Determining whether your skin has warm or cool undertones can be tricky. When thinking about undertones, most people tend to focus on surface skin color. However, your undertone is underneath the surface of your skin and affects how your skin reacts in certain lighting. The most common undertones are warm, cool, and neutral. Those with warm undertones often have a yellow, peachy, or golden tint to their skin. Cool undertones exhibit more pink, red, or blue. Neutral means a balance of warm and cool. So how do you know if your skin leans warm or cool? Read on for tips on determining your undertone.
What is an Undertone?
Your undertone refers to the color underneath your skin’s surface. It’s the natural coloring of your skin that peeks through, unaffected by any UV light exposure or tanning. You can’t change your undertone – it’s something you’re born with. Even though warm and cool are common descriptions, that doesn’t mean your skin color is hot or cold temperature-wise. The terms “warm” and “cool” refer to color theory – warm colors include yellows, oranges and reds while cool colors include blues, purples and greens. Your undertone affects how jewelry, clothes, makeup, and even hair colors look on you. Determining your undertone can help you make more flattering color choices.
How to Determine Your Undertone
Here are some ways to help figure out if your skin is warm or cool toned:
Veins
Examine the veins on your wrist in natural lighting. Are they green or blue? If so, you likely have a cool undertone. Do they appear more greenish-yellow? Then you probably have a warm undertone. Neutral veins will seem blue and green.
Silver vs Gold
Try on a silver and gold jewelry piece near your face. Which metal makes your complexion look lively and bright? Whichever is more flattering is likely your undertone. Warm skin pops against silver while cool skin dazzles against gold. Neutral skin looks great in both.
White Clothing
Drape a white towel, shirt or sheet near your face and look in the mirror. Does your skin have a peachy or yellow tint next to the white? If so, you’re warm-toned. Does it pick up more pink or red undertones? You’re likely cool. Neutral skin won’t look much different next to white.
Sunlight Reaction
Notice how your skin reacts in natural sunlight. Warm skin will appear golden and luminous while cool skin can become washed out or ruddy. Neutral skin doesn’t change much. Long sun exposure can make this harder to determine so try it before heavy tanning occurs.
Makeup Undertones
Test makeup like foundation, blush, and lipstick in both warm and cool shades. See which undertone makes your complexion harmonious and smooth. Warm makeup complements warm skin while cool undertones match cool makeup best. Those with neutral skin can wear both.
Your Veins and Skin Undertones
| Undertone | Veins | Skin Undertones |
|---|---|---|
| Warm | Greenish-yellow | Peachy, golden, yellow |
| Cool | Blue, purple | Pink, red, blue |
| Neutral | Blue and green mix | No strong overtone |
Warm Undertone Characteristics
Here are some common traits of warm undertones:
– Tans easily in the sun
Warm skin produces melanin easily when exposed to UV light. It tans faster and deeper than cool skin.
– Yellow, peach, or golden skin
There are yellow, golden, or peachy undertones noticeable near the face and body. Veins also appear green-yellow.
– Hair with red, auburn, chestnut tones
Warm brunettes usually have some red, orange, or cinnamon highlights mixed in their hair color. Blondes may have strawberry or golden blonde hair.
– Brown eyes or hazel green eyes
Warm eyes are typically rich chocolate or chestnut brown. Hazel eyes with more green than blue in them can also be warm-toned.
– Silver jewelry is most flattering
The contrast of silver against warm skin makes it glow beautifully. Gold can sometimes look too similar to warm skin.
– Warmer makeup shades look best
Peachy blushes, golden bronzers, and warmer eyeshadow shades make warm skin pop. Cool pinks can look jarring.
Cool Undertone Characteristics
Here are some common traits of cool undertones:
– Burns easily from sun exposure
Cool skin is very sensitive to UV light and easily burns. It doesn’t tan as deeply as warm skin.
– Pink, red, or blue hues
There are subtle pink, rose, red, or blue hues visible on the face and body. Veins often look blue or purple.
– Hair with ash, platinum tones
Cool brunettes and black hair often has an ashy tone to it. Blondes have icy, platinum and baby blonde hair.
– Blue, gray, or green eyes
Those with cool undertones frequently have crisp blue, steely gray, or sea green eyes. Brown eyes may appear darker with some grey mixed in.
– Gold jewelry is most flattering
The contrast of gold paired with cool pink skin looks very striking. Silver can sometimes be too similar to cool skin.
– Cooler makeup shades look best
Pink blushes, plummy eyeshadows, and mauve lipstick harmonize with cool skin. Bronzy warm shades can look dirty.
Neutral Undertone Characteristics
If your skin shows a mix of warm and cool traits, you likely have a neutral skin tone. Here’s what neutral undertones exhibit:
– Tans moderately and burns sometimes
Neutral skin falls in between warm and cool in its reaction to UV light. It can tan to some degree and may burn occasionally.
