Let’s be real: color theory can feel like a lot. Between undertones and seasons and all the terminology, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But today, I want to talk about one piece of the puzzle that can quietly change everything: chroma.

Chroma sounds technical, but it’s just a fancy word for how bright or muted a color is. That’s it. It's not about whether the color is warm or cool. It's about how intense it feels.

And once you start noticing chroma, shopping gets easier. Outfits feel more “you.” And the mystery of why some colors feel off (even when you want them to work) starts to make a lot more sense.

So, What Is Chroma?

Put simply, chroma is all about intensity. 

High chroma colors are bold, clear, and vibrant. Think: fire-engine red, cobalt blue, bright coral, neon anything.

Low chroma colors are softer, a little more muted, and feel like they’ve been dusted with powder. Think: sage green, dusty rose, mushroom taupe, soft terracotta.

A color’s chroma isn’t about how dark or light it is. It’s about how pure the color feels. Is it coming at you full force? That’s high chroma. Does it feel blended, quiet, maybe a little lived-in? That’s low chroma.

Why Chroma Matters in Seasonal Color Analysis

Color season analysis looks at your entire coloring and how it interacts with color. Chroma helps us determine whether your best shades are:

• Soft and subtle: Soft Autumn or Light Summer
• Bold and vibrant: Bright Winter or Clear Spring

It’s how we take the guesswork out of figuring out your most flattering palette.

When Bright Coral Betrayed Me

For years, I couldn’t figure out why certain colors looked amazing on me…but bright coral? Weirdly bad.

It should have worked. It was in the same “family” as other colors that looked good. But every time I wore it, something felt off. My skin looked a little blotchy, my features kind of faded, and the color wore me instead of the other way around.

It wasn’t until I learned about chroma that it clicked.

I’m a Soft Summer. That means my coloring is muted and low contrast. Bright coral (which is high chroma and full of energy) was just too much for me. But when I swapped it for a dusty rose or a soft watermelon shade, everything changed. I looked more rested. More alive. More me.

How to Tell If a Color Has High or Low Chroma

You don’t need a color wheel to figure this out. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

How to Test Your Chroma at Home

You can do this right now with zero fancy tools — just a mirror and a couple of items you already own.

Try this:

1. Stand in natural light if possible. Morning or late afternoon light is best.
2. Grab two pieces of clothing in the same general color family but different intensities.
   • Bright coral vs muted peach
   • Bold cobalt vs dusty denim
3. Hold each one up under your chin and look in the mirror. No makeup no filters.
4. Pay attention to your face:
   • Is your skin brighter or blotchy
   • Do your eyes pop or fade
   • Does the color enhance you or overpower you
5. Take a photo if you want to compare side by side.

This simple test can help you see what works and why without having to guess.

What to Do With That Info

Once you get a feel for your ideal chroma range everything gets easier.

Here’s how to use it:

• Stick to your range for key pieces like tops scarves or anything near your face.
• Keep bold colors for accessories or lower half items if they’re not your best chroma.
• Shop smarter by looking for keywords:
  • If you're low chroma: search for “dusty” “muted” “soft” or “washed”
  • If you're high chroma: try “vibrant” “clear” “bold” or “jewel tone”
• Let your color season guide you. If you're not sure what season you are take the quiz or grab a personalized Glow Guide — your chroma is already factored in.

Understanding chroma changed how I saw color. It helped me stop second guessing what should look good and start trusting what actually felt good.

Thanks for being here.

xo,
Jill

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