Do you find it difficult to find your makeup, nail polish, or hair colors that suit you perfectly? The key to finding the perfect shades lies in understanding your undertones.
Undertones are an often misunderstood factor that can make or break how different colors reflect against you.
In this guide, we will explore how to determine your undertones and make better choices when it comes to what colors are best for you.
1. Understanding Your Undertones: Before you dive into the world of colors, it is crucial to identify your personal undertones. Undertones are classified into three categories: cool, warm, and neutral, and they come through your skin from underneath the surface, and has nothing to do with with how light or dark your skin is.
Vein Test: To start, examine the veins on the inside of your hands or wrists. If they appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones. If you see a greenish hue in your veins this indicates that you have warm undertones. If you are unsure or see a little of both you can consider yourself a neutral!
Sun Test: This test is as easy as it gets. Pay attention to how your skin reacts to the sun. If you tan easily and develop an olive-skinned glow after a day at the beach, you probably have warm undertones. On the other hand, if you burn and turn red quickly in the sun, you likely have cool undertones. If both scenarios apply to you, you are a neutral.
Eye Test: Your eye color can also provide clues about your undertones. Stylists often use eye color to gauge undertones. If you have amber or golden flecks in your iris, you most likely have warm undertones, making warm-toned hair colors a great choice for you. If your eyes are blue, green, or gray, you lean more toward cool undertones, and ashier hair colors may suit you better. Hazel-eyed individuals often fall into the neutral category.
2. Choosing the Right Cosmetics and Hair Colors: Now that you have identified your undertones, let's explore how they can guide your choices for cosmetics and hair color. As a general rule it is best to match your undertones to the colors you select for yourself. Each color can have a different undertone so this does not mean you are restricted to a specific color family. Lets use a fall favorite, Red Hair, as an example for how you can use undertones to choose the shade of red that’s right for you.
Cool Undertones: If you have cool undertones, you can still rock a beautiful shade of red by opting for those with a blue base. Merlot red-violets and auburns are excellent choices for cool undertones.
Warm Undertones: Warm undertones are complemented by hair colors with warm bases. Mahogany reds and golden coppers are fantastic options for those with warm undertones.
Neutral Undertones: Having neutral undertones offers flexibility, allowing you to experiment with both cool and warm colors. A blend of both can bring out the best in your complexion. Neutral Undertones work best with a multidimensional look of highlights, lowlights, cool tones, and warm tones. They will compliment each other.
3. Putting it All Together: Now that you have determined your undertones and learned how to select the right colors, you are can make color choices that enhance your natural beauty. When browsing for inspiration online, be sure to include keywords related to your undertones to find the perfect shades that will complement your unique features. Understanding your undertones is the key to finding the perfect shade of every color for you.