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🎨 Complete Guide • 10 min read • Updated January 2025
Find Your Perfect Skin Undertone
Discover your warm, cool, neutral, or olive undertone with 5 simple tests—plus the best nail colors for YOUR unique skin
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4 Types
Main skin undertones: warm, cool, neutral, and olive with distinct characteristics
Source: Dermatology Research
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5 Tests
Simple at-home methods to accurately identify your undertone in 10 minutes
Clinically validated methods
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89%
Of women report better makeup and nail color choices after learning their undertone
Source: Beauty Survey 2024
Ever bought foundation that looked perfect in the store but turned orange at home? Or chosen a nail polish that somehow looked "off" on your hands? The culprit isn't the product—it's likely a mismatch with your skin undertone.
Understanding your undertone is the secret to flawless makeup application and choosing nail colors that make your hands look elegant and polished. Unlike your skin tone which can change with sun exposure, your undertone remains constant throughout your life and determines which colors truly flatter you.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn five foolproof methods to identify whether you have warm, cool, neutral, or olive undertones. Plus, discover the most flattering nail polish colors for your unique undertone and how to apply this knowledge when shopping for makeup and fashion.
🔍 Skin Tone vs Undertone: What's the Difference?
Many people confuse skin tone with undertone, but they're completely different concepts. Understanding this distinction is crucial for choosing flattering colors.
Skin Tone (Surface Color)
Skin tone refers to the surface color you see when you look at your skin. It's categorized by depth from fair to deep and can change with sun exposure, tanning, or seasonal variations.
- Fair: Pale skin that burns easily
- Light: Light beige complexion
- Medium: Tan or olive coloring
- Deep/Dark: Rich brown to ebony
Undertone (Beneath Surface)
Undertone is the subtle hue beneath your skin's surface. It never changes regardless of sun exposure and determines which colors complement your natural coloring best.
- Warm: Yellow, peachy, golden hues
- Cool: Pink, red, bluish hues
- Neutral: Balanced warm and cool
- Olive: Green or gray-green cast
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Scientific Fact
According to dermatologists at Healthline, undertone is determined by melanin concentration and distribution in your skin's deeper layers. This is why undertone remains constant while surface skin tone can darken or lighten with sun exposure or seasonal changes.
Visual guide showing how each undertone appears across different skin tone depths
🎨 The 4 Main Undertone Types Explained
Every person falls into one of four undertone categories. Each has distinct characteristics that affect which colors look harmonious or clashing on your skin.
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Warm Undertones
Warm undertones have yellow, peachy, or golden hues beneath the skin surface. This undertone is common across all ethnicities and skin depths.
Characteristics:
- • Wrist veins appear greenish
- • Gold jewelry is most flattering
- • Tan easily, rarely burn
- • Look best in off-white or cream
- • Eye colors: brown, hazel, amber, green
- • Hair colors: golden blonde, auburn, warm brown
Best Colors:
- • Coral, peach, terracotta, rust
- • Warm reds and oranges
- • Gold, bronze, copper metallics
- • Olive green, warm browns
- • Caramel, honey, amber
- • Warm burgundy, burnt sienna
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Cool Undertones
Cool undertones have pink, red, or bluish hues beneath the skin. This undertone creates a rosy or slightly blue-toned complexion.
Characteristics:
- • Wrist veins appear blue or purple
- • Silver jewelry is most flattering
- • Burn easily, tan minimally
- • Look best in pure bright white
- • Eye colors: blue, gray, green with blue tint
- • Hair colors: ash blonde, blue-black, cool brown
Best Colors:
- • Berry, plum, lavender, mauve
- • Cool pinks and purples
- • Silver, platinum, white gold
- • Navy blue, royal blue, teal
- • Cherry red, burgundy with blue undertones
- • Emerald green, cool grays
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Neutral Undertones
Neutral undertones have a balanced mix of warm and cool hues. This is the most versatile undertone with flexibility in color choices.
Characteristics:
- • Veins appear blue-green equally
- • Both gold and silver jewelry look good
- • Can tan and burn moderately
- • Both white and off-white look flattering
- • Eye colors: varied, often hazel or brown
- • Hair colors: medium brown, dark blonde
Best Colors:
- • Rose, mauve, dusty pink
- • Most nude and neutral shades
- • Mixed metal jewelry
- • Both warm and cool tones work
- • Versatile color palette
- • Jade green, periwinkle blue
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Olive Undertones
Olive undertones have green or gray-green hues with golden warmth. This undertone is often overlooked but is common in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Latinx skin.
Characteristics:
- • Skin looks slightly greenish in certain light
- • Gold jewelry typically more flattering
- • Tan easily to a deep golden-brown
- • Neither pure white nor cream looks ideal
- • Foundation often looks too pink or orange
- • Can appear ashy with wrong colors
Best Colors:
- • Earthy tones: olive, khaki, moss
- • Warm metallics: gold, bronze, brass
- • Brick red, rust, burnt orange
- • Warm browns, camel, cognac
- • Olive green, forest green
- • Terracotta, clay, warm beige
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Pro Tip
Your undertone exists independently of your skin tone depth. Fair skin can have warm undertones, and deep skin can have cool undertones. The two concepts work together but are not dependent on each other. This is why inclusive beauty in 2025 emphasizes finding foundation that matches BOTH your tone depth AND undertone for a perfect match.
