Finding makeup colors that blend in seamlessly with your skin and enhance your natural beauty
can be a challenge.
But it doesn't have to be impossible.
Here's how to find out what complexion you have and which makeup colors are gonna work
for you.
Before you hit up Sephora to buy literally all the makeup that matches your skin tone,
get familiar with your skin's undertone.
"The real key to that perfect complexion is making sure that foundation matches your undertone
perfectly"
Makeup artist Lauren Gott explained to Allure that undertones are subdued hues — cool,
warm, or natural — under the surface of your skin.
Just look at the veins on the inside of your wrist.
If you notice a purple or blue hue, you have a cool undertone.
If you have a warm undertone, your veins will appear green.
And if you're seeing blue-green, your skin has a neutral undertone.
And here's how you can find the very best shades for your unique tone.
"If your skin is looking good, you're looking good"
Makeup artist Afton William tells Byrdie that ladies with cool undertones likely have a
fair complexion.
And that just might complicate finding your perfect shade — especially if you have very
fair skin.
Need an A-list example?
Think Rachel Brosnahan.
Makeup artist Christine Walsh told Dermstore that for fair skin tones…
"Colors can often be too pigmented and harsh.
When it comes to foundations, they can often look too pink or too yellow.
And most bronzers are often too red or too intense."
Makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown-Jovel told InStyle that you'll want to avoid makeup that
skews orangish-red.
Instead, stick to soft pinks and beiges.
Even if you have a light complexion that's not quite alabaster, it's likely that your
skin still has cool undertones.
Makeup artist DeeDee Kelly told Reader's Digest she recommends a pass on warm brown shades
because on your skin, they'll appear orange.
Kelly says she's a fan of NYX Professional Makeup Highlight & Contour Pro Palette because
the "colors are cool tones and they blend really well."
You'll also want to look for lipsticks with similar undertones to yours, as Williams tells
Byrdie.
Go for reds that have a hint of blue.
If you have a complexion that's somewhere between medium and fair, neutral hues are
your jam.
Makeup artist Gita Bass told InStyle that medium-fair skin tones look best with a foundation
that has yellow undertones.
Peachy-gold blushes and creamy beige eyeshadows will also work for you.
If your complexion is more medium-dark than medium-light, try out a honey-toned foundation.
Several makeup artists revealed to InStyle that this skin tone is highly versatile.
You can even rock bright or metallic eyeshadows, saturated pink blushes, or even pale lips.
Clarins makeup artist Sonia Merlo explained this skin tone, telling Vogue,
"Olive skin tone has neutral or yellow undertones with a greenish hue, hence the name 'olive.'"
But finding the right shade for this complexion can be a challenge.
So Merlo suggests picking three colors:
"One that you feel is closest to your skin tone, one that is a shade darker, and one
that is a shade lighter."
After applying each color along your jawline and letting them dry, go with the one that
blends seamlessly.
When it comes to eyeshadow, skip blues in favor of teal — which is the it color for
olive skin.
Makeup artist Carissa Ferreri told Refinery29 that she loves "tan skin to be radiant and
healthy."
And for that, Ferreri goes for rich, pigmented, warm-toned blushes.
If you tan in the sun, you'll have to make seasonal adjustments to your makeup routine.
But beauty pro Ashley Rebecca says that's an easy fix, telling E! News,
"Simply use a liquid bronzer and mix it in with your makeup to change the shade."
Looking for the perfect eyeshadow?
Go for the gold.
Makeup artist Kirin Bhatty tells Refinery29 that you can repurpose your gold shadow as
a highlighter too.
If you have a dark complexion, there are a few things Beyoncé's makeup artist, Sir John,
advises.
He told InStyle,
"Women of color have to understand that they're not just one color everywhere; that is the
biggest misconception.
You want a lighter foundation and a deeper one, because you should aim for your skin
to look three-dimensional."
The makeup guru has plenty of favorites for you try — from the inexpensive L'Oreal Paris
Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation to the higher end NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation,
you'll be nailing your look, on your budget, in no time.
Once you've picked your perfect foundation, according to InStyle, deep shades like chestnut,
plum, and burgundy, as well as reddish-browns, make for super flattering accent shades.
"I feel beautiful when my makeup looks great"
If you have a deep complexion like that of actress Lupita Nyong'o, there's no one better
qualified to help you find your shade than the actress's makeup artist, Nick Barose.
He told BET,
"[The biggest mistake] is being literal with the way the color looks in the packaging.
It's really more about how the color and formula translates onto the skin."
When selecting a color, he said it's important to be "open-minded" and always try the product
on your face as opposed to your hands for the best match.
After you've found your base color, Refinery29 suggests a nude eyeshadow, or a mauve lip
will look stunning against deeper skin tones.
"And a true red is neither too warm or too cool, so it also suits almost every woman"
Thankfully, some makeup colors look great on literally every skin tone.
For universally flattering neutrals, makeup artist Bobbi Brown tells Real Simple,
"Neutrals include tones naturally found in the skin, like peach, rose, bronze, and even
plum."
"Everybody likes pink.
Period"
But which neutral shades work best depends on your skin tone.
Luckily, it's simple to figure out: Pick a color within two shades of your natural cheek,
eyelid, and lip color!
Maybelline New York makeup artist, Charlotte Willer also told the mag,
"Shimmer draws attention to areas you want to highlight."
A universally flattering shimmer?
Ladies, go on and glow up!
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