This cool winter color palette toolkit has everything you need to know about this gorgeous collection of cool darker tones. The goal is to not only teach you how to find your perfect colors, but also show you the amazing portable tools available to you.
Professional stylists rely on fashion color palettes to pick the most flattering colors for their clients, and now you will be able to do the same for yourself.
What is a Cool Winter Color Palette?
A cool winter color palette is a collection of flattering colors that complement those in the cool winter color season.
The color palette for cool winters is generally composed of dark and cool tones. The words dark and cool describe both the colors in the palette as well as the color characteristics of those in this winter sub-season.
However, cool winters also have one light feature. Traditionally, that is either light eyes or light skin mixed with two dark features. Dark cool hair is usually the first indicator that you are in the winter color season.
Best Cool Winter Colors
Highly saturated darker and medium cool tones tend to be the best cool winter colors. You’ll also find captivating contrasting lighter colors like crisp white and icy silvers in the palette.
We’ll break down this palette into each major color group. Plus, we’ve paired the colors with women in the cool winter color season so you can see the power of color yourself. (You’ll notice all of these women have two dark features and one light or medium colored feature.)
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
1. Best Cool Winter Dark Neutrals
When it comes to the Cool Winter color palette, darks are a must-have for every stunning and sophisticated wardrobe or makeup collection.
These cool-toned dark neutrals are perfect for creating stylish and timeless looks. Whether you prefer medium or dark tones, you’ll find the perfect shade to enhance your look.
These cool winter shades can be best described as:
- Stark True Black
- Dark Navy with Tints of Black
- Dark Cool Brown
- Dark Charcoal
Cool winter dark colors to avoid:
- Deep Rusty Browns
- Deep Warm Greens
- Deep Coppers
2. Best Cool Winter Blues
The best blues for cool winter women are medium to darker shades that have hints of grays, blacks, and purple tones mixed in.
These colors pair perfectly with the cool winter color characteristics and play seamlessly off of your cool-toned eyes, hair, and skin. Blue is the epitome of cool tones and is the most referenced cool color.
These flattering blue cool winter shades can be described as:
- Medium Grayish Blue
- Light Grayish Blue
- Dark True Blue
- Dark Navy Indigo Blue
Cool Winter Blues to Avoid:
- Neon Blues
- Light Pastel Blues
3. Best Cool Winter Greens
The best cool winter greens are muted and highly saturated. (Not bright.)
Cool winter colors are the perfect way to make your wardrobe and makeup pop during the colder months. The cool winter greens are essential to complete the look.
These colors are cool and sophisticated with a hint of mystery.
The most flattering greens for cool winter women can be described as:
- Medium Sea Green
- Medium Muted Teal Green
- Medium Grayish Teal Green
- Dark Muted Bluish Green
Cool winter greens to avoid:
- Lime Green
- Yellow Green
- Pastel Green
- True Green
4. Best Cool Winter Reds
For those within the cool winter season, the best reds to wear are medium to dark in shade with subtle hints of black, blue, pink, and gray.
These cool reds look amazing on cool winter features and can be easily incorporated into any wardrobe.
Whether you’re looking for a classic red dress or a bold red blouse, cool winter reds are the perfect way to add a pop of color to your wardrobe.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades of red to find the best one that complements your winter complexion.
By incorporating winter reds into your wardrobe and makeup collection, you can easily create a timeless look that will never go out of style.
The most flattering cool winter reds can be described as:
- Medium Cool Berry Red
- Medium Muted Red
- Dark Cool Red
- Medium Plum Red
The reds to avoid as a cool winter woman include:
- Rusty Reds
- Copper Reds
- Pastel Reds
- Neon Reds
5. Best Cool Winter Pinks
Cool-toned pinks are power colors for women who are in any winter color season. The best cool winter pinks are cool berry and plum tones that are medium to dark in shade.
These cool-toned pinks bring a vibrant pop of color to the cool winter color palette, creating a dramatic look that can be used for any occasion.
Whether you’re looking for an eye-catching evening look or something more subtle for a daytime look, cool winter pinks will be sure to make a statement.
The best shades of pink for cool winters can be described as:
- Dark Berry Pink with Blue Tints
- Dark Berry Pink with Gray Tints
- Cool Icy Medium Pink
- Medium Cool Pink
Pink shades that winters should avoid:
- Orangish Pinks
- Pastel Pinks
- Neon Pinks
6. Best Cool Winter Purples
The purples in the color palette for cool or true winter women are medium to dark shades of purple with tints of grays, blues, and black.
Whether you’re dressing for a night out or a day in, these purples can be used to add a touch of elegance to any outfit.
