Just like the right haircut can shape your face, there are colours matched to compliment specific skin tones. Identifying your signature fashion colour is easier than you think. When you’ve recognized your perfect match it can not only enhance your complexion but boost your confidence as well.
If you find yourself constantly wondering ‘what colour suits me? What will make me stand out in a crowd?’ The answer is connecting the colours that are flattering for you based on your skin’s undertone.
Fashion has absolutely no hard and fast rules but there are tips to consider when it comes to knowing how to dress that will flatter your skin tone.
Always remember, you can wear whatever you feel most comfortable in, this is purely a guide to help with incorporating colour into your wardrobe because bright colours are trending and we know colour into your wardrobe might be daunting.
SKIN TONE CHECK!
There are three traditional categories: warm, cool and neutral with sub-categories of undertones. Your signatory colour is determined by your skin’s undertone.
The easiest way to know what category you fall under is to look at the veins on your wrist. If they are greenish, you have a warm skin tone. Blue to purple-looking veins may indicate a cooler skin tone and if you cannot tell, it’s more likely you have a neutral skin tone which is a mixture of warm and cool.
Your actual skin shade does not affect your skin tone. Even if your skin’s surface changes. For example: even if you’ve gotten some sun, your skin tone will remain the same.
Once the tone is pinned down, you will know your skin’s undertone. Your fashion and make-up colours will simply follow with ease.
If you’re warm…
If you have a green/yellow or a golden undertone, you have a warm skin tone. Experts may say you have an olive complexion. Accentuate your appearance with hues of green, brown, warm red, orange and gold.
Nicole Kidman, Salma Hayek, Zendaya, Viola Davis and Jennifer Aniston all have warm skin tones.
@zendaya/Instagram
@niccolekidman/Instagram
If you’re cool…
When you have a cool skin tone you’ll have a pink undertone. Your favourable fashion colours would be blue, purple and pink. If you want to mix it up with some neutral shades, avoid light beige. Rather choose richer shades like caramel, khaki and grey. Orange and yellow can possibly make you appear washed out.
Mindy Kaling, Anne Hathaway and Lupita Nyong’o are just a few famous faces who have cool skin tones.
@annehathaway/Instagram
@lupitanyongo/Instagram
If you’re neutral…
If you are not a clear warm or cool skin tone, you will fall into the neutral category. There are no limits to your fashion choices. You have a wider variety and can wear suitable colours from both warm and cool skin tones, so take your pick! Don’t go crazy and wear all the colours of the rainbow (unless that’s up your alley) or choose complementary colours for a balanced outfit.
Victoria Beckham, Kerry Washington and Natalie Portman are the ladies with a neutral skin tone.
@kerrywashington/Instagram
@victoriabeckham/Instagram
Understanding your undertone will give you some direction to what looks best against your natural skin colour but your personal preference is still most important. Knowing your undertone can help you select the correct foundation, blush, eye-shadow and lipstick shades. Your skins overtone and undertone really unlocks the fashion and beauty questions we struggle to answer. It might take some time to precisely know the exact shade of the colour that works for you but it can make your life a lot easier and you will always look stylish.
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