🔬 5 Simple Tests to Find Your Undertone
Use these five reliable methods to accurately identify your undertone. If you get mixed results, you likely have neutral or olive undertones.
1
The Vein Test
This is the most popular and reliable undertone test. Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist in natural daylight (not artificial lighting).
Green Veins
You have warm undertones with yellow, peach, or golden hues beneath your skin.
Blue/Purple Veins
You have cool undertones with pink, red, or bluish hues beneath your skin.
Blue-Green Veins
You have neutral undertones with a balanced mix of warm and cool hues.
2
The Jewelry Test
Hold gold jewelry next to your face, then silver jewelry. Notice which metal makes your skin look brighter, more radiant, and harmonious.
Gold Looks Better
You have warm undertones. Gold complements your yellow or peachy base.
Silver Looks Better
You have cool undertones. Silver harmonizes with your pink or blue base.
Both Look Good
You have neutral undertones and can wear both metals beautifully.
3
The White Paper Test
Hold a piece of pure white paper next to your clean, makeup-free face in natural daylight. Observe the color cast reflected on your skin.
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Important Lighting Note
This test MUST be done in natural daylight near a window. Artificial lighting (yellow bulbs, fluorescent lights) will give false results. Morning or midday light works best.
Yellowish Cast
Warm undertones
Pink/Rosy Cast
Cool undertones
No Obvious Cast
Neutral undertones
Greenish/Gray Cast
Olive undertones
4
The Sun Exposure Test
Think about how your bare skin reacts to sun exposure without sunscreen. This test reveals how melanin in your skin responds to UV rays.
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Tan Easily
If you tan quickly and rarely burn, you likely have warm undertones. Your skin produces melanin that browns easily.
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Burn Easily
If you burn easily and tan minimally, you likely have cool undertones. Your skin is more sensitive to UV damage.
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Mixed Reaction
If you sometimes burn and sometimes tan, you likely have neutral undertones with moderate sun sensitivity.
5
The Clothing Test
Compare how you look wearing pure bright white versus off-white or cream clothing. Hold each color near your face and notice which makes your skin look brighter and healthier.
Pure White Looks Better
Bright white makes your skin glow and look vibrant.
Result: Cool Undertones
Off-White/Cream Looks Better
Cream or ivory makes your complexion look warmer and more radiant.
Result: Warm Undertones
Both Look Good
Neither color looks significantly better or worse on you.
Result: Neutral Undertones
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What If Tests Give Different Results?
Getting mixed results is actually common and usually means you have neutral or olive undertones. Neutral undertones show characteristics of both warm and cool, while olive undertones can confuse traditional tests because of their unique green cast.
If most tests point to one undertone but one test differs, trust the majority result. You can also consult a professional makeup artist or use AI skin tone matching apps available in 2025 for a second opinion.
💅 Best Nail Polish Colors for Every Undertone
Now that you know your undertone, discover which nail polish shades will make your hands look elegant and polished. Choosing colors that complement your undertone creates a harmonious, sophisticated appearance.
🌞 Nail Colors for Warm Undertones
Warm undertones look stunning in colors with yellow, orange, or golden bases. These shades enhance your natural golden glow.
Coral
Peach
Terracotta
Gold
Warm Red
Rust
Caramel
Burnt Orange
2025 Trending: Mocha mousse (Pantone Color of the Year), butter yellow, warm burgundy. Check out our trending nail colors collection.
❄️ Nail Colors for Cool Undertones
Cool undertones shine in colors with blue, pink, or purple bases. These shades complement your rosy, bluish complexion beautifully.
Berry
Lavender
Plum
Silver
Navy Blue
Cool Pink
Cherry Red
Mauve
2025 Trending: Glass nails with cool-toned shimmer, icy blue shades, burgundy with blue undertones. Explore winter nail designs.
⚖️ Nail Colors for Neutral Undertones
Lucky you! Neutral undertones can wear almost any color beautifully. You have the most versatile palette.
Rose
Dusty Pink
Mauve
Nude Beige
Soft Gray
Teal
True Red
Periwinkle
Best Strategy: Neutral undertones can experiment freely with both warm and cool shades. Try seasonal colors from our seasonal trends guide.
🌿 Nail Colors for Olive Undertones
Olive undertones look exceptional in earthy, warm tones with depth. Avoid colors that are too cool or icy, which can make skin look ashy.
Brick Red
Bronze
Olive Green
Terracotta
Cognac
Warm Gold
Warm Taupe
Forest Green
Pro Tip: Olive undertones often look washed out in pastels. Stick to rich, saturated colors with warm undertones for the most flattering results.
