skin TONE

UNDERTONE

Human skin color ranges in variety from the

darkest brown to the lightest hues. 

Get started now

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY.

This is How to Determine Your Skin Undertone Once and for All

BY DANA BURKE AND SOPHIE WIRT APRIL 27, 2018

how to find your skin tone

In an effort to make your beauty routine as easy as possible, we’re constantly offering up advice on the best beauty looks for every skin tone. Looking for the most complimentary red lipstick for your complexion? We got you. Same goes for nude nail polish, hair color, and blush. As far as determining the best base itself, though, it’s not always as easy as it sounds.

Tone vs. Undertone

“Skin tone is the surface skin color,” says makeup artist Lauren Gott, who works with Kiernan Shipka. Generally speaking, it’s whether you’re fair, medium, or deep (simple, right?). Undertone, on the other hand, is the subtle hue underneath the surface, Gott explains. Undertones can be cool, warm, or neutral. Moreover, there are limitless skin tones/undertone combinations, Gott notes, which is why finding the perfect foundation match is not as simple as choosing a fair, medium, or deep shade. 

There are three kinds of undertones.

According to Gott, there are three undertone categories: warm, cool, and neutral. If your skin veers pink, red, or blueish, you have cool undertones. If your skin has a yellow, peachy, or golden tinge, you have warm undertones. If you have a mix of both, your undertone is neutral. Still unsure? Take a gander at these tips to determine once and for all:

Look at your wrists in natural light. Are your veins more blue or green? People with veins that appear blue or purple have cool skin tones, while those with warm tones have veins that look green, Gott explains.

What color do you see when you hold a blank piece of white paper next to your face? If your skin appears more yellow, than you’re probably warm. If your skin looks pink, then you’re likely on the cool side. Also, it helps to always test this, as well as actual foundation swatches, in natural light to see the most accurate color reading.

Do you think you look better in gold or silver? This concept is a bit more outdated and subjective than it is telling, and many people’s jewelry collections probably contain a fair mix of both. But if you’re game to try it, the adage goes that gold better complements warm undertones and silver will complement cool undertones, following in the rule that the warm tones in gold jewelry bring out the warmth in like-undertones and the cool reflective properties of silver draw flattering light to cool undertones. (Honestly, you could replicate this test with warm vs. cool-toned highlighters on your face.)

Seasons change, but undertones remain the same.

It’s not uncommon to have a foundation shade for winter and foundation shade for summer that both work for you. “Skin tones can change with the season due to sun exposure,” says Gott, “yet undertones generally remain the same.” So next time you’re swatching a million shades at Sephora or buying a foundation online, remember that the shade itself can go one or two hues lighter or darker depending on season, whereas your undertone should remain the same, regardless of season. Gott loves the Allure Best of Beauty-winning Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation for it’s “spectacular range.” For more shade-spanning foundation lines, check out this list of brands with wide foundation ranges.

How to Care for Your Sensitive Skin

How to Care for Your Sensitive Skin

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SENSITIVE SKIN 1. COCONUT According to the National Eczema Association , "Coconut oil has been found in multiple studies to be useful for atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema." While many who suffer from eczema have a genetic...

Look No Further than These Essential Oils for Great Skin

Look No Further than These Essential Oils for Great Skin

10 Essential Oils for Gorgeous Skin 1. Lavender oil is great for skin that is dry or irritated. 2. Rose oil is perfect for aging skin, as it helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. 3. Tea tree oil is a powerful antibacterial agent, making it ideal for treating...

10 Easy Tips to Transform Tired Skin

10 Easy Tips to Transform Tired Skin

10 TIPS FOR NATURALLY GLOWING SKIN It's an exciting time to be alive. We know that organic products are better for us and the planet; organic cotton reduces toxic chemical use; organic ingredients nourish skin instead of stripping it. So we've put together our top ten...

Look No Further than These Essential Oils for Great Skin

10 Things To Be Aware Of When Using Essential Oils

Essential oils are extracted through different methods from the leaves, barks, and rinds of certain plants. You can find them in many beauty products or use them in their pure form in creating your own creams or scrubs. Pure essential oils can also be rubbed into the...

Other Interesting Articles

The Most Common Issues of SKIN Aging

The Most Common Issues of SKIN Aging

The most common forms of skin aging are amongst others the following: #1) Loss of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid; #2) Breakdown of the epidermal barrier; #3) Decreased elasticity and water-holding capacity as well as an increase in transepidermal water loss...

How to Care for Your Sensitive Skin

How to Care for Your Sensitive Skin

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SENSITIVE SKIN 1. COCONUT According to the National Eczema Association , "Coconut oil has been found in multiple studies to be useful for atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema." While many who suffer from eczema have a genetic...

Not sure what you need?

Different businesses have different needs. Find out which products meet your needs.

Reach Us

Contact Us

2153 S REMINGTON AVE, SARATOGA SPRINGS, 
UT 84045 USA

855-676-0555

Let's Start Talking About Your Skincare Needs

© 2021 - Ornate Skincare | All rights reserved.

2153 S REMINGTON AVE, SARATOGA SPRINGS, 
UT 84045 US
855-676-0555

Powered by Ornate Skincare