Light Spring vs Light Summer: the difference and how to choose
Updated October 19, 2026. 3 min read.
Light Spring and Light Summer are defined by the same thing: lightness. Your coloring is delicate and low in contrast, and dark or heavy colors sit on top of your face instead of blending in.
The difference is temperature. Light Spring is warm-leaning, Light Summer is cool-leaning. Both are close to neutral, which is why people go back and forth between them.
What they share
- Light hair, often blonde or light brown, or naturally light even when dyed darker.
- Light eyes, or soft light-brown eyes.
- Skin that looks washed out in black, burgundy or dark brown.
- Pastels look natural.
How to tell them apart
Peach or pink. This is the clearest test. In daylight, hold a light peach and a light baby pink near your face. Light Spring skin looks fresh and alive in peach and slightly cold in pink. Light Summer skin looks clean and even in pink and slightly yellow in peach.
Cream or white. Light Spring looks better in ivory and cream. Light Summer looks better in soft white and very light gray.
How you flush. Light Summers often flush pink easily. Light Springs tend to look peachy or golden when they get warm.
Gold or silver. Light gold and rose gold point to Light Spring. Silver and white gold point to Light Summer.
The drape test runs a peach-versus-rose comparison against your own face.
What changes in your makeup
| Light Spring | Light Summer | |
|---|---|---|
| Lips | Sheer peach, light coral, warm baby pink | Baby pink, light rose, sheer berry |
| Blush | Peach, apricot | Cool pink, lavender-pink |
| Eyes | Champagne, light gold, peach-brown | Pink-beige, soft taupe, lilac |
| Liner | Brown | Soft brown or gray |
Both types look best in sheer, glossy and juicy finishes, which keep color light. Heavy matte formulas can look dry and dark on light coloring.
Korean shades labeled for each
These labels come from rom&nd’s shade guide:
Light Spring: Glasting Melting Balm 03 Sorbet Balm and 01 Coco Nude, Juicy Lasting Tint 11 Pink Pumpkin, Better Than Cheek C01 Peach Chip and N01 Nutty Nude.
Light Summer: Glasting Melting Balm 02 Lovey Pink, Juicy Lasting Tint 25 Bare Grape, Better Than Cheek W01 Odi Milk, C02 Blueberry Chip and N02 Vine Nude.
Notice that the Glasting Melting Balm has a labeled shade for both types. Sheer balms are forgiving, so it is a good first purchase if you are unsure.
See the full lists on the Light Spring and Light Summer pages.