🎨 Foundation & Makeup Matching Guide
Now that you understand your undertone, shopping for foundation becomes significantly easier. Here's how to decode foundation labels and find your perfect match.
Foundation Label Decoder
Warm Undertone Labels:
Look for: Warm, Golden, Yellow, Honey, Caramel, Tan, Sand, Beige
Cool Undertone Labels:
Look for: Cool, Rose, Pink, Porcelain, Ivory, Natural, Fair
Neutral Undertone Labels:
Look for: Neutral, Natural, True, Balanced, Medium
Olive Undertone Labels:
Look for: Olive, Golden Beige, Warm Natural, Tan (with yellow base)
Common Foundation Mistakes
❌ Orange Foundation: You're using warm foundation with cool undertones
❌ Ashy/Gray Foundation: You're using cool foundation with warm undertones
❌ Pink Neck, Yellow Face: Foundation matches tone but not undertone
❌ Visible Foundation Line: Wrong undertone creates harsh contrast
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Pro Shopping Tip
Always test foundation on your jawline, not your wrist or hand. Your jawline shows the true match between your face and neck. Apply three shades (one lighter, one darker, one exact match) and check in natural daylight. The shade that disappears into your skin is your perfect match. According to makeup experts at L'Oréal Paris, this method ensures accurate color matching regardless of lighting conditions.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about skin undertones and finding your perfect colors.
How do I find my skin undertone?
Find your skin undertone using five simple tests: check if wrist veins appear blue or green, see if gold or silver jewelry flatters you more, hold white paper to your face in natural light, observe if you burn or tan in sun, and test if pure white or off-white clothing looks better. Most people are warm, cool, neutral, or olive undertone.
What is the difference between skin tone and undertone?
Skin tone is the surface color visible to the eye ranging from fair to deep. Undertone is the subtle hue beneath the surface that remains constant and never changes. Undertone determines which makeup and nail colors flatter you, while skin tone indicates depth or darkness level.
How can I tell if I have warm or cool undertones?
Look at your wrist veins in natural light. Green veins indicate warm undertones with yellow, peach, or golden hues. Blue or purple veins indicate cool undertones with pink, red, or bluish hues. If veins appear blue-green equally, you likely have neutral undertones with balanced coloring.
What undertone am I if my veins are blue?
Blue wrist veins indicate cool undertones. Your skin has pink, red, or bluish hues beneath the surface. You look best in silver jewelry, jewel tones like berry and navy, and cool-toned nail polishes. Foundation labeled cool, rose, or pink will match your undertone perfectly.
What undertone am I if my veins are green?
Green wrist veins indicate warm undertones. Your skin has yellow, peach, or golden hues beneath the surface. You look best in gold jewelry, warm colors like coral and terracotta, and warm-toned nail polishes. Foundation labeled warm, golden, or yellow will complement your undertone.
Can I have neutral undertones?
Yes, neutral undertones have a balanced mix of warm and cool hues. Your veins may appear blue-green, both gold and silver jewelry look good, and you can wear most colors beautifully. You have flexibility in foundation and nail polish choices without strict warm or cool limitations.
What is olive undertone?
Olive undertone has green or gray-green hues with golden warmth. Often confused for neutral or warm, olive skin looks slightly greenish in certain lighting. You look best in earthy tones, warm metallics, brick reds, and olive greens. Foundation often looks too pink or orange requiring yellow-based shades.
Why does my foundation look orange on me?
Foundation looks orange when it has warm undertones but your skin has cool undertones, creating a mismatch. The yellow or golden base in warm foundation clashes with your pink or blue undertone, oxidizing to appear orange. Choose foundation labeled cool, neutral, or pink for better matching.
What nail colors look best on warm undertones?
Warm undertones look stunning in coral, peach, terracotta, warm reds, burnt orange, gold metallics, caramel, rust, and warm nudes with yellow or peach bases. For 2025 trends, try mocha mousse, butter yellow, and warm burgundy. Avoid icy pinks or cool-toned purples that clash.
What nail colors look best on cool undertones?
Cool undertones shine in berry, lavender, cool pinks, navy blue, purple, silver metallics, cherry red, plum, and cool nudes with pink bases. For 2025 trends, try glass nails, icy blue-toned shades, and burgundy with blue undertones. Avoid warm oranges or yellow-based colors.
Can dark skin have cool undertones?
Absolutely. Skin tone depth is separate from undertone. Deep skin can have cool undertones with bluish or reddish hues, warm undertones with golden or orange hues, neutral balanced tones, or olive greenish tones. Undertone applies to all skin depths from fair to dark equally.
About Mirellé Team
We're beauty enthusiasts who curate inclusive nail and makeup guidance for all skin tones. Our mission is helping you discover colors that make you feel confident and beautiful. All recommendations consider diverse undertones and are tested across various skin depths.
Learn more about our inclusive beauty philosophy →Continue Your Beauty Journey
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Ready to Find Your Perfect Colors?
Now that you know your undertone, explore our curated nail polish collections designed to flatter YOUR unique skin. Shop by undertone for guaranteed gorgeous results.