Does anyone else get overwhelmed when it comes to shopping for foundation and concealer? Until recently, I had no idea how to figure out what my skin’s undertone was. Turns out, that’s a vital piece of information if you’re going to match your makeup to a tee (obviously).
I’m certainly not complaining about the fact that beauty brands are coming out with more range in their foundations. But, it can be hard to shop, especially if you love online shopping like me. I did a little research and I’m sharing my findings with you below!
What exactly is an undertone?
Before diving into the tricks, you really need to understand what skin undertones are. Let’s get one thing out of the way: Undertone is not the same thing as skin tone.
Your undertone is the actual tones and colors that are underneath your skin’s surface. While your actual skin tone might change over time or throughout the seasons (hello, golden summer glow), your undertone will be constant throughout your entire life. Yep – your stick with it forever so you might as well learn what your undertones are now, right?
Typically, undertones are divided into the following groups:
- Cool tones – hints of pink, blue, or red
- Warm tones – yellow, golden, or peach
- Neutral tones – a mixture of the two
But, to make matters more complicated, there’s a fourth option that some people may fall under: olive tones. Olive undertones mean that you might lean more greenish -yellow. If there aren’t olive undertone options, it’s usually a safe bet to go with a neutral or warm tone product.
Okay, so… lesson over. Now that we’ve got a better understanding of what exactly undertones are, let’s dive into the tips for determining yours so that you can find the perfect foundation shade.
Trick No. 1: Use your Veins
You know the song “your so vain”? It always makes me think of How to Lose a Guy Guy in 10 Days, but I’ve also started using it as a reminder for how to find undertones. Vain/vein — close enough?
Anyway, one of the easiest tricks, in my opinion, is to look at the veins in your wrist. Pop those wrists out in some natural light and decide if they’re more green or blue. If you’ve got veins that look more blue or purple, your undertones are cool. If they lean a bit more green, then you’ve got a warm undertone. If you don’t really fall into either category, you might be neutral, but try some of the other tricks before deciding.
Trick No. 2: Check the Clothes in your Closet
Take a look in your closet and pull out a few pieces that you feel you look your absolute best in. Are the colors in the jewel tone range? If so, you’re likely cool toned. Or, are the colors more earth-toned? If so, you’re likely on the warm side of things.
Here’s another way to use clothing: hold up a crisp white top and then a cream/beige top. Which one looks better for your skin? If you lean towards the creamy tones, your skin’s undertones are likely warm. If you can wear both colors without feeling washed out, you likely have neutral undertones.
Trick No. 3: Gold vs. Silver
The next method is a bit trickier, in my opinion, but it is one that is widely used so I thought I’d share anyway.
When it comes to jewelry, do you look better in gold or silver? You have to actually consider which looks better on your skin, not which one you prefer to wear. Do you look incredible in silver? Then you’ve got cool undertones while gold means you’re warm-toned.
Trick No. 4: Your Reaction to Sunshine
Finally, if you’re still confused about your skin’s undertones, you can look at how your skin reacts to the sun. I’m definitely not encouraging a day in the sun without SPF, but if you consider how you’ve reacted throughout your life, you’ll get the idea.
Do you tend to burn or get a bit pink? You’ve got cool-tones. Do you tan super easily? That means you’re warm-toned.
There you have it; the four best tricks for identifying your skin’s undertones.
While your actual skin tone is most important when shopping for foundation and concealer, I’ve found that undertone plays a big factor. Certain shades may make you look too yellow or pink based on your skin’s undertones. But, with these tricks, you’re sure to find a shade that will give you that flawless finish.
Do you have any more tips for shopping for makeup? Help a sister out; share in the comments below! x
I’m a struggle getting to right foundation, somethings it look right when I buying but after a while it just looks different on my skin tone. Will try some of these ideas., thank you..
I hope these help! xxx
A very insightful article ! Thank you for sharing
Thank you for these tips!! I didn’t know anything about undertones. I’ll keep this in mind next time I buy a foundation, Ohh and btw you’re so vain also reminds of how to lose a guy in ten days haha I won’t forget the ‘vein’s tip’
haha, I’m so glad it’s not just me — love that movie! x
This is great! I used to have a hard time finding the right one. Now I stick to one brand and have nailed it.
That’s great! I wish I could stick to one, but I love trying new products out too much haha
I’m literally the WORST when it comes to determining my undertone. This guide is so helpful!!
Ohh good! I’m so glad it was helpful for you! xxx
This were some helpful tips! I now know I am cool toned!
Perfect! I hope it helps next time you’re shopping for makeup, love