How to Find—and Use—Your Skin’s Undertone for Flawless Makeup
Everything you need to know about uncovering your undertone—and using it for all your best makeup and style decisions.
Ever tried a foundation shade that looked great under store lights but turned dull or orange at home? Or picked a lipstick that looked stunning on your friend, only to find it clashed with your skin? The secret to unlocking your best (and most hassle-free) beauty choices starts with understanding your skin’s undertone.
Whether you’re a makeup enthusiast or a minimalist, knowing your skin’s undertone will help you pick the most flattering colors—across foundation, blush, lipstick, hair, even clothing and jewelry. Here’s your definitive guide to determining your undertone and making it work for you, straight from makeup artists and beauty pros.
What Exactly Is a Skin Undertone?
Your skin undertone is the permanent, underlying hue beneath the surface of your skin that stays the same regardless of season, tan, or your current skin color. Unlike your skin’s surface tone—which can be lighter or darker—your undertone remains constant.
There are three main undertone categories:
- Cool undertones: Hints of pink, red, or blue under your skin.
- Warm undertones: Hues of yellow, peach, or golden beneath the skin’s surface.
- Neutral undertones: A balanced mix of both cool and warm tones, or an olive tint that looks “between” warm and cool.
While you might hear about secondary nuances, like pink, yellow, or olive, nearly everyone falls into these three major categories. Recognizing yours will make every beauty and fashion choice easier.
Why Your Undertone Matters for Beauty and Style
Understanding whether you are warm, cool, or neutral is a game-changer. It can help you:
- Choose a foundation that melts seamlessly into your skin (no weird lines or ashy finish).
- Pick lipsticks, blushes, and eyeshadows that naturally enhance your glow.
- Find jewelry—gold or silver—that flatters your complexion.
- Select hair colors that create a harmonious vibe.
- Even shop for clothing colors that highlight your features.
7 Ways to Figure Out Your Skin’s Undertone
If you’re not sure which category you fall under, here are the most reliable (and makeup artist-approved) ways to find your undertone—no beauty degree required.
1. The Vein Test
Flip your wrist and look at the veins in natural daylight:
- Blue or purple veins: You likely have a cool undertone.
- Greenish veins: You likely have a warm undertone.
- Both blue and green, or hard to tell: You might be neutral.
2. The White vs. Off-White T-Shirt Test
Hold a pure white and then a cream (off-white) top up to your face in natural light:
What others are reading
- Look healthier or brighter in white: You are probably cool.
- Glow more in off-white/cream: You’re likely warm.
- Both look fine: You could be neutral.
3. The Jewelry Test
Try on both gold and silver jewelry and see which looks better:
- Silver flatters more: You’re probably cool.
- Gold flatters more: You’re likely warm.
- Both or rose gold is best: You’re probably neutral.
4. The Sun Test
Think about how your skin reacts to sun exposure (use sunscreen!):
- Burns easily, barely tans: Usually cool.
- Tans quickly, rarely burns: Likely warm.
- Sometimes tans, sometimes burns: Neutral or somewhere in-between.
5. The Foundation Test
Test out different foundation shades—one that’s cool, one warm, and one neutral—on your jawline:
- The one that disappears perfectly usually matches your undertone.
6. The Color Swatch Test
Use brightly colored clothing or scarves (such as red, orange, blue, or purple):
- Cools (blues, emeralds, purples) enhance you: Cool tone.
- Warms (oranges, yellows, olive, browns) look better: Warm tone.
- Everything suits you: Neutral tone.
7. The Reaction Test
Try makeup shades recommended for specific undertones and see which feels natural. If both work or you can’t tell, ask a professional at a beauty counter or book a session with a makeup artist for expert advice.
Undertones by Skin Tone: Myths and Realities
Contrary to popular belief, anyone—regardless of whether they have fair, medium, deep, or dark skin—can have cool, warm, or neutral undertones. Here’s what’s common (but not a rule):
- Fair skin: May have cool (pink or bluish) or neutral undertones.
- Medium and olive skin: Often neutral or warm, sometimes olive.
- Deep and dark skin: Can be cool (red or blue), warm (golden), or neutral.
Always test—not assume—your undertone!
Undertone Comparison Table
| Category | Veins | Best in | Sun Reaction | Jewelry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool | Blue/Purple | White, silver, jewel tones | Burns easily | Silver |
| Warm | Greenish | Cream, gold, earthy/warm colors | Tans easily | Gold |
| Neutral | Both/Hard to tell | Both white & cream; most colors | Burns/tans equally | Rose gold or both |
How to Choose Makeup Based on Your Undertone
Foundations and Concealers
Brands usually label their products with “C” (cool), “W” (warm), or “N” (neutral). Pick accordingly! Some additional pointers:
- Cool: Choose foundations with pink, red, or blue bases.
