When I first started getting into makeup, I would always end up looking just a little…off. You know that feeling when your foundation looks like it’s sitting on top of your skin instead of blending into it? Yeah, been there. It wasn’t until I learned about undertones that things really clicked. No matter who you are — cis, trans, nonbinary, or simply anyone who loves playing with makeup — understanding your undertones makes the biggest difference between “good” makeup and glowingly flawless makeup.
Your skin’s undertone is the subtle hue underneath your surface color—cool (pink, red, blue), warm (yellow, peach, golden), or neutral (a mix)—and it helps you pick the perfect makeup shades for the most natural look!
Once you know your undertone, finding your perfect foundation, concealer, blush, and even lipstick becomes sooo much easier. It’s like finally having a personal stylist whispering, “Hey babe, THIS is your shade!” Whether you’re heading to a Pride event, a date, or just want to look cute for yourself (which is the best reason, honestly), this guide will have you looking and feeling like your most radiant self.
Alright, let’s dive in!
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR SKIN UNDERTONES
So here’s the thing: even though your skin might be light, medium, or deep, it’s really the undertones — the colors underneath your skin — that matter most when choosing makeup. Everyone has either warm, cool, or neutral undertones, and yes, this applies beautifully to every gender and skin tone!
Here’s how it usually breaks down:
- Warm undertones: Your skin has hints of golden, yellow, or peachy hues (sometimes called yellow or olive tones).
- Cool undertones: You’ll notice pink, red, or bluish hues in your skin.
- Neutral undertones: You have a gorgeous balance of both warm and cool tones, making your natural skin color really shine through.
If you’re like, “Hmm, I still can’t tell!” — don’t worry. I got you. Here are a few quick little tests you can do to figure it out!
QUESTION #1: WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR VEINS?
Flip your wrist over and peek at your veins in natural light.
- If they look blue or purple, you’re probably cool-toned.
- If they look greenish, you’re likely warm-toned.
- If you can’t really tell (they look kinda blue and green), you’re a beautiful neutral.
QUESTION #2: YOU’RE AT THE BEACH: DO YOU BURN OR TAN?
Imagine you’re lounging at the beach (cute swimsuit, sunhat vibes).
- If you burn easily, you likely have cool undertones.
- If you tan easily (or burn then tan), you’re probably rocking warm or neutral undertones.
QUESTION #3: DOES SILVER OR GOLD COMPLEMENT YOU BETTER?
When you slip on jewelry:
- Silver pops against cool-toned skin.
- Gold looks extra gorgeous on warm-toned skin.
- If you’re like, “Girl, I look good in both!” — you’re probably neutral (lucky you!).
HOW TO FIND THE BEST FOUNDATION AND CONCEALER FOR YOUR UNDERTONE
Finding the perfect base is like finding the perfect pair of jeans: life-changing!
Here’s the trick: dab a bit of foundation or concealer on your neck (not your hand!) to check the match against your undertones. Try a few different ones side-by-side, because sometimes what looks right in the bottle looks way different on skin.
MY BEST FOUNDATION AND CONCEALER FOR EVERY UNDERTONE
Here are my go-to faves (aka the ones I keep stocked at all times):
- L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation, Lightweight (available on Amazon): Comes in 30 shades! It’s breathable, buildable, and resists sweat, water, and transfer — basically a dream.
- L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage (available on Amazon): Shape, cover, contour — this does it all with 25 shades to pick from.
- L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Super-Blendable Makeup (available on Amazon): With 45 shades (and undertones included in the name!), you’ll find your true match in no time.
- L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Super-Blendable Multi-Use Concealer (available on Amazon): 10 shades to either keep it natural or go full glam.
- L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Color Correcting Crayons (available on Amazon): These are lifesavers for correcting redness, dark circles, and more.
HOW TO FIND THE BEST BLUSH AND HIGHLIGHTER FOR YOUR UNDERTONE
Blush and highlighter can seriously bring your whole look to life — IF you pick the right shades based on your undertone!
- Warm undertones: Think bronze, peach, and sunset shades.
- Cool undertones: Plums, cool pinks, and pearly finishes are your besties.
MY BEST BLUSH AND HIGHLIGHTER FOR EVERY UNDERTONE
Here’s what’s living in my makeup bag right now:
- L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Blush (available on Amazon): Tons of shades sorted by undertone (thank you, L’Oréal).
- L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Blush Shaping Sticks (available on Amazon): Sexy-Flush (cool) and Cheeky Dimension (warm).
- L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops (available on Amazon): Golden Hour for warm undertones, Daybreak for cool.
- L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer (available on Amazon): A stunning glow for anyone.
- L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glow Nude Highlighter Palette (available on Amazon): Sunkissed (warm) and Moonkissed (cool).
- L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Shimmerista Highlighting Powder (available on Amazon): Sunlight for warm, Moonlight for cool — and perfect for collarbone shimmer too!
HOW TO FIND THE BEST EYE SHADOW FOR YOUR UNDERTONE
Now, onto the fun part: eyes! Matching your eye shadow to your undertone can make your eyes absolutely pop.
- Warm undertones: Golds, bronzes, coppers = chef’s kiss.
- Cool undertones: Think pinks, plums, mauves, and icy silvers.
MY BEST EYE SHADOW FOR EVERY UNDERTONE
These shadows are so good they practically do the work for you:
- L’Oréal Paris Crushed Foils Metallic Eye Shadow (available on Amazon): Gilded Gold (warm) or Diamond Dust (cool).
- L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Metallics Eye Shadow (available on Amazon): Rose Chrome (warm) or Aluminum Foil (cool).
- L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow (available on Amazon): Acro-Matte, Matte-ison Avenue, Little Beige Dress, Sunset Seine (warm); Mademoiselle Pink, Pain Au Chocolat, Meet Me in Paris, Grand Bleu (cool).
- L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow (available on Amazon): Bottomless Java, Eternal Sunshine (warm); Always Pearly Pink, Timeless Blue Spark (cool).
HOW TO FIND THE BEST LIP COLOR FOR YOUR UNDERTONE
The final touch: lipstick!
Choosing a color based on your undertones means you’ll always look polished and put together.
- Warm undertones: Oranges, corals, orange-based reds.
- Cool undertones: Blue-based reds, pinks, fuchsias, berries.
MY BEST LIP COLOR FOR EVERY UNDERTONE
Here’s what you should definitely try:
- L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick (available on Amazon): Matte at Bat (warm) or Matte Mandate (cool).
- L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick (available on Amazon): Luminous Coral (warm) or Laminated Fuchsia (cool).
- L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour (available on Amazon): I Pink You’re Cute (warm) or Ballerina Shoes (cool).
The bottom line, babe, is that once you know your undertone, makeup shopping gets about 1000x easier. No more awkward foundation lines or weird lipstick regrets! Whether you’re a makeup newbie or a seasoned glam queen, embracing your undertone is a gorgeous act of self-love.
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When it comes to my choices for makeup and beauty products, I only use L’Oréal Paris (Available on Amazon). I have really sensitive skin and never once have I had any negative reaction to any L’Oréal product.