How to Find Your Undertones

Ever tried on a foundation that looked perfect in the bottle but totally off on your skin? Yep, we've all been there. The secret to finding your perfect match? It’s all about knowing your undertone—the subtle hue underneath your skin that affects how colors look on you.  "To choose shades that will look harmonious with your skin tone, it's a good idea to know your undertone." says Tayaba Jafri, Laura Mercier's Global Director of Artistry. Don’t worry, we got you! Here’s how to figure it out. 

Check Your Veins

Okay, time for a little wrist inspection. Take a look at the veins on your wrist. What color do they lean?

• Blue or purple? You’ve got cool undertones.
• Green or olive? That means you’re warm-toned.
• A mix of both? Lucky you—you’re neutral!

Gold vs. Silver Jewelry Test

Now, let’s talk bling. Grab some jewelry and see what flatters your skin the most:

• If silver makes your skin pop, you’re cool-toned.
• If gold gives you that glow, you’re warm-toned.
• If both look equally good, you’re neutral.

How Does Your Skin React to the Sun?

Your sun habits say a lot about your undertone:

• If you burn easily and rarely tan, you probably have a cool undertone.
• If you tan easily and rarely burn, you’re likely warm-toned.
• If you burn sometimes and tan sometimes, you’re in the neutral club.

The White vs. Off-White Trick

Hold a plain white shirt (or even a piece of paper) next to your face in natural light.

• If your skin looks rosy or bluish, you’re cool-toned.
• If your face looks golden or peachy, you’re warm-toned.
• If you can rock both, you’re neutral.

Makeup Shades That’ll Flatter You

"For color, the shades you will feel most comfortable in will be shades in the same undertone and in a similar or slightly deeper intensity. For example, when if you are looking for a pink blush, choose one that is the same undertone (warm, neutral or cool) and that is close to your skin intensity or just slightly deeper." Jafri explains. Now that you’ve got your undertone down, here’s what’ll look amazing on you:

Cool undertones: Go for foundations with pink or blue undertones, like the Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation in a cool shade. If you don't know if a foundation is cool or not, luckily, the foundation shades are sorted out by neutral, warm, and cool undertones. Lipsticks in berry, mauve, and true reds (try Caviar Hydra-Creme Refillable Lipstick). Eyeshadows in cool blues, purples, and silvers—Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Amethyst and Celestial Noir is a must-have.

Warm undertones: Foundations with golden or peach undertones work best, like the Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation in a warm shade. Lipsticks in warm corals, orangey reds, and rich browns, like Caviar Hydra-Creme Refillable Lipstick in 816 Bleeker Street or Caviar Smoothing Matte Refillable Lipstick in Brown Suede. For eyeshadows in golds, bronzes, and warm browns—try Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Burnished Bronze or Mocha for a gorgeous glow.

Neutral undertones: Lucky you, you can pretty much wear anything! Stick to balanced shades (not too warm, not too cool). Our Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy or Tinted Moisturizer Blurred Matte is a great everyday pick. Lipsticks in soft nudes or pinks, like the Caviar Smoothing Matte Lipstick in Pink Chiffon, a deep-toned nude pink lipstick, and Caviar Hydra-Creme Refillable Lipstick in 689 Le Marais, a medium warm toned pink, will look effortlessly chic.