Sometimes, a dress that appears great on the hanger does not suit you when you try it on. Other times, wearing a specific shade results in an endless stream of compliments, and you may have no idea why. The idea is to understand your skin tone and select shades that suit it. Colour can also play a huge role in how we appear and feel. The right colours can lighten up your complexion, enhance your features, and boost your confidence level. Conversely, the wrong ones can make you look pale or lacklustre.
Knowing your skin tone and undertones is crucial in making colours suitable for you. The appropriate colour combinations can make the difference between clothing, makeup, and accessories. This blog will explore how to determine your skin tone and choose the best tones to maximise your natural beauty.
Understanding Skin Tones and Undertones
Your skin tone is the overall colour of your skin, usually categorised as fair, medium, or deep. But the real trick to choosing the right shades lies in your undertone. Your undertone is the subtle hue beneath your skin, which remains consistent regardless of tanning or sun exposure. Undertones fall into three main categories: warm, cool, and neutral.
- Warm undertones have a golden, yellow, or peachy hue.
- Cool undertones have a pink, blue, or red tint.
- Neutral undertones have a mix of both warm and cool hues, giving a balanced tone.
Examining the veins on your wrist is an easy way to identify your undertone. If they look greenish, you probably have a warm undertone. If they appear blue or purple, you have a cool undertone. If you can’t tell, you may have a neutral undertone.
Best Colours for Warm Undertones
If you have warm undertones, go for earthy and deep tints. Consider warm natural hues such as mustard yellow, burnt orange, olive green, and rich browns. Gold-based colours tend to brighten your complexion, so warm reds, corals, and peachy tones are wonderful choices.
For clothing, opt for beige, camel, warm reds, and terracotta. When it comes to makeup, golden-based foundations, peachy blushes, and warm-toned lipsticks will complement your complexion beautifully. If you love jewellery, gold pieces will enhance your natural warmth more than silver.
Best Colours for Cool Undertones
Cool undertones look best in shades with blue or purple bases. If you fall into this category, jewel tones like sapphire blue, emerald green, and royal purple will enhance your natural colouring. Soft pastels like lilac, baby blue, and icy pink also flatter cool undertones.
For clothing, go for crisp whites, cool greys, and navy blues. When choosing makeup, opt for pink or berry-toned blushes, blue-based red lipsticks, and cool-toned foundations. As for jewellery, silver and platinum pieces will suit you better than gold.
Best Colours for Neutral Undertones
Neutral undertones have the advantage of versatility. If your skin has both warm and cool elements, you can pull off a wide range of colours. Earthy tones like taupe, soft pinks, and balanced blues work well. Avoid shades that are overly bright or too muted, as they can make your skin appear dull.
For clothing, select soft neutrals, pale blues, dusty pinks, and balanced greens. Makeup should tend towards natural colours- rosy blushes, nude lipsticks, and foundations that are neither too warm nor too cool. Both gold and silver jewellery will suit your complexion, allowing you more room to play.
Colours to Avoid
While some colours will highlight your characteristics, others may have the opposite impact. If you have warm undertones, avoid extremely cool colours like frosty blues and purples, which can make your complexion appear dull. Cool undertones should avoid too warm colours such as mustard yellow and copper, which might contrast with the natural pinkish hue.
Extreme hues, either too warm or too cool, may not be appropriate for neutral undertones. Choose balanced tones that do not overshadow your natural skin tone. The idea is to pick hues that complement rather than contrast your skin.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right colours for your skin tone doesn’t have to be complicated. Understanding your undertones and choosing colours that complement them will enable you to effortlessly accentuate your natural beauty. The right colours will not only make you look gorgeous, but also give you the confidence boost you need. Next time you’re shopping for clothes or makeup, try these colour suggestions and let your natural beauty shine through.
