What's my UNDERTONE?

One of the easiest, and yet most misunderstood aspects of choosing the right foundation, is knowing your UNDERTONE.

No, I’m not talking about the foundation’s intention or its coverage. I’m talking about YOUR natural undertone, the underlying ‘tone’ beneath your skin, which refers to your natural colour. Here are a few keywords to remember - your skin will either be COOL, WARM or NEUTRAL.

It’s important to note that your undertone isn’t the same thing as your natural tone, or the colour of your naked skin before you put on foundation or any other makeup. Ok, here’s a mini science lesson for you: Warm undertones range from peach to yellow and golden.

Some people with warm undertones also have the appearance of dehydration, which is known as ‘sallow’. Cool undertones include pink and bluish hues. Neutral undertones are roughly the same colour as your actual skin tone. If you’re Neutral, you’re one of the luckier ones, as you probably warm up in the warmer months, and cool off in the cooler months, without having to change the HUE of your foundation.

Although you may need to switch from a lighter SHADE to a darker SHADE depending on the season. (Hue is the COLOUR you can see. Shade is the lightness or darkness of that Hue. Are you still with me?) It’s best not to over-think this though if you think you’re a cool tone (i.e. run on the pink side), you might like to try my Colour No.2.

If you think you’re definitely NOT pink, but you’re more Olive, you should try Colour No.3. And if you’re neutral and pale, give Colour No.1 a try. The best place to test the colours is on the inside of your wrist where the paleness, meets the tanned gradient from where you absorb more sunshine. Somewhere between those is the perfect match.

AND if the colour seems to ‘vanish’ that’s how you know you’ve picked the perfect Colour for your underlying skin tone.

If you’re still unsure - please email me a selfie, preferably in natural light, without foundation on, and I can match it for you!

If you’re STILL unsure - think about the ocean for COOL, think about the sun for WARM, and think about both at the beach for NEUTRAL.

COOL = pink, red, or blue-ish undertone. Veins appear blue. Only wear Silver jewellery.

WARM = golden, yellow, or peachy undertone. Veins appear green. Only wear Gold jewellery.

NEUTRAL = mix of warm and cool undertones. Veins appear blue/green. Both Silver + Gold jewellery.

1 comment

Good morning, have you discontinued your pressed mineral powder? I have been using Gemma Vendetta but can’t find it on your website.

Georgina Hardy

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