Want a Perfect Color Match? How to Know Your Skin’s Undertone

Understanding your undertone is essential in finding the perfect makeup shades, clothing colors and even hair dyes that flatter your unique complexion. Your undertone is distinct from your skin’s surface color and plays a role in determining the hues that enhance your natural beauty. Here you will delve into the world of undertones and unravel the mystery behind how to know your undertone to help you confidently make a color selection that suits you best. 

What is an Undertone?

Before diving into the process of identifying your undertone, you need to know what the concept of it means. Undertone is the subtle hue that lies beneath the surface of your skin. It can be anywhere from warm, neutral to cool. 

Warm undertones have a yellow, peach or golden-looking hue to the skin, while cool undertones lean towards a pink, red or blue undertone. Neutral undertones usually have a balance between warm and cool and have a variation of the hues. 

How Can I Identify My Undertone?

Several ways can help you determine your undertone. Start by looking at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If you notice that the veins are blue or purple, you likely have a cool undertone. If they look somewhat green, then you have a warm undertone. When you have a neutral undertone, it will be difficult to determine the color.

Another way you can tell is by observing how your skin reacts to sun exposure. If you burn easily and have difficulty tanning you probably have a cool undertone. If your skin reacts well in the sun and you tan easily and barely burn you have a warm undertone.

Some people use the jewelry test, but it is only sometimes accurate. It is said that if gold jewelry enhances your complexion, you have a warm undertone and silver. If looks good you have a cool undertone. If both metals look good on you, you have a neutral undertone.

What Are Color Tests and Complementary Hues?

Using color tests can provide you with more knowledge about your undertone. If you hold a white piece of paper next to your face, it will reveal whether it is brighter and more vibrant against the stark paper this is a cool undertone and if it looks more radiant next to an off-white or cream color paper, then you are a warm undertone. 

When it comes to clothing, certain shades will flatter certain undertones more than others. Of course, you should wear whatever makes you feel confident but these colors could elevate your look. Warm undertones look good in earthy tones like browns, greens, oranges and yellows. Warm undertones also look good in reds and corals. Cool undertones look great in jewel tones like emerald green, royal blue and deep purple. 

If you have a neutral undertone, you will have a wider range to choose from since you can pull off a wide range of colors. 

How Does Undertone Affect Makeup and Hair Choices? 

Selecting the right makeup products is one of the most important reasons to know your undertone. Knowing your undertone will help you choose the right hair color and makeup products. When it comes to foundation, choosing the right shade to match your undertone will make the foundation look seamless and natural.

For warm undertones, look for foundations with golden or yellow undertones. Cool undertones should look for foundations with a pink or rosey hint. Neutral undertones can experiment with various options to match their shade correctly. 

Hair color choices are just as important when you are choosing what will suit your undertone the best. Warm undertones do well with rich, golden hues and coppery reds. Cool undertones are complemented well with ashy or platinum blondes or deep cool browns. Neutral undertones can experiment and have a mixture of shades that look good on warm or cool options. 

How to Know Your Undertone? Test It Out

Understanding your undertone unlocks the secret to choosing colors that enhance natural beauty. After you know what looks best on you, you will stand out from the crowd and look amazing in your clothing, hair and makeup. You can even help others figure out their undertone and educate them on what it can do for them.