Are you dressing to match your skin’s undertone? Here’s how to do it 

The science behind colors is fascinating. We all grew up learning which shades complemented each other, what color pairings were soothing, and which helped create drama. What if we told you that the same theories you learned in art class can be applied today to make sure you look your best?

The secret to building a wardrobe that truly flatters lies in understanding your skin’s undertone. Once you grasp this concept, you’ll automatically find hues that naturally enhance your appearance and boost your confidence. 

Understanding Your Undertone

Your skin’s undertone is the subtle hue beneath the surface that gives your complexion its unique warmth, coolness, or neutrality. Identifying your correct undertone is the first step to curating a wardrobe that makes you look and feel good. Here are two simple ways to determine your undertones: 

1. Study Your Veins 

Let’s begin by examining your veins. The blood vessels present on your elbows, temples, and wrists are often close to the surface as the skin is thinner there. If the veins appear blue or purple, you likely have a cool undertone. If they look greenish, your undertone is warm. For those with neutral undertones, your veins may not lean strongly towards either color, indicating a balanced mix of warm and cool tones. 

2. White Paper Test

Another simple yet effective method is the white paper test–you can also use it to confirm your skin tone if the first test didn’t yield satisfying results. Hold a white sheet of paper next to your chest or neck as these are areas less affected by sun exposure compared to your face. As you compare the white paper against your skin, take note of the colors that stand out. If you see pink and blue tones, your undertone is cool. If you detect hints of gold and green, you have a warm undertone. Those with neutral undertones will notice theirs fluctuates with the seasons or sun exposure. 

Dress According To Your Undertone

Now that you’ve determined your undertone, scroll ahead to see how you can dress according to it.

Warm Undertones 

To make the most of your warm complexion, embrace rich, earthy tones like olive green, burnt orange, rust, mustard, coral, and deep gold. You can play around with colors from the warmer side of the color wheel. Rich saturated shades like emerald, sapphire, and ruby will make your skin pop and glow! Want to pair cool colors with your outfit? Choose warmer ones like orchid, violet-red, moss, and others. Gold jewelry will be your go-to, so it’s safe to invest in statement earrings, necklaces, and more that speak to you.

Cool Undertones

Stick to cool shades from the color spectrum, like deep purples, lavender, pink, blues, mint green, silver and others. Jewel tones like amethyst, plum, and turquoise can be your BFFs as they will enhance your natural complexion. Avoid using warm yellows and oranges which might make you appear flushed, but it’s safe to incorporate a little bit of pale yellow and rosy red pieces into your wardrobe as well. Choose silver jewelry as it will complement your cool appearance. 

Neutral Undertones 

You’re the lucky one! Neutral undertones mean you have the flexibility to choose from both warm and cool color palettes. Experiment with different shades to see what makes you glow, but jewel tones, deep greens, and rich browns usually appear victorious.