This guide has everything you need to know about the True Winter color palette—also called Cool Winter—including colors, prints, combinations, makeup tips, and more.

Before we begin: if you’re not sure about your season yet, you can get your personal color analysis here. Simply upload the requested images, and a color expert will analyze them and deliver a complete report within 72 hours.

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1. Features – Cool & Bright

You’re a True Winter because your look is all about cool tones and sharp contrasts.

When you look in the mirror, you’ll notice cool undertones dominating your complexion. 

There are no warm or golden hues. Instead, your skin, hair, and eyes have a refreshing, frosty quality that makes them stand out.

The high contrast between your features enhances this clarity, resulting in a striking and vivid appearance.

1.1 Eyes

Your eyes have a cool, icy quality. They often show clear blue undertones with sharp, distinct borders around the iris.

Some might even notice subtle “spokes” within the iris that enhance their brightness.

1.2 Hair

True Winter hair is typically neutral or ashy, with no natural highlights. Think cool, dark tones that perfectly complement the rest of your features.

1.3 Skin

Your skin has clear, cool blue undertones. Silver jewelry looks stunning on you, while gold tends to clash.

Your skin creates a high contrast with your eyes, hair, and even your teeth or the whites of your eyes, giving you a crisp, defined look.

In the case of Katy Perry, her skin is light with cool undertones.

1.4 Contrast

True Winter is all about contrast.

The sharp boundaries between your facial features—like the whites of your eyes against the iris or the brightness of your teeth—create a striking appearance.

It’s this dynamic contrast that makes your look so vivid and memorable.

2. Color Dimensions

The True Winter palette is dominated by cool tones with no hint of warmth. Think icy blues, frosty pinks, and pure whites. Even yellow shades in this palette lean cool.

The colors range from true white to deep black, with rich blues playing a prominent role.

These shades are vibrant, saturated, and full of life, perfectly reflecting your bright and dynamic appearance.

3. Color Palette

True Winter colors capture the magic of a snowy winter night. Picture the stark contrast of a moonlit landscape against dark, bare trees—that’s your palette.

These shades embrace the extremes of light and dark, creating a bold and dramatic effect.

3.1 Best Colors

Your best colors include:

• Pure black and white for classic, high-contrast looks.

• Deep blues and browns for dark neutrals.

• Light greys and beiges for subtle accents.

The timeless combination of black and white is a perfect match for True Winter’s dramatic features.

Additionally, you have deep blues and browns at your disposal, perfect for incorporating as dark neutrals.

In addition to true white, you have light beiges and greys that serve as excellent light neutrals.

3.2 Worst Colors

Avoid warm and muted tones like golden browns, rusty oranges, or dusty blues. These colors dull your natural brightness and clash with your cool undertones.

If you love pastels, choose icy ones from your palette. Pair them with dark neutrals to maintain a balanced and vibrant look.

4. Metals & Accessories

True Winter looks best in cool, shiny metals like silver and platinum.

Gold, especially in warm tones, can clash with your cool coloring. Stick to metals with a polished finish to match your bright and intense look.

For gemstones, go for diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and amethysts. Their cool and bright tones perfectly complement your True Winter coloring.

5. Color Combinations

While you can technically combine any colors from the True Winter palette, the best color combinations for True Winter mirror the high contrast in your features.

Classic black and white is a signature look for this season—no other palette pulls it off better.

You can also pair dark neutrals like navy with vibrant accents, such as bright blue or pink. For a softer look, combine light grey with bold, cool tones like icy purple.

6. Prints

6.1 Colors

Choose patterns that only use True Winter colors. A small amount of a disharmonious color is okay, but avoid prints with too many warm or muted tones.

6.2 Contrast

Your natural high contrast means you’ll look best in bold patterns with sharp distinctions between colors.

Skip anything too soft or blended, like watercolor designs.

6.3 Pattern arrangements

Go for geometric shapes, bold stripes, or abstract patterns with clear edges.

Avoid small, faded prints or overly natural florals.

If you love florals, pick stylized versions with bold shapes and clear contrasts.

7. Makeup

7.1 Foundation & concealer

Choose foundations with a dewy or satin finish to enhance your natural glow.

Avoid yellow or peachy tones—they’re too warm for your cool complexion. Matte finishes can make your skin look dull, so stick to products that keep your look fresh and vibrant.

7.2 Bronzer & contouring

Bronzer isn’t your best friend. It’s usually too warm for your cool undertones. Instead, use a little highlighter for definition, but keep it subtle for a natural effect.

7.3 Blush Palette

Your best blush shades are cool pinks and purples.

For lighter skin, go with soft pinks; for deeper tones, try rich purples.

Stay away from warm oranges or peaches, as they don’t flatter your icy undertones.

7.4 Lipstick

The most flattering lip colors for True Winters are those with blue-based pinks, reds, and purples.

Avoid warm tones like orange or peach, as well as brown-based shades. Embrace your bold side for lips that enhance your striking features.

8. Eye makeup

8.1 Eyeshadows

Neutral eyeshadow colors for you include cool whites, greys, and blacks. For accents, go with icy blues, purples, or greens.

Metallic or frosted finishes work best, while matte shadows might look dull.

Avoid warm tones like gold or bronze.

8.2 Mascara

As a Winter, the most suitable mascara for you is undoubtedly black. Other colors simply won't complement your look as well, as True Winter thrives on contrast and intensity.

Even a dark grey might not provide the desired level of intensity. While dark blue mascara is an option, it can be a bit unpredictable, so it's a choice to consider carefully.

Stay away from warm browns that will clash with your cool appearance.

8.3 Eyeliner

Choose black, dark grey, or deep cool tones like blue, purple, or green for your eyeliner. These shades enhance your natural beauty and create a polished, harmonious look.

Avoid browns and overly bright colors.

9. Conclusion

True Winter is all about cool tones, bold contrasts, and vibrant colors that make you shine. Use this guide to embrace your palette, express your style, and feel confident in every look!

To dive deeper into your season, the True Winter Guide offers a comprehensive resource.

It expands on the information from this blog, covering best and worst colors, color combinations, and more—all packaged in a 30-page PDF you can conveniently access anytime on your phone.

Written by Alexandra Stan