Q&A for How to Choose Makeup for Your Skin Tone

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What does skin undertone mean?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    An undertone is a slight tint. All skin is some shade of peach or brown, but those neutral tones have subtle variations of warmth or coolness. If you had two bowls of brown paint and you mixed a drop of red into one and a drop of blue into the other they would shift slightly, one warmer, one cooler, respectively. Those paint drops are the undertones.
  • Question
    How do you know your skin tone?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Pay attention to the color of your veins, the undertone in your skin, and the colors that you find flattering.
  • Question
    How do I find the right concealer for me?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    The best concealer should be very close to your foundation color but slightly lighter and warmer.
  • Question
    Do I have warm or cool skin tone?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    If you have bluish veins and you look best in cool colors like blue and green you probably have cool skin. If you have greenish veins and look best in warm tones like coral and gold you probably have warm skin.
  • Question
    Do you have any tips on how to explore different types of makeup if I am not sure what matches my skin tone?
    Frankie Sanderson
    Frankie Sanderson
    Makeup Artist & Stylist
    Franklin (Frankie) Sanderson is a Makeup Artist and Stylist and the Founder of TheStudeo, a styling business based in Washington DC that specializes in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image consulting services. He specializes in hair extensions, chemical services such as highlighting, Balayage, Japanese straightening, keratin treatments, and designer cuts. He has a BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and has trained at the L'Oreal Soho Academy, TIGI, Vidal Sassoon, Redken, and Wella. His clients include Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Jane Lynch, and Alicia Keys.
    Frankie Sanderson
    Makeup Artist & Stylist
    Expert Answer
    The most important products to match are your foundation, concealer, and powder, which need to match your skin tone as closely as possible. You also have to consider the undertone, which might be cool or warm. If you're not sure, go to a makeup counter and ask a professional to match you with a product.
  • Question
    I have a brown skin. How can I choose a foundation cream?
    Luxuryx
    Luxuryx
    Community Answer
    Go to a makeup store like Mac, or Sephora, and ask them to match your skin tone with a foundation.
  • Question
    How can I buy foundation online?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You will need to know your skin tone: fair, light, olive, or dark. You will also need to know whether you have a cool or warm undertone by looking at the veins in your wrist. Blue or purple veins mean you have a cool undertone; your foundation will have a pink tint. Green or olive veins mean you have a warm undertone; your foundation will have a yellow tint. Buy 2 to 3 foundations that seem like they'd be a good match.
  • Question
    Which lipstick color is the best with a brown skin tone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Don't be afraid of bright oranges and purple lipsticks. Bright, deep pink lipsticks are good too but stay away from lighter shades. Fuchsia and cardinal reds are also excellent lip color choices. Nude lipsticks are in this year. When choosing a nude, get one that complements your natural lip color, not your skin tone. This is a common mistake people make.
  • Question
    What should I use to conceal green veins?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can try a cream concealer in yellow or purple: those shades can offset the green color.
  • Question
    I used lake moose ivory skin. At first it seems fairer, but after five minutes it looks darker on my skin. Is this normal?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It could be due to using a lighter shade than your skin, or you might have oily skin. You can use a primer which will mattify your skin to help solve this problem.
  • Question
    If my skin is dark, how do I put on a light eyeshadow so it pops?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try using a white cream eyeshadow as a base, so whatever color you put on top of it will show up.
  • Question
    If I have fair skin with a warm tone, what eyeliner should I wear with purple lipstick?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can wear a bronze or brown color liner because you'll be wearing a bold lip color. Or you can always use black eyeliner.
  • Question
    I have fair skin, brown eyes and I'm Hispanic. How do I find the right foundation?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It is best to get color matched for free at a makeup counter with plenty of shades (MAC or Sephora are good options). Make sure to walk outside to double-check the makeup artist's match.
  • Question
    What color primer should I wear if I am fair to light in complexion?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Clear or ones that blend well would be best with a fair complexion. A lot of BB cream primers are either clear or blend out exceptionally well.
  • Question
    How do I tell if I have a warm or cool skin tone? My veins are turquoise and I have hazel eyes and medium skin color.
    I like sushi
    I like sushi
    Top Answerer
    You have a warm skin tone based on your description.
