How to find your undertone
Undertone is the subtle hue beneath the surface of your skin. Check it without makeup in indirect daylight, because warm indoor lights make everyone look golden. The vein test and the jewelry test are the most telling; the white paper test helps when the first two disagree.
Cool undertone
Your skin has pink, red or bluish hints. Blue-based colors like raspberry, emerald, sapphire and pure white flatter you, and silver jewelry usually looks best.
Warm undertone
Your skin has golden, peachy or yellow hints. Yellow-based colors like coral, mustard, olive, warm teal and cream flatter you, and gold jewelry usually looks best.
Neutral undertone
Your skin balances warm and cool, so both silver and gold work. Softer, slightly muted colors like dusty rose, sage, teal and taupe are usually the safest bet.
Olive undertone
Your skin has a green or grey cast on top of a warm or neutral base, which is why many foundations look either too pink or too yellow. Earthy greens, teal, warm browns, plum and cream tend to flatter.
More free color tools
FAQ
What is the difference between skin tone and undertone?
Skin tone is how light or dark your skin is on the surface, and it changes with tanning. Undertone is the hue underneath (warm, cool, neutral or olive), and it stays the same your whole life.
How can I tell if I have an olive undertone?
Olive skin often looks slightly green or grey in natural light, tans easily and makes most foundations look either too pink or too yellow. Vein color is often a mix of blue and green.
Can you have a neutral undertone?
Yes. Neutral skin shows neither clear pink nor clear golden hints, and both silver and gold jewelry look good. Many neutrals lean slightly warm or cool, which the test result helps narrow down.
Why does my undertone matter?
Undertone decides which foundation matches, which hair colors look natural and which clothing colors make your skin look clear rather than tired. It is also the first step of seasonal color analysis.
Recommended app · ColorScan
Find foundation and clothes in your tones
Point ColorScan at a foundation swatch or a sweater to see its exact color and whether it leans warm or cool.
- Identify any color from a photo or the live camera
- Closest matches from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Behr and Farrow & Ball
- HEX, RGB, HSL, CMYK and LAB in one tap
- Color harmonies and palettes from any shot
