A white with gray undertones refers to a shade of white that has subtle hints of gray mixed in. This creates a softer, more muted white rather than a bright, stark white. Understanding undertones is important when choosing whites for paint colors, clothing, makeup, and more. The undertone will impact how the white is perceived and how it interacts with other colors.
What are Undertones?
In color theory, undertone refers to the subtle hues that are mixed into a primary color to create variation. For example, white can be mixed with:
– Warm undertones like yellow, peach or red to create a creamy white. This is a bright, warm white.
– Cool undertones like blue, green or violet to create an icy white. This is a crisp, cool white.
– Neutral undertones like gray or beige to create a hushed white. This is a soft, muted white.
The undertone will not dominate but rather softly influence the white to create a nuance. This is why whites with different undertones will look slightly different when placed side by side.
Characteristics of White with Gray Undertones
A white with gray undertones has the following characteristics:
– It appears soft, subtle and understated rather than stark.
– It may read as slightly muted, cool or neutral compared to a bright white.
– It can gently blend into cool-toned color palettes more seamlessly than a warm white.
– It works well for backgrounds and bases when you want a white with a bit of depth.
Here are some examples of how gray undertones affect white:
| Use | White with Gray Undertones | Bright White |
|---|---|---|
| Paint | Has a muted, soothing finish with a bit of depth | Has a bold, crisp finish |
| Clothing | Provides a soft neutral backdrop that lets other cool tones pop | Can look harsh against some skin tones |
| Makeup | Blends seamlessly into fair, cool-toned skin | May look stark against fair, cool-toned skin |
As you can see, the gray undertones create a more subtle, versatile white in many situations.
Where to Find White with Gray Undertones
White with gray undertones can be found in:
Paint Colors
Many popular paint brands offer white colors with gray undertones:
– Benjamin Moore Simply White
– Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
– Behr Whisper White
– Valspar Seaside Villa
Gray-undertone whites work well for walls, trim, ceilings and front doors. They provide a muted backdrop for cool color schemes.
Clothing and Accessories
White clothing and accessories with a hint of gray are available from these retailers:
– Ann Taylor Seashell White shirts
– Banana Republic Heather Gray sweaters
– J.Crew Pale Petal dresses
– Kate Spade Daydream gray handbags
This muted white is perfect for blending seamlessly into cool outfits with blues, grays, silvers and other colors.
Makeup
Many makeup brands offer white foundation, concealer, powder and more with neutral-cool gray undertones:
– Bobbi Brown Alabaster skin foundation
– Laura Mercier Cream Ivory concealer
– bareMinerals Fairly Light original powder
– MAC NW10 studio fix powder
These makeup whites cater to those with fair skin that has pink, red or neutral-cool undertones. The gray hue blends in naturally.
How to Tell if a White Has Gray Undertones
Here are some tips for identifying if a white has gray undertones:
– Compare it to a pure bright white – does it look slightly muted and cooler in tone?
– Hold it near your skin in natural light – does it seamlessly blend into fair, pink skin?
– Pair it with other colors – does it coordinate better with cool blues and grays than warm peaches and yellows?
– Check the product description – paints, clothing and makeup with gray undertones are often marketed as such.
– Ask a salesperson or company representative if undertone details are not provided.
Getting a few paint swatches, fabric swatches or makeup samples is the best way to observe undertones. Seeing whites with different undertones side-by-side makes it easier to compare.
How to Use White with Gray Undertones
Here are some tips for effectively using white with gray undertones:
For Paint
– Use it for the main neutral backdrop of walls, ceilings, trims and doors. Having the subtle gray basis will allow bolder cool colors to pop.
– Pair it with teal, steel blue, slate gray, violet and seafoam accents. The muted white brings out the crispness of the colors.
– Use it on exterior elements like front doors and trims to complement a cool-toned exterior color scheme.
For Clothing and Accessories
– Build outfits starting with a white with gray undertone base. This creates a neutral palette for adding accent colors.
– Mix different shades of cool whites together, like white-gray, ivory and light blue. Keeping consistent undertones will create a harmonious outfit.
– Add pops of color with accessories like scarves, shoes and handbags in azure, mint and lilac.
For Makeup
– Use a white foundation, pressed powder, eyeshadow etc. to naturally blend into fair, cool-toned skin. This prevents harsh lines.
– Layer a gray-white pressed powder over colored makeup to soften any harsh pigments.
– Highlight under the brows, inner corners of the eyes and cheekbones with a shimmery eyeshadow in a white-gray.
Combining with Other Colors
A white with gray undertones pairs beautifully with other cool-toned colors. Try combining it with:
| Color Palette | Examples |
|---|---|
| Blues | Ice blue, steel blue, navy, duck egg blue |
| Greens | Seafoam, sage, jade, forest green |
| Purples | Lilac, lavender, orchid, violet |
| Neutrals | Gray, charcoal, black, taupe |
| Metallics | Silver, platinum, titanium, mercury |
The muted white allows the cooler tones to retain their depth and dimension. It creates a cohesive palette.
Challenges of White with Gray Undertones
While versatile, white with gray undertones also comes with a few challenges:
– It can read as dirty, dingy or cloudy if the grayness is too pronounced. Getting the right balance is key.
– It may not provide enough contrast against other light cool colors like powder blue or lavender.
– When overpowering a space, it can feel monotonous or cold. Use it sparingly and balance it with texture.
– It won’t blend seamlessly into warmer color schemes that feature peach, coral and buttery yellow.
Being aware of these potential issues allows you to prevent them in your own designs and applications.
Conclusion
A white with subtle gray undertones provides a soft, muted alternative to stark bright white. It gently embraces cooler color schemes and flatters fair skin with pink undertones. For those seeking a versatile cool white without the harshness of a stark white, exploring the range of whites with gray undertones in paint, clothing, makeup and other products allows you to find the perfect hue. With the right balance and application, this understated white can become the ideal neutral backdrop or accent.