How to Know your Skin undertone?
10 min read

How to Know Your Skin Undertone?

Whether you are a cosmetics aficionado or not, we have all purchased a slew of makeup items at some point in our lives. Buying makeup is as tough as applying it. If you're wondering what may go wrong while purchasing cosmetic items? Well, the answer is your skin undertone.

Undertones are often the most overlooked aspect of skin tone. In contrast to skin tone, which can vary with tan or some whitening procedures, your undertone remains consistent. We have all the attributes you need to determine your undertone in this article. 

This advice will save you a lot of money by preventing you from purchasing the wrong foundation, clothes, makeup products and hair color, and help you choose products that will complement your skin as well as undertones.

What is an Undertone?

Before we move forward with the good stuff, let's talk about what undertones are. 

Undertones are the natural hue of human skin as it pertains to melanin pigment. Human undertones range from light to dark; the deeper the undertone, the more melanin it contains. Fair skin individuals, for example, have light undertones, whereas dark-skinned people have dark undertones; this corresponds to their skin color. Lighter skins lack pigment, whereas darker skins have more pigment, allowing them to absorb more sunlight than darker skins.

What is the Difference Between Skin Tone and Undertone?

So now that you know what an undertone is, it will be easier for you to understand the difference between skin tone and undertone

In layman's language, a skin tone is the surface color of your skin, while undertones are the colors beneath the skin's surface that affect the overall tone. Your skin tone is categorized into four types - Light, fair, medium, and deep. On the other hand, your undertone is sorted into three types - Warm, cool, and neutral. 

What Are the Different Types of Undertones?

Majorly undertones are categorized into three types. These undertones and the color they include are as follows:

  • Warm: Warm undertones include golden, yellow, or peachy tones.
  • Cool: Examples of cool undertones - Pink, crimson, or blueish.
  • Neutral: If you're a combination of warm and cool, you're neutral.

How Can I Identify My Undertone?

Identifying your undertone is not rocket science. You can find out about your undertone from the comfort of your home. Though there are other ways of finding out about your undertones, like visiting a dermatologist or a cosmetic specialist, a little DIY technique and following a few simple hacks will also do the work for you. 

Here's a list of a few tips and tricks through which you can identify your undertone. 

  1. Let the White Color Reveal Your Hue: Take a piece of white cloth or paper and hold it up to your face in the bright natural light. Now compare your skin color with the white object. If you have a cool undertone, your skin will look pink or rosy in contrast. If your skin looks a bit creamy or off-white, this indicates that you have a warm undertone. Lastly, if you can pull off both colors of jewelry, then you have a neutral undertone.
  1. The Jewelry Test: It may seem a bit surprising to you, but yes, the color of jewelry can also help you determine your skin tone. You can try one different color of jewelry and see which one enhances your skin. If you look good in silver jewelry, then your undertone is cool. If gold jewelry enhances your skin, then you have a warm undertone, and if you can pull off both of these colors of jewelry like a pro, then it means you have a neutral undertone skin
  1. Check the Color of Your Veins: You can check the color of your veins on areas like the underside of your wrists, your face, and your neck to know about your undertone. You have a cold undertone if your veins seem blue or purple. In case your veins look greenish like olive, then you have a warm undertone. A neutral undertone is a combination of warm and cool undertones, so if you can't tell which color your veins are, it means you have a neutral undertone.
  1. Let the Sun Expose Your True Tone: When it comes to determining your skin's undertone, sun exposure is one true informant. To try the sun test, you can go out in the sun and see the following results: If your skin burns too fast, you have a cool undertone. If your skin tans quickly, you have a warm undertone, and if sun exposure results are not too strong, then you have a neutral undertone.
  1. Some More Helpful Tricks: Your hair and eye color typically also influence your undertone. Your undertones may be cool if you have brown, black, or blonde hair and blue, grey, or green eyes. You most likely have warm undertones if you have brown or hazel eyes and red, brown, black, strawberry blonde, or strawberry blonde hair. This trick is mostly beneficial to determine cool and warm undertones, but if you don't fall under either of the categories, then you know that you have a neutral undertone.

