Color Matching 101
Whether you are a beginner or a makeup pro, finding your perfect shade in complexion products can be just as daunting. The most important step is to first figure out what your undertone is. The majority of beauty brands have shade ranges broken down into 3 basic undertones: cool, warm and neutral — only some brands have olive undertone shades. Now that brands are finally adapting to a new norm and releasing inclusive shade ranges with a wide variety of shades and undertones, keep these tips in mind to be confident in selecting your perfect shade on your next shopping trip!
what are undertones?
Undertones are the natural colors below your skin’s surface. Although you may have the same skin tone as someone else, you can have different undertones! Warm undertones consist of yellow, golden, peachy hues. Cold undertones consist of pink, blue or red hues. Neutral is a mixture of both warm and cold. Olive undertones are a mix of neutral, warm and green.
look at your veins
The most common way to determine your undertone is to look at the veins in your arm. If your veins look mainly blue and purple, that means you have a cool undertone. If your veins are green that means you have a warm undertone. If you see that your veins are a mix of all of the above, that means you have a neutral undertone. If it is hard to determine the color, you could have an olive undertone.
jewelry test (team gold, team silver, or both?)
Many people usually have a favorite type of metal when it comes to jewelry. If you prefer one more than the other, your undertone could be playing a factor. It is said that gold jewelry best compliments warm and olive undertones, while silver best compliments cool undertones. However, keep in mind that this is a personal preference!
swatch products on your jawline and neck
If you are in a store that has testers and you feel comfortable swatching a product on your skin, the best place to put it is on your jawline and neck. Shade matching to your neck ensures that you will not have any harsh makeup lines, giving you the most seamless and natural blend.
step into natural lighting
Have you ever tried a product in a store and then got home and the shade looks completely wrong? This is probably because of the lighting. The best way to combat this is to stand in front of a window with natural light to correctly determine if the shade is best for you!
utilize online tools
If you are shopping online, some high end retailers like Ulta and Sephora have features on their apps that will curate the best foundation shades for you. All you have to do is submit a photo of yourself or input a foundation shade you already use!
Kaitlyn Gage is a Master’s student at Drexel University for Strategic and Digital Communication. She is a Sales and Marketing Contractor for Hope Magazine. With experience in the public relations field, she also enjoys doing social media freelance and writing. Her passions and interests lie within the beauty and lifestyle industries.