Understanding Cool Skin Tones
Cool skin tones typically have blue or pink undertones. People with cool skin often find that silver jewelry complements their complexion better than gold [5:2]. Common indicators of cool skin tones include blue veins and a tendency to burn rather than tan
[5:1].
Color Recommendations
For individuals with cool skin tones, certain colors can enhance their natural beauty:
Colors to Avoid
While experimenting with colors is encouraged, there are some shades that might not be as flattering for cool skin tones:
Experimentation and Personal Preference
Ultimately, personal preference plays a significant role in color choice. Many people with cool skin tones find that they can wear a wide range of colors by adjusting the intensity or incorporating complementary makeup and accessories. For example, even if yellow isn't the most flattering on its own, it can be balanced with the right blush or outfit [2:7]. Additionally, exploring color analysis systems like the 12 Blueprint method can provide further insights into which specific shades within the cool spectrum work best
[5:9].
Hi! I'm a guy who's new to colour theory and trying to learn how to be better at fashion :) From the basic tests, I believe I have cool skin undertones. I also have black hair, dark brown eyes and medium/light brownish skin, which I think makes me a deep winter.
I've been learning from Justine Leconte's YouTube videos on this stuff and she recommends that cool skin undertones go well with cool greens, blues and purples. She does also mention though that all colours have warm and cool sides, and I'm wondering if us cool types can wear the warm colours on the cooler side or if we should steer clear altogether.
From some reddit browsing, I found this colour guide for deep winters which I think looks good, and I've noticed they include a little red/pink:
https://radiantlydressed.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/71.png
I really appreciate any help on this! I want to learn the ways of fashion and advice is very welcome 😁
Yes, there should be cool yellow, cool red and pink, and brown also.
(maybe even cool orange. I think so, and a few color analysis people. But most people interested in color analysis actually say that orange can only be warm)
(However, there are different opinions in the world of color analysis and there seem to be those who think that cool-toned people cannot wear any yellow either, and no brown, maby no green either? 🤷)
You shouldn't try to look at the color of the skin, if it is pink or yellow... or what color your veins are , or eyecolor or hair color to figure out which season you are... Best way to figure out which season you are is too look at which type of colors make you look good and which type make you look bad
Green contains blue
Yes, but for instance almost every time I see a post here that someone asks "what season does this green belong to"... And the green looks more cool then warm (much blue in it), it's not olivey or grassy... But it still gets a lot of "it a warm color"... "Because it's in a spring palette/autumn palette"
Yes. Cool red works really well. Yellow should but I haven't found it yet to try. On me blues are harder than pinks and reds and purples somehow.
Yes, to some extent. For example, the cool summer palette has a lot of cooler reds, pinks, and greens. But it has basically one very specific shade of yellow, and no oranges.
I hope I understand your question correctly. I'm cool and can make most of the "warm" counterparts to the blues/purples work, greens are hit and miss, so I stick to the ones that are classified as "cool". Yellow is not my friend and I avoid it unless it's super a super pale nearly white yellow. Red is one of the colors I cannot make work unless its a blue-based reds. Anything on the orange spectrum is a hard no for me. If you're dark winter you can probably wear a persimmon orange-red. I think generally dark winter is a bit more forgiving with warmth than the other cool seasons.
I've tried to find my skin undertone for years, but I'm so confused. I can never make up my mind whether I'm warm toned, cool toned, or neutral toned. Please help because I want to know what colours of makeup to put on.
The warm swatches look better on you, but from your face I would guess you’re more neutral. I think it’s pretty common for people with neutral undertones to be confused because it’s in-between warm and cool.
Holy heck, if I'm neutral, then that's great! That means any makeup colour should be fair game on me! Thanks for your answer. And yeah, that's probably why I was so confused. Because I tried many colours, but could never make up my mind because none looked too horrible
The warm for sure looks better! It matches your softer more vanilla like skin tone
Google skin tone seasons. It’s more complex than just warm and cool and it’s SO helpful to know! You look like a light spring to me
I can already see you wearing gold and champagne eyeshadow with beiges, browns and rocking it!