The best purples for cool winters can be described as:
- Medium Ice Purple
- Dark Ice Purple
- Medium Muted Eggplant Purple
- Dark Plum Purple
Purples to avoid if you are a dark winter include:
- Pastel Purple
- Neon Purple
- Rusty Brownish Purple
7. Best Cool Winter Light Neutral Colors
If you are looking for light neutrals in addition to crisp white, look for icy light shades with tints of oat, silver, pink, and blue. These should be shades that look soft and muted instead of bright and pastel.
The best light neutrals for cool winter women include:
- Crisp White
- Light Muted Gray
- Light Muted Dusty Rose White
- Light Muted Blueish White
The light neutrals you should avoid if you are a cool winter include:
- Yellowish Whites
- Cream Tones
- Greenish Whites
Cool Winter Metals
When creating a cool winter color palette, metals are an important factor to consider. The best metals for a cool winter palette are silvers, white gold, and rose gold. All of these metals are perfect for adding a hint of icy glamour and a unique flair to any outfit.
Silver is the most versatile of the metals, adding a light and airy, slightly cool feel. White gold is a great alternative to silver, offering a more classic and formal look. Lastly, rose gold is a great way to add a touch of warmth and femininity to an outfit.
All of these metals are perfect for a cool winter color palette and can be used in jewelry, accessories, and other accents.
Cool Winter Colors to Avoid
When it comes to creating a Cool Winter color palette, not all colors are created equal. You’ll want to avoid warm tones, neon colors, pastels, and creams.
- Fall Colors can be too warm for your cool complexion. Colors play off of each other. So, when you wear warm colors like rusts, oranges, yellows, golds, warm greens, and warm reds they can’t find any warm tones in your complexion and stand out like a sore thumb. This is a great example of the saying “Those clothes are wearing you instead of you wearing them.”
- Neon colors can be too bright and overwhelming. The colors need to be bold and intense to fit the Cool Winter look.
- Pastels are too muted and soft. Since the word dark is the consistent theme across the cool winter color palette and cool winter characteristics, the white light colors you choose should be light muted with dark tints mixed in.
- Ivory is too light and warm. Light warm shades, like ivory and cream, lack the intensity needed to play off your highly saturated and cool natural coloring.
Best Cool Winter Color Palettes
There are a variety of helpful cool winter color palette tools that showcase these stunning shades.
These custom palettes give you all-time access to your best colors.
There are physical color palettes that you can touch and feel, and there are digital palettes that you can keep on your phone.
Here are our favorites:
1. Style Solutions for You – Best Fabric Palette to Fit In Your Purse
It’s like having a personal color stylist with you at all times. This cool winter color palette fabric swatch fan fits in your purse and is super simple to use.
Highlights
- Handmade
- Portable
- Beautiful Protective Bag
- Plastic Covering for Each Swatch
- Fast Shipping
Price
This cool winter color palette costs around $50 on Etsy.
2. Color Me Beautiful – Best Plastic Palette for Full Winter Color Season
This is another great option for a portable palette. It can fit in your purse. The major difference between this one and the one above is that it includes all colors from the entire winter color palette, not just the cool winter color season.
Highlights
- Portable
- Fits In Your Purse – 1.58 ounces
- Wipeable
- Fast Shipping
- Wide Variety of Colors
Price
This palette for the full winter season costs under $40 on Amazon.
3. Color Me a Season Selector – Best for Complementary Colors
Cover all of your color bases with this color selector. Find your main color and get all of the professionally recommended complimentary colors too. This is great for picking outfits and makeup combinations.
Highlights
- Includes Main + Complementary Colors
- Portable – 8 x 0.1 x 8 inches
- Plastic
- Instructions on the Back
Price
This amazing color selector costs under $30 on Amazon.
4. BelleAndBonnet– Best Digital Palette
If you like the idea of having your best colors on your phone at all times, this cool winter digital color palette may be a great option for you.
Highlights
- Instant Digital PDF Download
- Includes 26 Colors
- 9 Pattern Ideas
- 6 Lipstick Shades
Price
This digital color palette costs around $8 on Etsy.
Conclusion
The cool winter color palette can be used to help women in the cool winter color season to find their most flattering colors.
Several color palette tools such as fabric swatch color palettes, plastic swatch color palettes, and digital color palettes can be incredibly helpful when shopping for makeup and clothing colors. These handy tools empower you to advocate for yourself and essentially be your own color stylist.
The colors within this cool winter palette are dark and cool with a pop of light and cool just like the eyes, hair, and skin of the women in that color season. These colors include reds, purples, blues, pinks, and greens. The collection of colors also includes complementary colors like crisp whites and blacks.
