Deep Autumn Color Palette

What is a Deep Autumn?

Deep Autumn, also called Dark Autumn, is the deepest of the Autumns. Its main quality is depth, with warmth as the second note. Hair is often dark brown, espresso, black-brown or deep auburn. Eyes are commonly dark brown, deep hazel, dark olive or amber, and skin can range from light to very deep, usually with a golden, bronze or olive warmth.

The overall impression is rich and grounded. Contrast is often medium to high, but softer than a Winter’s. Many Deep Autumns notice that pale pastels and light beige make them look washed out, while dark, rich colors like forest green, garnet and chocolate make them look polished and vibrant.

The deep autumn color palette, color by color

The core colors are dark and warm. Deep Garnet is a rich, warm wine red. Velvet Rust and Deep Rust are spiced browns with a red glow, and Velvet Terracotta is a deep, golden bronze. Deep Olive and Velvet Forest are dark, mossy greens. Deep Spruce is a warm emerald, and Velvet Navy is a deep teal-navy with a warm edge.

These shades all carry depth, so you can wear them head to toe without looking heavy. Deep Garnet with Velvet Forest, or Velvet Navy with Velvet Terracotta, looks rich and refined, like a jewel-toned autumn evening.

Neutrals and accents for Deep Autumn

Deep Autumn neutrals are Cream, Camel, Espresso and a near-black Soft Espresso. Soft Espresso is your black, deep enough for formal wear but warmer than true black. Camel and Espresso are perfect everyday neutrals, and Cream replaces stark white near the face.

The accents are Rich Garnet, Rich Bronze, Rich Spruce and Velvet Garnet, the most intense colors in the palette. Use them for statement pieces, a bold lip, or jewelry that catches the light.

Makeup ideas for a Deep Autumn

Deep Autumns can carry rich, defined makeup beautifully. Blush in warm brick, deep peach or terracotta, lips in brick red, deep rust, chocolate, warm plum and rich caramel, and eyeshadow in bronze, copper, deep gold, olive, chocolate and plum all suit this season. Rich brown or black-brown liner adds definition without harshness.

Very light, frosty or pastel makeup can look disconnected from deep coloring. Bronzer with a warm tone adds dimension, and skin can be satin or softly glowing. Foundation matching is especially important for deeper skin, and many Deep Autumns find warm or golden undertone shades blend best, so always test in daylight along your jaw.

Hair color ideas for Deep Autumn

Rich espresso, dark chocolate, deep auburn, mahogany with a warm base, and subtle caramel or bronze highlights tend to flatter Deep Autumns. Dimensional color, with darker roots and slightly warmer lengths, often looks very natural. Platinum, ash blonde and icy tones can clash with warm, deep coloring.

If you’d like a glossy refresh before your wedding, plan it with your colorist and use our wedding beauty timeline planner to keep the appointment on track.

A deep autumn color palette for your wedding

Deep Autumn brides often look stunning in ivory, champagne, or gowns with a warm, rich undertone. The palette suits elegant, moody weddings: bridesmaids in Deep Garnet, Velvet Forest or Velvet Navy, florals in burgundy dahlias, deep orange roses, berries and dark greenery, and gold or bronze jewelry.

For bridal makeup, think warm, glowing skin, defined bronze or copper eyes, warm brick cheeks and a deep rust, brick or chocolate lip. See how we tailor looks on our bridal hair and makeup page, and test your favorite deep lip at your hair and makeup trial run.

Deep lip colors need a little planning for a long wedding day. A matching liner, a stain underneath and a quick blot after dinner help the color wear evenly, which is something our artists build into every bold bridal lip.

Colors to be careful with

For a Deep Autumn, the colors to be careful with are pale and icy: Muted Sky, Icy Rose, Icy Lavender and Icy Lemon. They have much less depth than your coloring and lean cool, so they can make warm, deep skin look gray or tired near the face. If you love them, wear them lower on the body and keep a rich color near your face.

Pale beige and pastel nudes can also wash out deep coloring. Choose a richer caramel or warm brown nude instead.

Deep Autumn or Deep Winter?

Both seasons are deep, so the difference is temperature. Deep Autumn leans warm, so forest, rust, bronze and garnet look natural, and gold often suits. Deep Winter leans cool, so black cherry, emerald, sapphire and true black look sharper, and silver often suits.

Hold Velvet Forest next to a cool emerald in daylight. If the forest green looks rich and the emerald feels harsh, Deep Autumn is likely. If the emerald makes your eyes sparkle, compare the deep winter color palette.

Building outfits with Deep Autumn colors

Deep Autumns look wonderful in rich, layered outfits. Try Soft Espresso trousers with a Deep Garnet blouse and gold jewelry, or a Velvet Forest dress with a Camel coat. Luxurious textures like velvet, suede, leather and heavy knit echo the palette. Rich prints such as deep florals, paisleys and tortoiseshell patterns suit this season well.

Jewelry, metals and finishing touches

Yellow gold, bronze, copper and antique gold usually suit Deep Autumns, along with garnet, citrine, tiger’s eye, smoky topaz and emerald set in gold. Chunky, textured pieces often look striking. For glasses, try dark tortoiseshell, deep brown, olive or burgundy frames. Warm leather watch straps and belts in cognac or chocolate finish an outfit in the same spirit, and so does a deep brick or chocolate nail color.