When it comes to putting on makeup, finding the most flattering shades for your skin tone is everything. And while makeup can be experimental, it’s also important for people to play it safe and discover the most flattering makeup shades for them. From foundation to eyeshadow, and even blush, knowing the right hues that compliment your skin tone, eye color, and even your hair color, will help highlight your best features. But, as you probably already know all too well, finding the right makeup match can be a tricky process. That’s why we asked beauty experts to help us out.
So with that in mind, how exactly do you find the best makeup colors for your skin tone? We asked Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist and writer with MyPsorasisTeam, Susan Gagnon, costume designer, fashion blogger, and the Editor-in-Chief of Costumes Heaven, and Nicole Bolton, a fashion designer and the co-founder of Iconic Celebrity Outfits. Keep reading to find out what they had to say!
Best blush and foundation for your skin tone
For blush, we recommend you look for one that has the same undertone as your skin for a more natural effect. "If you want a bold-looking blush, choose one with the opposite undertone as your complexion," Chacon suggests if you want to go for a more striking blush. "If you have a warm skin tone (a yellow undertone), use a warm blush shade for a natural look and a cool blush shade for a flash of color."
And, Chacon adds that the foundation you use should be one or two shades lighter than the color of your skin. "This is due to the fact that when you use bronzer or contour, the foundation should be able to blend and give your face the perfect look," she says.
"The variety of foundation shades has grown as cosmetics companies have become more inclusive of various skin tones. If you want to pick the right shade for yourself, then test out the formula on a patch of even-toned skin. It is best to find a shade that will fix discoloration," Bolton explains. And, when it comes to picking out a blush shade, she says that soft colors like "peach and pink" work better for lighter skin tones. But, "pinks with orange hues," she says, are better suited for medium and dark skin tones.
Best eye shadow and eyeliner for your skin tone and eye color
To choose the best eye makeup that complements your face, it's important to consider your skin tone and eye color. "Use golds, oranges, and reds to accentuate your warm skin tone. Those with cool skin tones should wear blues, greens, and purples to complement their undertones," Chacon says.
By choosing the right eye shadow and eyeliner for your skin tone and eye color, you can enhance both your eyes and facial features (check out this eyeliner trick that will take years off your face!). "Opt for warm eye shadow shades like gold, bronze, and copper for warm skin tones," Gagnon notes. Similarly, for cool skin tones, she suggests choosing, "cool shades like silver, taupe, and lavender."
Best lip color for your skin tone
When it comes to choosing the perfect lipstick hue for your skin tone, Gagnon recommends considering the shape of your lips. "For top-heavy lips, use bright lipstick on your lower lip and a slightly darker shade of the same color on your upper lip. People with bottom-heavy lips should apply any color that suits their undertone, with a little bit of light nude color right in the center of their upper lip," she explains. "Use a lip pencil in a shade similar to your lipstick color to outline your lips if you have asymmetrical lips. Finally, for plump lips, opt for darker shades." Noted! Gagnon also recommends avoiding extra glossy hues at all costs because it will just distract from your overall makeup look.
"If you’re fair-skinned, pink lip colors should be your go-to. For medium to dark skin, you can try deeper shades like mauve. Red is a lip color that works great for all skin tones!" Bolton adds.
So there you have it, the best way to find your makeup match. Figuring out the right makeup shade for your skin may be an arduous process, but it will be worth it in the long run once you find your perfect fit!
