How to Identify Your Skin Complexion and Undertone

We’ve explored how colours can be transformed—tinted, shaded, toned, and washed—in our Colour Analysis Series. Now, it’s time to unlock the secret to choosing the shades that truly suit you. At the heart of personal colour analysis lies your undertone—the subtle base colour beneath your skin. This isn’t about whether you’re light or dark; your undertone remains consistent, whether you’re pale in winter or glowing with a summer tan.

Why Undertone Matters in Colour Analysis

Your undertone is the foundation of your personal style palette. It determines which hues harmonise with your skin, bringing out a brighter, smoother, and more vibrant complexion. The right colours enhance your natural beauty, while the wrong ones can leave you looking washed out, tired, or uneven. Draping—a technique using coloured fabrics—helps us see this magic in action. By comparing how different shades interact with your skin, we can pinpoint your undertone and build a wardrobe or makeup look that feels effortlessly you.

What Is Undertone? The Basics

Undertone refers to the warm or cool hue beneath your skin’s surface. It’s not about your overall complexion (light, medium, or deep) but the underlying tone that shines through. There are two primary undertone categories:

• Warm Undertones: These have a golden, peachy, or amber glow. This can apply to fair skin with a sun-kissed warmth, medium skin with a rich golden hue, or deep skin with a deep amber undertone.

• Cool Undertones: These lean toward pink, rosy, or slightly blue-toned shades. Some deeper cool complexions might appear olive or even have a greyish tint.

Key Insight: The lightness or darkness of your skin doesn’t dictate your undertone. You could have light skin with a warm undertone or dark skin with a cool undertone. It’s all about that hidden hue!

How to Identify Your Undertone with Draping

Draping is a hands-on way to uncover your undertone. Here’s how it works:

1. Gather Fabrics: Use a range of coloured drapes—warm shades like coral and mustard, and cool shades like icy blue and mauve.

2. Test in Natural Light: Stand near a window and hold each fabric against your face.

3. Observe the Effect: The right colour will make your skin look radiant and even. A warm drape will flatter a golden undertone, while a cool drape will enhance a rosy one. The wrong colour might exaggerate redness, shadows, or dullness.

4. Warm Undertone Signs: Coral or golden fabrics brighten your face; cool tones like icy blue make you look sallow.

5. Cool Undertone Signs: Mauve or soft blue enhances your complexion; warm tones like mustard create a harsh contrast.

Try this at home with scarves or clothing you own. The transformation can be eye-opening!

Common Myths About Undertone

Let’s clear up some confusion:

• Myth 1: Dark Skin Always Has Warm Undertones: Not true! Deep skin can have cool undertones, like olive or greyish hues.

• Myth 2: Undertone Changes with Tanning: Your undertone stays consistent; a tan just deepens your complexion, not the base hue.

• Myth 3: Only Light Skin Has Cool Undertones: Cool undertones span all complexions, from fair rosy to deep olive.

Understanding these facts helps you avoid missteps and confidently select your best colours.

Practical Tips for Everyday Use

Once you know your undertone, apply it to your style:

• Wardrobe: If you’re warm-toned, reach for earthy tones like terracotta or olive. Cool-toned? Embrace soft blues or dusty pinks.

• Makeup: Warm undertones shine with peachy blushes; cool undertones glow with rose-toned lipsticks.

• Jewellery: Gold complements warm undertones, while silver enhances cool ones.

Experiment with small changes—swap a bold red scarf for a washed coral one if you’re warm, or try a lavender if you’re cool. The results will speak for themselves!

Now that you’ve identified your undertone, the next step is organising these insights into a seasonal palette.

Ready to pinpoint your undertone and build a colour palette that flatters you? Book a personal colour analysis with us! We’ll use draping to create a custom digital palette tailored to your unique complexion. Visit our website to schedule your session and start glowing with confidence!