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What Colour Suits Me Best? Find Your Colour Palette

Get ready to glow ✨ - by Beth Young
  • 02 Oct 2019
What Colour Suits Me Best? Find Your Colour Palette

Playing it safe and sticking to neutrals because you can't decide on the best colour palette to complement your skin tone? Whether you're a strawberry blonde with a gorgeous peaches and cream complexion, an olive-skinned brunette, or a fiery beauty with natural red hair and freckles, we've got your back.

Wearing the right colours can give you a radiant glow, while the wrong colour palette has the exact opposite effect, making your skin look sallow and tired. And you don't need a stylist to help you choose. Once you know the tricks of the trade, it's easy. 

And, remember this is just a guideline. If you adore a colour that isn't quite right for you, use it as an accent. Think: shoes, belt, or handbag.) You do you, sweetheart!

HOW ON EARTH DO I WORK OUT MY SKIN TONE?

Cool, warm, or neutral undertones are the colours that come through your skin from underneath the surface. And it's not dependent on how light or dark your skin is. Very fair to dark-skinned ladies can have cool, warm or neutral undertones.  

The white paper test

Start with a squeaky clean face clear of makeup and creams. If you've just washed your face, wait at least 15 minutes for any redness to subside, then step into some natural light to properly examine your skin.

Grab a piece of pure white paper and hold it up to your face. How does your skin look in contrast? If you have a hue that leans towards a greenish, light brown or golden or yellow undertones, then you have a warm skin tone. Pink, rosy or blue? You're as cool as a cucumber, baby! However, if your skin appears grey or ashen, it's a neutral skin tone for you.

Acne, rosacea, or a tan can make it hard to determine your skin's tone. It this is the case, ask a mate to do the paper test on the crease behind your ear instead. The delicate skin there is less likely to be affected.

Or you can peek through it!

Or you can peek through it!

Getty

The vein test

What colour are the veins in your hand and wrist? Blue or purple veins indicate cool skin, while a greenish hue, means warm skin. If you can't decide between the two, you're neutral.

The sun test 

Another easy way to work out your skin's undertone is to gauge how it reacts to the sun. Olive-skinned beauties who tan easily generally have warm skin tones. Gals with pale skin who burn in the sun, are usually cool. But that's not to say that women with dark skin that doesn't burn can't be, too. If you're neutral, you may fall into either group.

Does your skin roast in the sun, or do you bronze nicely?

Does your skin roast in the sun, or do you bronze nicely?

Getty

Your jewellery 

Silver and platinum generally make cool skin tones pop, while for warm tones, gold is where it's at.

What bling makes your skin sing?

What bling makes your skin sing?

Getty

Your eye/hair colour 

It's not an exact science, but eye colour and the hue of your hair can help to determine skin tone. People with warm skin tones tend to have amber or brown eyes with dark blonde to dark brown hair, while cool skin tones sport grey, blue or green eyes and tresses that range from very dark (blue-black or very dark brown) to light blonde. Interestingly, most people with neutral skin tones have hazel eyes, and hair that is is multiple colours like blonde with ashy streaks or brown with warm golden brown highlights.

NOW WHAT?

What colours should I wear if I'm warm?

You're looking for warm colours like oranges, golden yellow, honey gold, amber, and reds that will make your golden undertones sing. But you can also get away with warmer greens and blues, like deeper turquoise, green moss, olive, fern, pesto, and red-purples in magenta and orchid shades. Neutrals like taupe, hot chocolate, cream whites, and latte will make your skin glow. Steer clear from icy shades and jewelled tones like ruby, amethyst, and sapphire.  

Celeb lookalikes: Jessica Alba, Jennifer Lopez,  Claire Danes, Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé

jessicaalba View Profile
109.3k likes - View Post on Instagram
It was an Honor to open the Monte Carlo Television Festival and premiere @lasfinesttv hosted by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monoco in Monte-Carlo Glam: Makeup @danielmartin (@honest_beauty) Hair @jesushair Styling @sweetbabyjamie dress @prabalgurung

What colours look good on me if I'm cool?

On the cool end of the colour chart, your best hues are bright blue, royal blue, sapphire, emerald, amethyst, deep purples, lavender, lilac snow. But don't discount warm shades like shocking pink (not hot pink, which is warm), cerise, ruby, and bright rose. Your neutral colours are grey, navy and pristine white, but avoid oranges and yellows!

