Have you ever heard someone saying that blue is their color? Or perhaps you've realized that some colors look flattering on you while some make you look deathly pale? Why is that? All of that is caused by your skin tone and undertone.

But wait, what's the difference between skin tone and undertone? Your skin tone is how it looks on the surface: ivory, beige, honey, caramel, and such. In comparison, your undertone is the color that shows beneath the surface. You can have either neutral, cool, or warm undertones. Skin tone and undertone are connected; that's why I will be using them quite interchangeably in this article.

Determining Your Skin Undertone

You can have a neutral, warm, or cool skin tone. If you have a warm undertone like me, then your skin will lean towards peachy, yellow, or golden. If you have a cool undertone, your skin will look more pink, red, or blue. And if your undertone is neutral, then your skin will have some mixture of these colors.

Confused? That's okay. Determining your skin undertone can be confusing at first. But don't worry, I was in your position a few years ago. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to pick out foundations, lipsticks, and clothes all in colors that flatter you. I have compiled some quick and easy tests to tell which undertone type you have.

1. Vein check

This is, by far, the easiest test. All you need to do is check the color of your veins. Make sure you stand under good, natural lighting so your perception isn't distorted, and the result doesn't get skewed. If your veins appear blue, then you have a cool skin tone. If it's green, then you are warm. If it appears like a teal or a mixture of both colors, then you have a neutral undertone.

2. Jewelry test

Get some silver and gold jewelry and put them on. Which one looks better on your skin? Does gold make your skin look radiant? If so, then you're warm like me. Does your skin glow when you put on silver? Then you likely have a cool undertone. Can you rock both? Lucky you! You got a neutral undertone.

3. Sun exposure

So, this isn't a test I'd recommend you to do per se since I don't really condone being out in the sun for too long, especially without sunscreen. But try to pay attention to how your skin reacts the next time you choose to bask under the sun. Does your skin tend to burn or tan? If the sun burns you and makes your skin red as a lobster, then you probably have a cool skin tone. On the other hand, if your skin becomes bronze and sun-kissed, then you likely have a warm skin tone.

The Best Colors for Your Skin Undertone

So, have you determined whether you have a neutral, warm, or cool skin tone? Great! If you have a neutral skin tone, I really envy you. You can basically rock anything! Anyway, now let me tell you what colors would look best for your undertone.

Foundation

For cool undertones, look for foundations that appear a bit pinkish. Most companies label cool-toned foundations with a "C". Also, if you need a color correcting base, green would be your best friend.

For warm undertones, look for foundations that appear kind of yellow. Most companies label warm-toned foundations with a "W". If you need color correction, I suggest using lavender to cancel out the sallowness of your skin.

For neutral undertones, look for foundations that don't appear particularly yellow or pink. Most companies will label neutral-toned foundations with an "N".

Lipstick

The best lipsticks for a cool skin tone are those with a pink, blue, or purple undertone. Think bluish reds, burgundy, and deep plums. For a more subtle look, choose rosy pinks, light mauve, or beige.

Meanwhile, the best lipsticks for those with a warm skin tone should have reddish or yellow undertones. True reds, peachy pinks, and bold oranges would complement your skin perfectly. You can also try terracotta and soft coral for a more subtle look.

If you have neutral undertones, you can rock any lipstick color you wish, but pinkish brown, peachy pinks, and true reds would be your best friends.

Clothes

The rule of thumb when it comes to dressing up is to choose clothes with colors that are similar to your undertone. By the way, neutral colors such as black, white, gray, and beige can look great on anyone, regardless of undertone.

Got cool undertones? Cooler tones that are inspired by the winter and the ocean will look great on you. Think bright and icy blues, deep and frosty purples, and bright or soft pinks. If you want to wear warmer colors, stick to warm jewel tones, like rubies, ambers, and emeralds.

For those with warm skin tone, warmer tones that are inspired by nature will complement your complexion. Stick to golds, peaches, reds, oranges, yellows, and olives. You can also try jade green, teal, or deep turquoise.

If you have a neutral skin tone, count your blessings; you can wear any color you wish. That said, I recommend wearing softer and muted tones rather than brighter or bolder tones. Choose colors like minty green, dusty pink, soft beige, champagne, or tiffany blue so you don't appear overwhelming.

Hair color

Didn't think you'd see this here, did you? But your undertone can play a huge role in choosing what hair color would look best on you. Here are some pointers:

For people with a cool skin tone, you'd want a hair color that can neutralize the natural redness or pink tone in your skin. Warm or golden hair color tones would be perfect for you. So, try golden blondes, warm brunettes, or fiery reds to complement your skin.

For those with a warm skin tone, look for a hair color that can make your face glow and give you a healthy-looking flush. Cool, ashy, or reddish tones would complement your skin perfectly. I recommend trying honey or strawberry blondes, rich browns, and golden coppers.

Closing Thoughts

I hope you managed to figure out whether you have a neutral, warm, or cool skin tone. Knowing your skin tone and undertone can be a huge help when shopping for makeup and clothes. This way, you can look for colors that are more flattering for your appearance.

That being said, the color tips above are just suggestions. Don't let your undertone stop you from wearing your favorite color. So what if you have a cool skin tone? You can still rock that sexy red dress! Got warm undertones? Don't let that stop you from putting on that bold burgundy lipstick. Remember, fashion and beauty have no rules.