Both! Low key I wear any color I feel whether it matches my skin tone or not, a lot of the time it’s about how to tie it together with your blush and maybe your outfit. Yellow doesn’t look the best on me but with the right blush I still get “omg so cute”
I would ordinarily think, "Fair, blonde, blue eyes cool", but the blues/greens on your wrist make you look bruised. The warm colors are more flattering. I'm now thinking neutral, but leaning warm.
Recently figured out my skin tone has less warmth than I thought so have been experimenting with only cool toned makeup (no bronzer, only silvers and taupes on the eye, etc). Does this work for me, or would I benefit from adding back in warmth to my makeup? Thank you 🤗
You look flawless 😉 you can still pull off some cool pink or berry colored blush if you choose to 🩷
Great idea! I don’t love a lot of blush but maybe a little more could add some extra life. Thank you.
💕💕
The photo looks good but it’s impossible to definitively tell without a properly lit photo in natural lighting.
Very good point! Thanks for your feedback!
I always find myself wanting people to use more warmth. Not this time- this looks great! They compliment you very well.
Thank you so much!
Yes it totally works
Thank you so much!
Yess
I’ve had some inconsistent results posting before and I’m still not clear on season.
But before I explore seasons more I just want to nail down my undertone.
I have naturally medium ash brown hair (last picture is my natural hair colour) and hazel eyes that can change a lot from looking quite light/green to dark in lower light. I can tan but will burn fairly easily as well.
I’m not emotionally attached to either warm or cool. Just want an objective analysis of which tone evens my skin more, reduces shadows, makes my skin less red looking and generally looks more flattering. NMIP
Cool. The warmer colors bring out the redness around your nose and make you look a bit sallow/peaky. You’re fairly neutral, but I like the cooler tones better for those reasons. I don’t think any of them are straight up no though :)
Softer summer tones and more muted shades seem better in general.
You look fabulous in that navy and softer gray in the final shot.
I hate to be the one dissenting voice but I much prefer the cool drapes in general. I see the cool drapes defining your chin and face shape better as well as improving your complexion. I think you are in the summer category. The only question I have is if you are in fluorescent lighting inside a store for all of these drapes? I wonder if that may be throwing off some people (or me LOL).
This is a super helpful chart. Do you have one for soft summer? I’m pretty sure she’s soft summer only because I think she can pull off some warms, and soft summer shares with soft autumn. But it would seem just based on coloration alone, given her very light (hazel) eyes and darker hair, maybe you’re right.
Im thinking cool too!!!! My friend also said cool toned :) 💖
I also think she’s leaning cool — with coolness not being the defining characteristic for sure but it’s cool nonetheless
Warm. In most photos your lips and eye and skin comes alive with warm. Beware, you are going to get mixed responses and in the end you may feel more confused! At least that’s what happened to me when I posted here! What do you think you are? Which one looks good to you?
I’m really unsure tbh! I think I can wear both if they aren’t too bright and likewise I go through phases of gold or silver jewellery. I actually sometimes wear mixed metals and I like that look.
So I went and objectively looked at my wardrobe it is more cool toned. But I do have a mix of both. Most are pretty muted shades though. I think silver jewellery looks better by my face (like earrings and necklace) but I feel like I can wear gold rings and bangles ok. Maybe because my arms get more tanned 🤷♀️
warm but more accurately neutral
Warm
My eyes are drawn to the silver against your skin tone. Since your veins appear a bit blue in one picture and a bit green in the other, you may be neutral. I feel like you're neutral but lean towards cool tones.
Thank you! Yea I’ve been trying to figure it out now for days. The two vein pictures are one in direct sunlight and one diffused light. I can’t for the life of me decide on what color I see. So maybe neutral with cool? I just learned of olive as well. My mom has olive skin i believe, do you think I have any of that? Also for reference I have grey-blue eyes and hair is naturally a dirty blonde hair
I'd definitely say neutral to cool. The silver looks way better. Try to not overthink it.
We have a similar complexion and I’m cool toned. I always thought I was warm, until a professional corrected me. Now I have a way easier time with makeup and clothes. I still wear yellow gold though 😂
If you want to go down the color analysis rabbit hole, this lady is the godmother. Very interesting stuff. You might be a Soft Summer. https://12blueprints.com/
My friend was having the hardest time figuring out her season- we knew she was slightly warm and thought she might be Dark Autumn. She was able to get draped by one of the 12 Blueprints analysts and it turned out she's a Bright Winter! It can be so tricky to figure out on your own.
