Light, soft and deep (the value axis)
Three points on the lightness axis used to refine the 12 seasons. 'Light' overall colouring suits light pastels and washes; 'deep' colouring suits dark, rich, dramatic colours; 'soft' sits in the middle and prefers muted mid-tones.
What it means
These three labels — light, soft, deep — correspond to value placement within the 12-season system. Light Spring and Light Summer are the lightest faces. Deep Autumn and Deep Winter are the deepest. Soft Summer and Soft Autumn sit in the middle and lean muted. Choosing colours that match this overall value (rather than fighting it) is what gives outfits their effortless quality.
How it shows up in your Better in Style analysis
We treat the value axis as an independent check on the warm-cool reading. Even if undertone is clear, getting value wrong (a Light Spring forced into Deep Autumn colours, for example) creates a heavy, ageing effect that no amount of correct undertone can rescue.