UndertonaTrue Winter, also called Cool Winter, is the coolest winter. Your coloring is clearly cool with high contrast and looks best in pure, saturated, blue-based color. Warm and muted shades make you look dull, while cherry red, royal blue, fuchsia and icy pastels look crisp and luminous.
- Defining qualityCool
- Undertonecool
- Depthmedium
- Chromabright
- Contrasthigh
The best colors for True Winter
Wear these closest to your face: tops, scarves, glasses and lipstick. Each swatch shows its hex code so you can match it when shopping online.
- Cherry red#D2042D
- Royal blue#1F4FD1
- Emerald#009B77
- Magenta#C8007A
- Fuchsia#E0218A
- Sapphire#0F52BA
- Icy blue#D6ECF3
- Icy pink#F6D6E2
- Violet#6A2BA8
- Pine#01796F
- Icy lemon#F7F5B0
- Cobalt#0047AB
True Winter neutrals
Build a wardrobe on these instead of default black, white and grey.
- Black#0A0A0A
- Pure white#FFFFFF
- Charcoal#36393D
- Navy#141E46
- Cool grey#8E949A
Colors True Winter should avoid
These fight your natural coloring near the face. You can still wear them below the waist, in shoes or in bags.
- Orange#F28C28
- Warm brown#7B5230
- Camel#C19A6B
- Olive#6B6B3A
- Mustard#D4A017
- Dusty rose#C4A4A7
Best metals and jewelry
Silver, platinum and white gold with a high shine. Crystal and diamond sparkle suit True Winter.
How to tell if you are a True Winter
- Your skin has a cool pink, blue or neutral cool undertone.
- Natural hair is dark ash brown, cool dark brown or black, sometimes silver early.
- Eyes are cool and clear: icy blue, grey, dark cool brown or cool hazel.
- Pure white looks clean on you rather than stark.
- Orange, camel and olive make you look sallow.
Not sure? Take the free color analysis quiz or compare with the related seasons below.
Go deeper
True Winter makeup
Lipstick, blush, eyeshadow and foundation shades.
True Winter hair colors
The most flattering hair colors and what to avoid.
True Winter outfits
Clothing colors, capsule formulas and prints.
True Winter FAQ
Is Cool Winter the same as True Winter?
Yes. Cool Winter and True Winter are two names for the winter defined by coolness.
What is the difference between True Winter and Bright Winter?
True Winter is the coolest winter and wears icy, blue-based color best. Bright Winter is defined by clarity and can borrow a few slightly warmer brights.
Can True Winter wear gold?
Gold usually looks too warm. Silver, platinum and white gold keep the look crisp.
Not sure you are True Winter?
These seasons share a quality with True Winter and are the most common mix-ups.
Cool Summer
Cool, calm and elegant, with soft blue-based color.
Deep Winter
Dark, cool and striking, with jewel toned drama.
Bright Winter
Electric, clear and high contrast, with a cool edge.
Side by side: Bright Winter vs True Winter · Deep Winter vs True Winter · Cool Summer vs True Winter