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How do you know your skin color and undertones?

Choosing the right makeup and clothing colors can be tricky if you don’t know your skin’s undertones. Undertone refers to the color that comes through your skin from underneath its surface. It’s what gives your skin its overall color cast – warm, cool, or neutral. Knowing your undertones can help you find makeup and clothing shades that truly complement your natural beauty.

What are the different skin undertones?

There are three main types of undertones:

  • Warm undertones – Skin with yellow, peach or golden undertones. Those with warm undertones tend to tan easily and look good in warmer color palettes like oranges, yellows and reds.
  • Cool undertones – Skin with blue, pink or red undertones. Those with cool undertones tend to burn easily and look better in cooler color palettes like blues, greens and purples.
  • Neutral undertones – Skin with a balance of warm and cool undertones. Neutral skin tones are flattered by both warm and cool colors.

How to determine your skin undertone

Here are some ways to help identify your skin’s undertone:

  1. Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. Are they green or blue? Green veins indicate warm undertones, while blue veins point to cool undertones.
  2. Think about how your skin reacts to the sun. Do you tan easily or burn quickly? Warm undertones tan more easily while cool undertones tend to burn.
  3. Drape different colored fabrics near your face and see which ones make your complexion look lively. Warm colors suit warm undertones, cool colors for cool undertones.
  4. Are your eyes warm brown, cool blue, or somewhere in between? Eye color can be a clue to skin undertone.
  5. Does jewelry look better on you in silver or gold? Silver suits cool undertones while gold flatters warm.

Skin Color and Undertones Chart

This chart shows common skin color names paired with their associated undertones:

Skin Color Undertone
Fair Pink (cool)
Light Yellow (warm)
Light medium Neutral
Medium Neutral to warm
Olive Green (neutral to cool)
Tan Yellow (warm)
Dark Neutral
Deep Neutral to cool

Best colors for warm undertones

Those with warm undertones look great in warm, rich colors. Some flattering shades for warm undertones include:

  • Yellow
  • Gold
  • Peach
  • Coral
  • Orange
  • Red
  • Chestnut
  • Honey
  • Camel
  • Olive green
  • Mustard
  • Terracotta
  • Copper
  • Mocha

Aim for warmer, autumnal colors that complement your golden skin. Avoid icy pastels and extremely cool shades.

Best colors for cool undertones

Those with cool undertones look great in cooler color temperatures. Some ideal shades for cool undertones include:

  • Pink
  • Magenta
  • Red
  • Blue
  • Emerald green
  • Royal blue
  • Slate gray
  • Silver
  • Lavender
  • Ice blue
  • Mint
  • Sea green
  • Baby blue
  • Plum

Aim for cool, icy shades that complement your pink skin. Avoid warm earth tones and muted oranges.

Best colors for neutral undertones

Those with neutral undertones are flattered by both warm and cool shades. Ideal colors include:

  • Camel
  • White
  • Beige
  • Gray
  • Navy
  • Black
  • Chocolate
  • Mauve
  • Forest green
  • Burgundy
  • Light pink
  • Soft blue
  • Seafoam green
  • Purples

With neutral skin, you have lots of flexibility. Avoid extremely warm or cool palettes.

Tips for makeup and clothing by undertone

Here are some makeup and clothing tips based on your undertones:

Undertone Makeup Tips Clothing Tips
Warm
  • Bronzers with orange/red tones
  • Peach, coral, brown blushes
  • Gold highlighters
  • Warm brown eyeshadows
  • Rich autumnal colors
  • Yellows, oranges, reds
  • Gold jewelry
Cool
  • Pink-toned bronzers
  • Pink, plum blushes
  • Silver highlighters
  • Purples, grays eyeshadow
  • Icy pastels
  • Blues, greens, purples
  • Silver jewelry
Neutral
  • Sheer bronzers
  • Nude, mauve blushes
  • Champagne highlighters
  • Versatile eyeshadow shades
  • Rich earth tones
  • Jewel tones
  • Gold and silver jewelry

Conclusion

Determining your skin’s undertones is an important step to finding colors in makeup, clothing, and jewelry that truly complement your natural beauty. Look at the veins on your wrist, eye color, reactions to sun, and how different colors make your skin glow to identify if you have warm, cool or neutral undertones.

Those with warm yellow undertones look best in fiery, autumnal colors. People with cool pink undertones shine in icy, jewel-toned palettes. Neutral skin types can rock both warm and cool shades. Knowing your undertones helps you create a personalized color wardrobe that enhances your natural glow.