM soft is often confused for the SOFT WARM or SOFT COOL (summer-autumn mix), as they have some similarities. But for the SOFT WARM, the dominating feature is autumn with a hint of summer, and the other way around for the SOFT COOL. For the CLEAR WARM soft, the dominating feature is spring, but as I've mentioned before, with a dab of autumn. Because of this mix, the CLEAR WARM soft look their best in the softest or warmest colors on the CLEAR WARM chart. The CLEAR WARM soft, should always try to add more color and warmth to their look, and be careful not to drain their naturally fresh glow by going too earthy or too bold. Colors that are too soft, cool or light will make you look dull, and too saturated colors will overpower you. For the best CLEAR WARM soft look, combine your brights with the golden's and softs. Another note on using earth-tones, for example army green. Always pick the fully saturated army green and not the faded khaki kind, as you are not an actual MUTED WARM, just a sister group. So, even though you can borrow colors from the autumn groups, you can only really pull of the ones most similar to the freshness of the colors on your own chart.
All hair color other than the natural neutral look, has to be in a warm shade. Adding more color to the hair and turn up the heat and brightness on your look, can help you look even more fresh faced (especially if you have some neutral colored features). Think warm and fresh hair colors, not muddy and muted, and definitely not anything mousy or ashy. Colors that are too light or too dark, or red with cold undertones are especially harsh and draining for this type. Just, never go colder than a neutral. The little hint of autumn tones in the CLEAR WARM soft, still has an impact. A pure autumn can't have black or blonde hair, so for this sub-group it means that blonde hair can be a little more complicated than for the rest of the CLEAR WARM's (who usually look like blonde bombshells when they go light). Let's call it a "blonde sensitivity", and to make it easier, I will divide this sub-group into two sub-sub-groups - The CLEAR WARM soft deep (flowing into MUTED WARM clear or SOFT WARM deep) and the CLEAR WARM soft light (flowing into LIGHT WARM soft or SOFT WARM light). The degree to the "blonde sensitivity" will vary from one person to another, but in general, the lighter skin types can handle a much lighter shade of blonde than the deeper CLEAR WARM soft's. For lighter skin tones, I would recommend strawberry blonde, a really warm golden blonde, a dark golden blonde, or even a bright copper tone. Darker skin types, such as olive skin and similar, can become a little "grey" when they loose tan, so they will most likely need to be on the tan side to look fresh with blonde hair. Also, a golden or caramel ombre or highlights, is usually a lot more natural looking on their darker features than an all over blonde. Chocolate, caramel, golden brown, strawberry brown, and so on, is usually their safest look.
In short, deep, light, "blonde sensitive" or not, the only thing that matters is what looks good on you. The rules are only there to guide you. Lauren Conrad may have a tan skin and brown hair, but she can still look great as a blonde.
CLEAR WARM VARIATIONS
  CLEAR WARM soft (Leslie Mann)  The CLEAR WARM soft is flowing into MUTED WARM/SOFT WARM, and looks their best in the warmest and softest colors on the chart. So, bright warm hair colors are extra important and mousy colors are an extra big no. Strawberry blonde, golden blonde, strawberry brown, copper, and warm and golden shades of brown are great colors on this sub-group. This type usually has naturally red-ish, dark blonde, or warm brown hair - So, if they color their hair they should try to go warmer or more golden. Leslie Mann is a lighter CLEAR WARM soft (borderline LIGHT WARM soft), so golden blonde and strawberry blonde hair is an amazing look on her.      For the MUTED WARM/SOFT WARM cusping sub-group, CLEAR WARM soft, there is three levels of right and wrong (below). 1. They look amazing in the warmest or softest of the CLEAR WARM colors, such as warm pink, bright peach, golden yellow, tomato red, warm violet, minty green, most of the green shades, and so on. 2. Since they have a little bit of autumn in them, earthy hues can work. Just make sure they are saturated earthy tones, not too muddy or faded. Also, maybe brighten it up with a bright lipstick for example, as you can risk looking a little dull in very muted shades. 3. Finally, the too bold and cold colors such as fuchsia or other blueish-pinks and reds, is a big NO along with icy hues, berry colors and powdery cool shades. Colors that are too bold will wash you out, and those that are too cool or dull will make you look blend.     CLEAR WARM soft (Lauren Conrad)        Lauren Conrad, is often mistaken for a SOFT WARM because of her green eyes, warm skin and light brown/dark blonde hair. In reality, she looks her best in CLEAR WARM colors, and you can tell by the way they make her shine like the sun. A real SOFT WARM, wouldn't look this good in yellow.   The secondary colors (above) for a CLEAR WARM soft, is their borderline earthy colors. It can look really natural on them, but brighter colors are still their best look. Below, you can see that deep and dark colors with blue undertones, draw the color from the usually fresh faced CLEAR WARM soft.   