Skin tone and undertone. Is it the same thing? Nope! When describing a skin tone, you normally say light, medium, tan, dark, blah, blah, blah. But an undertone is a color(s) that lie underneath of your skin tone.

Ever seen someone who had an orangy-hue to their face or a ghostly mask? Yeah, me too. It could be because the foundation doesn’t compliment with their undertone. It may match their skin tone but it doesn’t match their undertone.

It could be for several reasons but one key thing that comes down to picking out the right foundation color and makeup colors for your skin is knowing your undertone.

What exactly is “skin undertone?”

Do the terms “cool,” “neutral,” or “warm” say anything to you? These are the terms that are used when describing a foundation and your undertone.

Cool – Bits of blue, pink, or reddish complexion.

Neutral – No obvious hues in the skin other than the natural color of your skin.

Warm – Hues of yellow, peach, or gold in your complexion.

Picture from Joeur Cosmetics.

Well, how can I find my undertone?

First, you need to look at skin that has hardly ever been exposed to something that might have changed its color, the sun for example. Most likely that will be the insides of your wrists or arms.

If you see bluish/purple veins, then you have a “cool” undertone. Also with a cool undertone, you tend to burn if being out in the sun for a little while instead of tanning. Cool undertones also are flattered with silver jewelry.

If you see greenish veins, then most likely you have a “warm” undertone. Also with a warm undertone, you tend to tan if being out in the sun for a little while instead of burning. Warm undertones are flattered with gold jewelry.

If you can’t really determine one or the other because you have bluish, purple, and greenish veins, then most likely you have “neutral” undertone. Neutral undertones are able to wear both gold and silver jewelry nicely.

Okay. So, what kinds of colors can I choose?

For cool undertones, you want to stick with blue toned eyeshadows, red, pink or purple lipsticks, and light pink blushes. *For foundation, you want to stick with the “cools.”

For neutral undertones, you are lucky! Like with the jewelry, every kind of makeup goes with your undertone. *For foundation, see under note.

For warm undertones, you want to stick with earthy toned colors, coral colored blushes, and dark lipsticks. *For foundation, you want to stick with the “warms.”

*Whenever picking out a foundation in your category, you always want to test it first. Just because it goes with your undertone doesn’t necessarily mean that shade it right for your skintone. You could be one shade up or down on the color scale. Always test the foundation on your jawline. The foundation that is less noticeable is your ideal color!

I hope this helped a little bit! Finding your perfect match is never easy. But once your figure out your undertone, it should be easier. Then, once you find your perfect match, Viola! Easy peazy from now on. Just keep in mind you might need to go up or down one shade depending on winter or summer.

Sincerely,

Published by Glamour With Christine

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12 thoughts on “Monday Makeup Mash: Skin undertone and how to find yours.”

  1. This was such a great post, I’ve done a bit of reading on undertones and stuff as I always find it so hard to match my foundations especially at the drugstore where there isn’t a makeup artist to help you like there is at sephora! I think from reading this I most definitely have cool undertones, the ‘burning easily’ really confirmed this for me haha! xx

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  2. LOVED this post – such a detailed yet clear way to guide us on undertones- you got me looking at my veins in the train (lol, no better light than it’s fluorescent lights though). People thought I was insane. Anyways- going to use this guide next time I buy my foundation to see if I can get an even better match from a new brand! X

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    1. Hello!
      I’m so glad you thought the content was good! And thank you for your comment. You made me chuckle when talking about how people might have thought you were insane while looking at your veins. Haha!

      I’m glad I could give you a better idea for picking out a better match!!

      Christine xx

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  3. Awesome post! I feel like this helped me but also gave me more questions because I totally struggle with this. I have keratosis and sometimes my skin has pink/red tones, but I feel like my true undertone is yellow. I always just try to look at example photos with women who look like me because I’m that bad at deciding! I finally found a concealer that matches me but it sometimes washes me out, and my foundation sometimes makes me look kind of pink, and my other fav concealer is sometimes too yellow! I’m a mess. I read this twice through and I think I’m going to bring it when I go foundation shopping again lol. Awesome info graphic by the way as well!

    Cheers xx

    Rachel | http://www.myspottedblog.com

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    1. Hello Rachel!

      Thank you for commenting! Sounds like you might need a couple of different foundations/concealers. That actually is not uncommen. I need two different sets of both foundation and concealers because some seasons I am more tan and others I ghostly-sickly white! Sometimes, I’m in between too and need to mix the two foundations. Ugh, foundations are so confusing. But once you have it…you HAVE it!

      I think it’s a great idea to take this with you when you shop! But remember to always try the sample foundation on your jawline and which ever disappears the most is the one!

      Christine xx

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