Whenever I edit a client or a friend’s closet one of the hardest lessons for them to learn is the color lesson. Most people wear colors that they like and pay little to no attention to how the colors make them look. Often people will select make up, accessories and clothing based on whether they like the hue they see on the rack, it may be their favorite color or a color that is very hot for that season. But what they fail to realize is that just because they like it doesn’t mean that they should wear it. Â Yes, you read correctly: just because you like that color, doesn’t mean you should wear it.
Ever wondered why certain shades of eyeshadow, nail polish, tops and dresses looked better on you than others? Well it is because of your skin’s undertone and, that’s what we want to talk about today. One of our readers sent in this excellent question and we chose to answer it.
Q:Â How do I know what my skin’s undertone is?
A:Â Determining your skin’s undertone is crucial to look your best and is actually simpler than most people think. You can fall into one of the following 3 categories: cool, warm or neutral. If you are cool this means that your skin color tinges blue or red. If you are warm, your skin color tinges yellow. And if you are neutral, your skin actually has warm areas and cold areas at the same time.
Why should I care? Well, knowing your skin’s undertone will help you determine which colors to opt for in make up, accessories and clothing. It explains why certain hues complement your skin tone while others wash you out or just make you look awkward. If you have a cool undertone then, silver, blue, green and purple look great on you.
WTW: Cold Skin Undertone
These summer look options are perfect for you if you have a cold skin undertone. Green, blue and purple shades are great…
If you have a warm undertone then, gold, yellow, red and orange are perfect colors for you!
WTW: Warm Skin Undertone
These summer look options are perfect for you if you have a warm skin undertone. Gold, red, orange and yellow shades are great…
And if you have a neutral undertone to your skin, you are lucky because you can sport cool and warm colors effortlessly.
So, how do I determine my skin’s undertone? Â Well, to do this you will need a well-lit room, preferably by natural light and a sheet of crisp white paper. First, take the white sheet of paper and bring it up to your face. Then, observe the contrast between the sheet and your skin. Your undertone color will stand out. If it is red for Caucasians or blue for darker skin tones, your undertone is cool. If the color shining through your skin is yellow for light and dark skin tones then, you have a warm undertone. If you see more than one color, like yellow on your cheeks and red on your forehead then, you have a neutral undertone to your skin.
What if my favorite colors don’t complement my undertone? Well, what I just said doesn’t mean that you have to stop wearing your favorite colors all together. You can still wear them but opt for pieces that are away from your face like pants, skirts, underwear, shoes and other accessories. You want to frame your face with the colors that suit you the best and build your outfit around those pieces. You can also use your favorite colors to decorate your house.
At the end of the day always remember that you should look and feel good in what you wear. If you found this information helpful, don’t forget to comment below.
Stay chic!
Want to know more about how to dress for your skin tone or have an unrelated question or want to share your style notes with us? Send them in. We are dying to hear from you.