CLEAR WARM soft (Mandy Moore)        Good hair colors for the CLEAR WARM soft, are colors that look bathed in sunshine. Warm, fresh, not too light and not too dark, and definitely not cold. Golden blonde, strawberry blonde, strawberry brown, chocolate browns, caramel, hazel and golden browns are the best looks.   Dark hair can look natural(ish) on a deeper CLEAR WARM soft, but it won't do their skin tone any favours. Just, at least try to stay away from cold hues. That includes cold shades of red.           Warm, medium saturated colors give the CLEAR WARM soft a warm glow (above). Colors with a blue undertone, makes a CLEAR WARM soft, dull. (below).    Some earthy colors actually work quite well on the soft, but it's not as fresh as the brighter CLEAR WARM colors. But, as you can see below, a more saturated earth tone will look the best.    Mandy Moore, is one of the CLEAR WARM soft types that are borderline MUTED WARM/SOFT WARM. The reason why she ended in the CLEAR WARM group, is because she looks great in the CLEAR WARM colors, and many of those are too bright for a SOFT WARM. Also, she's not quite warm and muted enough for a MUTED WARM, and blonde hair works to well on her for a purely earthy type. Also, many of the SOFT WARM and MUTED WARM colors aren't "all that" on her either. The conclusion is, that she is a CLEAR WARM soft, flowing into (and borderline) SOFT WARM deep.  CLEAR WARM soft (Dominique Reighard)            Some warm skin tones gets a little dull when it goes pale (especially those with a green undertone. Personally, I end up looking grey-yellow-green-beige. I don't really get pale, I just go dull, and it makes me more sensitive to certain colors). If the deeper CLEAR WARM soft become pale in a greyish way, blonde hair can make them look a little faded (probably due to autumn influences). A good rule for this sub-group, is to make sure you have the skin tone for blonde hair, before you color. The CLEAR WARM might be a blonde bombshell group, but some soft's cant' handle it. The safer way to go light for the blonde sensitive is (to have a tan) to go for a golden to caramel ombre, highlights, or strawberry blonde. Other than that, a light brown to medium brown, caramel brown, chocolate or strawberry brown will be safer.    CLEAR WARM soft (Marcia Cross)      CLEAR WARM colors (above) look great on the CLEAR WARM soft, and the more earthy, muddy, deep MUTED WARM colors (below), look too harsh or wishy washy (although, some aren't that bad). Too dirty or too bold colors does not to the usually fiery and fresh faced Marcia Cross, any favors.     |   CLEAR WARM true (Cameron Diaz)    This type is usually a natural brunette or dark blonde, and was probably blonde as a child. This is the type of blonde that was a warm undertone and can tan easily. They usually look their best with golden blonde hair, but can look great with strawberry blonde/brown shades too (as long as it has the right depth). Really deep and dark hair (even though it has a warm undertone) is a little harsh on this sub-group, flowing into LIGHT WARM. The eyes might pop with dark hair, but it doesn't look as fresh as light hair.    CLEAR WARM true (Jaime King)        As you can see, the CLEAR WARM true are natural brunettes/dark blondes (above). Brown hair or coppery red hair can be quite flattering, but for the CLEAR WARM true, a golden warm blonde is the freshest look of all. Platinum blonde towards cool shades, is too harsh, ashy, and makes the warm skin tone look slightly orange. It's a little too light for their features, and more of a "LIGHT" thing.        CLEAR WARM true (Blake Lively)   Brown hair looks natural, but warm beach blonde looks far better. Ashy and cool hues of brown are especially muting, and can make the sunny CLEAR WARM true, appear mousy and dull.       There is a right (above) and a wrong (below) way of using warm colors for an autumn-like look. Warm is good, dusty is bad.     The CLEAR WARM true, is flowing into it's cusping group, the LIGHT WARM. Because of this they can pull of some lighter shades as well. But the colors still have to be warm, or combined with warm colors. Too cold hues will drain their natural colors.    Miley Cyrus (CLEAR WARM true)           As you can tell from the images above, yellow and green in the right CLEAR WARM shade looks super fresh on this typical spring type. But, if you like an edgy and dark look as well, the solution lies in picking the right hair color and makeup. A CLEAR WARM true with a bright hair color and a fresh lip, can get away with some colors that aren't perfect, such as black. Black is an ok, but not a wow color for this sub- group.   The big no-nos for this type, are shades that are too cold, such as this berry pink above. Berry colors and other dusty cool shades are some of the worst colors for a CLEAR WARM true. Also, really dark and cold colors are not doing you any favors.    