Why Does Knowing Your Undertone Matter?

Now that you have identified your skin one, we will tell the reason why it so so important:

Get the Right Fit: There are certainly cool, warm, and neutral undertone colors that look good on people with the specific hue. Once you are aware of your skin's undertone, you may start shopping for clothing in colors that go well with it. Pick warm colors like yellow, red, and orange for skin tones with a warm undertone and cool colors like green, blue and purple for skin tones with a cool undertone when choosing clothes.

It Prevents You from Having a Hair and Makeup Disaster: Cool skin tones should choose warm hair colors, while warm skin tones should choose cool hair colors. Not all shades of lipstick and hair color will suit people of varying undertones. Here's the catch in choosing the perfect hair color for your undertone. Cool skin tones should choose warm hair colors, whilst warm skin tones should choose cool hair colors. You see, the rules and hues are reversed here.

Select the Right Foundation: We all know that buying a perfect foundation doesn't come cheap. Knowing your undertones will help you select the best foundation for your skin. However, considering the variety of foundation kinds and lines, some experiments may still be necessary. 

All foundation shades are properly labeled for both cold and warm skin tones. Apply samples of foundation on your cheek in the hues that are closest to your skin tone. Always select a foundation shade that is one shade lighter than your hair's actual tone. For better guidance, here are some results we derived from our experiment:

  • A cool undertone foundation will seem somewhat pink. Avoid yellowish foundations, which tend to make cool skin tones appear paler.
  • Warm undertones look best when paired with a somewhat yellow foundation. 
  • People with neutral undertones look best with foundations that aren't too yellow or pink. Instead, seek a mix of the two. You can find neutral undertone labeled foundations, and if not, then you can create a perfect shade for yourself by mixing two foundation shades.

It's a Wrap!

In contrast to skin tone, which can vary with tan or some whitening procedures, your undertone remains consistent. To summarise, no matter how amazing your product is or how accurate your application method is, your completed makeup will leave an uneven skin tone and a dull or matte appearance if the undertone is not proper.

Identifying your undertones demands more effort than determining your overtones. Admittedly, this is more of a guessing game than determining your complexion hue, but we do have a few accurate ways available to you. 

So what are you waiting for? Experiment with all of our tips and use the findings to validate your undertones.

The Best Makeup Products for Every Undertone at Cossouq

We have curated the list of the top four quintessential makeup products suitable for your undertone that will make you look gorgeous. 

Head on & pick a bunch of them & never compromise over your beauty needs!

Buy Blush Makeup Online as per your undertone

Add a pop of colors & let your cheeks bloom! The right shade of blush can elevate your complexion & unwrap your elegance. It turns your cheekbones defined & provides a sculpted shape face. 

So here’s the recommendation of blushes that suit your undertone. Shop for the best Blush makeup at Cossouq - Your go-to destination for purchasing quality beauty products online. 

Undertone

Blush

Features

Shade/Color suggestions

Warm 

Maybelline New York Fit Me Blush - Coral

Enhances your skin tone. 


Blends seamlessly. 


Lasts the whole day. 

Other than Coral, you can even opt for Peacy, Bronze, & Warm pink colored blushes. 

Cool 

Colorbar Cheek illusion Blush- Pink Pinch

Comes in a silky texture. 


Easily blendable.  


Made without parabens, mineral oils, & artificial fragrances.

Hues such as Berry, Lilac, & Cool peach also work best for cool undertones. 

Neutral

L'Oreal Paris Le Blush Bar Highlighter - 11 Be Fierce

Offers a natural-looking flush of color. 


Its creamy texture glides easily. 

Peacy pink, Nude & Soft coral are the tints you shall look forward to for a Neutral undertone. 

Buy foundation online as per your undertone

Discover your perfect foundation match & witness the magic! It is the base your skin needs before applying makeup. The foundation keeps blemishes, uneven skin tone, & imperfections at bay.

