The highly anticipated 2024 film adaptation of "Wicked" brings us stunning performances by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Galinda. Beyond their magical performances, these characters present fascinating cases for seasonal color analysis, particularly given their distinct appearances and the symbolic color choices in their costumes.

Elphaba: The Emerald-Skinned Witch

Cynthia Erivo's portrayal of Elphaba presents a unique case for color analysis due to her signature green skin. While traditional color analysis typically focuses on natural skin tones, we can analyze how Elphaba's emerald complexion interacts with various color palettes.

Elphaba's Color Season: Dark Winter

Despite her unconventional skin tone, Elphaba's features align most closely with the Dark Winter season:

Deep, rich skin tone (though green, it maintains deep and cool undertones)

Dark, intense eyes

Black hair with cool undertones

Medium to strong strong contrast between features

Comprehensive Makeup Guide for Dark Winter (Elphaba's Season)

Foundation and Base

Foundation undertone: Cool to neutral-cool

Best finish: Demi-matte to satin

Concealer: Slightly lighter than skin tone but never more than one shade

Powder: Transparent with cool undertones

Eyes

Best Eyeshadow Colors:

Deep navy blue

Charcoal grey

Burgundy

Dark purple

Forest green

Black for smoky looks

Metallic gunmetal

Eyeliner Options:

Deep black (signature look)

Dark navy

Deep plum

Forest green

Mascara:

Rich black

Blue-black

Brows:

Cool-toned dark brown

Soft black

Avoid warm brown shades

Cheeks

Blush Colors:

Cool berry

Deep rose

Plum

Cool pink (for a subtle look)

Contour:

Cool-toned taupe

Grey-brown

Avoid warm bronzers

Highlighter:

Ice white

Silver pearl

Cool champagne

Avoid gold or warm-toned highlighters

Lips

Best Lipstick Colors:

Deep cherry red

Cool-toned burgundy

Plum

Berry

Cool-toned deep rose

Blue-based red

Deep mauve

Avoid:

Coral

Orange-reds

Brown-based nudes

Peach tones

Based on the Dark Winter Color Palette, let's explore Elphaba's signature makeup palette, featuring colors that enhance her season and identify shades that should be avoided:

If you got inspired by the character and Elphaba’s looks, here is a list of Wicked makeup palettes that might interest you :

From the r.e.m. beauty, Ariana Grande’s makeup brand :

Elphaba Makeup Set : buy here

Other picks :

e.l.f. Liquid Metallic Eyeshadow : buy here

This seasonal designation is reinforced by how magnificently she wears:

Deep, saturated colors

Rich jewel tones

High-contrast combinations

Cool-toned blacks and greys

The costume designers brilliantly played to these strengths, dressing Elphaba in deep, dramatic pieces that enhance rather than compete with her unique complexion.

Galinda: The Good Witch

Ariana Grande's Galinda presents a classical case for color analysis with her fair features and light coloring.

Galinda's Color Season: Light Summer

Galinda's natural coloring strongly suggests a Light Summer palette:

Fair, cool-toned skin with pink undertones

Light eyes with a soft quality

Light hair

Low to medium contrast between features

Comprehensive Makeup Guide for Light Summer (Galinda's Season)

Foundation and Base

Foundation undertone: Cool to neutral-cool, light to light-medium

Best finish: Dewy to satin

Concealer: Light-reflecting formulas

Powder: Soft-focus, illuminating

Eyes

Best Eyeshadow Colors:

Soft rose

Cool pink

Periwinkle blue

Soft grey

Light lavender

Pearl white

Silver shimmer

Eyeliner Options:

Soft navy

Cool grey

Plum

Avoid harsh black

Mascara:

Navy blue

Soft black

Grey-black

Brows:

Soft taupe

Cool medium brown

Avoid dark or warm browns

Cheeks

Blush Colors:

Cool pink

Soft rose

Light mauve

Watermelon pink

Contour:

Soft cool grey

Light taupe

Avoid traditional bronzers

Highlighter:

Pearl white

Pink pearl

Cool opal

Avoid golden or warm highlighters

Lips

Best Lipstick Colors:

Rose pink

Soft coral-pink

Cool-toned mauve

Watermelon

Soft berry

Light plum

Cool-toned nude pink

Avoid:

Brown-based colors

Orange tones

Deep vampy shades

Warm reds

Let's reframe Galinda's signature makeup palette through the lens of the Light Summer Color Palette, focusing on shades that enhance her season and avoiding those that clash.

Her most flattering colors include:

Soft pastels

Light to medium blues

Cool pinks

Pearly whites and silvers

Our top picks for the Galinda Palette :

e.l.f. Liquid Metallic Eyeshadow : buy here

Galinda Makeup Set : buy here

The costume department masterfully emphasized these qualities through her iconic pink gowns and delicate pastel accessories.

The Symbolic Color Contrast

The color seasons of these two characters brilliantly underscore their narrative opposition while highlighting their individual beauty. Where Elphaba's Dark Winter palette emphasizes drama and intensity, Galinda's Light Summer colors reflect her initial lightness and perceived innocence.

Application in Personal Color Analysis

This analysis demonstrates several key principles of seasonal color theory:

The importance of considering overall contrast levels in addition to individual features

How different seasonal palettes can emphasize character traits and personality

The way costume design can work with natural coloring to create powerful visual impact

Conclusion

The 2024 "Wicked" film offers a masterclass in how seasonal color analysis principles can be applied to character design and costume choices. Whether you're a Dark Winter like Elphaba or a Light Summer like Galinda, understanding your color season can help you harness the transformative power of color in your own wardrobe.