When it comes to determining your skin tone, most people fall into one of three categories: warm, cool, or neutral. Warm skin tones tend to lean towards yellow, peach and golden undertones. Cool skin tones tend to have pink, red or blue undertones. Neutral skin tones are a blend of warm and cool undertones.
What are the characteristics of a warm skin tone?
There are a few key characteristics that can help you identify if you have a warm skin tone:
- Your veins appear greenish when looking at the inside of your wrist in natural light.
- Gold, orange, and yellow jewelry tend to look best against your skin.
- Your skin tans easily in the sun.
- You were born with strawberry blonde, red, auburn, sandy brown, golden blond or chestnut brown hair.
- You may burn easily, but you tan to a golden brown.
Your complexion may vary from very fair to deep brown if you have a warm skin tone. But the main thing is your skin will lean warm instead of cool.
How to tell if you have warm undertones
Here are some more ways to help determine if your skin’s undertone is warm:
- Look at the veins on your wrist in natural light – are they greenish in hue?
- Do you look best in gold jewelry rather than silver?
- Does your skin look more yellow/peachy than pinkish?
- Do you tan easily in the sun and turn golden brown?
- Does your hair have warm undertones like strawberry blonde, auburn, chestnut or golden blonde?
- Do colors like orange, peach, coral and yellow look great on you?
- Are you frequently told you look good in warm earth tones?
If you answered yes to most of these, you likely have a warm skin undertone. The most foolproof way is to look at the veins on your wrist – greenish veins indicate warmth.
What colors look best with warm skin tones?
Certain colors will complement warm skin tones better than others. Here are the best color choices if you have warm undertones:
- Yellow
- Peach
- Coral
- Orange
- Gold
- Chartreuse
- Orange-red
- Warm metallics like copper and bronze
On the other hand, colors to avoid include:
- Bright pinks
- Magenta
- Purple
- Royal blue
- Emerald green
- Silver
Stick with earth tones, warm metallics, and jewel tones that have orange or golden undertones when choosing clothing or makeup. Cooler shades can make warm complexions appear sallow or washed out.
What hair colors flatter warm skin tones?
When it comes to hair color for warm skin tones, staying in the warm color palette tends to be most flattering. Great hair color options include:
- Golden blonde
- Strawberry blonde
- Copper
- Auburn
- Chestnut brown
- Golden brown
- Caramel highlights
Cooler hair colors like platinum blonde and ash brown can clash with warm skin. Always opt for hair colors with warm, golden undertones as these will complement your complexion best. Adding face-framing highlights in copper, auburn or golden blonde can also liven up your overall look.
How do you determine warm vs cool skin tones?
Here is a quick comparison of warm and cool skin tone traits:
| Warm Skin Tones | Cool Skin Tones |
|---|---|
| Green, olive or hazel eyes | Blue, gray or brown eyes |
| Yellow, peach or golden undertones | Pink, red or blue undertones |
| Tans easily | Burns easily |
| Naturally blonde, red, chestnut or brown hair | Naturally dark brown or black hair |
| Looks best in warm colors like orange, yellow, gold | Looks best in cool colors like royal blue, magenta, emerald |
Neutral skin tones fall somewhere in between with a mix of warm and cool traits. Determining your dominant undertones will help guide your color choices in makeup, hair color and clothing.
Celebrities with warm skin tones
Some celebrities make excellent examples of warm skin tones. Here are a few to look at:
- Jennifer Lopez
- Beyonce
- Kim Kardashian
- Christina Hendricks
- Sofia Vergara
- Mariah Carey
- Kate Middleton
These celebrities all exhibit the warm traits – tanned or olive skin, warm hair colors, and they shine wearing peach, coral, gold and chartreuse shades. Looking at celebs with similar coloring to yourself can help guide your color choices.
How to enhance your makeup for warm skin
When doing your makeup, there are some easy tips to enhance your warm complexion:
- Use a yellow-toned foundation or powder to match your skin.
- Try peach, coral and bronzy blushes to wake up your complexion.
- Gold eye shadows really make warm eyes pop.
- Copper eyeliners and mascaras help warm brown eyes stand out.
- Orange-red, terra cotta and bronze lipsticks are perfect lip shades.
- Finish with a warm golden highlighter on cheekbones.
Stay away from cool pinks, plums and grays – these will tend to look “off” against warm skin. Embrace your peaches, golden browns, terra cottas and warm metallics for your best look.
What colors should you wear with warm skin tone?
Certain colors will complement a warm skin tone while others can make it appear sallow. Here are the best color choices:
| Best Colors for Warm Skin Tones | Worst Colors for Warm Skin Tones |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Bright Blue |
| Peach | Bright Pink |
| Coral | Royal Purple |
| Orange | Emerald Green |
| Gold | Icy Platinum |
| Olive Green | Silver |
| Rust | Pastel Pink |
| Terracotta | Lavender |
Stick with warm, autumnal colors and exotic jewel tones that have golden undertones. Cooler colors tend to wash out warm complexions. Keep these best and worst colors in mind when picking out clothes and accessories.
Makeup tips for warm undertones
Finding makeup that complements and enhances your warm skin can make a big difference in your overall look. Here are some makeup tips for warm undertones:
- Use a liquid or powder foundation with yellow/golden undertones to match your skin.
- Try coral, peach or bronze blushes.
- Gold and copper eye shadows make brown and green eyes pop.
- Warm metallics like bronze, copper and gold make great eyeliners.
- Look for lipsticks in orange, terra cotta, peach and warm reds.
- Brush a golden bronze highlighter along cheekbones for a glowing finish.
- Fill in brows using an auburn or soft brown pencil.
Always check that your makeup has a warm, yellow base. Cool-toned makeup can end up looking unnatural and harsh against warm skin. Go for those peaches, bronzes and golden browns to enhance your natural glow.
What about neutral skin tones?
Neutral skin tones fall somewhere between warm and cool on the spectrum. They tend to have a mix of warm and cool traits. Here are some ways to spot neutral skin:
- Your veins appear both green and blue.
- You tan but can also burn sometimes.
- Silver and gold jewelry both look nice against your skin.
- You had blonde or brown hair as a kid.
- You look decent in both warm and cool colors.
Neutrals have more flexibility when choosing colors. But sticking to earth tones and avoiding extremes of the color wheel is a safe bet. Look for makeup labeled neutral or natural – neither too warm nor too cool.
Conclusion
Determining your skin’s undertones can guide you towards colors and makeup that enhance your natural beauty. Warm skin tones have yellow, olive and golden undertones. They shine in peach, coral, gold, chartreuse and warm earth tones. Cool skin leans pink and red with blue undertones. Neutral is a blend of warm and cool. While genetics plays a role, analyzing your colorings, eye color and how your skin reacts to the sun can reveal your dominant undertones. With this knowledge, you can embrace your natural glow by choosing colors, makeup and hair hues that truly complement you.