Why your make-up is not working for you
Have you ever wondered why your make-up just doesn’t flatter your skintone? It could be too ashen, gray, or blotchy? It is not a skintone problem but an undertone issue. Most of us have a good idea of our skin tones. Therefore we think the road to choosing the best make-up for our skin complexion is a snap. But just as important as skin tone is your undertone. Your undertone will determine the right color foundation and lipstick for your skin. Choosing the wrong make-up color can make your skin look ashy or too “made-up”. Mastering how to determine your undertone and choose the most flattering make-up will up the slaying game.
What is an Undertone?
An undertone is the color from underneath the surface of your skin. Do not confuse it with skintone. You can have a totally different skintone from someone else but can have the same undertone. There are three types of undertone: warm, cool, or neutral.
- Warm undertone means your skin is more golden, yellow, or peach.
- Cool undertone means your skin is more blue, red, or pink.
- Neutral undertone means your skin has a combination of cool and warm colors.
When choosing a foundation, if the brand indicates that the color is for a particular undertone, go with your match, and you will notice a more natural look to the make-up without the ashiness or greyish hue.
How to Determine Your Undertone?
There are five different tests that Avon LLC, as well as the general make-up industry, uses to determine undertone including vein, hair/eye, silver/gold jewelry, suntan, and white vs. off-white clothing.
Vein Test
Look at the inner part of your arm or wrist. If your veins are green, then you have a warm undertone. Purple or bluish-green veins mean that you have a neutral undertone. If your veins are blue, you have a cool undertone.
Hair/Eye Test
Naturally black, brown, or blonde hair combined with green, grey, or blue eyes is an indication of a cool undertone. Hazel, brown, or amber eyes combined with naturally black, auburn, or strawberry blonde hair indicates a warm undertone.
Silver or Gold Jewelry Test
Silver jewelry will look best on you if your undertone is cool. Gold jewelry will look best on you if your undertone is warm. As a result of a neutral undertone, you will look great in both silver or gold. I have warm undertones and tend to wear gold jewelry about 90% of the time!
Suntan Test
If you have a cool undertone, you will tend to burn easily or turn pink in the sun. If you have a warm undertone, you will easily turn tan or bronze in the sun.
White vs. Non-White Color Test
Have you ever wondered why you might not look great in off-white clothes? If you have warm undertones, then white looks better on you than off-white. If you have cool undertones, then you look better in off-white. Because of your cool undertone, may look ashen or washed-out in white.
Choosing Make-up Based Upon Undertones
Warm undertones. Choose a foundation with a yellow or gold base.
Cool Undertones. Red undertones. Choose a foundation with a rose or blue base.
Brands to consider that provide a variety of oil-free shades are below. I have personally used the starred brands.
Choosing Lipstick Based upon Undertones
Now that you know your undertones, you can begin to choose lipstick shades that look best on you. Berries, mauves, pinks, roses, and red with blue tones look best for your cool complexion.
If you have warm undertones, then lipsticks with shades of nudes, blood reds, orange hues, peaches, and deep pinks look best.
Check out nearly 100 shades of lipstick from Avon and find a favorite color. Prices will vary according to the current sales campaign. There are great lipsticks that cost more than three times the Avon price, but I almost exclusively wear Avon lipsticks for their superior coverage and long wear.
Now that know your undertone, that fabulous face is in order for buying the best make-up. To make sure you know your correct body shape to get the best fit in clothes, visit my blog, How to Determine Your Plus Size Body Shape to Find the Most Flattering Clothes.
Call to Action
Determine your undertone for the most flawless make-up application. Did it change the color of your make-up, clothes?
No matter your undertone or skin tone, be comfortable in the skin you’re in!
Until Next Time…
This post contains some store affiliate links for your shopping convenience. If you make a purchase through the link, I may earn a small commission.
