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Emma Schaible / Fourth Estate

BY NYLAH MITCHELL, COPY EDITOR 

As the seasons change and colors become brighter, it doesn’t mean the trending colors of the season are suited for everyone. The best way to understand which colors complement you and boost confidence is by discovering your seasonal color palette. 

Certain colors may highlight aging features, while others may enhance features such as your eyes, freckles and skin tone. For example, if you have pale skin with cool undertones,hues of purple or blue may be more flattering.If you wear light colors like ivory, it could wash your skin out more than a pastel yellow, which would add warmth. 

How to find your colors? 

With a college budget, it may not be feasible to consult a professional service that can cost upwards of $500, or travel to Japan or South Korea for a more in-depth swatching analysis. However, if you’re interested in a local, face-to-face session, visit District Color Studio in Washington, D.C., for a unique, personalized swatchbook. 

If you’re scrolling on TikTok, try the Armocromia filter effect to detect your colors while also determining your complementary metal. Alternatively, you can follow DIY tutorials using draping or paint to arrive at your palette in a more creative way.

The easiest and most convenient way to find your swatches is by using the Colorwise.me generator. Through a two-step process—first, inserting a selfie, and then using the color-picking tool for skin, hair and eyes—the generator will analyze your features using the 12 Seasons System. It will determine your palette based on undertone, intensity and depth. 

Below are testimonials from the Fourth Estate editors about the color palettes they received through the Colorwise website: 

Jamie Gholson, Culture Editor: 

Soft summer is muted colors with cool undertones like moss green and slate blue. “The results were a little surprising just because those aren’t colors I usually go for. I think the color that was the most surprising was probably bright pink because I normally don’t go for that color. I will definitely keep my results in mind when shopping next time,” she said after receiving her results. 

Sam Douglas, Assistant News Editor: 

“Deep winter for me, because I look fly in every color, to be honest,” said the assistant news editor. Deep winter colors have cool undertones, with shades like navy and mocha that are fitting for the strong and intense palette. 

Emma Schaible, Social Media and Graphics Editor: 

“I was disappointed because I’m always told that jewel tones look really good on me and half of my clothes are dark colors. I won’t be giving up any of my dark colors and it probably won’t influence my shopping habits either,” Schaible said after receiving the warm spring palette. A warm spring emphasizes glowy colors with warm undertones, such as coral and golden yellow. 

Christian Segovia, Sports Editor: 

“To me, I’m not completely shocked by my results,” Segovia said in response to being categorized as deep winter. “I always noticed I do well with dark colors, but the few pink ones threw me off.” Similar to Douglas, Segovia’s best colors are black and basil-like green, and he should avoid neutral and autumn-like shades. 

Saahiti Chamala, Co-Editor in Chief: 

After receiving deep winter as her palette, Chamala noted, “I don’t like a lot of brown and reddish brown tones, so I’m happy with the results, but am disappointed that it’s asking me to avoid orange and shades of light yellow.” For the Co-Editor-in-Chief, colors like cerulean blue and mulberry are better suited for her undertones. 

Barrett Balzer, News Editor: 

Soft autumn leans towards more muted and earthy tones with a warm-neutral undertone, such as sepia and almond. “I am not surprised about what I got. I’ve always liked more muted colors, and only a few bright ones actually hit my wardrobe, so I’m not surprised in the slightest. I really enjoy my wardrobe, so even despite the analysis, if it had been shocking, I wouldn’t change it one bit,” she said. 

Why does it matter?  

Whether or not you agree with your matched palette, the complementary colors show a more radiant version of yourself. People can easily detect when someone is wearing the right or wrong color based on how certain features are defined. For example, when we see celebrities on the red carpet, we often comment on how their outfits highlight their features.

Styling tip: if you’re a deep winter and the weather is scorching hot, pair a complementing color with an in-season color. However, keep the upper-body being the complementary color and the lower-body in the in-season color.

With the right color palette, go out there and spread some glow with your complementary colors.

Kam Benson/Fourth Estate

BY GABRIELLE PAMOR, STAFF WRITER

Every spring, as the temperatures rise, the nation’s capital transforms into a sea of soft pink. The cherry blossoms bloom into a spectacular display of natural beauty that attracts visitors from all over the globe. However, what exactly makes these flowers so irresistible, and why do so many people visit Washington D.C. specifically to see them?

Appeal of the Cherry Blossoms

The cherry blossoms are more than just pretty flowers. They symbolize hope, renewal, and the fleeting beauty of nature. For visitors, seeing the blossoms is a way to experience the full awakening of spring. The trees’ delicate petals stretch from branches into a soft cloud of color. As they fall gently to the ground, they create a ‘picturesque’ blanket that draws photographers, nature lovers and tourists to the Tidal Basin year after year.

