Choosing the right colors for your wardrobe or makeup can significantly affect how you look and feel. While personal preferences play a role, understanding your undertone can be a game-changer in selecting colors that complement your natural features. Undertones are the subtle hues beneath the surface of your skin that affect how colors appear against your complexion. Identifying whether you have warm, cool, or neutral undertones can guide you in picking the most flattering shades for your clothing, accessories, and makeup.
Understanding Undertones
Undertones are distinct from the overtone, which is the skin’s surface color affected by factors like sun exposure or redness. Undertones, on the other hand, remain consistent regardless of changes in skin tone due to factors such as sun exposure or health.
Warm Undertones
If you have warm undertones, your skin tends to have a golden, peachy, or yellowish hue. Veins tend to look more green in people with warm undertones. Warm undertones are often associated with skin that tans easily and hair colors like red, orange, golden blonde, or brown with hints of red or gold.
Cool Undertones
Cool undertones impart a pink, rosy, or bluish tint to the skin. Veins may appear more blue in individuals with cool undertones. People with cool undertones may have skin that burns quickly and hair colors like ash brown, black, platinum blonde, or silver.
Neutral Undertones
Undertones exhibit a balance of warm and Cool undertones or lack strong overtones altogether. Neutral undertones can vary widely, but they do not skew strongly warm or cool. People with neutral undertones may pull off a more comprehensive range of colors without clashing with their complexion.
Choosing Colors Based on Undertones
Once you’ve determined your undertone, you can select colors that harmonize with your natural coloring.
Warm Undertones
Earthy tones and warm shades are most flattering for those with warm undertones. Think of colors like:
Warm Reds: Terracotta, tomato red, brick red.
Earthy Greens: Olive, moss, forest green.
Rich Yellows: Mustard, goldenrod, sunflower yellow.
Warm Neutrals: Camel, caramel, beige.
Avoid too cool or icy colors, as they can wash out your complexion.
Cool Undertones
Cool undertones are enhanced by colors that have a blue or purple base. Consider shades like:
Cool Blues: Navy, cobalt, periwinkle.
Soft Pinks: Rose, mauve, dusty pink.
Jewel Tones: Sapphire, emerald, amethyst.
Cool Grays: Charcoal, slate, silver.
Steer clear of overly warm or yellow-based colors, which can clash with your cool undertones.
Neutral Undertones
Individuals with neutral undertones can experiment with a broad spectrum of colors. They can pull off both warm and cool tones with ease. Neutral undertones can explore:
Soft Pastels: Soft peach, lavender, light mint.
Classic Neutrals: True black, white, gray.
Earthy Tones: Tan, olive, taupe.
Neutral undertones can enjoy mixing and matching colors without worrying too much about clashing.
Conclusion
Understanding your undertone is valuable in refining your style and enhancing your overall appearance. You can create cohesive looks that highlight your natural beauty by selecting colors that complement your undertone. Experiment with different shades to see which makes your complexion glow and your eyes pop. Ultimately, the key is wearing colors that make you feel confident and comfortable in your skin.