Celeb lookalikes: Cate Blanchett, Viola Davis, Nicole Kidman, Mindy Kaling, and Lupita Nyong'o

cate_blanchettofficial View Profile
2,926 likes - View Post on Instagram
Last post about the @bernadettefilm premiere 💙💙 repost of @elizabethstewart1 😎 Shades of Bowie courtesy of @alexandermcqueen for the @bernadettefilm premiere 💙 @fallonjewelry @valextra clutch and bravo to @morag_ross_makeup_artist and @robertvetica !! 💙💙💙 #cateblanchett #sarahburton#cateblanchett #actress #film #movie #cinema #shooting #shoot #bernadette #bernadettefilm #alexandermcqueen

What colours suit me if I'm neutral?

Wear jade green, dusty pink, lagoon blue and cornsilk yellow and you'll make heads turn. Neutral colours like off-whites, coffee, mid-range greys and black are also your best friend. Give colours that are too bright and vibrant a wide berth, though - they'll overwhelm you.  

Celeb lookalikes: Angelina Jolie, Rachel McAdams, Julianne Moore, Julia Roberts, and Kerry Washington

juliaroberts View Profile
242.8k likes - View Post on Instagram
In London In ⭐️Burberry⭐️

GOING DEEPER...

You can take it a step further, and try out seasonal colour analysis - classifying yourself according to the seasons.

Once upon a time, seasonal colour analysis, or skin-tone matching, was broken down into four basic categories: Spring (light hair and eyes, warm undertone), Summer (light hair and eyes, cool undertone), Autumn (dark hair and eyes, warm undertone), and Winter (dark hair and eyes, cool undertone). 

But the narrow classification meant that many women weren't accounted for. So, now we have 12 seasons to choose from: Light Spring, True or Warm Spring, Clear Spring, Light Summer, Cool or True Summer, Soft Summer, Soft Autumn, True or Warm Autumn, Deep Autumn, True or Cool Winter, Clear Winter, and Dark or Deep Winter. 

Light Spring

  • Hair: Golden blonde, strawberry blonde, or golden brown
  • Skin: Fair skin with pink or peachy undertones
  • Eyes: Blue, green, hazel, or light brown

- You rock: Spring colours like jonquil yellow, spring green, warm coral, fresh aqua, ivory, khaki, bright aqua, warm coral, greenish khaki, sunshine yellow

- Celeb doppelgängers: Kate Hudson, Taylor Swift, Blake Lively

blakelively View Profile
763.6k likes - View Post on Instagram
🍌b. A. n. A. n. A. S. 🍌 @brandonmaxwell @lorraineschwartz @ofirajewelz @charlotteolympia

True or Warm Spring

  • Hair: Strawberry blonde to copper auburn and light to dark golden brown
  • Skin: Warm beige, slightly bronzed, may have freckles
  • Eyes: Green, blue, hazel, or light brown

- You rock: Bright blue, pine green, sea green, ocean aqua, ivory, evergreen, rose, warm yellow, navy, true red

- Celeb doppelgängers: Nicole Kidman, Jessica Chastain, Amy Adams

nicolekidman View Profile
52.1k likes - View Post on Instagram
Happy birthday darling Sheryl. Love you so much. Nic xx

Clear or Bright Spring

  • Hair: Golden light to dark brown
  • Skin: Skin has a pink undertone and ranges from more ivory than milky white to golden brown 
  • Eyes: Green, blue, light brown

- You rock: Hot pink, robin’s egg blue, royal blue, lime, pine green, ocean aqua, ivory, warm brown, bright blue, true red

- Celeb doppelgängers: Tyra Banks, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gwyneth Paltrow

View Profile
26.6k likes - View Post on Instagram
Tyra Banks on Instagram: "💕💕💕"

Light Summer

  • Hair: Light to medium ashy blonde or strawberry blonde hair 
  • Skin: Skin has a neutral undertone that is neither warm or cool, but may have a slight pink tinge 
  • Eyes: Blue or green

- You rock: Cool pink to pale green, baby blue, lavender, royal blue, evergreen, white, and pale warm coral

- Celeb doppelgängers: Reese Witherspoon, Margot Robbie, Cate Blanchett, Marilyn Monroe

margotrobbie View Profile
View Post on Instagram
@elleusa cover coming soon! 🌴☀️🏄‍♀️🌊Thank you @ninagarcia xx

True or Cool Summer

  • Hair: Medium to dark ashy brown
  • Skin: Skin has a cool undertone and ranges from medium beige to dark brown
  • Eyes: Blue or Gray

- You rock: Cobalt blue, evergreen, true rose, parma violet, crisp navy, fog gray, white, mint green, violet, slate blue.

