How to Determine Your Skin Tone

If You Have a Fair or Light Skin Tone

Fair skin tones often have cool or neutral undertones and are also likely prone to redness and skin conditions such as rosacea. Light skin tones are often cool or neutral, but it’s not uncommon to have light skin with warm undertones. Pro tip: Keep your beauty cabinet stocked with gentle moisturizers and sunscreens with a high SPF.

Product Picks

A green color corrector is great to have in your collection to counteract redness that might appear in your complexion. We also love how a light dusting of a cool or neutral bronzer can instantly bring fair and light complexions to life.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Camouflage Color Corrector in Green

Redness doesn’t stand a chance against the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Camouflage Color Corrector in Green. The ultra-pigmented and full-coverage color corrector helps neutralize redness and even out your skin tone. A little bit of this product goes a long way, so start with a pea-sized amount and apply it with a concealer brush or your fingers before going in with the rest of your face makeup.

Valentino Beauty Very Valentino Liquid Foundation in Light Rosa 1

Check out the Valentino Beauty Very Valentino Liquid Foundation in Light Rosa 1 for a light, cool-toned foundation option. This silky, breathable foundation doubles as a sunscreen with an SPF of 26 to protect your fair skin from damaging UV rays. The semi-matte finish guarantees a gorgeous natural look. It’s also available in options for neutral and warm undertones.

L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer in Fair

Bronzer can quickly take on an orange look on fair and lighter skin tones, so be sure to choose one with a cool or neutral undertone. We like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer in Fair for lighter skin tones. This bronzer gives your skin a subtle sun-kissed glow. Dust your skin with this powder and you’ll look like you’ve just returned home from vacation.

If You Have a Medium Skin Tone

Typically, those with medium complexions have neutral undertones which makes finding products like foundation and concealer easy — and if you do have a neutral undertone, just stay away from anything too warm or too cool. The exception to this rule is an olive-tinged medium tone. If you have olive skin, you likely have warm undertones and tan easily. If you have warm undertones, Jaikaran warns against choosing a bronzer or foundation that is too reddish.  

Once you’ve narrowed down the right undertone, look for a bronzer that’s two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone.

Product Picks

Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation

The shade range in the iconic Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation has tons of great options for medium skin tones, and if you have olive-toned medium skin, shade 6 was made just for you. True to its name, this foundation goes on silky smooth for a blurred, airbrushed complexion. It has medium buildable coverage, so it’s still flexible, breathable and natural-looking.   

Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation

If you prefer a foundation with a matte finish, try the Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation. It has tons of medium shades, and at $9, it’s a more budget-friendly option. Not only does this foundation match to your skin tone, but it also absorbs oil and controls shine, so it’s a great choice for people with oily skin types.

Urban Decay Quickie 24H Multi-Use Concealer

Use this brand new concealer and color corrector to address dark circles, acne blemishes, hyperpigmentation, discoloration and redness. The vitamin E-infused formula delivers all-day hydration and the built-in applicator makes using it easier than ever. It comes in five medium shades.

If You Have a Deep or Dark Skin Tone

Deeper and darker skin tones range from copper and espresso tones to dark brown or ebony. In addition to the general tone, deep and dark skin can be cool, warm or neutral. Hyperpigmentation is a common skin concern, so look for brightening ingredients and don’t forget the SPF. As with medium skin, you’ll want to look for bronzers two to three shades darker than your skin tone. 

Product Picks

IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40

The IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40 is a makeup bag staple because it has several dark shades with varying undertones. It’s also formulated with ingredients to address uneven skin tone and dryness. The best thing about this foundation is that it’s several different beauty products in one. It acts as a foundation, color correcting skin tint and hydrating serum. We personally can’t get enough makeup products with skincare benefits.

YSL Beauty All Hours Foundation

The new YSL Beauty All Hours Foundation is a luminous matte foundation with SPF 30 that stays looking stunning for up to 24 hours. This is the right foundation for you if you have a busy, on-the-go lifestyle. On top of being long-lasting, it’s also transfer-proof, waterproof and heat resistant. Basically, it can stand up to whatever your day has in store. 

Glossier Cloud Paint

We love the Glossier Cloud Paint, a glowy liquid blush, for darker skin tones because it’s incredibly pigmented, will pop beautifully and is super easy to blend. It’s also so simple to apply even if you have minimal experience with makeup. Just tap a small amount onto your cheeks and use your fingertips to gently blend it out. You’ll never go back to powder blush after trying this product.