Summary of key points
Choosing the right makeup can be a game-changer, but the key to flawless application starts with identifying your skin tone and undertone. Whether you’re shopping for foundation, concealer, or even lipstick, understanding these two elements will help you select the most flattering products. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to determine your skin tone and undertone, and provide tips for choosing the best products for your complexion.
Step 1: Determine Your Skin Tone
Your skin tone is the overall color of your skin, which can range from very fair to deep. Here’s how to identify yours:
Fair Skin: If you burn easily in the sun and have very light skin with cool or neutral undertones, you likely have fair skin. Those with this skin tone often find that lighter shades of makeup complement their complexion. Explore makeup for light skin tones to find products that will enhance your natural beauty without overwhelming your skin.
Medium Skin: If your skin tans easily and rarely burns, you probably have a medium skin tone. This category includes a wide range of shades from light-medium to dark-medium. Medium skin tones can pull off a variety of makeup colors, from warm bronzes to rich berries. For those in this range, it’s best to check out makeup for medium skin tones to find hues that match your specific shade.
Olive Skin: Olive skin tones have a unique blend of neutral, slightly green undertones. People with olive skin usually tan easily and have a naturally warm, golden appearance. When selecting products, consider makeup for olive skin tones to enhance your natural warmth and avoid ashy or overly pink tones.
Deep Skin: Deep skin tones are rich and dark, with either cool or warm undertones. Those with deep skin can pull off bold, vibrant colors that pop against their complexion. Look for products that cater specifically to deep tones to ensure that they provide enough pigment and don’t appear washed out on your skin.
Step 2: Determine Your Undertone
While your skin tone refers to the color of your skin, your undertone is the subtle hue beneath the surface. There are three main undertones:
Warm Undertones: If your skin has a golden, yellow, or peachy hue, you have warm undertones. Gold jewelry typically complements your skin better than silver, and earth tones like oranges, reds, and yellows will look great on you.
Cool Undertones: Cool undertones have hints of blue, pink, or red. If silver jewelry suits you more than gold, and you find that blues, purples, and pinks flatter your complexion, you likely have cool undertones.
Neutral Undertones: If you have a mix of both warm and cool hues, your undertone is neutral. You’re fortunate because almost any color will look good on you, giving you more flexibility when selecting makeup products.
To determine your undertone, look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear green, you likely have warm undertones. If they look blue or purple, you have cool undertones. If it’s hard to tell, you might be neutral.
Once you know your skin tone and undertone, you can confidently choose makeup that enhances your natural beauty. Whether you’re shopping for makeup for light skin tones, makeup for medium skin tones, or makeup for olive skin tones, you’ll find the perfect products to match your complexion and bring out your best features.