Pink undertone refers to skin that has hints of pink or red coloration. Determining your skin’s undertone can help guide choices for makeup, clothing, and jewelry to best complement your natural coloring.
What causes pink undertones?
The pink or ruddy hue in skin with cool undertones is caused by the visibility of blood vessels under the skin’s surface. Veins appear blue or purple, but the combination with surrounding skin and tissue creates an overall pinkish cast.
In contrast, skin with yellow (warm) undertones lacks this vascularity and transparency. The yellow comes from carotenoids, antioxidant pigments found in the skin that protect against sun damage and environmental stressors.
How to tell if you have pink undertones
Here are some ways to determine if your skin is cool-toned with pink undertones:
- Veins on your wrist appear blue or purple rather than green
- Silver jewelry is more flattering than gold
- Your skin looks pink, red, or ruddy, especially on your cheeks
- You burn easily in the sun
- Your natural hair color is blonde, brown, or black
- Makeup with pink or red tones looks best on you
If most of these descriptions match your skin, you likely have a cool complexion with pink undertones. But your overall coloring is made up of a blend of undertones. Many people fall somewhere in between warm and cool.
What colors match pink undertones?
Certain colors in clothing, makeup, and accessories will harmonize especially well if you have pinky or fair skin. The most flattering hues will create a balanced appearance instead of clashing with the innate red and pink tones.
Here are some recommended colors for pink undertones:
- Blues, especially cobalt or royal blue
- Greens, like emerald green
- Purples
- Pinks
- Silvers
- Cool reds with blue undertones
- Neutrals like gray, charcoal, and taupe
On the other hand, pure orange, yellow, and warm greens will likely overwhelm and overemphasize the pinkness in your skin. Brownish reds and metallics with a bronze or copper tone will also clash.
Makeup for pink undertones
In terms of makeup, choosing the right shades and formulations is key for flattering skin with pink undertones. Here are some tips:
- Look for cool-toned foundations with rosy or pink bases
- Avoid anything with a yellow or golden tint
- Try pink, mauve, or berry-toned blushes
- Use sheer lip glosses and lipsticks in rosy pinks and berries
- Experiment with eye shadows in lavender, plum, and cool browns
- Use an eyebrow pencil in taupe or ash shades
You’ll also want to avoid anything that’s overly shimmery or metallic, which may accentuate redness. Matte formulations in creams, pinks, and berries will allow your natural coloring to shine through.
Hair colors for pink undertones
When coloring hair, pink undertoned complexions look best with cool shades that don’t compete with the natural skin tone:
| Hair Color | Best Shades for Pink Undertones |
|---|---|
| Blonde | Ashy, platinum, or sandy blonde |
| Brown | Chestnut, chocolate, dark ash brown |
| Black | Jet black, off-black |
| Red | Deep berry red, burgundy, purple-red |
The best approach is to do some draping tests at the salon. Different shades can be held up to your face to see which complements your skin most naturally. Avoid warm golden blondes, coppery browns, lighter ginger reds, and anything with heavy orange/brassy tones.
Finding the right pink for your undertones
Pink comes in an endless number of shades and depths. Choosing the right pink involves analyzing the interplay between your unique mix of undertones and overtones.
Light, pastel pinks look great on fair, rosy skin. More saturated fuschia pinks match medium skin with strong pink undertones. Deep berry or mauve pinks balance olive skin with subtle pink undertones.
Look for pinks with a blue undertone rather than an orange undertone. Pink with orange, peachy, or coral notes will likely clash. The pink should enhance rather than fight against your natural coloring.
Celebrities with pink undertones
Many celebrities showcase skin with cool, pink undertones. Some examples include:
- Cate Blanchett
- Nicole Kidman
- Angelina Jolie
- Michelle Williams
- Emma Stone
- Zooey Deschanel
- Lily Collins
- Kirsten Dunst
- Rachel McAdams
- Gwenyth Paltrow
Looking at your favorite celebrity’s color palettes for makeup and clothing can provide inspiration for harmonizing with your own pink tones.
How to minimize ruddiness in pink skin
While pink skin can look very fresh and glowing, too much redness or ruddiness can be undesirable. Here are some strategies to minimize this:
- Use a green-tinted primer or color corrector to neutralize red areas
- Choose foundation with light coverage to even tone without looking cakey
- Avoid irritants like alcohol, menthol, peppermint, and harsh exfoliants
- Protect skin from sun exposure which can worsen redness
- Use gentle skincare and avoid excessive heat when washing or drying your face
- Keep skin calm and hydrated with soothing, nourishing ingredients
With the right grooming techniques, makeup shades, and colors, you can make the most of your beautiful pink complexion. Embrace the cool tones and model the celebrities who share your undertones.
Conclusion
Pink undertoned skin requires some special consideration to look its best. But when you harmonize your makeup, hair, and wardrobe with your cool undertones, your natural beauty will shine through. Experiment, do draping tests, and look to celebrity examples to accentuate what makes you unique.