How To · Fashion · Build
Understand Your Undertone in 5 Minutes
Your undertone is the subtle hue beneath your skin's surface—and it's the secret to knowing which colors will make you glow. Here's how to identify it without overthinking.
5 min read · IrisUndertone is not the same as skin depth. You can be fair-skinned with warm undertones or deep-skinned with cool undertones. Undertone refers to the subtle color beneath your skin's surface—think of it as the foundation your skin tone is built on. Once you know yours, you'll stop buying colors that look muddy or washed-out on you.
The good news: you don't need a color analyst or expensive consultation. Three quick tests will tell you everything you need to know. Do this in natural daylight, not fluorescent lighting, and you'll have your answer in minutes.
Gold or silver? That single question often reveals your undertone faster than anything else.
What you'll need.
- 01Gold and silver jewelry
- 02Pure white paper or fabric
- 03Colored clothing in warm and cool tones
- 04Natural daylight
- 05Mirror
Step one · 1 minute
The Jewelry Test
Hold a gold bracelet or ring against your inner wrist, then do the same with silver. Don't overthink it—which one makes your skin look brighter and more alive? Gold typically harmonizes with warm undertones (yellow, peach, or golden undertones). Silver usually flatters cool undertones (pink, red, or blue undertones). If both look equally good, you likely have a neutral undertone.
Use actual metal jewelry if possible, not costume pieces. The metal itself matters more than the style.
Step two · 1 minute
The Vein Test
Look at the veins on your inner wrist in natural light. Are they more blue or purple? That suggests cool undertones. Do they appear more green or olive? That's warm. If they're a mix of both colors, you're neutral. This test works because undertone affects how blood vessels appear beneath the skin. It's one of the most reliable indicators.
Compare both wrists and look at the veins near your elbow too—sometimes they're clearer there.
Step three · 1 minute
The White Paper Test
Hold a piece of pure white paper next to your face in natural light. Does your skin look peachy, golden, or warm against it? That's warm undertone. Does your skin look pink, rosy, or cool? That's cool undertone. Does it look balanced? Neutral. This test shows how your undertone contrasts with a true neutral, making the difference obvious.
Avoid off-white or cream paper—it won't give you an accurate read. Pure white is essential.
Step four · 1 minute
Cross-Reference Your Results
You should have three data points now. Do they align? If all three tests point to warm, cool, or neutral, you have your answer. If you got mixed results, you likely have a neutral undertone—the most common type. Neutral undertones sit in the middle and can wear both warm and cool colors successfully, though they often have a slight lean one way.
Write down your results. You'll want to reference this when shopping for clothes and makeup.
Step five · 1 minute
Test With Color
Now try on clothes in warm colors (peach, warm red, golden yellow, warm brown) and cool colors (true blue, cool pink, jewel tones, cool gray). Which group makes you look healthier and more vibrant? Which makes you look tired or washed out? Your undertone will harmonize with colors that share its temperature. This real-world test confirms what the previous three revealed.
Use pieces you already own. You don't need to buy anything. Just hold them up and observe how your face looks in the mirror.
Step six · 2 minutes
Build Your Starting Palette
Warm undertones: reach for warm reds, terracotta, olive green, warm browns, golden yellows, and warm neutrals like cream and camel. Cool undertones: build with cool reds, jewel tones (emerald, sapphire, amethyst), cool pinks, cool grays, and cool neutrals like white and charcoal. Neutral undertones: you can wear both, but pick one temperature as your foundation and use the other as accent colors. This gives you a cohesive wardrobe that works together.
Screenshot or bookmark this list. You'll reference it every time you shop for basics.
How to know it works.
You've nailed your undertone when colors stop looking muddy or washed out on you. You'll notice that certain shades make your skin glow while others drain your energy. Once you know your undertone, getting dressed becomes easier because you're not fighting your natural coloring.
Questions at the mirror.
What if all three tests give me different answers?
You likely have a neutral undertone. Neutral undertones can wear both warm and cool colors, though one temperature may flatter slightly more. Start by wearing whatever makes you feel confident, then experiment with both warm and cool pieces to see which you prefer.
Can undertone change over time?
No. Your undertone is determined by the mix of pigments in your skin and doesn't change. However, sun exposure, makeup, and lighting can make it harder to see. If you're unsure, repeat the tests in natural daylight.
What if I have a very deep or very fair skin tone—does this still work?
Yes. Undertone exists across all skin depths. The tests work the same way whether you're fair or deep-skinned. The key is using natural light and comparing warm versus cool versions of the same color.
Does undertone affect which neutrals I should wear?
Absolutely. Warm undertones look best in cream, camel, warm gray, and warm brown. Cool undertones shine in white, charcoal, cool gray, and cool taupe. Neutral undertones can wear both, so pick whichever feels right to you.