Know your Skin Tone

How to Identify Your Skin Undertone

For the best results, try these tests in natural daylight. Indoor lighting can sometimes add yellow or blue tones that might affect what you see.

Step 1: The Vein Test

Take a look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. What color do they look like to you?

• Green or Olive: You probably have a Warm undertone.

• Blue or Purple: You likely have a Cool undertone.

• Blue-Green or Unclear: You might have a Neutral undertone.

Step 2: The Jewelry Test

Think about which type of metal seems to make your skin look its best (try to set aside your personal preferences for a moment).

• Gold: If gold jewelry suits you better, you have a Warm undertone.

• Silver/Platinum: If silver looks more flattering, you likely have a Cool undertone.

• Both: If you look good in both, you probably have a Neutral undertone.

Step 3: The White Paper Test

Hold a plain white piece of paper next to your clean, makeup-free face while looking in a mirror.

• Yellow or Golden: If your skin looks yellowish or golden next to the paper, you have a Warm undertone.

• Pink or Rosy: If your skin appears pink, red, or bluish, you have a Cool undertone.

• Grey or No Change: If your skin looks neutral or slightly greyish, you likely have a Neutral undertone.

Step 4: The Sun Reaction

Think about how your skin reacts to the first sun exposure of the summer.

• Tan: If you tan easily and rarely burn, you probably have a Warm undertone.

• Burn: If you burn easily or turn very red before tanning, you likely have a Cool undertone.

• Mixed: If you burn a little but then tan, you probably have a Neutral undertone.