I thought it was just warm, neutral, or cool! I didn’t know there were seasons, too! Lol I’m gonna have to go down the rabbit hole, aren’t I?
Curious how you feel about the color matching of il makiage. So hard to guess online without actually trying it on your actual skin. Need all the tips!
I think we have identical skin tones! I consider myself neutral and a Soft Summer, like u/AdQuirky1318 suggested.
I am a light olive and the only foundation I can really wear is from Koh Gen Do (213) but unfortunately I think it would be quite dark on you. Have you tried any bb creams or tinted moisturizers? they can be a little more forgiving for not being a perfect match. I think you would look very nice in the Klairs Supple Preparation BB Cream.
I would almost clock you at a very fair olive.
I can see some slight yellow/olive tones in your pictures that a few others have mentioned, I’m quite pink. I would definitely lean into cooler tones, play with them a bit and see what makes you glow. With veins being so blue and the pink flush to your skin, I think they will look fabulous.
Just a tip that took me WAY too long to figure out - if you like bronzer/contouring, choose a cool toned product. Which are hard to find, I just picked up the Fenty one. Bronzers with gold tones tend to make us look too orange.
If you’re an olive with natural reddish/copper tones in your hair, do you consider yourself warm/neutral/cool? What kind of makeup colors do you enjoy? If you lean cool, how do you make color choices that blend the coolness of your skin with the warmth of your hair (and freckles)?
I have coppery/gold light brown hair and a warm skin tone. I thought I was cool my whole life because “light hair and eyebrows, blue eyes.” But only in the last couple years did I find I do amazing with BRICK red blush and a blotted lip. Try it!! Go for the reds, peaches, bronzes and golds, and dump the gray and cool browns!!
Also brown mascara looks better than black (I have light eyelashes).
For clothes, greens, gold, and black are my best colors.
Obviously little differences in undertone could change all this :)
I think my biggest obstacle is that with makeup, adding additional warmth is sort of not what is naturally on my face. For example, my natural flush doesn’t look peachy—it looks rosy. My lip color isn’t peachy. It’s mauve. So I’m always kind of thinking makeup should enhance natural coloring and I wonder if the warm colors therefore make me look not like myself. But I also don’t know if I’m overthinking it…do warm people typically have a cooler lip color and not naturally have a peachy blush color?
What I would say is that in clothing colors, it does seem easier for me to pull off warm colors. Like I would definitely select a warm mossy green over a cool fuchsia pink. And for neutrals I 100% prefers brown and ivory type colors over black, grays, and stark white (although I do like charcoal).
So it’s probably safe to say I lean warm, but I can’t decide if I should go for makeup colors that match my natural coloring like more neutral mauve and rosy colors or lean into the warm red peach brick look!
I’d just go to ulta or Sephora (or whatever you have) and try a bunch of things on. Swatch foundations along your jaw line and neck and check in-store and outside/by a big window (bring a compact mirror).
Get that down then move on to blush (one on each cheek), check in different lighting again, use their makeup remover and rinse and repeat. Then try some lips. My only advice is to stray from your usual. Like if you (like me) always grab the same colors out of habit try a straight up brick or brown or something that could surprise you! I literally wore brown lip liner and gloss for my wedding bc I just tried it once and was like… whoa.. I never thought this would work on a pale blue eyed girly.
The thing is, it’s not like warm or cool will look BAD on you. I can still wear a black liner or berry lip if I want to. I just felt when i found my true colors something looked more cohesive and everything just glowed/looked more natural, idk. So try things you haven’t! And maybe you’ll find the originals work better.
One thing you could use to compare: Benefit original benetint (cool) on one side and floratint (warm) on the other. You do have to go LIGHT with it bc it’s very pigmented.
Natural auburn with olive skin! My skin is a bit on the yellow side so I am warm. In the summer i like to wear pastels that make my skin look healthy- my go-to’s are baby blue and buttercream. I also really like burgundy, mauve, and a cooler kind of greige that leans a bit purple. For makeup, on the lips I solely wear shades that lean a little more cool toned, like a mauve or burgundy that lean more purple (but not full on)
I’m a neutral warm olive. My hair is right in the middle of red and brown (this subject has and will continue to come up in arguments amongst my friends and family that I unfortunately also get to sit through).
