Understanding Value in Color Analysis: Dark vs. Light

One key concept in Color Analysis is value, which refers to the lightness or darkness of colors and color seasons.

Let's break it down to understand how it works, how to figure out your value, and which seasons align with dark or light value.

What Is Value (Dark vs. Light)?

In the simplest terms, value refers to how light or dark a color is. Think of it like a scale: on one end, you have the lightest shades (like white or pale pastels), and on the other end, you have the darkest shades (like black or deep navy). Every color falls somewhere on this scale.

• Dark Value: Colors that are closer to black on the value scale. These colors are deep, rich, and have a certain heaviness to them.

• Light Value: Colors that are closer to white on the value scale. These colors are airy, soft, and bright.

Below is an image with can help you determine if a color is dark or light. The first image focuses on cool-tones and the second on warm-tones.

Dark vs Light Colors: How to Tell the Difference.

In color analysis, value is crucial because certain colors will naturally harmonize with your own coloring better than others. Wearing colors that match your value can make your skin glow, your eyes pop, and your overall appearance more cohesive.

How to Determine Your Value

Determining your value is about assessing your natural coloring. It can help you rule out certain seasons and better help you find your home season. 

Here’s how you can figure out whether you lean towards a dark or light value:

1. Look at Your Hair: Is your hair naturally light blonde or deep brown? Lighter hair colors suggest a light value, while darker hair colors point to a dark value.

2. Consider Your Skin Tone: Fair skin often aligns with light value, but not always. Darker skin tones typically fall under dark value. 

3. Check Your Eyes: Are your eyes a deep brown or black? Or are they a light blue or hazel? Like with hair, darker eyes indicate a darker value, while lighter eyes suggest a lighter value.

4. Overall Contrast: If there’s a high contrast between your features (like very dark hair and very light skin), you may lean towards a darker value. If your features are more similar in tone (like light hair, light eyes, and light skin), you may lean towards lighter value. Learn more about contrast here.

   
   

Besides looking at your features, it’s also important to experiment with both light and dark colors and to ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you find that you look better in lighter or darker tones?

• Do dark colors feel too heavy and make you appear pale?

• Do light colors wash you out too much?

• Do darker colors harmonise better with your features? Or do lighter colors?

• How do you look in black? Does it bury you in its depth or does it make you come alive?

Which Seasons Have Dark Value? Which Have Light Value?

There are four seasons who have their value as the most dominant characteristic. These are Dark Winter, Dark Autumn, Light Spring and Light Summer. For these seasons, their value, either depth or lightness is their most prominent feature. 

• Dark Value Seasons:

  • Deep Autumn: Similar to Deep Winter but warmer. The Deep Autumn palette includes earthy, deep shades like olive green, dark brown, and burnt orange.

  • Deep Winter: Deep Winter individuals have dark, intense coloring. Their palette includes rich, deep colors like black, deep purples, and jewel tones.

    
    

• Light Value Seasons:

  • Light Spring: Light Spring is characterized by delicate, warm, and light coloring. The palette includes soft, warm pastels and light, sunny shades like peach and light coral.

  • Light Summer: Light Summer individuals have a cool, soft, and light appearance. Their colors are airy and cool-toned, such as light pinks, soft blues, and lavender.

Other seasons fall somewhere between these extremes, with the value being a secondary or tertiary characteristic. Broadly speaking the Summer and Spring seasons fall into the lighter part of the value scale and the Winter and Autumn seasons fall in the darker part of the value scale.

Medium-Dark Seasons:

• True Winter

• Bright Winter

• True Autumn

• Soft Autumn

  
  

Medium-Light Seasons:

• True Summer

• Soft Summer

• True Spring

• Bright Spring

Understanding your value—whether you lean towards dark or light—can help you find your home season. Knowing your value can help you choose colors that naturally complement your features, making you look your best. 

If you’re still unsure about your value, try experimenting with different colors from both ends of the spectrum to see which ones make you shine. Remember, the right colors can make a world of difference!