Understanding the Korean Colour Analysis System and How It Compares to the 16-Seasons
If you're already familiar with the 16-season colour analysis system, you know how powerful it is for identifying colours that enhance your natural beauty. But another system has been gaining attention on social media, especially in the K-beauty spaces - the Korean colour analysis system. So what’s the difference?
What is the Korean 12-Season colour system?
Unlike the “international” approach, which focuses primarily on undertone (warm vs. cool) and seasonal categories, the Korean system is tone-based. It classifies colours based on how much white, black, or grey is mixed into a colour. There is almost little to no focus on temperature.
This makes it especially useful in makeup, personal styling, and K-beauty because it focuses on brightness, softness, and depth, which can be more intuitive for people who don’t fit cleanly into warm/cool categories.
The 12 Korean seasons explained
Like the 16-season system, the Korean one is divided into four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Instead of four categories each, the Korean system splits each season into three tone-based subcategories.
🌸 Spring
Vivid: Pure, energetic, and vivid colours with no grey added.
Light: Bright, gentle, and subtly vibrant. About 10% white and 5% grey added.
Pale: Soft, pastel-like colours with a hint of haze. About 25% white and 10% grey added.
🌊 Summer
Whitish: Light and milky colours with high white content. About 40% white and 15% grey added.
Pale: Airy and soft pastels with about 30% white and 10% grey added.
Soft: Muted and low saturated tones. About 15% white, 5% black, and 30% grey added.
🍂 Autumn
Deep: Rich and grounded earth tones with about 20% black and 10% grey added for depth.
Dull: Subdued and heavily greyed-out colours, desaturated and earthy. About 5% white, 15% black, and 40% grey added.
Soft: Muted with blended, low-contrast tones. About 10% white, 10% black, and 25% grey added.
❄️ Winter
Vivid: High contrast, bold colours with no grey added.
Deep: Dark and saturated, with 25% black and 10% grey added.
Dark: Darkened tones, with 25% black and 20% grey added to create depth and shadow.
Differences between the 16-season and Korean colour analysis systems
The 16-season colour analysis system, developed by the International Image Institute, expands on the traditional 4-season model by incorporating value (light vs. dark) and chroma (soft vs. bright) along with undertone (warm vs. cool). Here’s how the two systems differ.
| Korean 12-Tone System | 16-Season System | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Tone (amount of white, black, and grey) | Undertone (warm vs. cool), value, and chroma |
| Structure | 12 tone-based categories | 16 undertone-based seasons |
| Undertone | Less emphasized | Central to the analysis |
| Typical Uses | K-beauty, makeup, fashion styling | Image consulting, wardrobe, makeup |
| Best For | Visual learners who relate to colour brightness and softness | Clients who want a consistent palette for long-term use |
Why use the Korean colour analysis system?
This method is especially useful when working with Asian cosmetics and fashion lines, which often design around tone-based categories like light, vivid, or dull rather than warm or cool undertones. It's a great choice for clients who are more visually driven and respond well to brightness, softness, or depth in colour rather than traditional temperature-based systems.
This approach works well for:
People with neutral or hard-to-categorize undertones.
Those interested in K-beauty, Korean fashion, or Asian brands,
Clients who prefer colour guidance based on how tones appear (such as milky, muted, or clear).
Why use the 16-season colour analysis system?
This method is ideal for clients who want clarity, structure, and simplicity. It gives a clear yes/no guide to what works based on your undertone, contrast level, and overall colouring. This globally recognized method is widely used by professional colour consultants, stylists, and image experts.
This approach works well for:
People who feel overwhelmed by too many colour choices.
Clients seeking long-term wardrobe planning or personal branding.
Anyone who wants a deeply personalized palette built around their natural colouring.
Can I use both systems?
Yes! And in fact, using both systems together provides one of the most nuanced and personalized colour analysis results available.
While the 16-season system gives you a solid foundation based on your undertone, the Korean system helps fine-tune your results through the lens of brightness, softness, and depth. Understanding both allows you to make even more precise choices in makeup shades, hair colours, and wardrobe palettes.
This is why many of my clients who begin with one system often return for the other. They want to deepen their understanding of what truly works for them. As demand for this combined approach grew, I introduced my “Dual Colour Analysis” service, allowing new clients to book both systems together at a discounted rate. Check out my services page for more info.