- Celeb doppelgängers: Kate Middleton, Emily Blunt, Bella Hadid

kensingtonroyal View Profile
588.1k likes - View Post on Instagram
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the #USStateVisit Banquet, hosted by Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace. In a speech at the Banquet, The Queen said: Tonight we celebrate an alliance that has helped to ensure the safety and prosperity of both our peoples for decades, and which I believe will endure for many years to come. Visit @TheRoyalFamily to see more from the #USStateVisit. 📷PA

Soft Summer

  • Hair: Medium to dark ashy brown
  • Skin: Medium beige to dark brown with neutral undertones
  • Eyes: Grey, blue, hazel

- You rock: Periwinkle, parma violet, cocoa brown, lavender, dusty navy, dusty rose, marsala wine

- Celeb doppelgängers: Jennifer Aniston, Rihanna, Sarah Jessica Parker

badgalriri View Profile
1m likes - View Post on Instagram
@fentybeauty #SunStalkR Bronzer. April 5th.

Soft Autumn

  • Hair: Blonde to medium brown or reddish light brown
  • Skin: Ivory, olive, or medium brown with warm undertones
  • Eyes: Green, hazel, or light brown

- You rock: Maize, moss, teal, peach, ivory, goldenrod, French blue, olive, camel, warm pink, and aubergine.

- Celeb doppelgängers: Dianna Agron, Mischa Barton, Elizabeth Olsen

elizabetholsenofficial View Profile
150.1k likes - View Post on Instagram
🤖 donate.omaze.com/Mexico

Warm Autumn

  • Hair: Medium to dark golden brown or warm auburn
  • Skin: Ivory, olive, or medium brown with warm undertones
  • Eyes: Green, hazel, or light brown

- You rock: Autumn colours like deep olive, marsala wine, padparadscha orange, yellow, rust, gold, warm blue, mauve, burgundy, and terracotta.

- Celeb doppelgängers: Olivia Palmero, Debra Messing, Rita Hayworth

oliviapalermo View Profile
47.9k likes - View Post on Instagram
FIGuring out where figs come from @furnirussi 🤣

Deep Autumn

  • Hair: Medium to dark brown with golden shine
  • Skin: Ivory, olive, or medium to dark brown with warm undertones
  • Eyes: Dark blue, deep green, hazel, dark brown, brown-black

- You rock: Topaz, forest green, bright orange, brilliant russet, citrine, deep olive, warm ruby, black, russet, and goldenrod. 

- Celeb doppelgängers: Natalie Portman, Oprah Winfrey, Gal Gadot

natalieportman View Profile
275.1k likes - View Post on Instagram
Ready for you, Monday. @diormakeup #RougeDior #RougeDiorUltraCare #bts

Cool or True Winter

  • Hair: Ashy blonde, ashy light or dark brown, or black with blue undertones
  • Skin: Olive or cool blue undertones 
  • Eyes: Light brown, blue, or grey

- You rock: Sapphire, navy, amethyst, royal blue, bottle green, vivid green, emerald, cool ruby, hot pink, lime green, black, white, fuchsia, cool pink, fog gray, white, and black

- Celeb doppelgängers: Liv Tyler, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kristin Davis

misslivalittle View Profile
56.1k likes - View Post on Instagram
@thelovemagazine @maryamccartney @kegrand #happytenthbirthdaylove #love20

Clear Winter

  • Hair: Medium to dark brown or black
  • Skin: Olive or cool blue undertones
  • Eyes: Bright green or blue

- You rock: Forget muted colours and go for the brightest you can find!

- Celeb doppelgängers: Courteney Cox, Zooey Deschanel, Alexis Bledel

alexisbledelofficial View Profile
27.3k likes - View Post on Instagram
Great day for a FOX Upfront. In NYC for my new series Us And Them! #usandthem

Dark or Deep Winter

  • Hair: Medium to dark brown or black
  • Skin: Olive or cool blue undertones
  • Eyes: Dark brown or black

- You rock: Sapphire, navy, turquoise, eggplant, amethyst, emerald, bottle green, cool ruby, black and white, and plum. 

- Celeb doppelgängers: Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Mila Kunis

_mila_kunis__ View Profile
3,277 likes - View Post on Instagram
#milakunis

COLOURS ANYONE CAN WEAR

- Pure white

- Light blush pink

- Teal with a perfect mix of blue and green

- Eggplant purple

Beth Young
Beth Young
Beth Young is a journalist with more than a decade of experience who specialises in real-life stories.

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