Autumn family, deep and warm
Deep Autumn (Dark Autumn): Colors, Makeup, and Hair
Deep Autumn, also called dark autumn, is the season where depth leads and warmth comes second: dark brown hair, dark brown or deep hazel eyes, and warm or neutral skin from golden beige to deep brown. Its palette is dark and rich (warm burgundy, rust, forest green, deep teal, aubergine, chocolate), like a forest at dusk. The free seasonal color analysis can check whether your coloring fits.
The deep autumn color palette
These are the darkest warm colors in the system. Most have a brown or golden base, and a few, like deep teal and aubergine, lean slightly cool because Deep Autumn borders Deep Winter. Wear the darkest shades freely; pale, icy, and bright pastel colors are the ones that look wrong.
Tap any color to copy its hex code.
Neutrals for coats, trousers, and shoes
Save the Deep Autumn palette
Save this card to your phone and hold it next to clothes when you shop. Store lighting shifts colors, so check near a window when you can.
Download the paletteWhat does Deep Autumn coloring look like?
Deep Autumn is deep first and warm second. Here is how that usually shows up, and where the season sits on the three axes of color analysis.
- Skin
- Warm or neutral, from golden beige and olive to rich deep brown, often with a golden or bronze glow. For olive-leaning skin, see our guide to olive skin tones.
- Hair
- Dark brown, deep chestnut, dark auburn, or brown-black, often with warm red or gold glints in sunlight.
- Eyes
- Dark brown, deep hazel, dark olive green, or black-brown, rich and warm rather than icy.
- Contrast
- Medium to high. Dark hair and eyes give you depth, but the overall look is warm and rich rather than stark.
Deep Autumn on the three axes
- Hue
- CoolWarm
- Value
- LightDeep
- Chroma
- SoftBright
Deep Autumn vs True Autumn and Deep Winter
Seasons that sit side by side on the wheel share a quality, which makes them the easiest to mix up. Compare them in daylight with no makeup, holding each color under your chin, and watch your skin rather than the fabric.
Deep Autumn vs True Autumn
True Autumn is lighter and warmer, often with copper or golden brown hair and lighter eyes. Medium spice colors like pumpkin and camel suit it, and they can look pale on you. Compare camel with chocolate near your face: if chocolate makes you look sharper, you are Deep Autumn. Eye color helps too: Deep Autumn eyes are usually dark brown or deep hazel, while True Autumn eyes are often a lighter amber, hazel, or green-gold.
See the True Autumn paletteDeep Autumn vs Deep Winter
Deep Winter has the same depth but leans cool, and it can wear black, icy white, and jewel tones like sapphire and fuchsia. Compare black with chocolate, and true red with tomato red. A Deep Autumn looks warmer and healthier in chocolate and tomato red, while black can look tiring.
See the Deep Winter paletteBest colors vs colors to avoid
These four colors work against Deep Autumn coloring. Each one has a swap from your palette that does the same job in an outfit.
Instead of
baby pink, wear creamFor a light color near your face, cream works where baby pink looks chalky.
Instead of
icy blue, wear deep turquoiseYour blues are deep turquoise and deep teal. Icy blue looks gray against warm, deep coloring.
Instead of
bright fuchsia, wear warm burgundyWarm burgundy gives you a bold berry color with the warmth your skin needs.
Instead of
cool gray, wear charcoal brownCharcoal brown is your gray: dark, neutral, and warm enough.
Makeup for Deep Autumn
Foundation
Warm or neutral-warm, often golden or olive. Deep Autumn skin can look ashy in foundations that are too pink or too light, so match your jaw and neck in daylight.
Blush
- Deep peach
- Deep terracotta
- Warm brick
Deep terracotta, warm brick, and deep peach. On deeper skin, a warm bronze or brick shows up better than pastel pink.
Lipstick
- Brick
- Warm burgundy
- Deep rust
- Chocolate red
Brick, warm burgundy, deep rust, and chocolate red. Your nude is a warm brown-rose, not a pale beige.
Eyeshadow
- Bronze
- Deep olive
- Chocolate
- Aubergine
Bronze, deep olive, chocolate, and aubergine. A smoky eye in brown and bronze is your signature.
Eyeliner
- Dark brown
- Black brown
Dark brown or black-brown. Black works too if your eyes and hair are very dark.
Best hair colors for Deep Autumn
- Dark chocolateDeep and warm, close to the natural color of most Deep Autumns.
- Deep auburnA rich red-brown that adds warmth and shine.
- Warm chestnutLighter than chocolate but still deep enough for your coloring.
- Espresso with caramelFine caramel highlights on espresso add warmth without lowering contrast.
Hair colors to skip
- Ash blonde or platinum: far too light and cool for deep, warm coloring.
- Flat blue-black: too cool; a warm brown-black keeps the depth and the warmth.
- Pastel tints: pink, lilac, or silver tints look cold next to warm skin.
Whatever you choose, test it first: the NHS advises testing hair dye at least 48 hours before you use it.
Deep Autumn outfit ideas
Build each outfit on one or two neutrals, then put a palette color near your face, where it does the most work.
- OfficeA chocolate suit with a cream shirt and a deep teal scarf.
- WeekendA forest green sweater with camel trousers and a deep mustard bag.
- EveningA warm burgundy dress with charcoal brown heels and antique gold jewelry.
- Smart casualA warm navy blazer over a rust top.
Prints and fabrics
Rich, dramatic prints in dark, warm colors suit you: large florals, paisley, animal prints, and deep plaids. Heavy, textured fabrics carry your depth: velvet, suede, leather, wool, and brocade. Light pastel prints and fine, faded patterns look washed out on you.
Glasses, bags, and nails
Dark tortoiseshell, chocolate, or deep olive frames suit your depth. Chocolate, cognac, and charcoal brown leather work for bags and boots. For nails, try warm burgundy, brick, or chocolate.
Jewelry and metals
- Antique gold
- Bronze
- Copper
Chunky, textured, or hammered pieces suit your depth, and large earrings, layered chains, and statement rings carry well on deep coloring. Garnet, topaz, tiger's eye, and smoky quartz work well, as do wood and tortoiseshell.
Is Deep Autumn your season?
Color analysis is a styling system, not a science. No test can prove your season, and two analysts can look at the same face and disagree. Treat this palette as a shortlist of colors that tend to flatter Deep Autumn coloring, and let the mirror have the final say.
Frequently asked questions
Is Deep Autumn the same as Dark Autumn?
Yes. Dark Autumn and Deep Autumn are two names for one season, where depth is the strongest quality and warmth comes second.
Can a Deep Autumn wear black?
Some can, because the coloring is dark enough to carry it, but it is not your best dark. Chocolate, charcoal brown, and warm navy usually look richer. If you wear black, add gold jewelry or a warm color near your face.
Can a dark autumn have light eyes?
Sometimes. Most have dark brown or deep hazel eyes, but dark olive or deep green eyes also fit when the hair is dark and the skin is warm.
What white should a Deep Autumn wear?
Cream or a warm off-white. Pure optical white can look stark, so choose cream for shirts and knits.
Can a Deep Autumn wear pastels?
Not easily. Pastels are lighter than anything in your coloring, so they wash you out. If you want something light, choose cream or camel instead.
