A fellow colour consultant reached out with a challenge: "I am struggling with makeup colors for a client with deep tonal colouring and also what colours to recommend she wear in clothes in the summer. Can you help me?"
This is a common concern with deep tonal types, but fear not! In this post, I’ll break down the best makeup and wardrobe colour choices for deep-toned clients, so they can shine even in summer.


As a colour consultant, it can be exciting yet challenging guiding clients with deep tonal colouring especially during the summer months. These clients have a rich, striking look, and it's essential to offer makeup and clothing recommendations that enhance their natural depth without overwhelming or dulling their appearance. Let’s dive into how to choose the best makeup colours and summer wardrobe for deep-toned clients, ensuring they look radiant, even in the hottest months of the year.

Understanding Deep Tonal Colour Characteristics
Clients with deep tonal colouring typically have dark hair, deep eyes (think brown, dark hazel, or black), and skin that can range from olive to dark brown, often with a warm or neutral undertone. Their overall appearance has a richness that benefits from equally rich, saturated colours.

Deep tonal clients are often mistaken for autumn or winter types in seasonal colour analysis because they share some similarities with both, but they fall into a unique category that requires careful attention. While autumn clients suit earthy tones and winter clients glow in cool, bright colours, deep-toned clients can pull off more intense, bold colours, making their palette more flexible across seasons.

Makeup Colours for Deep Tonal Clients
Makeup is a powerful tool for enhancing a client’s natural beauty, especially for deep tonal clients. They need makeup shades that have intensity and depth, without being too light or pastel, which can make them look washed out. Here are my recommendations for makeup in various categories:

1. Foundation and Bronzer: For deep-toned clients, foundation should match their natural skin tone as closely as possible. Avoid shades that are too light, as this can create an ashy appearance. Opt for bronzers with warm, golden undertones to add dimension to the face. Deep-toned clients generally benefit from rich, chocolate bronzers with a hint of shimmer, which enhance their natural glow.

2. Blush: Blush can bring warmth and vitality to the face. For deep tonal clients, it's important to choose shades with deeper pigmentation. Rich berry tones, such as deep plum, burgundy, and brick reds, work beautifully. If they prefer something more subtle, a warm, terracotta blush will enhance their complexion without overwhelming their look.

3. Eyeshadow: The eyes are often the focal point for deep-toned clients, and this is where boldness can truly shine. Rich, jewel tones like emerald green, plum, and navy blue can bring out the depth in their eyes. Metallic shades like gold, bronze, and copper work well for a more glamorous look. For everyday wear, rich neutrals like chocolate brown, charcoal, and dark olive are ideal. Avoid pastel colours or light shades of blue, pink, or beige, as these can appear too faint against their natural depth.

4. Lip Colour: Deep-toned clients can wear bold lip colours with confidence. Think deep berry, wine, rich plum, and warm reds with a hint of brown. These shades not only complement their complexion but also add drama to their overall look. For a more neutral lip, opt for warm chocolate or deep nude shades with a slight shimmer to keep the lips from looking too flat.

5. Eyeliner and Mascara: Black eyeliner and mascara are classic staples for deep tonal clients, as these products naturally enhance their eye colour and overall depth. For a softer look, dark brown or plum eyeliner can provide enough contrast without being harsh. Avoid light-coloured eyeliners like white or beige, as these can create a stark contrast that doesn’t complement their depth.

Clothing Colours for Deep Tonal Clients in Summer
When it comes to choosing clothing for the summer season, clients with deep tonal colouring may feel limited by the traditionally lighter and softer colours associated with the warmer months. However, with the right guidance, they can embrace rich, bold colours that highlight their natural colouring while still feeling fresh and seasonally appropriate. Here’s how:

1. Jewel Tones for Summer: Deep-toned clients can embrace the luxurious feel of jewel tones, even in summer. Emerald green, sapphire blue, amethyst purple, and ruby red are rich, bold, and vibrant without being too dark for the season. These colours work particularly well in lightweight fabrics such as linen or cotton to keep things breathable and cool in the heat.

2. Earthy Neutrals: While lighter skin tones may be drawn to pale neutrals in summer, deep-toned clients look their best in richer neutrals like deep camel, chocolate brown, olive, and navy. These shades can serve as a base for more vibrant colours, creating a wardrobe that feels grounded and chic while still offering versatility.

3. Warm Reds, Oranges, and Corals: If your client wants a more traditional summer palette but still needs intensity, guide them toward rich versions of typical summer colours. Warm reds, orange hues, and deep corals can create a stunning summer look while maintaining the depth their colouring requires. These colours also bring a sense of vibrancy and fun, perfect for the season.

4. Bold Florals and Patterns: Summer is the time to play with patterns, and deep-toned clients can carry off bold floral prints that others might shy away from. Large, dramatic florals in deep reds, purples, and greens are perfect. Avoid pastel florals, as they can look washed out and clash with their strong colouring. For a modern touch, geometric patterns in striking colours can also work well.

5. Avoid Pastels and Soft Hues: While pastels are synonymous with summer, they tend to wash out deep-toned clients. Instead, recommend that they opt for deeper, more saturated versions of summer colours. If they insist on lighter shades, they should look for deeper versions, such as a rich cream or a darker lavender, rather than pale pink or baby blue.

6. Summer Whites: Many clients will want to wear white in summer, and while pure white is typically best suited for cool, winter types, deep-toned clients can still wear white if they opt for off-white or ivory shades. These warmer tones create a more flattering contrast with their skin and help them avoid looking washed out.

When working with clients who have deep tonal colouring, remind them that summer is about feeling confident and embracing a season of light, while staying true to the intensity of their natural colouring. By incorporating rich makeup shades and bolder, deeper versions of traditional summer colours, they can create a wardrobe that is both seasonally appropriate and flattering.

As a stylist, always encourage experimentation within their palette. The goal is to balance their natural depth with summer’s playful, fresh vibes while still allowing them to stand out and feel radiant.
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​Would you like to add the option of being able to give a tonal colour analysis designation to your clients? I teach both Seasonal and Tonal Colour Analysis in my Certified Online Colour Analysis Expert program so you have maximum flexibility in the colour palettes you prescribe. Drop me a DM through the speech bubble💬 to the right of this blog post and lets chat about how I can help you improve your colour analysis service.