  • Question
    I'm 11, medium skin with warm undertones, brown (not hazel) eyes, and I would like to choose a natural, summery eye shadow palette. Any suggestions?
    Cecilia Flores
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    It really depends on how much you're willing to spend. Not all palettes from Walgreens and Target are bad. In fact, I really love WetNWild shadows. I've heard the ELF Prism palette is good, but I haven't tried it.
  • Question
    I have a warm skin tone with brown skin color. Which foundation tone should I try? Foundation always makes my face ashy.
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you're getting a grey-ashy tone it means the foundation color is too light itself (if it's too dark it will usually appear orange). Try a deeper foundation shade with warm tones - no pink or neutral-grey tones. You can also find foundation mixers that make different foundations either darker or more warm toned if you're having trouble finding the right shade.
  • Question
    What lipstick color is best for fair skin with cool undertones?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Cool-toned browns, cool-toned pinks and red are good for that complexion. Mess around and you'll find some good shades.
  • Question
    Which lipstick color is best for a warm skin tone with neutral face tone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Any orange-based colors will look good on you, including orange-reds, true reds, corals, and, obviously, oranges.
  • Question
    What concealer shade do I choose if I have a medium skin with warm undertones?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Look at your foundation color and then pick up a concealer two or three shades lighter. Make sure it is a pink color, or you can use a neutral undertoned concealer.
  • Question
    What is the difference between ivory and light makeup?
    Cecilia Flores
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    It depends on the brand. There are foundations called almond, for example, but all of them are different shades! "Ivory" and "light" will differ from brand to brand.
  • Question
    Does a lighter foundation provide better coverage?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, coverage is more dependent on the type of foundation. For example, cream covers more than powder.
  • Question
    How should I apply foundation for a dark skin tone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can visit your local makeup counter, and they should be able to recommend a tone that would compliment your skin tone. They will even be able to show you how to apply it, if you need assistance with that.
  • Question
    How does a primer work?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Primer helps makeup stick to your face and stay applied all day. Different primers target different skin types, like oily or dry.
  • Question
    How do I keep my foundation from looking ashy?
    I like sushi
    I like sushi
    Top Answerer
    Limit yourself to the amount of powder you put on your face after applying foundation or it can lead to a "dusty/ashy" look.
  • Question
    My wrist veins appear to be purple and green. Which foundation shade is suitable for me ?
    Sasha Haley
    Sasha Haley
    Community Answer
    It seems like you have neutral undertones according to the colours that your veins are. A good foundation for neutral undertones is Even Better™ Glow Light Reflecting Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15. It is quite pricey, so if you do want a cheaper one I would suggest the Firm Flesh Thickstick Foundation.
  • Question
    I have greenish gray and bluish green veins.So what is my undertone? Can I choose a foundation with neutral undertone if I have olive skin?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you seem to have a neutral undertone in your skin, which is typical for olive skin. Look for foundations in the medium shade range, and make sure your test a foundation on your neck and face to see if it matches you well. Ideally, check the color in daylight to make sure.
  • Question
    How do I choose a makeup that's for all skin tones?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    As skin tones vary from very pale to very deep, no single foundation will work for all. If you know that you have pale, medium, dark-medium, etc. skin, and are unsure which foundation to choose, try and test foundations in a shop. Or purchase a bb cream instead in your shade (light/medium/dark). BB creams are more flexible in shade and will melt into various skin tones more easily.
  • Question
    I have mostly green veins. Which type of color foundation and highlighter suits well for me?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Green veins indicate a warm (yellowish) undertone in your skin. Now it will depend on what is your skin shade (fair, light, tan, medium, deep, etc.) to determine which foundation will suit you. You can go into a shop and test different colors on your arm or neck, to get an idea. When you pick a concealer, always go 1-2 shades lighter than your foundation.
  • Question
    I'm ten. Is that too young to start wearing makeup?
    Zyla
    Zyla
    Community Answer
    Ask your parents. Your skin is still very delicate, and makeup can age you. Wait a few years if you can. If you are allowed to wear makeup, keep it very simple, and save it for special occasions. All you really need is lash curler, clear mascara, the tiniest hint of blush, and tinted lip balm. Brush out your brows if you need to. But look like you are ten.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit

Return to Full Article