– No strong warm or cool overtone
The skin doesn’t appear overtly peachy/golden or pink/red. The face and body have a more even, balanced skin color.
– Hair color varies
Neutral hair color can vary greatly. Hair can be platinum blonde, dark brown, black, sandy blonde, etc.
– Eye color varies
Eyes are often lighter brown, darker gray, hazel that’s an even mix of brown and green, or blue-green.
– Both gold and silver look great
Neutral skin tones look equally fantastic in both silver and gold jewelry. Neither metal overtly washes the skin out or appears too similar.
– Varied makeup shades work
Makeup doesn’t have to be strictly warm or cool. Neutral skin benefits from a mix of both types of makeup shades.
Best Colors for Warm Skin Tones
Certain colors have been proven to be particularly flattering on warm skin tones. Here are some of the best clothing, makeup, and hair colors for warm undertones:
Clothing Colors
| Warm Colors | Cool Colors to Avoid |
|---|---|
| – Orange | – Ice blue |
| – Coral | – Royal blue |
| – Peach | – Emerald green |
| – Cream | – Fuchsia |
| – Brown | – Pure white |
| – Gold | – Silver |
Makeup Colors
| Best Makeup Shades | Makeup Shades to Avoid |
|---|---|
| – Bronze | – Bright pink |
| – Peach | – True red |
| – Copper | – Berry |
| – Warm brown | – Plum |
| – Gold | – Cool toned browns |
Flattering Hair Colors
– Golden blonde
– Strawberry blonde
– Auburn
– Warm brown
– Chestnut
– Caramel
– Honey
– Cinnamon
Best Colors for Cool Skin Tones
People with cool undertones will look their best in different hues. Here are some of the most ideal colors in clothing, makeup, and hair for cool skin:
Clothing Colors
| Cool Colors | Warm Colors to Avoid |
|---|---|
| – Royal blue | – Peach |
| – Icy pink | – Yellow |
| – Emerald green | – Orange |
| – Deep purple | – Rust |
| – True red | – Ivory |
| – Hot pink | – Gold |
Makeup Colors
| Best Makeup Shades | Makeup Shades to Avoid |
|---|---|
| – Berry | – Peach |
| – Mauve | – Bronze |
| – Pink | – Warm brown |
| – Cool toned browns | – Gold |
| – True red | – Copper |
Flattering Hair Colors
– Ash brown
– Cool toned blonde
– Platinum blonde
– Black
– Dark chocolate brown
– Chestnut brown with grey mix
Best Colors for Neutral Skin Tones
Neutral skin benefits from both warm and cool colors. Here are some particularly harmonious options:
Clothing Colors
| Flattering Neutral Colors |
|---|
| – Olive green |
| – Teal |
| – Lavender |
| – Sea blue |
| – Fuchsia |
| – Turquoise |
| – Plum |
| – Charcoal gray |
| – Pure white |
| – Ivory |
Makeup Colors
| Flattering Makeup Shades |
|---|
| – Rose gold |
| – Soft brown |
| – Mauve |
| – Classic red |
| – Neutral gold |
| – Pinky beige |
Flattering Hair Colors
– Chestnut brown
– Ash brown
– Dark blonde
– Chestnut with caramel highlights
– Medium brown with auburn tones
– Sandy blonde
– Espresso brown
Tips for Neutralizing Undertone Effects
Sometimes you want to neutralize strong undertone effects for a more even skin appearance. Here are some tips:
– Use a color corrector: Green corrector neutralizes redness in cool skin, while purple or peach corrector offsets sallowness in warm skin.
– Try foundation mixing: Mix a warm and cool foundation shade to get an exact neutralizing match for your skin.
– Use setting powder: Yellow-toned powder helps neutralize ruddiness in cool skin. Pink-hued powder neutralizes yellowness in warm skin.
– Even out skin tone with blush: Warm pink or peach blush gives cool skin a lively glow. Cool pink or mauve blush brightens up warm skin.
– Use neutral bronzer: Grey-brown based bronzers work on both warm and cool skin to subtly contour without adding more color undertone.
– Pick an undertone-neutralizing concealer: Green-toned concealers neutralize redness, while peach-toned concealers neutralize dark circles better on warm skin.
Conclusion
Determining your skin’s undertone and choosing colors that complement it can make a big impact on your overall look. Warm, cool, and neutral undertones each have their own set of characteristics and colors that are most harmonious. While warm skin pops in oranges and peaches, cool skin dazzles in blues and pinks. Neutral skin benefits from a balance of both. Knowing your undertone takes some trial and error, but is worth the effort to look your best. Matching your makeup and clothing to your natural skin tone creates a beautifully cohesive look.