Skin Tone vs Undertone - Why It’s The Secret To Looking Fab
Ever noticed how some colours make you look alive, while others drain the life out of you? Or how one dress makes your eyes sparkle, but another in the same style just looks… meh?
It’s not about the outfit - it’s about undertone magic!
Understanding skin tone and undertone is like unlocking a cheat code for effortless style. It’s the reason some people always look put-together - it’s not luck, it’s knowing what works. Once you do, every outfit clicks into place.
Skin Tone vs Undertone – What’s the Difference?
Your skin tone is what you see in the mirror - the surface-level shade, the shade you pick when buying your fake tan - very fair, fair, medium or dark. But it changes with the seasons (hello, summer tan glow!). Your undertone, however, never budges – no matter how much sun you soak up.
Your undertone is the subtle hue beneath your skin. It’s what makes certain colours pop on you while others fall flat. This is the secret sauce to dressing, accessorising, and even choosing nail polish that makes you look effortlessly radiant.
Why Skin Tone Isn’t Set in Stone
Skin tone fluctuates. One beach holiday and suddenly your perfect foundation shade is two tones too light. That’s why finding your true skin tone relies on you checking the inside of your arm - the part that never tans.
Your Skin Tone Might Be:
- Very fair to fair – Burns easily, rarely tans.
- Medium – Tans gradually, sometimes burns.
- Dark – Rarely burns, colour deepens in the sun.
STYLE TIP: Remember - skin tone is seasonal; undertone is forever.
Meet the Undertone Trio
- Cool Undertones
- Warm Undertones
- Neutral Undertones
Two Ways (of Many Out There) to Identify Your Undertone
Test One - The Vein Test
Look at the veins on your inner wrist in natural daylight – as in facing the window but not allowing any direct sunlight or artificial light to influence the result.
- Bluish or purplish? You’re on the cool-toned side.
- Greenish or Olive? You’re on the warm-toned side.
- Can’t decide? You’re likely neutral.
Test Two - The White Paper Test
Hold a plain white piece of paper (A4) next to your bare neck and chest.
- If your skin looks reddish rosy, you have the blue undertone and are cool-toned.
- If it leans to yellow or golden, you’re warm-toned.
- Still unsure? You might be neutral!
What If You Get Conflicting Results?
Some people get mixed signals - veins say one thing, paper test says another!
The Solution? Test Your Wardrobe!
Grab different-coloured tops from your closet.
Stand in front of a mirror in natural light.
Hold each colour top under your chin and check:
- Does your skin look fresh, bright, and awake, and are your eyes shining? Keep it!
- Does your face look dull, tired, or off? Ditch it… Or balance it out with a scarf, necklace, bold lip in your colour to save your portrait look (your face and the immediate area around it).
STYLE TIP: There are a ton of blues and reds, so you will need to train your eye. The more you practice, experiment and compare, the sharper your instincts will be.
The Magic of Wearing the Right Colours
Ever had someone say “You look amazing!” but they can’t put their finger on why? That’s colour harmony at work.
When you wear undertone-friendly colours, you look radiant, fresh, and vibrant - like you just had the best sleep of your life.
When you don’t? You might hear, “Are you okay? You look a little tired.” (Ouch.)
The Undertone Rule – Like Attracts Like
Here’s the golden rule: If in doubt, stick to colours that match your undertone.
- Cool Undertones – Think icy blues, jewel tones, fuchsia pinks, true reds, greys.
- Warm Undertones – Think golden yellows, earthy browns, rich oranges, warm reds, olive greens.
- Neutral Undertones – A mix! You can rock both warm and cool shades.
And what about black and white classics?
- Cool Undertones – Look amazing in crisp white and deep true black.
- Warm Undertones – Glow in ivory, off-white, and warmer charcoal blacks.
STYLE TIP: Not all blacks and whites are equal! Test them under your chin and see what happens.
The Role of Jewellery – Gold vs Silver
It has been said that your undertone determines whether gold or silver suits you best, and although this is not wrong, your outfit colours play a role too. The “only wear gold if you’re warm, only wear silver if you’re cool” rule vanished into the fashion abyss many moons ago.
If you are unsure, stick to this:
- Cool undertones = silver jewellery enhances your features.
- Warm undertones = gold jewellery makes you glow.
- Neutral undertones = you can mix both!
If you like to experiment (remember, this is your style code), wear what works on the day with your outfit colours: gold, silver, or a combination of both.
Nail Polish - Yes, Even This Matters
Even nails? Oh, yes, because it is a great “playground” for style experiments. Picture a classy all-black, all-navy, all-white outfit with a pop of red on your hands. Try both warm and cool reds - you’ll instantly see which flatters vs fights.
In general, these colours do the trick:
- Cool Undertones – Rock blue-based reds, icy blues, berry tones, cool nudes.
- Warm Undertones – Warm corals, earthy tones, golden reds.
- Neutral Undertones – Lucky you! Most shades will suit you.
Dressing for Your Undertone – The Foolproof Cheat Sheet
A quick reference guide to your undertone colour palette:
- Cool Undertones – Silver, jewel tones, icy blues, fuchsia, true reds, cool greys.
- Warm Undertones – Gold, warm reds, mustard, camel, olive, warm browns, earthy tones.
- Neutral Undertones – Soft neutrals, warm + cool mixes, mid-tone colours.
The Confidence Boost – How This Knowledge Changes Everything
This isn’t about following rules. Knowing your undertone just helps you to make confident style choices when you need it most.
You’ll shop smarter, dress better, and feel great. No more second-guessing. No more “Why does this outfit make me look off?” You’ll know exactly what to do to make it work.
And that, ladies, is the secret to looking fab.
From Mirror to Market
Lulu ✍︎
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My professional odyssey over the past 25 years has been a journey through a kaleidoscope of fields- Technology, Hospitality, Art, Retail, and beyond. Yet, if there's one passion that’s remained constant, it’s the art and joy of styling.
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