How to Identify Your Skin Undertone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding the perfect shade of foundation, choosing the right clothes, and selecting flattering jewellery all hinge on understanding your skin undertone. Unlike skin tone, which refers to the colour of your skin, undertone is the subtle hue that lies beneath the surface. Identifying your skin undertone can make all the difference in achieving a harmonious and natural look. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you determine your skin undertone.

What Are The Main Undertone Categories?

Skin undertones generally fall into three categories: warm, cool, and neutral. Warm undertones are characterized by golden, yellow, or peach hues. Cool undertones are defined by pink, red, or blue hues. Neutral undertones are a mix of both warm and cool undertones or a more subdued hue that doesn’t strongly lean towards either.

Warm: Includes golden, yellow, or peachy undertones.

Phot: Simphiwe Ngema

Cool Includes with a pink, red, or blue undertones.

Photo: Anne Hathaway

Neutral are a balance of both warm and cool undertones.

Photo: Jessica Alba

Six Ways to Identifying Your Skin's Undertone?

1. Check Your Veins

One simple method to determine your undertone is to examine the veins on your wrist. If your veins appear greenish, you likely have warm undertones, as the green colour results from the combination of yellow undertones with blue. If your veins look blue or purple, you probably have cool undertones, as blue veins indicate a pink or red base. If you find it difficult to distinguish between blue and green, or if your veins appear colourless, you might have neutral undertones.

2. Consider How Your Skin Reacts to Sun Exposure

How your skin reacts to sun exposure can provide clues about your undertone. Those with warm undertones usually tan easily and rarely burn, often developing a golden or bronze hue. In contrast, individuals with cool undertones tend to burn quickly and may develop a pinkish or reddish tan. If you experience both burning and tanning, or if your tan doesn’t strongly lean towards gold or pink, you may have neutral undertones.

3. Assess Your Jewellery Preferences

Your choice of jewellery can also provide insight into your undertone. Gold jewellery often complements warm undertones better, so if gold pieces enhance your appearance, you might have warm undertones. Silver or platinum jewellery generally looks more flattering on cool undertones, so if silver suits you best, you’re likely cool-toned. Those with neutral undertones often look great in both gold and silver, so if both types of jewellery work for you, you may have neutral undertones.

4. Test with Clothing Colours

Testing clothing colours is another effective method. Earthy tones like brown, orange, yellow, and warm shades of red and green often complement warm undertones. Cool colors such as blue, purple, pink, and emerald green are usually more flattering for those with cool undertones. People with neutral undertones can often wear a wide range of colors, including both warm and cool shades.

5. Perform the White vs. Cream Test

Another easy test involves holding white and cream-coloured fabrics up to your face. If your skin looks better against cream or off-white, you may have warm undertones. If bright white or pure white enhances your appearance, you likely have cool undertones. If both white and cream seem equally flattering, you might have neutral undertones.white and cream seem equally flattering, you might have neutral undertones.

6. Consider Your Natural Hair and Eye Colour

Sometimes, your natural hair and eye colour can give hints about your undertone. Warm undertones often pair with hair colours like golden blonde, rich brown, or auburn, and eye colors such as hazel, warm brown, or green. Cool undertones might be complemented by hair colors like ash blonde, cool brown, or black, and eye colours such as blue, gray, or cool green. Those with neutral undertones may have hair and eye colours that don’t strongly lean towards either warm or cool.

How To Find the Best Colour Palette for Your Undertone

Discovering the right colour palette for your undertone enhances your natural beauty and ensures your clothing and accessories complement your skin.

Earthy Tones: These tones complement warm undertones and include colours such as browns, oranges, yellows, and warm reds. Examples of earthy palettes are terracotta, burnt sienna, olive green, and mustard yellow.

Cool Tones: compliment cool undertones the cool tones include colours like blue, purple, pink, and emerald green. Examples of these palettes are sapphire blue, lavender, fuchsia, and mint green.

Mix of Both:Both warm and cool tones complement neutral undertones. Examples of suitable palettes include soft neutrals like beige, taupe, and blush, along with mid-tone hues such as teal and coral.

How To Select Makeup Colours for Your Undertone

Warm Undertones: Choose foundations with a yellow or golden base. Opt for makeup shades in warm reds, oranges, and bronzy tones to enhance your complexion.

Cool Undertones: Select foundations with a pink or blue base. Favour makeup shades in cool pinks, berries, and blues to complement your skin.

Neutral Undertones: Experiment with both warm and cool makeup shades to find what suits you best. This versatile approach allows you to explore a range of colours and identify what works best for your unique undertone.

Identifying your skin undertone is crucial for making choices that enhance your natural beauty. By following these steps and considering various factors, you’ll be able to pinpoint your undertone and select colours and products that truly complement your unique skin. Embrace your undertone and let it guide you to a more harmonious and flattering look!