What's Your Color?

Have you ever borrowed a shirt from a friend only to find that, while it looks fabulous on her, it makes you look kinda sickly? You may have said, “That’s just not my color.”

But what makes something your color? It may feel like you can only find out through trial-and-error, but there are actually shortcuts out there to help you avoid looking washed-out or wonky.

You may already know that understanding your skin’s undertone is absolutely crucial when choosing a foundation. But have you considered how your undertone and overall coloring plays into the rest of your beauty products (and wardrobe)?

We don't profess to be color experts – and yes, those exist, and yes, you can hire one online – but we do have some tried-andtrue tips to help you navigate your color palette!

by Amanda Harper

Undertone

If you hadn't guessed, the first place you'll want to start is understanding your skin's undertone. While that can be a complicated process, the shortest version is to consider these questions:

Do you look better in yellow gold (warm), silver (cool) or both (neutral)?

Do you tend to tan (warm), burn (cool) or burn then tan (neutral)?

Do the veins on your wrist look more green or greenish blue (warm), purple or blue (cool) or some mixture of the two (neutral)?

Go outside during the day wearing a white t-shirt and hold a white piece of paper up next to your face. Do you look more yellow (warm), pink (cool) or something else (neutral)?

Try on a foundation that's labeled as a warm tone. Does that look right, even if the shade is too light or dark? Try it with a cool toned foundation.

Tip: Neutral-toned? You get to enjoy the best of both worlds!

Seasonally Speaking...

Seasonal Color Analysis took off in the 1970s and has stuck around ever since; in short, it tries to sort people with certain coloring combinations into groups named after each of the four seasons. Each season has a dedicated color palette that supposedly works well for members of that group. While the details are debated, here’s a very rough guide.

Winter

Cool undertone with high contrast between their skin, eyes and hair – generally with dark hair and/ or eyes

Suggested colors: Wine, indigo, blue-toned green, cool neutrals, black (think cool-leaning jewel tones)

Your perfect red lip: A deep, blue-based wine

Summer

Cool undertone with less contrast between skin, eyes and hair – generally with lighter hair/eyes

Suggested colors: Kelly green, magenta, white, periwinkle, cool neutrals, lilac (think cool-leaning pastels)

Your perfect red lip: A blue-based red or pink

Autumn

Warm undertone with low contrast between skin, eyes and hair – generally with darker hair/eyes

Suggested colors: army green, deep red, golden yellow, denim blue, warm neutrals (think warmleaning jewel tones)

Your perfect red lip: A warm, brick red

Spring

Warm undertones with higher contrast between skin, eyes and hair – generally with lighter hair/eyes

Suggested colors: Bright red, true blue, spring green, soft yellow, warm neutrals, vibrant purple (think warm-leaning true colors)

Your perfect red lip: A true red with yellow or orange tones •