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      How do I determine my skin tone? A guide to skin tones and undertones.

      Learn how to identify your skin tone and undertone for better color matching in makeup, nail polish, and fashion.

      The Different Skin Tones:

      Cool:
      Cool skin tones tend to historically originate from Northern European countries with rain, frequent snow, or heavy cloud cover. These are the typical signs of a light skin tone: Cool pink shades suit you well. Blue or purple veins. You look better in cool colors and silver. The color white makes you look tired and pale. Your skin burns easily in the sun.

      Neutral:
      Neutral skin tones are typically found in Southern European and Northern Asian ancestries. Sometimes referred to as "olive," as this skin tone is neutral with a lighter beige appearance. These are the typical signs of a neutral skin tone: A mix of both cool and warm colors, and also the olive-toned shade will suit you. Blue and green veins. You look good in almost all colors and can wear both silver and gold. You look good in the color white. Your skin tans, but you are still sensitive to sunburn.

      Warm:
      Warm skin tones typically originate from the part of the world most exposed to ultraviolet radiation, such as the Middle East, India, and Africa. Like those with neutral skin, you are not exempt from sun damage. If you have this skin tone, you are actually more prone to hyperpigmentation. These are the typical signs of a warm skin tone: Yellow and orange shades suit you well. Green veins. Warm colors and gold suit you best. The color white complements your skin tone very well.



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      What Are Undertones and How Can I Determine Mine?

      An undertone should not be confused with your skin tone!

      An undertone is the shade that lies beneath the surface layer of your skin. It’s like socks and shoes—skin tones and undertones blend and match, offering countless possibilities when it comes to potential color combinations!

      Check your veins to identify your undertone:

      In natural light, examine the appearance of the veins under your skin. This is most visible on the inside of your wrist. If your veins appear blue or purple, you have a cool undertone. If your veins look greenish, you have a warm undertone. If you can’t tell whether your veins are green or blue, you likely have a neutral undertone. Those with olive-toned skin often fall into this category as well.

      The Gold and Silver Test:

      If silver complements your skin better than gold, you most likely have cool undertones. If gold looks better on you, you probably have warm undertones.

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      It’s Important to Find the Right Color That Matches Your Undertone

      When choosing a new lipstick, nail polish, or even clothing, we’re often first drawn to the color. It’s also quite common to fall in love with a shade you see in a store, purchase it, only to realize later that it doesn’t suit you. But why doesn’t it work?

      A lot of this has to do with your skin’s undertones, which refer to the tones beneath the surface of your skin. Understanding your skin’s undertone is the key to finding the right color and selecting the best palettes for you.

      Cool Undertones:
      If your skin has a cool undertone, consider shades of blue, green, cool pink, or purple hues.

      Neutral Undertones:
      If your skin tone is neutral, you’re in luck. Almost any color will look good on your skin. Instead, focus on wearing colors that complement your eyes and hair.

      Warm Undertones:
      If your skin has a warm undertone, consider shades of red, yellow, orange, or other golden hues.

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      What Colors Will Suit Me?

      Have you ever noticed how someone pairs two colors you never thought would look good together? Chances are, that person has a deep understanding of colors, knows the color wheel, and is fully aware of their undertones. Color combinations are a major trend in fashion and even more so in nails, making it worthwhile to understand how colors work together or contrast with one another. Look at your color wheel, and you’ll quickly notice that one half represents cool colors while the other half represents warm colors.

      Take, for example, the two red VINYLUX™ polishes. At first glance, the bottles may appear identical in color, but they are actually quite different. A cool-toned polish like Rouge Red has a blue undertone, while Wildfire has an orange undertone, making it warm. This difference becomes much clearer when you look at the color swatches below the polishes.

      Customers who claim they can’t wear red nail polish have likely tried a shade with the wrong undertone for their complexion. This is why it’s essential to focus on undertones when matching a color to a client. Rest assured, it’s always possible to find the right color with the perfect undertone for everyone.

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      Would you like to learn more about CND™?

      At Insight Cosmetics Group, we have a variety of contact and training options available to you as a professional beauty therapist.