I wear mostly burnt orange and whatever color goes with burnt orange. I also adore yellow and have started wearing more rust red and turquoise. I have been told I look good in plum?
I wear a lot of olive green, admittedly. I’m not quite sure if it’s flattering or not. It compliments my eyes. Olive green is also unfortunately my favorite color so if it’s not flattering, oh well. 😬
I like lighter neutrals like oatmeal and gingerbread. Sometimes I wear shades of cognac or redwood, but the latter is too matchy-matchy with my hair.
I don’t wear bright white, black, or grey. Makes me look sick and sallow.
Oh my gosh, the hair color arguments lol. Whether I call my hair red or brown, people will argue with me. So I usually just say reddish brown or auburn. I would say I overall gravitate toward warm colors in clothing, but a couple things that throw me off are having a mauve natural lip color (do people who are actually warm have a more peachy lip color) and when I wear warm blush like Merit Beverly Hills or Fox, they show up kind of muddy on me like a browner instead of a rosy flush. Do you find being olive makes any color choices more confusing over a non-olive warm skintone? Can you wear a wide range of warm makeup colors?
Thank God you get it!! The arguments over hair are so annoying. I also call my hair auburn.
My lips are some type of rose shade but it throws me off; I have a peachier lip liner I use so everything matches. When I wear blush I stick with muted peaches and terracottas. I have a terracotta blush I love that I’m trying to find a matching lip shade for. I can get away with coral as well, provided that I don’t overdo it.
I feel like it makes it easier and harder. It made it really hard to figure out what my undertone was initially, and it limits my palette to earth tones for the most part. At the same time, I love earth tones, so it’s not a big loss to me.
I will say that for me, if I want to wear a vibrant color, it has to be on the deeper side. If it’s a bright and light color, that tends to look clownish.
My hair has darkened (and added grey) over time, but this is me. I’m a light warm-leaning olive.
Hunter green, charcoal, shades of teal, some darker orange or yellow shades all work well for me. Warmer burgundy as well.
I used to have that coloring. I liked wearing non-colors Grey, silver, black, white.
The reason was because I already had a lot of coloring. My eyes are blue, my lips are pink, my hair was auburnish. I felt like if I added color then it would be borderline clowny.
I really liked grey and silver. I had a silver velvit dress that I loved.
My worst color has always been a Pistachio color. Gag. But a deep forest green worked well.
Thanks, that’s so interesting! I don’t like wearing black and white, but I think I a muted. Charcoal I really love! I can totally relate to the “too much color” feeling. I tend to like relatively dark colors for this reason. Like I would much prefer to dark pine to a bright emerald. And I feel you on the light green! I once got a pastel mint green sweatshirt and it somehow made my face look green, orange, and gray all at once somehow lol.
pastel mint green sweatshirt and it somehow made my face look green, orange, and gray all at once somehow lol. TRUE!!!
It was. And it really was a good frame for my coloring.
BTW, I am old now and my hair is darker with no red. I am 20% Grey. I've done a grey balyage and gone hippy. I use a lot of dark purple eye shadow
I just turned 30, and I'm starting to get into makeup. It's actually been a really fun journey (despite the more than occasional hiccup), and I'm expanding my stock from about 5 pieces to a few extra staples I can keep in my daily rotation.
An additional note; I was very, very, very, recently told that I'm actually cool toned. Which makes sense in retrospect. A lot of my concealers and foundations always pulled rather orange on me, and I'd spent years frustrated. Mostly because so many of my favorite colors to wear are browns, golds, and nudes.
Well, wasn't I in for the happy surprise of my life when I found out that browns, golds, and nudes can all be cool toned! Hooray!
But here's where I'm stuck.
I'll be figuring out an additional foundation and concealer. That's taken care of. But it's the other makeup I'm stuck on. Eye shadow, blush, highlighters, etc...
