When it comes to beauty and fashion, knowing your skin tone and undertone is key. This allows you to choose makeup, clothing and even accessories that complement your natural tone and make you look radiant and confident. But what exactly are skin tone and undertone and how can you determine yours? Let’s break it down.
Your skin tone is the surface color of your skin. It ranges from light to deep and is influenced by the melanin content. In general, skin tones fall into the following categories:
Light: Very light skin, often with pink undertones.
Medium: Light brown or beige skin with varying undertones.
Olive: A naturally tanned tone with green or yellow undertones.
Deep: Dark brown or black skin, often with golden or red undertones.
Undertones refer to the subtle colour tone beneath the surface of your skin. While your skin tone may change due to sun exposure, your undertone remains constant. There are three main categories of undertones:
Cool undertones: Skin has a hint of blue, pink or red.
Warm undertones: Skin has golden, yellow or peachy hues.
Neutral undertones: A blend of warm and cool undertones that makes skin appear balanced.
Look at the veins on the underside of your wrist. If they appear blue or purple, you probably have a cool undertone. If they look green, you have a warm tone. If you see both, you may have a neutral undertone.
Try wearing silver and gold jewelry. If silver highlights your skin, you are probably a cool type. If gold looks better, you are a warm tone. If both suit you, you are a neutral.
Hold a white sheet of paper in front of your face. If your skin looks rosy or pink on the paper, you have a cool undertone. If it looks yellow or golden, you have a warm undertone. If it looks even, you are neutral.
Earthy tones such as orange, yellow and olive green are flattering. Warm reds, golds and corals also look good on you.
opt for jewel tones such as sapphire, emerald and ruby. Cool shades of pink, blue and violet are also suitable.
You’re in lucky, almost any color works! Choose muted tones that are neither too warm nor too cool.
Choose a shade that matches both your skin tone and undertone. Brands often label their products "C" (cool), "W" (warm) or "N" (neutral).
People with cool undertones can shine with grays, silvers and icy blues, while warm undertones shine in golds, bronzes and coppers.
Cool undertones go well with blue reds or berry shades. Warm undertones look stunning in orangey reds and peaches.
Regardless of your hue or undertone, every skin color is beautiful. Embrace your unique hue and use it as a canvas to express yourself. When you know your undertone, you can confidently choose products and styles that enhance your natural beauty. When you know your skin tone and undertone, you can open up a world of possibilities when it comes to beauty and fashion. It’s not just about trends, it’s about finding out what makes you feel good in your skin because that’s where true beauty lies.