What Is My Skin Undertone? How to Find Your Skin’s Underlying Hues
“What is my undertone” might be up there on the list of confusing questions along with “why can’t I stop watching TikTok videos?” Yellow, red, pink, blue — these may not be colors you think you’d find in your complexion but there's actually a rainbow of undertones at play when it comes to our skin, and therefore our makeup.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to find your skin undertone. Let’s get into that shade!
Difference between skin tone and skin undertone?
Confused between Skin Tone and Skin Undertone? You’re not alone! While skin tone is the visible color of your skin—like light, medium, or dark—your skin undertone is the subtle color beneath the surface: cool, warm, or neutral. Unlike skin tone, your undertone doesn’t change with the seasons, which makes it key to finding makeup that looks natural and complements your unique complexion. Understanding your skin undertones can help you pick products that enhance your natural beauty and give you a seamless, radiant finish.
What are the different types of skin undertones?
When it comes to makeup, knowing your skin undertones can be a total game-changer! Here’s a quick guide to help you understand the three main types of undertones—and find your celeb match!
Warm undertone skin
Warm undertones have traces of gold and red, giving them a radiant glow. If you tan easily and rarely burn, you’re likely warm-toned. Celebs with warm undertones include Beyoncé, Lucy Liu, and JLo, who all shine in warm colors like bronze, gold, and coral.
Neutral undertone skin
Neutral undertones have a balanced mix of cool and warm tones. Skin with neutral undertones can get darker in the sun, but might burn occasionally. Celeb soulmates for neutral undertones include Kerry Washington and Sandra Bullock, who can rock a wide range of shades beautifully.
Cool undertone Skin
Cool undertones show hints of pink and blue, creating a softer, cool complexion. Cool undertone skin tends to burn more easily, so shades like silver, berry, and jewel tones complement best. Celebs with cool undertones include Alex Wek, Anne Hathaway, and Adele.
Here’s a visual that may give you an idea of where you’d expect to fall on the spectrum and help you find makeup that enhances your undertone!
Why does knowing your undertone matter?
Knowing your skin undertones is essential for finding makeup that truly complements your natural beauty. Unlike skin tone, which can change with the seasons, your undertone—whether it’s cool, warm, or neutral—stays the same and plays a huge role in how colors look on your skin.
If you have warm undertone skin with hints of gold and red, shades like peach, coral, and gold bring out your glow beautifully. Meanwhile, cool undertone skin, with traces of pink and blue, looks radiant in shades like silver, berry, and jewel tones.
Choosing products that match your undertone means your makeup will blend seamlessly, enhancing your complexion rather than looking “off” or dull. From foundation to lipstick, understanding your undertone ensures every shade flatters you naturally, giving you that fresh, radiant look every time.
Skin undertone facts
As you now understand "what's skin undertone," the difference between skin tone and skin undertone, and the types of skin undertones, here are some more interesting facts about skin undertones to help you level up your beauty game!
Skin undertones affect more than just foundation
Your undertone influences how all colors—lipstick, blush, eyeshadow, and even clothes—look on you. The right colors enhance your natural glow, while mismatched ones can make you look washed out.
Testing your undertone is easy!
Ever heard of the vein test? Look at the veins on your wrist: if they appear blue or purple, you’re likely cool-toned. If they look greenish, you're warm-toned. If it’s a mix, you’re probably neutral.
General undertone rule: eye and skin color can offer clues
- Deeper skin tones and eye colors tend to have warmer undertones, complementing golden or peach shades.
- Fair skin and light eyes are often associated with neutral or cool undertones, meaning pinks or blues look especially natural.
Your undertone is unique and stays consistent
Unlike skin tone, which can shift with sun exposure or skincare, your undertone remains the same. Knowing it is like having a guide for flawless color choices, season after season.
Natural light is key for accurate undertone identification
To get a true read on your undertone, always check it in natural light. Indoor lighting can throw off colors, making it harder to identify your undertone correctly.
By keeping these skin undertone facts in mind, you’re ready to make makeup and color choices that enhance your natural beauty. Embrace your unique undertone and let it lead you to glow-enhancing beauty every day!
Skin undertone tips: how can I tell what undertones do I have?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What is my undertone?”, you’re not alone. Knowing your undertone can make a big difference in finding makeup shades that flatter your natural beauty. So, here are some tried-and-true tips to answer “What’s my undertone?” and become your own undertone finder.
Vein test
Start by examining your wrist veins under natural light—this is one of the easiest ways to determine your undertone.
- Green veins? You likely have warm undertones.
- Blue or purple veins? You’re probably cool-toned.
- A mix of both colors? You’re most likely neutral.
Jewelry test
Put on a piece of gold jewelry and a piece of silver jewelry and ask yourself, “Which looks better on me?”
- If gold jewelry makes you glow, your undertone is probably warm.
- If silver jewelry looks best, you likely have cool undertones.
- If both look equally flattering, you’re likely neutral.
The white T-shirt trick
Put on a plain white T-shirt, step outside into natural light, and look at your face.
- If your face appears yellowish, or if you feel off-white or beige suits you better, you have warm undertones.
- If your skin looks rosy or pink, your undertone is cool.
- If you look equally good in both white and cream shades, you likely have neutral undertones.
General undertone clues
Still wondering, “How to know your undertone?” Check out these general guidelines:
- Deeper skin tones often have warm undertones.
- Fair skin with light eyes often leans towards cool or neutral undertones.
By using these tips, you can answer, “What is my skin undertone?” and choose shades that let your natural glow shine. The next time you’re in doubt, pull out this quick undertone finder guide and find your perfect match!
Skin undertone tricks
Not big on DIY? No worries—we’ve got you covered! If you haven’t yet tried our new Shade Finder, now’s the perfect time to give it a spin. This easy-to-use tool will not only help you discover what is my skin undertone but also guide you toward your perfect BOUNCE foundation match. And the best part? You can do it all in less than two minutes!
Bonus Trick: Try Both Undertone Options
Still wondering “how to know your undertone?” Here’s a quick tip: If you’re stuck between warm and cool undertones, try a foundation shade from each category that matches your skin tone. The shade that blends seamlessly and “disappears” into your skin is your perfect match—your one true pairing!
Using our Shade Finder or trying a couple of shades side-by-side will make finding your perfect undertone simple and fun. With these tricks, you’ll be on your way to a flawless, natural look every time!
