It’s natural to gravitate to a great neutral outfit. After all, it’s easy to throw on some black jeans, a white tee and go. Color, on the other hand, is sometimes scary. Should I wear brown and black together? What clothing colors even match? Does this bright, red top look okay with my skin tone?
While these are all great questions, we’re going to focus on that last one. We believe you should wear whatever you want with confidence. Each of us has a uniquely beautiful skin tone, however. We also have undertones that we can let shine through the color of the clothing we wear.
Start Here: Find Your True Undertones
The first step in discovering which colors look the best on you is to find your undertones. Your undertones are the natural colors underneath the surface of your skin. There are three different types: cool, warm and neutral.
- Cool undertones are often pink or blueish.
- Warm undertones can look gold or peachy.
- Neutral undertones typically look like a mixture of both cool and warm.
Here are a few of our favorite methods to help you find your correct undertone:
- Use paper: Find a white piece of paper and hold it up next to your face (without makeup, of course). If your face looks pink when compared to the paper, you probably have a cool undertone. If your skin looks a bit golden, you’re warm. If you can’t tell a difference either way, you’re more than likely neutral.
- Try the gold or silver test: When you wear jewelry, do you think gold looks best against your skin? If so, you might have a warm undertone. If you prefer silver, you might have a cool undertone.
- Take a look at your veins: Do the veins in your wrist appear blue? If so, you might be cool-toned. If they look greenish, you’re warm-toned. If you can’t decide if they’re green or blue, chances are, you’re neutral.
Still not sure what yours is after trying these tests? Ask a friend to do the tests for you. Sometimes, it’s easier for someone else to spot your undertone.
Which Colors Look Best on Each Unique Skin Tone?
Fun, right? Once you find your undertone, it’s easy to determine which colors look great next to your skin. Let’s dive into some of these colors and how you might add them to your wardrobe.
1. Cool Skin Tones
Cool skin tones look great in jewel tones such as emerald green and royal blue. Yet, any deep green, blue or purple can really accentuate your look. If you want a more neutral look, you can opt for cool gray, navy or white.
To step into color, try adding a pop of purple or light baby pink to a simple outfit. Or, incorporate some color by trying a floral or printed top. For any neutral outfit, you can also try adding colors with your jewelry.
2. Warm Skin Tones
Warm skin tones shine with oranges, golds, reds and yellows. For neutrals, try warm whites, tans and browns. Think of your wardrobe as a sunset and you’ll be on the right track.
Fall is the perfect time to let your warm skin tone shine. Try a knit cardigan in a yellow, red or orange over a neutral top for easy styling. Or try a solid, warm-colored top over your favorite skinny jeans. It’s also fun to mix a colored top with a denim jacket to tone it back down if you wish.
Want to take it to the next level? Layer a warm-colored scarf over a neutral top when the air gets a bit colder.
3. Neutral Skin Tones
Neutral skin tones can choose between colors on both the warm and cool sides of the color wheel. Yet, to truly emphasize your undertone, wear colors that are muted instead of bright. For example, dusty pink, baby blue, lavender, sage green and mint. Of course, you can always opt for neutrals such as black or gray.
If you want to showcase your mix of color, try a fun, color-block top or another print. If you want to keep things simple, throw on a plain tee or sweater and your favorite leggings or denim skinnies. You can also mix both warm and cool tones using jewelry and other accessories.
Tip: Experiment and Try New Things
Playing with color and seeing how each shade reacts against your skin is a fun experiment. You may even find yourself testing out new shades of lipstick, eyeshadow, jewelry and more. To find the shades that you feel confident in, take your time experimenting with new things. You never know what you might love.
For example, go through your closet and find the pieces you enjoy wearing. Chances are, it’s because you like the way they look. Try finding pieces that fit in the same categories but add in another color from your newfound color family. Take it a step at a time until you find the colors that work well with your wardrobe.
Add Some Color to Your Wardrobe—Check Out Our New Arrivals
At the end of the day, it’s all about wearing what makes you smile, regardless of color. If you’re looking to add some color to your wardrobe or you simply want to try out some new pieces, The Pulse Boutique can help. Go ahead and check out our new arrivals today.