- Warm: Go for yellow, golden, or peach-based products.
- Neutral: Shades without obvious pink or yellow, or that specify “neutral.”
Blush
- Cool: Rosy, berry, cool pink shades.
- Warm: Peach, apricot, coral tones.
- Neutral: Mauves, tawny, dusty rose can work well.
Lipsticks
- Cool: Blue-based reds, berry, fuchsia, mauve.
- Warm: Orange-reds, coral, terracotta, browns.
- Neutral: Flexibility—most shades (choose based on occasion or mood!).
Highlighters
- Cool: Silvery, icy, or opal highlights.
- Warm: Champagne, gold, peachy tones.
- Neutral: Try mixing white and gold for a luminous glow or use universally flattering shades.
Eyeshadows
- Cool: Try taupes, silvers, navy, soft pinks, lavender.
- Warm: Rich browns, coppers, bronzes, goldens, orange.
- Neutral: Earthy tones, mix and match!
Beyond Makeup: How Your Undertone Influences Style
Clothing
- Cool: Wear jewel tones—sapphire, emerald, amethyst, cool grays, blue-based reds.
- Warm: Opt for earthy hues—olive, moss, coral, gold, orange, brown.
- Neutral: Lucky! Most shades suit you, especially muted tones.
Hair Color
- Cool: Ashy blonde or brown, platinum, cool burgundy, blue-black.
- Warm: Golden blonde, honey, caramel brown, copper, warm auburn.
- Neutral: Most shades, but soft and balanced tones look best.
Jewelry
- Cool: Silver, white gold, platinum.
- Warm: Yellow gold, brass, copper.
- Neutral: Mixed metals, rose gold, anything goes.
Common Undertone FAQs
Can my undertone change over time?
No. Your undertone stays the same even as your skin bronzes, lightens, or ages. Only your surface skin tone changes; the undertone is consistent for life.
Can I be a skin tone that isn’t warm, cool, or neutral?
Some experts mention olive or red undertones, but these usually still fit into the broader spectrum of cool, warm, or neutral. Everyone falls somewhere on this spectrum—even with unique nuances.
Is it possible to have different undertones on my face and neck?
The undertone is generally consistent across your face and body, but factors like redness or pigmentation can sometimes make one area appear different. When in doubt, check in good daylight.
What if I can’t tell? None of the tests work for me!
This is surprisingly common! If you’re stuck between categories, you might be neutral. Otherwise, consider asking a professional—makeup artists have a trained eye—or use online foundation-matching tools.
Quick Tips for a Flattering, Effortless Routine
- Always test new products in natural daylight if possible.
- When shopping for foundation, check if a brand offers mini sizes or samples to test at home.
- If a product looks ashy, orange, or just unflattering, it’s probably the wrong undertone.
- Don’t stress if you don’t fit neatly in one category—your undertone is just one (helpful!) guide, not a strict rule.
Summary Table: The Undertone Cheat Sheet
| Undertone | Visible Clues | Best Makeup Tones | Jewelry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool | Pink or blue undertone, burns easily, blue veins | Blue-based reds, pink blush, silver highlight | Silver/Platinum |
| Warm | Yellow/golden undertone, tans easily, green veins | Coral, peach blush, gold highlight | Gold/Brass |
| Neutral | Mix of warm/cool, hard to tell, olive | Rose, taupe, universally flattering shades | Rose Gold/Mixed |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do I match foundation perfectly to my undertone?
A: Choose a few shades that generally match your skin tone and undertone, apply stripes to your jaw/neck, and see which “disappears” under natural light. The best match will look seamless without much blending.
Q: Do my clothing and jewelry choices really change how I look depending on undertone?
A: Absolutely. Wearing colors or metals that suit your undertone can make your complexion look brighter, while the wrong hues can make your skin look washed out or dull.
Q: What if I’m neutral but want to wear bold makeup?
A: Neutrals can wear almost any color! Try bolder versions of both cool and warm tones and find what feels best. Blending undertones can be especially flattering for neutrals.
Q: My undertone changes with seasons—why?
A: The undertone itself won’t change, but your skin’s surface color can. Tans, redness, or dryness can temporarily alter how your skin looks, but your underlying undertone is consistent.
Key Takeaway
No more guessing games! Learning your undertone is the fastest, most effective way to make your beauty routine easier and your looks more flattering—every single day.
References
- https://potentash.com/2023/03/08/foundation-skin-undertone-right-makeup/
- https://read.dukeupress.edu/meridians/article/19/S1/363/167559/Cosmopolitan-WhitenessThe-Effects-and-Affects-of
- https://www.livethatglow.com/how-to-tell-your-skin-undertones/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a65626656/find-your-skin-undertone/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/a34343574/foundation-undertone-black-skin/
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/beauty/22814-face-contour-highlight-makeup-tips
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2en1Px7nVk
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