Counter Makeup by Season
One of the questions I hear most after a color analysis is, "Okay, so what do I actually buy?" It's a great question! Knowing your season is wonderful, but standing in front of a wall of lipsticks can still feel like a pop quiz (one you didn't study for).
So here's my cheat sheet. These are the Counter shades I reach for again and again when I'm working with each season in the studio, including a few surprise tricks, like lip colors that double as blush. Bookmark this one, friends!
How to use this guide
These are starting points, not rules. Everyone's coloring is unique, and some shades cross over between neighboring seasons.
Sheer formulas are forgiving. Balms and sheer lipsticks let your natural lip color show through, so they play nicely with more seasons than you might expect.
Swatch against your fan. If you've had your colors done with me, hold your color fan next to a swatch. If they look like they belong together, you've found a winner!
For every season
These clear and translucent shades add shine without changing your color, so they work for everyone (and they're lovely layered over any lip color below):
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick: Pearl
Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm: Nada
Beyond Gloss: Quartz Shimmer
The Spring seasons
Springs glow in warm, clear, sunny colors: peaches, corals, and golden shimmer. Think of a garden in full bloom!
Light Spring
Cheeky Clean Cream Blush: Cider (a soft peach) Havana (peachy pink)
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick: Petal (my go-to fav!), Terra, or Lily
Lip Pencil: Blush Rose
Beyond Gloss: Peony or Bare Shimmer
True/Warm Spring
Cheeky Clean Cream Blush: Cider (a soft peach), or Lychee with a light hand
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick: Terra
Lip Pencil: Golden Honey
Beyond Gloss: Peony or Brûlée
Bright Spring
Lid Glow Cream Shadow: Sepia
Cheeky Clean Cream Blush: Cider or Lychee (Lychee also works beautifully on the lips!)
Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm: Plush (try it on your cheeks too!)
Lip Pencil: Golden Honey
Beyond Gloss: Raspberry or Peony
The Summer seasons
Summers shine in cool, soft, blended colors: rosy pinks, mauves, and gentle berries. Picture a watercolor painting (my own season lives here, so I may be a little biased).
Light Summer
Cheeky Clean Cream Blush: Havana
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick: Lily (a go-to fav!) or Petal
Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm: Plush (a sheer wash of color)
Lip Pencil: Pink Blossom
Beyond Gloss: Peony or Magnolia Shimmer
True/Cool Summer
Lid Glow Cream Shadow: Luster
Cheeky Clean Cream Blush: Havana (though may be slightly warm for some)
Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm: Pinch
Lip Pencil: Cool Berry or Pink Blossom
Beyond Gloss: Dahlia or Magnolia Shimmer
Soft Summer
Lid Glow Cream Shadow: Aura
Cheeky Clean Cream Blush: Chai (mix in a little Rose lipstick for extra flush)
Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm: Pinch
Lip Pencil: Cool Berry
Beyond Gloss: Magnolia Shimmer or Rosewood
The Autumn seasons
Autumns come alive in warm, rich, earthy colors: terracotta, rosy browns, and golden bronze. Think of a walk through the orchard in October!
Soft Autumn
Cheeky Clean Cream Blush: Chai
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick: Twig (a fav!)
Lip Pencil: Blush Rose (it works so well paired with Twig)
Beyond Gloss: Brûlée or Rosewood
True/Warm Autumn
Lid Glow Cream Shadow: Sepia
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick: Twig or Rosewood
Lip Pencil: Golden Honey
Beyond Gloss: Rosewood or Brûlée
Dark Autumn
Lid Glow Cream Shadow: Sepia
Cheeky Clean Cream Blush: Truffle
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick: Rosewood
Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm: Bitten
Lip Pencil: Rich Mocha
Beyond Gloss: Rosewood
The Winter seasons
Winters dazzle in cool, clear, high-contrast colors: berry, plum, and icy shimmer. They can wear bold color like nobody else!
Dark Winter
Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm: Bitten (this works as a blush too! A few swipes add a healthy flush of color)
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick: Orchid, paired with Rich Mocha pencil (on its own it can feel a bit bright)
Lip Pencil: Rich Mocha
Beyond Gloss: Mulberry
True/Cool Winter
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick: Orchid (it can work as a blush too!)
Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm: Bitten
Lip Pencil: Cool Berry
Beyond Gloss: Raspberry, Mulberry, or Dahlia
Bright Winter
Lid Glow Cream Shadow: Luster
Cheeky Clean Cream Blush: Lychee
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick: Orchid
Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm: Plush (for a more natural look)
Lip Pencil: Cool Berry
Beyond Gloss: Raspberry or Dahlia
My favorite multitaskers
Some of my best tricks come from using a product somewhere unexpected (my makeup bag is small, so everything has to earn its spot):
Clean Swipe in Bitten or Plush doubles as a cheek color. A few swipes, blend with your fingertips, done!
Sheer Genius in Orchid makes a gorgeous blush for Winters.
Cheeky Clean in Lychee can be pressed onto the lips for Bright Springs.
Sheer Genius in Rose mixed into Chai blush gives Soft Summers a little extra flush.
Matched to you, not your season
A few Counter products are chosen by your skin, hair, and depth rather than your season. These are the ones I love matching in person, because good lighting and a trained eye make all the difference (and nobody wants a foundation line at the jaw).
Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation, Skin Twin Creamy Concealer, and Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer: matched to your skin depth and undertone.
Velvet Cream Bronzer (No. 1 through No. 4): chosen by your skin depth. Warm seasons can use it freely for a sun-kissed glow, while cool seasons do best with a light touch.
Brilliant Brow Tinted Brow Gel (Light, Medium, Dark, Soft Black): matched to your natural brow and hair color.
Try them all in the studio
Here's the best part: I keep the full Counter line in my studio, and every color analysis includes a makeup lesson where we swatch these shades against your palette together. And if you've already worked with me, you're always welcome back to try new shades at no extra charge. Just reach out and come play!
Not sure of your season yet? That's the perfect place to start. I'd love to find your colors with you and then help you pick the shades that make you glow.
Book your color analysis · Shop Counter
With color and love,
Kate
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