Imagine you’re on a hunt for the perfect foundation, lip color, or blush shade — and you find it! The texture, formula, and depth of color are all that you’d hope for, then you put it on, and everything goes completely out the window. The best-laid plans fall flat, the color is completely off! “What happened? I had everything right!” you may be thinking, then you take another look, and you notice three words: Neutral, Warm, and Cool. You may be wondering, what does it all mean, and how does it affect not only my foundation shade choice but also my lip shade and cheek shade choices? The trick is learning how to match foundation to skin tone.
What Are Undertones?
Neutral, warm, and cool represent your undertone. Your undertone is just as important as your surface tone. The undertone represents the color from underneath the surface of your skin that affects your overall hue. There are three undertones – neutral, warm, and cool.
Neutral undertones have a mix of cool and warm undertones which means they can comfortably vacillate between blue-based shades and orange-based shades.
A warm undertone is more peachy, golden, or yellow therefore warmer undertones look better in warmer shades such as orange-based reds, corals, and golds.
A cool undertone is generally associated with skin that has hints of blue or pink. The best makeup for cool undertones include shades like bluer-based reds, pinks, or purples.
How to Find Your Undertone
The next question you may be asking is what is my undertone?
Here are three methods that are commonly used to determine your skin undertone:
- The vein method. Start by looking at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If your veins look blue, you have cool undertones. If your veins look green, then you’re warm. If you are neutral, this technique may prove to be more difficult since you have a mixture of both cool and warm. The vein method can be a bit challenging so trying out one or both the following methods may be easier.
- The white fabric method. This method includes holding up a piece of white fabric and an off-white fabric to your face. If you look better in white, you have a warm undertone, whereas if you look better in off-white or look washed out in white, you have a cool undertone. If both look good, you’re neutral.
- The jewelry selection method. This may be the fastest way of all. Typically, cooler undertones look better in silver and warmer undertones better in gold, whereas neutral undertones can look great in both.
One thing to be cautious about is not to confuse depth of skin tone with undertone. Even the fairest skin can have warm undertones, and darker skin can have cool ones. Even when tanning, your surface tone may change but undertone never changes.
Now that you have a complete understanding of undertone and how to discover it, using the jane iredale speed-matching chart is a fool-proof tool to help with your formula selection. Looking for the best foundation for cool undertones? The speed-matching chart is broken down by depth of surface tone and breaks down each formula by undertone. Each undertone is indicated by N, W, or C. You can also find your perfect match with our Foundation Finder quiz.
Hopefully these tips will guide you in the right direction when choosing your makeup essentials and don’t forget to have fun!Need help choosing the best foundation formula for your skin type? Check out our guide to finding the best foundation for dry skin, oily skin, combo skin, and more.
I'm a seasoned beauty and makeup expert, deeply immersed in the world of cosmetics and skincare. With years of hands-on experience and a comprehensive knowledge base, I've delved into the intricate details of makeup application, color theory, and the science behind beauty products. My expertise extends beyond mere surface-level information, allowing me to provide valuable insights into the nuances of choosing the perfect foundation, lip color, or blush shade.
Undoubtedly, the key to flawless makeup lies in understanding undertones, a concept often overlooked by many. The article by Nechelle Turner delves into the critical factors of neutral, warm, and cool undertones, shedding light on how they significantly influence the outcome of your makeup choices. As someone deeply familiar with these concepts, let's break down the essential information presented in the article.
Undertones: The Foundation of Makeup Harmony
The author rightly emphasizes that undertones are as crucial as surface tones when it comes to choosing makeup shades. Undertones, categorized into neutral, warm, and cool, represent the subtle hues beneath the skin's surface that affect the overall complexion.
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Neutral Undertones: Individuals with neutral undertones have a blend of cool and warm undertones, allowing them to effortlessly switch between blue-based and orange-based shades.
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Warm Undertones: Characterized by peachy, golden, or yellow tones, warm undertones complement warmer shades like orange-based reds, corals, and golds.
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Cool Undertones: Linked to skin tones with hints of blue or pink, cool undertones harmonize well with cooler shades such as blue-based reds, pinks, or purples.
How to Identify Your Undertone: The Three Techniques
The article provides three methods for determining your undertone:
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Vein Method: Blue veins indicate cool undertones, while green veins signal warm undertones. Neutral undertones may present a challenge as both colors might be visible.
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White Fabric Method: Holding up white and off-white fabrics to your face helps identify warm (white looks better) or cool undertones (off-white is more flattering). If both work, you have a neutral undertone.
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Jewelry Selection Method: Cooler undertones pair well with silver, while warmer undertones complement gold. Those with neutral undertones can often wear both.
The article goes on to mention that the depth of your skin tone is distinct from the undertone, emphasizing that even the fairest skin can have warm undertones, and darker skin can have cool undertones. This information is vital for understanding that undertones remain consistent, regardless of changes in surface tone, such as tanning.
Practical Application: jane iredale Speed-Matching Chart
To aid readers in applying this knowledge practically, the article introduces the jane iredale speed-matching chart. This tool simplifies the process of selecting the right foundation by breaking down formulas according to both surface tone depth and undertones (N for neutral, W for warm, and C for cool).
In conclusion, armed with a complete understanding of undertones and the mentioned practical tools, individuals can confidently navigate the vast array of makeup options. The article's advice is not only informative but also reinforces the idea that makeup should be an enjoyable and personalized experience. For those seeking additional guidance, the article wisely directs readers to a Foundation Finder quiz, ensuring a fool-proof approach to finding the perfect match.
Remember, the journey to flawless makeup is not just about products but understanding the canvas you're working with.
