Undertones 101: The Secret to Finding Your Most Flattering Shades

BY MAMELLO MOKOENA
Mar 28
4 min read

When it comes to beauty, choosing the right foundation, lipstick or even hair colour can make all the difference. But have you ever wanted to try a new colour trend but weren’t sure whether it would actually suit you? The secret to confidently picking shades that enhance your natural beauty isn’t just about following trends, it’s about understanding your undertone.

Instead of second-guessing your foundation shade, wondering why a certain lipstick washes you out, or hesitating before trying a bold hair colour, understanding your undertone gives you the confidence to experiment with colours that enhance your glow. Whether you are embracing the latest beauty trends or refining your signature look, knowing your undertone is the first step to unlocking a beauty routine that truly works for you.

What Are Undertones?

Your undertone is the subtle hue beneath your skin that affects how colours look on you, from makeup to clothing and even accessories. Unlike your skin tone, which can change with the seasons, your undertone remains constant, making it a reliable guide for selecting flattering shades. When you know whether you have cool, warm or neutral undertones, you gain a better sense of what works for you, this makes it easier to choose products that compliment your features rather than clash with them.

There are three main undertones:

Cool – Pink, red or bluish hues
Warm – Golden, peachy or yellow hues
Neutral – A mix of warm and cool tones, sometimes leaning olive

How to Determine Your Undertone

Finding your undertone is really important when it comes to choosing colours that naturally enhance your beauty, and for those who want expert guidance, professional colour analysis is an option. These experts often use draping techniques, placing different fabric swatches near the face to see which colours make the skin appear more radiant versus dull or washed out. Personal colour analysis is widely sought after by those looking to refine their wardrobe, makeup choices or even career image with colours that truly suit them.

However, discovering your undertone does not always require a professional consultation. Sometimes, a second opinion from someone with experience can be just as helpful. Hairdressers and colourists can advise whether a specific hair colour will suit your complexion, while makeup artists and beauty consultants at cosmetic stores can guide you toward foundation and lipstick shades that bring out your best features. However, if you prefer to determine your undertone on your own, here are a 4 simple tests that will help:

1. The Vein Test – Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist under natural light.

Blue or purple veins? You likely have cool undertones.
Greenish veins? You probably have warm undertones.
A mix of both? You may be neutral.

2. The Jewellery Test – Try on both silver and gold jewellery.

If silver makes your skin glow, you have cool undertones.
If gold looks more flattering, you have warm undertones.
If both work well, you likely have neutral undertones.

3. The White vs. Cream Test – Hold a piece of pure white fabric and an off-white (cream) fabric near your face.

If bright white flatters you more, you have cool undertones.
If off-white suits you better, you have warm undertones.
If both look equally good, you are likely neutral.

4. The Sun Exposure Test – Think about how your skin reacts to the sun.

Do you burn easily and rarely tan? You likely have cool undertones.
Do you tan easily with minimal burning? You probably have warm undertones.
If you burn at first but later tan, you may be neutral.

Best Makeup Shades for Your Undertone

Once you have identified your undertone, selecting the right makeup shades becomes much easier.

Cool Undertones

Foundation – Look for shades labelled "cool" or "pink-toned"
Blush – Soft pinks, berry tones or cool-toned roses
Lipstick – True reds, blue-based pinks or berry hues
Eyeshadow – Cool browns, taupes, purples, silvers and blues

Warm Undertones

Foundation – Shades with golden or yellow undertones
Blush – Peach, warm coral or bronze shades
Lipstick – Warm reds, oranges and earthy nudes
Eyeshadow – Golds, bronzes, warm browns and coppers

Neutral Undertones

Foundation – Look for neutral or balanced shades (not too pink or too yellow)
Blush – Mauves, dusty roses or peachy-pinks
Lipstick – Soft nudes, rosy pinks or muted reds
Eyeshadow – Versatile neutral palettes with a mix of warm and cool tones

Your Perfect Fashion Palette

Your undertone can also guide your fashion choices:

Cool undertones shine in jewel tones like sapphire blue, emerald green and deep purples.
Warm undertones glow in earthy shades like mustard yellow, olive green and rich reds.
Neutral undertones can pull off both spectrums, looking great in classic colours like navy, white and beige

Understanding your undertone is not about restricting your choices, it is about enhancing them. The right shades can make your skin look more vibrant, your features pop and your overall look feel effortlessly polished. But at the end of the day, beauty is personal, and the final decision is always yours.

If you love a colour that does not traditionally suit your undertone, there are ways to make it work. For example, adjusting the depth or tone of a shade, like choosing a warmer red lipstick instead of a blue-based one, can create a more flattering effect. Layering can also help; if a foundation leans too cool or warm, mixing it with another shade or adjusting with bronzer or blush can balance the overall look. In fashion, pairing an "unflattering" colour with a neutral or complementary shade closer to your face, like a scarf or jewellery, can create harmony.

And of course, you can always ignore the rules entirely. If a colour makes you feel confident and happy, that is what truly matters. Whether you are experimenting with bold makeup, stepping out in a statement outfit or embracing a hair colour you love, your personal style should reflect what makes you feel like the best version of yourself.