Skin Undertones 101

 

 

If you've ever noticed that particular colors of clothing just "click," or that there are certain tones of jewelry that never feel right against your skin, you're picking up on your skin's undertone. While our skin tone — from deep to light and everything in between — is the color of the surface of our skin, undertones are the subtle hue beneath the skin's surface. Undertones are independent of skin tones, and you can find examples of cool, neutral and warm undertones in every skin tone family.
Getting to know your undertone — and choosing your foundation accordingly — is a trick that makeup artists have used for years to achieve that naturally flawless look. But did you know that selecting products based on undertone can help you find the most flattering shades for eyes and lips as well?

Take our quiz to find your undertone and discover the DreamHaze Eyeshadow Trio that's perfect for you.

 

DIY Tips for Finding Your Undertone

Try On A White T-Shirt

Put on a piece of clothing that's pure white and go outside into bright, natural light. Bring a mirror with you — if your skin looks pink or rosy by comparison, your skin has a cool undertone. If your face looks more yellow, or if you know you'd look better in an off-white or creamy shade, you probably have a warm undertone. If you look equally good in both white and cream, your undertone is likely neutral.

Check The Color Of Your Veins

Turn over your forearm and look at your veins in your inner wrist. If your veins look blue, you may have a cool undertone, while veins that appear green indicate a warm undertone. If veins are a mix of green and blue, or somewhere in the middle, you have a neutral undertone.

Consider Your Skin's Reaction To Sun Exposure

Does it feel like your skin burns after even just a few minutes of direct exposure to the sun? If the answer is yes, your skin likely has a cool undertone. Those with cool undertones tend to burn more quickly when exposed to the sun, as opposed to warm undertones, which tan easily. Neutral undertones typically burn at first, resulting in a tan, or tan first and potentially burn if they stay in the sun for too long.

So you've figured out your undertone. Now what?

Warm

Warm undertones are characterized by hints of yellow, gold and peach. Wear gold-tone jewelry and brown, gold, and copper-toned shades of makeup to best complement your natural glow. For foundation, opt for shades that have more yellow and gold inflections for optimal blending.

Cool

Complexions with cool undertones typically have a subtle hue of blue, red or pink. Cool undertones pair beautifully with silver jewelry and jewel-toned hues like blues, purples and greens.

Neutral

A neutral undertone is typified by an equal mix of cool and warm hues. This undertone harmonizes with a wider range of colors — from gold and silver jewelry to clothing and makeup in both warm and cool colors. Like those with a cool undertone, neutral complexions look best with a yellow-based concealer.