Platinum blonde hair is so incredibly light that it will look unnatural on a CLEAR WARM true. At best, the warm skin will appear a bit little orange. A too cool shade of blue hair, paired with a black top will juts drain color from you face. Even with full makeup, Miley Cyrus look's a little dull with this look. Also, really dark hair in a cool shade paired with icy colors, look's kind of fake and harsh on a CLEAR WARM true. Great for bringing out blue eyes, but bad for the skin color. Pretty people can look nice in almost everything, but there is a difference between looking ok and looking stunning. That is why choosing the right colors are so important. Try to stay away from really dark, cool and ashy colors, as well as platinum blonde and white hair, because it can make your skin look irritated, pale, dull, or at best orange.  Suzanne Somers (CLEAR WARM true)      Cat Deeley (CLEAR WARM true)     From bright, warm and golden hair colors, to their usually natural medium brown to dark blonde hair. It all looks great and natural, but if you want to look like a bombshell, blonde is always the most striking look for this sub-group.         Warm and saturated colors in a medium intensity is clearly a good fit for the CLEAR WARM true.  A light blue such as this, is actually more of a LIGHT kind of color, and a little too cool. But when you look fresh and tanned, it's still colorful and fresh enough for the CLEAR WARM true (because they are flowing into the LIGHT WARM, who is flowing into the LIGTH COOL). There are many levels of right and wrong, and sometimes you can get away with it But as you can tell from the pictures below, too dark and deep or too faded and muddy, are just not for this type.     |   CLEAR WARM bright (Miranda Kerr)          The bright looks their best when you add even more bright colors to their look, and is usually their best when hair color, makeup, clothing, and everything they wear is warm and fresh. When wearing bright colors, the CLEAR WARM bright, will shine bright too. Just as the CLEAR COOL bright, they need brightness, but instead of bright cool colors, they need warm bright colors. It's more a contrast of color, rather than one of light and darkness. The CLEAR COOL bright is their sister group, so they can get away with borrowing some colors from that pallet without looking bad. But, some help from makeup to keep the look fresh is probably not a bad idea. (below)      As you can see (Miranda Kerr, above), some CLEAR COOL colors can look just fine on a CLEAR WARM bright, but colors that doesn't belong to their cusping sister-group can be a lot more difficult. An example, is this LIGTH/SOFT kind of dusty pink (below). It looks dull and the skin color clashes with the tone. So, it seems as the worst enemy for the CLEAR WARM bright, is the dirty colors (The way cool and dusty berry colors are the worst for the CLEAR WARM soft, and the bold and fully saturated cool colors for the CLEAR WARM true).  Wishy washy colors that are too pale, too dirty, or too dark and harsh, can fade even the CLEAR WARM bright. But a CLEAR WARM bright with the right hair color and makeup can get away with more. Pitch black and pure white is more of a CLEAR COOL look, and ivory and warm grey would be better. But as long as they combine the look with the right colors, it can look super fresh. Also, a sharp winged eye liner look can be a good tool to crank up your contrast level, so your face doesn't fade away.  CLEAR WARM bright (Milla Jovovich)        A bright can handle a lot of different hair colors. The safest bet is still to keep from going too dark, too cool, blueish red, or anything mousy.       It's difficult to suppress the naturally striking colors of a CLEAR WARM bright. Often, they don't even look washed-out in the wrong colors. Rather, you get the feeling that they're capable of so much more. The trick to keep a bright looking amazing, is to find colors that can match their own natural brightness and intensity, and not drag their overall look down.        Milla Jovovich, has a few too many cold colored fashion monents. It's almost like she thinks she's a CLEAR COOL or PURE COOL. In reality, those colors do absolutely nothing for her, but cover up her natural beauty and striking bright look.  CLEAR WARM bright (Khloe Kardashian)       Both blonde, medium, strawberry brown, and dark hair suits the CLEAR WARM bright. Just make sure the color is warm, or at least neutral, and not too cool.            When it comes to colors, a bright can handle a lot. But as you can see above, the right colors are still a lot fresher that the slightly wrong ones (below). Black and red together is too harsh and the orange is too pure and bold.    CLEAR WARM bright (Vanessa Williams)             Vanessa Williams is pretty much incapable of looking bad, but cooler shades do wash her out a little bit (below). When her hair, makeup and clothes are in the right warm and clear colors, she looks beyond amazing (above). The CLEAR WARM with a deeper skin tone have a real advantage when it comes to colors, because a CLEAR WARM will always shine their brightest with a tan (The downside is that it's hard to get that Wednesday Addams look. Believe me, I've tried. And light foundation didn't make me pale in a good way, it was just not my look).      Your style is about taste, but colors and shape is a science. So, the color you choose on you hair and clothing, can alter your appearance in a good way or for the worse. |   CLEAR WARM bright (Beyonce)  Without makeup, you can tell that Beyonce indeed has a medium contrast level.        