Have you ever struggled to find the right shade of foundation? Yeah, me neither. But seriously, I was told I had fair skin, only to find that many light colored foundations looked completely wrong on me. That’s because skin color is not one dimensional. When thinking about your skin, you don’t just want to be considering how dark it is, but its undertones, which is subtle and often misunderstood. Let’s explore what these skin undertones are and how you can identify yours.

What Are Skin Undertones?

Your skin tone refers to the surface color of your skin, which may change based on sun exposure, weather, or skincare routines. However, the undertone is the underlying hue that remains consistent regardless of external factors. 

There are three primary types of undertones: 

• Warm: Golden, peachy, or yellow undertones.
• Cool: Pink, red, or blue undertones.
• Neutral: A balanced mix of warm and cool tones, or a subtle olive hue.

While your surface skin tone can be light, medium, or deep, it is your undertone that determines which colors look best on you.

Why Are Skin Undertones Important?

Understanding your undertone makes a huge difference in creating a harmonious appearance. Here's why undertones matter: 

1.Choosing the Right Makeup

• Foundation: Wearing the wrong undertone foundation can make your skin look gray, dull, or overly yellow.
• Lipsticks and Blush: Warm tones suit warm undertones (think coral or peach), while cool undertones shine in blue-based shades (like berry or rose).
• Eyeshadow and Highlighter: Knowing whether gold or silver shimmer complements your skin can elevate your makeup game.

2. Building a Flattering Wardrobe 

When your clothes complement your undertone, your skin looks healthier and more radiant. Wearing clashing tones, however, can make your complexion look dull or tired.  A Winter type looks amazing in rich, clear colors, but is washed out by overly bright colors. A Spring type stands out in bold bright colors but is washed out by earthy, muted colors. To find out more about which seasons looked best in which colors, you can read our article about all things color analysis.

 

3. Flattering Hair Color Choices

Your undertone helps guide decisions about hair color and find the color that will best suit your complexion. If you’re thinking of changing your hair color, you’re going to want to choose a one that complements your undertones. For example, warm undertones glow with caramel or copper shades, while cool undertones shine with ashy blondes or deep brunettes.

Why Are Skin Undertones Hard to Identify? 

Figuring out your undertone isn’t always straightforward. Here are a few reasons why people struggle with it: 

1. Skin Variability: Surface tones (like redness or tanning) can confuse the process. For example, you may have a warm undertone but experience redness on the surface, leading you to believe you’re cool-toned.
2. Neutral Undertones: People with neutral undertones can appear to fit into both warm and cool categories, making it hard to pin down.
3. Olive Complexion Confusion: Olive skin can be tricky—it’s often mistaken for neutral but leans more toward a unique blend of warm and cool.
4. Lighting Issues: Trying to assess your undertone in poor lighting can make it difficult to see the true colors of your skin.

How to Identify Your Skin Undertone

Here are some tried-and-true methods to help you figure out your undertone: 

1. The Vein Test 

Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist under natural light. 

• If they appear greenish: You likely have warm undertones.
• If they appear bluish or purple: You probably have cool undertones.
• If it’s hard to tell, or they look blue-green: You may have neutral undertones.

2. The Jewelry Test 

Try on both gold and silver jewelry and see which looks better against your skin. 

• Gold jewelry tends to flatter warm undertones.
• Silver jewelry complements cool undertones.
• Both metals look good on neutral undertones.

3. The White Paper Test 

Hold a white piece of paper next to your face in natural light. 

• If your skin looks more yellow or golden: You have warm undertones.
• If your skin looks pink or rosy: You have cool undertones.
• If your skin looks grayish or balanced: You may have neutral or olive undertones.

 

4. The Sun Reaction Test 

Consider how your skin reacts to sun exposure. 

• If you tan easily: You likely have warm undertones.
• If you burn easily: You probably have cool undertones.
• If you tan and burn equally: You may have neutral undertones.

 

5. Color Comparison Test

Stand in front of a mirror and hold up different colors (preferably fabrics) to your face. 

• Warm tones like peach, coral, and golden yellow will flatter warm undertones.
• Cool tones like icy blue, lavender, and emerald will suit cool undertones.
• If both sets look equally good, you may have neutral undertones.

 

What If You’re Still Not Sure?

If you’re struggling to determine your undertone even after trying these tests, here are some additional tips: 

1. Consult a Professional: I cannot stress enough how helpful a professional color analysis can be. Prices can range pretty widely, but if you are going to pay for a consultation, make sure it’s someone who is certified.
2. Look at Celebrity Matches: Find celebrities with similar features and compare their undertones. We are lucky to have access to high resolution close ups of so many different people. Comb through celebrities that share a resemblance with you and really look at their skin color, find images of them in different colors and lights and once you’ve found a match, look up their season online.
3. Check in Different Lighting: Make sure to evaluate your skin in natural light to get the most accurate result. Avoid direct exposure doing this in direct sunlight or harsh artificial lighting.

 

If you’d like to find out more about color analysis and how it can help you build a cohesive and flattering wardrobe, you can read our article about Color analysis and why it matters. If you already know your color season and are looking for an affordable and helpful shopping tool, you can find our purse-size color season palette fans here.