For seamless skin & timeless beauty, head on to Cossouq's foundation collection for varied undertones & buy online. 

Undertone

Foundation

Features

Shade/Color Suggestions

Warm 

L.A. Girl Tinted Foundation - Golden

Brightens, hydrates, & soothes your skin. 


Provide sheer to medium coverage. 

Other than Golden, you shall even look for Orange & Warm beige shades. 

Cool

Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte+Poreless Liquid Foundation With Clay - 115 Ivory

Offers a natural matte finish. 


Minimises pores. Light in weight. 

Look for a foundation with a Pink, Red, & Blue base. Also, look for terms like Ivory or Cool beige. 

Neutral

Lyon Beauty USA Super Stay Weightless Foundation

Keeps your skin fresh & radiant. 


Lasts the whole day. 


Light in weight. 

Opt for  foundations that are labeled, as “Neutral”, "Balanced," or "Neutral beige." 

Buy Eyeshadow Palette Online as per your undertone

Eye shadow is the star player of your makeover game. Be it any occasion, the right choice of color on your eyelids can turn the heads of others.

Discover the shade that matches your undertone & buy online from Cossouq at discounted prices. 

Undertone

Eye shadow

Features

Shade/Color Suggestions 

Warm 

Nicka K Radiant Liquid Eyeshadow- Golden Gemma

Drops the luster & sparkle to the eyes. 


Blends easily & dries quickly. 


Cruelty-free. 

Warm browns, Peachy, Copper, Bronze, Orange, & Red are the colors you can look for apart from Golden. 

Cool

Disguise Cosmetics Satin Smooth Eyeshadow Squares- Teal Peacock

Have a smooth & creamy texture. 


Easy to apply. 100% Talc Free, Cruelty-free. 

Green, Purple, Rosy pink, & Cool greys are the colors that go well with a cool undertone. 

Neutral

Coloressence Ultra Color Graphic Eyeshadow

Highly blendable. 


Lasts longer. Water-resistant. 

Copper, Bronze, Muted pink, & Cool grey suit people with neutral undertones. 

Buy Lipsticks Online as per your undertone

The right shade & texture can turn your lips glamorous. Adorn your beautiful smile with a tint of colors. 

Meet your shade that fits your undertone & get picture-perfect lips. Shop lipstick online from Cossouq’s wide varieties & get ready to make a statement with your luscious & colorful lips.

Undertone

Lipsticks

Features

Color/shade suggestions

Warm 

Blur India Call Me Daddy- Nude Matte Liquid Lipsticks 

Keep your lips moisturized. 


Made of lightweight formula. 


Highly pigmented. 

Other than Nudes, opt for Peachy, Pale Pink, Copper, Warm red, & Brown colored lipsticks. 

Cool

JUICE Matte Richstick Lipstick, 4ml-M01 - C&y Floss

Moisturize your lips. 


Provide velvet-matte finish. 


Water-proof & smudge-free. 

Mocha, Ruby, Wine, Lavender, & Dusty rose are the colors that will look best on people with cool undertones. 

Neutral

Deborah Milano- Milano Red

Moisturize your lips. 


Contains SPF 15. 


Dermatologically tested. 

Nude, Orange, Red, Peachy Pink, Coral, & Soft berry are the shades suitable for a neutral undertone. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How Do I Know if My Foundation Is Warm or Cool Undertones?

To determine if your foundation has warm or cool undertones, observe the shade closely. If it appears more yellow or golden, it is likely meant for warm undertones. If it appears more pink or blue, it is likely for cool undertones. 

  1. What Concealer You Shall Opt For Your Undertones?

Here are the shades of concealers that satisfy the needs of different undertones; 

  • Warm Undertone: Look for Peachy or Yellow shades. 
  • Cool Undertone: Go for Pink or Salmon shades. 
  • Neutral Undertone: Yellow & Blue hues suit the best. Besides, people with a neutral undertone have the flexibility to choose concealers with a range of undertones, depending on their specific needs. 

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