If you’re already adept in all things undertones, feel free to skip to the quiz below. But if you’re new to the venture, we break down everything you need to know about undertones, as well as how to identify your own. The plot thickens: Not only do different people have different undertones, but you may also have a variety of undertones across your own face. For instance, you may appear warmer on the forehead with cool, purplish hues around the eyes. Simply coating your face with one shade can make the finish a bit flat and caky. As makeup artist Fatimot Isadare explains, “Naturally, we have more than one color on our face. So when you’re going in with your complexion products, you also want to use more than one color. That’s what helps you bring back depth and definition.” It’s the difference between makeup that looks one-dimensional and makeup that looks professionally mastered—targeting all your undertones is key for elevating the look, be it a natural finish or a full face. And it’s not just complexion products that get all the attention; all makeup—from highlighter to shadow—can either complement or clash against your skin. “On the wrong undertones, certain shades and colors can make you look rather dull and lackluster,” informs Jaikaran. Take lipstick, for example: If you’re generally warm-toned, a blue-based red lip might look a bit, well, off. It’s not that you’re not a red lip kind of gal; simply reach for an orangey-red instead—the hue will complement your skin’s undertones and look striking, in the best way. The bottom line? Knowing your undertones is crucial for shade-matching your makeup and shopping for products that truly suit every part of your skin. That said, it takes more than a simple once-over with an untrained eye. Here’s a quick quiz that can help you narrow down the results: At the same time, there are no hard-and-fast rules with makeup. Feel like a frosted blue shadow, even though your skin technically falls on the warmer side? Go for it. Have cooler undertones but love a sweep of golden highlighter? Glow on. As Isadare remarks, “You can wear what you want at the end of the day.” Your undertones are just there to tell you what looks most natural.
