How To Know Your Skin Undertone For Makeup

How to Know Your Skin Undertone for Makeup

Knowing your skin undertone is crucial for choosing the right makeup shades. Getting it wrong can make you look washed out, or worse, highlight imperfections. This guide will walk you through how to easily determine your undertone, so you can confidently select foundation, concealer, and other makeup that complements your natural beauty.

What is Skin Undertone?

Your skin undertone is the underlying hue of your skin, independent of your skin tone (light, medium, dark). It's the subtle color beneath the surface that influences how other colors appear on your skin. There are three main undertones:

• Cool: This undertone has blue, pink, or red undertones. Think of the rosy cheeks often associated with fair skin.
• Warm: This undertone has yellow, golden, or peach undertones. Think of a sun-kissed glow.
• Neutral: This undertone is a blend of cool and warm undertones. It's a happy medium, often appearing more olive-toned.

How to Determine Your Undertone: Three Reliable Methods

There are several ways to figure out your undertone. Here are three of the most reliable methods:

1. The Vein Test

This is a quick and easy method. Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist in natural light.

• Blue or purple veins: Usually indicate a cool undertone.
• Green veins: Usually indicate a warm undertone.
• Blue-green veins: Usually indicate a neutral undertone.

2. The Jewelry Test

This method involves observing which type of jewelry complements your skin better.

• Silver looks better: You likely have a cool undertone.
• Gold looks better: You likely have a warm undertone.
• Both look good: You likely have a neutral undertone.

3. The White Paper Test

Hold a plain white piece of paper against your face in natural daylight.

• Skin appears pink or blue against the white paper: You likely have a cool undertone.
• Skin appears yellow or golden against the white paper: You likely have a warm undertone.
• Skin appears neither overly pink/blue nor yellow/gold: You likely have a neutral undertone.

What to Do Once You Know Your Undertone

Once you've determined your undertone, you can use this knowledge to choose makeup that enhances your complexion.

• Cool Undertone: Look for foundations, concealers, and blushes with pink, blue, or red undertones. Silver jewelry will also look more flattering.
• Warm Undertone: Look for foundations, concealers, and blushes with yellow, golden, or peach undertones. Gold jewelry will generally complement your skin better.
• Neutral Undertone: You're lucky! You can experiment with both cool and warm shades, often finding that peachy or rosy tones work well.

Beyond the Basics: Factors to Consider

While the above methods are helpful, remember that other factors can influence your perceived undertone:

• Sun exposure: Tanning can temporarily mask your true undertone.
• Seasonal changes: Your skin tone may slightly shift throughout the year.
• Makeup application: Improper application can impact how makeup appears on your skin.

Knowing your skin undertone is an important step in your makeup journey. By using these simple techniques, you can choose products that make your skin radiant and enhance your natural beauty. Experiment with different shades and find what works best for you!