Beyonce's natural hair color is deep black-brown, but as all of the CLEAR WARM's, she pops even more with brighter hair. Beyonce knows her colors (or have amazing stylists), so I can't find a "wrong" hair color photo. Instead, enjoy how she keeps doing it right, from golden brown, to copper, to caramel, to golden blonde. She has found the perfect balance between soft and warm, and golden and bright.  A CLEAR WARM bright is the only group that doesn't have black as a "good color", that can actually look really good in it anyway. With muted makeup, it might make you look a bit flat (above), so the trick is to wear it "the right way". Add ivory to brighten the outfit, or ad a pop of color such as bright red lips (below). Having the right hair color for your type also helps a lot.     The absolutely best look for the CLEAR WARM bright, is bright colors. Prints, patterns, color blocking, monochromatic outfits, or added as accessories. The CLEAR WARM bright can handle it all. Just use the right colors.          Some CLEAR WARM colors aren't that far away from earth tones, but the difference between a CLEAR WARM kind of forest green (above), and the deeper and more muted type of green, is that a CLEAR WARM color has more saturation, more light, and a lot less grey. The CLEAR needs clear colors, and muted or deep looks a little wishy washy or dull on them (below)      Colors with a blue undertone such as these two cold hues above (bluish white and carnation pink), looks a little fake and flat on the usually glowing Beyonce. She still looks pretty, as the hair and makeup is right, but you can tell that the glow is just a little less striking than usual.  CLEAR WARM bright (Ni Ni) She might have a high contrast level, deep eyes and fair skin, but she still looks her best in CLEAR WARM colors.       Below, you can see Ni Ni in the more expected DEEP COOL and CLEAR COOL colors, and you can tell that cool, icy colors are too much for her more (surprisingly) subtle intensity. The deep and intense cold colors aren't bad, but the warm are better. This is a very good example that stereo typing just wont do when it comes to color typing, and that some types are so borderline, it's more of a hair thin difference that push you into one group over another.        What separates the CLEAR WARM bright, from it's sister group THE CLEAR COOL bright, is the COOL and bright's ability to look absolutely smashing in black, as well as royal blue, fuchsia and icy hues. Also, the COOL and bright can handle the most insane contrast's and color combinations without a problem. As a matter of fact, black and white is not really wild enough for that sub-group, so black and yellow is even better. The CLEAR WARM bright, on the other hand, is not that bold and needs more of a fresh and sunny bright, rather than a fully saturated kind of bright. If you have a hard time deciding, and look good in both CLEAR WARM and CLEAR COOL colors, then try both. A WARM will look better in yellow, warm red, orange, true warm green, medium warm pink, ivory and golden brown, and a COOL will look better in black and pure white, royal blue, cold red, jewel tones, icy hues, and blue undertones in general. It might not look really bad, but one will be better that the other, and help determine if you are dominantly warm or cold. Also, seeing the colors next to each other can help determine which one is slightly better.  CLEAR WARM bright (Tyra Banks)         Tyra Banks looks amazing in all the CLEAR WARM colors. Being a perfect CLEAR WARM bright, she gets away with many colors from the CLEAR WARM sister group, the CLEAR COOL, as well. As you can see below, she is very much a CLEAR WARM spring type, and not a winter, summer or autumn type. The cool hues appear to wash her out a little, and the earthy tones are just not as striking on her as the warm and fresher tones. But, as I've mentioned before, most colors look ok on a CLEAR WARM bright. The only truly terrible color mistake they can make is wearing incredibly dull, dusty, muddy washed out colors. Why fade and hide that kind of incredible natural coloring?       Heidi Klum (CLEAR WARM true)        Heidi Klum, is also a CLEAR WARM bright. You can tell by the way she shines just as bright as the bright colors she's wearing. Her look is warm and bright, and warm and bright colors makes that even more distinct. Subtle colors look great on this type too, but not just as bright.   Above, you can see that even though the CLEAR WARM bright definitely looks their best in gold, silver is almost just as good. Their sister group is the CLEAR COOL bright, so they can handle clear and cool colors rather well too (as you can tell in the pictures below as well).   The difference between a CLEAR WARM bright, CLEAR WARM true, or a CLEAR WARM soft, might not be very visible. It is more about the way a color suit you, than the way you look without them. |
(My sources are "Color me beautiful", thechicfashionista.com, http://visual.ly/, http://www.truth-is-beauty.com/, the 12 seasons system, the 16 season system, and the basic four element system. I have made alterations and created my own system. Photos in this post are random pictures from Tumbler, Pinterest or borrowed via Google. Unknown source.)
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