However, cherry blossoms are not just about visual beauty; they hold deep cultural significance as well. Given as a gift from Japan to the United States in 1912, the trees symbolize friendship between the two countries. Over the years, they have come to represent much more: a reminder of the resilience of nature, the passage of time and the deep connections between people from different parts of the world. For visitors, the cherry blossoms are a way to experience a piece of Japanese culture thousands of miles from Japan itself.

A World-Famous Spectacle

The National Cherry Blossom Festival typically lasts several weeks, featuring cultural performances, parades and other activities. Although the true star of the event is always the blossoms themselves. More than 1.5 million people, both local and international, flock to the capital to witness the breathtaking sight—whether it’s their first visit or part of a long-standing tradition.

Many visitors from Japan view the cherry blossoms as a pilgrimage of sorts. In Japan, the tradition of “hanami,” or cherry blossom viewing, is centuries old. Witnessing the blossoms in full bloom is a major cultural event. For Japanese nationals, experiencing D.C.’s cherry blossoms adds another layer of meaning to the tradition. It’s a way to connect with both their homeland and the shared history between the U.S. and Japan. Whether it’s families with children, photographers looking to capture the perfect shot, or nature enthusiasts appreciating the short-lived beauty of the blossoms, the festival offers something for everyone. 

The Timing and Perfect Conditions

One reason the cherry blossoms are such a major attraction is their fleeting beauty. The blossoms usually peak for only about a week, sometimes less, making the event all the more special to visitors who know they’re catching something truly temporary and magical. The bloom means that people plan their trips months in advance, hoping to time their visit to coincide with the peak blossom.

The Tidal Basin, located near the National Mall, provides the perfect backdrop for this stunning display, with its peaceful waters reflecting the delicate flowers and creating a serene atmosphere. The National Park Service closely monitors the trees, offering updates on the expected peak bloom so visitors can plan accordingly.

Kam Benson/Fourth Estate

International Visitors and Cultural Exchange

The cherry blossoms’ popularity stretches far beyond the United States. For international tourists, particularly those from countries where cherry blossoms hold significance, the D.C. festival offers a unique experience. While Japan is home to its own cherry blossoms, the ones in Washington, D.C. represent a special cultural exchange.

Many international visitors find themselves immersed in the beauty of the blossoms while participating in various cultural events held during the festival. These include tea ceremonies, performances, and exhibitions that help deepen the understanding of both Japanese culture and the U.S.-Japan relationship. 

The Future of the Cherry Blossoms

As the cherry blossoms continue to captivate tourists, efforts to preserve and protect the trees are ongoing. The National Park Service and various conservation groups work to ensure that the Tidal Basin remains a thriving habitat for the trees, while also providing education and resources to help future generations appreciate their significance.

In the end, the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. offer a special experience that brings people together from all walks of life. Whether it’s for the beauty, the cultural significance, or the emotional resonance of the moment, there’s no denying that the cherry blossoms are one of the country’s most beloved and enduring natural wonders. And for those who make the journey to witness their bloom, the experience is nothing short of magical.

Sam Douglas/Fourth Estate

BY SAM DOUGLAS, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

On April 1, Mason’s Board of Visitors held a meeting and public comment session, where students and faculty were able to comment to the visitors in-person or submit a comment through an online form. 

Since President Donald Trump’s second term began, a series of federal executive orders and government overhauls have swept across higher education, including the proposed dismantlement of the Department of Education and the blockage of federal funding to schools such as Columbia University and Brown University. 

Mason has felt the effects of these actions: including the renaming of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to the Office of Access, Compliance and Community (ACC) in early March. Around this time, The U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights named Mason as one of the 60 schools under investigation for anti-semitic harassment.

Three audience members spoke during the public comment session; the first comment session held during the 2024-2025 academic school year. Commenters spoke on the matters of protecting DEI on campus. 

“Please take a stand for principles and values of openness, diversity, equity and inclusion and join us so that we can all get to the important work of building a better Mason for all students, no matter who they are, where they came from or what they believe,” Tim Gibson, an associate professor at Mason and vice president of the Mason chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) said.

Bethany Letiecq, a professor and president of the Mason chapter of AAUP, spoke during the public comment session as well, stressing the importance and historical value of DEI.

“Today, I urge you to stand up for us, stand with us, stand for DEI and commit to the free exchange of ideas and upholding the economic freedom right of all who come to Mason to make the world a better place,” she said.

Visitor Reginald Brown responded to Letiecq, defending the board’s recent actions and stance on  DEI. “The reality is that Mason is, in fact, the most diverse institution in the state. The reality of that is a strength. I don’t believe that we are diverse or successful specifically because of the DEI policies at the University today,” Brown said.

A major focus of the meeting covered tuition and Mason’s budget for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic calendar year. One speaker encouraged the board to ensure that the tuition money continues going to services, such as the ACC, that benefit the diverse student body.

The 2025-2026 university budget vote is scheduled by the Finance and Land Use Committee on April 10, and if approved, it will be voted on May 1 during a full board meeting.