When it comes to finding the perfect foundation or choosing the right hair color, understanding your skin undertone is crucial. But what exactly is a skin undertone, and how do you determine yours?
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the world of skin undertones and provide you with tips and tricks to help you determine your own.
What is a Skin Undertone?
Your skin undertone is the underlying color that gives your skin its overall hue. Undertones are different from your skin tone, which is the color you see on the surface. While skin tone can change with factors like sun exposure or skin conditions, your skin undertone remains the same.
The three main types of skin undertones are cool, warm, and neutral. Cool undertones have a pink, red, or bluish hue, while warm undertones have a yellow, peach, or golden hue. Neutral undertones have a mix of both cool and warm tones.
Overtone vs Undertone Skin
There’s a difference between overtones and undertones. Overtones refer to the surface color of your skin, while undertones are the underlying color.
For example, someone with a fair skin overtone may have a cool undertone, giving their skin a pinkish hue. On the other hand, someone with a medium skin overtone may have a warm undertone, giving their skin a golden hue.
How to Determine Your Skin Undertone
Now that you understand the basics of skin undertones, let’s dive into how you can determine your own.
The Vein Test
One of the most popular methods for determining your skin undertone is the vein test.
Look at the veins on your wrist in natural light. If they appear blue or purple, you likely have a cool undertone. If they appear green or olive, you likely have a warm undertone. If you can’t tell, you may have a neutral undertone.
The Jewelry Test
Another way to determine your skin undertone is by looking at how different types of jewelry look on your skin. If silver jewelry looks better on you, you likely have a cool undertone. If gold jewelry looks better, you likely have a warm undertone. If both look good, you may have a neutral undertone.
The White vs Off-White Test
Hold a piece of white fabric and a piece of off-white fabric up to your face in natural light. If the white fabric makes your skin look brighter and healthier, you likely have a cool undertone. If the off-white fabric makes your skin look better, you likely have a warm undertone. If both look good, you may have a neutral undertone.
The Sun Exposure Test
If you tan easily and rarely burn, you likely have a warm undertone. If you burn easily and struggle to tan, you likely have a cool undertone. If you tan but also burn, you may have a neutral undertone.
Tips for Choosing Makeup Based on Your Skin Undertone
Now that you know your skin undertone, you can use it to choose makeup products that will complement your skin.
Foundation
When choosing a foundation, it’s important to match your skin’s undertone. If you have a cool undertone, look for foundations with pink or blue undertones. If you have a warm undertone, look for foundations with yellow or golden undertones. If you have a neutral undertone, you can choose a foundation with either cool or warm undertones.
Lipstick
For lipstick, the same rules apply. If you have a cool undertone, look for shades with blue or purple undertones. If you have a warm undertone, look for shades with orange or red undertones. If you have a neutral undertone, you can choose a lipstick with either cool or warm undertones.
Eyeshadow
When it comes to eyeshadow, you can play around with different shades depending on your eye color. However, if you want to enhance your skin’s undertone, you can choose shades that complement it.
For cool undertones, look for shades with blue, purple, or silver undertones. For warm undertones, look for shades with gold, bronze, or copper undertones. For neutral undertones, you can choose a variety of shades.
How to Determine Your Skin Undertone for Hair Color
Your skin undertone can also play a role in choosing the right hair color for you. Here are some tips to help you determine your skin undertone for hair color.
Cool Undertones
If you have a cool undertone, you can choose hair colors with blue, violet, or ash undertones. These colors will complement your skin and give you a cool, icy look.
Warm Undertones
For those with warm undertones, hair colors with golden, honey, or copper undertones will look best. These colors will bring out the warmth in your skin and give you a sun-kissed look.
Neutral Undertones
If you have a neutral undertone, you have more flexibility when it comes to hair color. You can choose from a variety of shades, including cool and warm tones, to find the perfect color for you.
How to Determine Your Skin Undertone for Clothing
Your skin’s undertone can also influence the colors that look best on you. Here are some tips for choosing clothing based on your skin undertone.
Cool Undertones
If you have a cool undertone, you’ll look best in cool colors like blue, purple, and green. These colors will complement your skin and give you a fresh, cool look.
Warm Undertones
For those with warm undertones, warm colors like red, orange, and yellow will look best. These colors will bring out the warmth in your skin and give you a vibrant, energetic look.
Neutral Undertones
If you have a neutral undertone, you can choose from a variety of colors, including both cool and warm tones. However, neutral colors like black, white, and gray will also look great on you.
Conclusion
Understanding your skin undertone is crucial for choosing the right makeup, hair color, and clothing. By following these tips and tricks, you can determine your skin undertone and use it to enhance your overall look.
Your skin undertone is just one aspect of your unique beauty. Embrace it and have fun experimenting with different colors and styles!