If it helps: I'm 30 with cool, olive toned skin who breaks out in acne and rashes if any non-sensitive products so much as fall near me. I love nudes, golds, pinks, the occasional no makeup-makeup looks, and (contradicting my last statement) pops of glitter.
There's a big 25% off sale right now through ColourPop and I figure that now is the time to buy!
Does anyone have any products that they swear by?
Thank you so much in advance! This is so new and a little intimidating, especially being newly 30 and just starting to dive in to this new world.
I am also cool toned! It's been a learning process getting into make-up at 36 years old, lol
I second the Stone Cold Fox palette
For other palettes that have worked really well for me, Twilight and Foolish Mortals are my other two go-tos.
I haven't played around too much with colourpop's other products as I have other brands I use for various things.
Oh cool (pun intended lol)!!! Do you have any suggestions for other products from other brands?
For my liquid blush I use Huda Beauty the colors Bubblegum, sunset lychee, ube creme, and strawberries and creme are all good on cool toned. Intense guava is too, but it is exactly as its named... intense, lol
The Stone Cold Fox eyeshadow palette
Liquid blush in Princess Ave
And I love love love the Rapunzel liquid highlighter in Mother Gothel
And if you want a perfect, deep red, try the lippie liner and pencil set in bichette
OOOooooOOH! I'll be checking those out!
And just curious - do you find the liquid blush/highlighter breaks you out or is it something that can go on without a reaction?
It hasn’t broken me out so far, but I’ve got a good skincare routine going so makeup doesn’t get the chance to clog my pores :)
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I would say brown ombré
2
Dark looks good on you. You want to spice it up, try a different dark shade but stay dark
I've been wanting to dye my hair for a long time and am thinking about having some fun. My hair is naturally a medium to slightly dark brown.
I am searching for a fun hair color that will compliment my cool toned skin. It doesn't have to be natural.
*Side note: I've only done blonde in the past and boy was that a mistake! Looking back the color was not flattering, but hey, that was like 15+ years ago and I was a dumb high schooler in the late 2000s.
Perhaps something pink, mauve, purple realm, I don't know if blues or greens would work.
Or, even if dying my hair is unreasonable, some awesome wig suggestions would also be appreciated!! Thanks for any advice!
Hi! So Halsey (singer) is cool toned and wears her hair all sorts of colors. Blonde isnt really her best look because she is cool toned. Check out her blue and pink eras! You might dig (:
Thank you! I will. 😁
I have very cool toned so colors like pink, lavender, and anything with a bluish undertone seems to look best. Silver jewelry.
What autumn colors do you suggest? (I prefer a lighter pallet.)
Thanks.
I am also cool-toned and I avoid autumn colored polishes like the plague lol but I like lighter, neutral taupes on me for fall. :) What do you think about toasted & chai latte?
It depends on what your palette is, as a true winter I have one yellow I can wear! But I’m bright enough that muted cools are hit or miss on me. From ILNP I’m thinking of trying Jumping Puddles, Pitter Patter, Rainy Days, Starlight, Bewitched, Sabrina, Ruby, Internship, Adored, Olivia, Coffee Run, and Say Love for more autumn-y colors
Do you have any examples of lighter palette colours you'd consider autumnal? Because my mind keeps going to darker colours.
I'm in a similar boat. I think the Overcast collection is flattering and says autumn enough for me.
Very pale and cool toned over here - Toasted, Cleo, and Prancer are 10/10. Close Knit is also cool but it’s not my favorite shade personally. I’ve ordered Dark Roast, Shapeshifter, Copper Top, and Sandbar to try to find some browns and bronzes that aren’t too warm. Also Drizzle is beautiful and I can’t wait to wear it on cool rainy days
best colors for cool skin tones
Key Considerations for Cool Skin Tones:
Undertones: Cool skin tones typically have pink, red, or blue undertones. Identifying your undertone can help you choose colors that complement your complexion.
Color Palette: Look for colors that enhance your natural glow. Cool skin tones generally look great in the following shades:
Avoid Warm Colors: Steer clear of warm tones like orange, yellow, and earthy browns, as they can clash with your skin tone.
Takeaways:
Recommendation: When shopping for clothing or makeup, bring along a few items in your identified best colors to see how they look against your skin. This can help you make more informed choices!
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