Wearing the Right Color for Your Skin Tone

Ever wonder what color looks best on you? Believe it or not there is something out there called "skin tone color matching" that can help answer that question. Skin tone color matching, also known as color analysis, is the process of finding the makeup and clothes that most flatter your complexion. With this process people are divided into "seasons" based on their appearance. Skin, hair and eye color are all taken into account. So figure out what "season" you are and you'll know what colors will be more flattering.

So, what category do you fall under? All skin tones can be categorized as either "cool" or "warm." If you have a cool skin tone then your skin will have pink or blue undertones and any visible veins will look blue. Platinum or silver looks better than gold on a cool skin tone. With a warm skin tone, a person will have yellow undertones and their veins will appear green. Gold is the metal of choice for warm skin. Once you figure out if you are warm or cool, then it is time to determine if you are "clear" or "muted." A person with clear skin will normally have a large contrast between their hair, skin and eyes. This skin will have a slight translucent quality to it. Muted skin will not have as much of a contrast. With muted skin you might see ash tones, and it will appear softer in color than that of a clear skin tone. Knowing if you are "warm" or "cool" and "clear" or "muted" will determine what season you are a part of.

The first of the skin tone seasons we'll look at is winter. Winter skin is cool and clear. Think of very stark and dramatic skin. Asians and Africans often fall into this category. Caucasians with very pale skin and dark hair will fall into this category as well. Winters look best in true white, true black, cool grays, navy blue, deep reds, bright pinks, jewel tones (emerald, royal blue, royal purple), and icy pastels. Colors to avoid include beige, orange, gold, brown and other washed out shades. Winter skin tone will look faded and ashy in these colors.

A summer skin tone is cool and muted. People with pale pinkish skin, ash blonde or brown hair, and light eyes will fall under this category. A summer could also have a strong complexion that tans easily. Summers are mostly natural blondes. Summer skin tone has a low level of contrast between eye, hair and skin color. Pastels, neutrals, and muted colors look best. Lavender, rose, mauve, pale yellow, and light blue are a few examples of flattering muted colors for the summer skin tone. Colors to avoid include black and orange. Also, other intense, vivid colors will be too harsh and drown out a summer skin tone.

An autumn skin tone is warm and muted. People with light golden skin, red or brown hair, and brown eyes will be considered autumns. An autumn might also have darker honey colored hair or golden blonde hair with blue eyes that have a gray or turquoise cast. These people will burn easily in the sun. Autumns look best in earth tones that are rich and muted. Think of colors you would see on autumn leaves and spices. Caramel, beige, burnt orange, gold, dark reds, olive, ivory, camel and rich brown look great on autumns. Cool shades should be avoided. They will give you a pale appearance. Pink is extremely unflattering. Clear, bright colors and black and white will make you look faded and should be avoided as well.

A spring skin tone is warm and clear. Someone with light blonde, auburn, or strawberry blonde hair and clear light blue or green eyes will fall into this category most times. Springs have extremely light, ivory skin. Freckles and rosy cheeks are seen in springs as well. If you can't decide whether you are a spring or autumn, most times autumns have dark eyes while springs have pale eyes. Pale, soft colors look best on springs. Ivory, peach, true reds, clear blues, camel, light pink, coral, golden yellow, golden brown, aqua and bright greens are all flattering on a spring however. This skin tone does not go well with dark, dull colors. Black and white will also be too contrasting for a spring skin tone.

Hopefully this will give you a hint as to what color looks best with your skin tone. Remember, these are just general guidelines. Sometimes a color that isn't supposed to look good on you does and you look fabulous. You need to use your own discretion here and ask a friend with good taste for their opinion. Time to go color yourselves girls and guys