Deep Autumn vs Deep Winter: How to Tell the Difference

Are you trying to determine whether you’re Deep Autumn vs Deep Winter? Both look lovely in soft, refined shades. So how do you tell them apart?

I want to preface this guide by saying that I think color analysis seasons aren’t rigid categories. I like to think of the twelve seasons as a spectrum rather than individual buckets. But if you’re trying to figure out where you best align, then let’s figure out if you’re a Deep Autumn or a Deep Winter!

What are Warm Colors vs Cool Colors? 

The fundamental distinction between Deep Autumn vs Deep Winter goes back to color theory in art, warm colors vs cool colors. I think this post by Just Paint handles the idea really well.

The idea in art is that, in general, the primary and secondary colors of red, orange, and yellow are considered “warm” colors and the the primary and secondary colors of green, blue, and magenta are considered “cool” colors. 

This idea of color “temperature” is just a way of categorizing colors we can see, based on how they make us feel. Red/orange/yellow feel to people more like a warm sunny day whereas green/blue/magenta feel more like cool water or the night sky. 

So when we say warm vs cool colors or warm vs cool tones, or the temperature of colors, what we’re really talking about is how much red-orange is in a color compared to how much green-blue is in a color. For example, a yellow with more green in it is cooler than yellow with more red in it. 

This applies to your skin and seasonal color palette as well, and is a good way to differentiate if you are Light Spring vs Light Summer. 

Your Skin’s Temperature in Color Analysis

Color temperature is the key difference between Deep Autumn vs Deep Winter.

Deep Autumn has warm undertones like (golden, bronze, warm) Deep Winter has cool undertones (blue, pink, cool).

Both seasons share the same primary characteristic, depth. Both look best in deep, rich colors and are washed out by light pastels. But the temperature of those deep colors determines your season.

Understanding Deep Autumn vs Deep Winter

Deep Autumn

Deep Autumn is primarily characterized by depth with secondary warmth. Deep Autumns look best in:

• Deep, rich, warm colors with golden or bronze undertones
• Colors like burgundy, forest green, chocolate brown, deep rust, bronze
• Colors that are earthy and luxurious
• Deep jewel tones with warmth

Think of Deep Autumn as the palette of a twilight forest in autumn. Everything is warm and deeply saturated with golden undertones.

Deep Winter

Deep Winter is primarily characterized by depth with secondary coolness. Deep Winters look best in:

• Deep, cool colors with blue or pink undertones
• Colors like wine, pine green, charcoal, deep magenta, deep navy
• Colors that are dramatic
• Deep jewel tones with coolness

Think of Deep Winter as the palette of a winter night sky. Everything is cool and deeply saturated with icy undertones.

Side-by-Side Color Comparisons

The best way to understand the difference between Deep Autumn vs Deep Winter is comparing the temperature of their similar deep colors:

Neutrals

Deep Autumn has cream, chocolate, deep camel, warm charcoal, while Deep Winter has pure white, black, charcoal, cool gray.

Reds

Deep Autumn has burgundy with warm, brick-red undertones, while Deep Winter has wine with cool, blue-red undertones.

Greens

Deep Autumn has forest green, deep olive, while Deep Winter has pine green, deep emerald. 

Blues

Deep Autumn has deep warm teal, peacock blue, while Deep Winter has deep navy, sapphire, deep cool teal.

Browns

Deep Autumn has chocolate brown, coffee, espresso, mahogany, while Deep Winter has cool charcoal, deep cool cocoa.

Purples

Deep Autumn has deep plum, deep aubergine, while Deep Winter has deep plum, eggplant, royal purple.

How to Test for Deep Autumn vs Deep Winter

Test 1: The Burgundy vs Wine Test

What you need: A burgundy (warm deep red) item and a wine (cool deep red) item

What to do: Hold each color near your face in natural daylight and observe.

Deep Autumn result: Burgundy makes your skin look so lovely. Wine makes you look gray, washed out, or tired.

Deep Winter result: Wine makes your skin look clear and even. Burgundy makes you look muddy, sallow, or off.

Test 2: The Forest Green vs Pine Green Test

What you need: A forest green (warm) item and a pine green (cool) item

What to do: Hold each color near your face in natural daylight and observe.

Deep Autumn result: Forest green looks earthy and pretty on you. Pine green makes you look gray or tired.

Deep Winter result: Pine green looks striking and pretty. Forest green makes you look muddy or sallow.

Test 3: The Chocolate Brown vs Charcoal Test

What you need: A chocolate brown item and a cool charcoal item

What to do: Hold each color near your face in natural daylight and observe.

Deep Autumn result: Chocolate brown is one of your best neutrals. Charcoal can look okay but not quite as good.

Deep Winter result: Charcoal is gorgeous on you. Chocolate brown looks heavy, muddy, or wrong.

Test 4: The Metal Test

What you need: Find at least one piece of gold jewelry and one piece of silver.

What to do: Compare how you look in gold vs silver jewelry

Deep Autumn result: Gold, rose gold, bronze, or copper looks lovely on you. Silver can look stark or too harsh.

Deep Winter result: Silver, white gold, or platinum looks on you. Gold can look brassy or wrong.

Test 5: The Black Test

What you need: Find a piece of black clothing or fabric.

What to do: Hold pure black near your face

Deep Autumn result: Black can be too harsh and stark. You look better in chocolate brown or deep warm charcoal.

Deep Winter result: Black is one of your best colors.

Common Confusion Points

Styling Differences between Deep Autumn vs Deep Winter

Deep Autumn Styling

A Deep Autumn might wear:

• Burgundy blouse with chocolate brown trousers
• Forest green dress with gold accessories
• Deep rust cardigan over cream top
• Bronze scarf with deep camel coat

Deep Winter Styling

A Deep Winter might wear:

• Wine blouse with black or charcoal trousers
• Pine green dress with silver accessories
• Deep magenta cardigan over white top
• Deep purple scarf with black coat

Makeup Differences

Deep Autumn Makeup

• Foundation: Warm, golden, bronze, or deep warm beige
• Blush: Deep peach, terracotta, warm bronze, deep rust
• Lipstick: Burgundy, deep rust, brick red, deep terracotta, warm wine
• Eyeshadow: Deep browns, bronze, copper, forest green, burgundy
• Eyeliner/Mascara: Deep brown, bronze, forest green, burgundy
• Nails: Deep rust or burgundy, deep peacock

Deep Winter Makeup

• Foundation: Cool, neutral-cool, pink-based, or cool beige
• Blush: Deep rose, wine, deep plum, cool berry
• Lipstick: Wine, deep fuchsia, deep berry, deep magenta, cool burgundy
• Eyeshadow: Deep purples, charcoal, deep teal, deep emerald, deep navy
• Eyeliner/Mascara: Black, deep navy, deep purple, charcoal
• Nails: Dark cherry, deep teal, or midnight blue

When You Might Be On The Border

Some people are close to the border between Deep Autumn and Deep Winter. You might be borderline if:

• You’re a Deep Autumn who can wear some very deep, near-neutral cool colors like deep charcoal.
• You’re a Deep Winter who can wear some very deep, near-neutral warm colors like deep brown.

Again, think spectrum not buckets. However, even borderline cases will have a clear home base in one season when comparing the signature colors like burgundy vs wine or forest green vs pine green.

What If You’re Neither?

If both Deep Autumn and Deep Winter colors seem wrong, consider:

• True Autumn if you need warmth but less depth.
• True Winter if you need coolness but can handle lighter colors too.
• Soft Autumn if you need warmth but prefer muted colors.
• Bright Winter if you need coolness and brightness more than consistent depth.