What is warm?

The undertones of your skin determine whether you’ve got a warm or cool complexion. Warm undertones — think autumn or spring seasons — contain a yellow-orange combination. Cool undertones resemble winter or summer, so the undertones are slightly blue, pink or gray.

How to tell you’re warm

Try these tests to determine your skin’s undertone.

• Vein color: Notice the veins on the tops of your feet or inner wrists. In natural lighting, do your veins appear green or blue? If they seem green, you have a warm complexion. Blue veins indicate a cooler complexion.

• Gold or silver: Try on a variety of gold and silver jewelry. If gold looks especially stunning against your skin, you’re warm.

• Hair check: If your natural hair color has red, yellow or golden tones, you’re probably warm.

Warmer complexions can be medium to dark. Many people of African, Latino, Asian and European descent have warm complexions.

Wonderful colors for warm tones

Warm complexions look most natural in similar shades, so choose colors that match your buttery skin tone.

Foundation that fits: Avoid foundation that has pink undertones. Stick to yellow bases like tan, wheat, honey, cream, beige and amber.

Product picks: For a fantastic foundation, choose from Coverblend Skin Caring Foundation colors, such as warm beige, honey sand or terracotta sand. To enjoy smooth coverage and SPF protection, try Coverblend Multi-Function Concealer. You can’t go wrong with warm colors like sand or beige. If you love bronzer, try the Lancaster Easy Face Bronzer Brush. It’s perfect for an even glow on the go.

Cheeks and lips: Like foundation, your blush, bronzer and lip color should also match your skin’s natural hues. Avoid pinks and purples. Instead, lavish your cheeks in red-orange tones like copper, strawberry, peach, mango, cranberry or tawny. For lips, draw on deeper versions of your blush color and avoid the opaque, frosted tones.

Product picks: To achieve a sun-kissed glow, try Stila Convertible Lip Color in poppy or gerbera. Wear it as a creamy blush or translucent lip color — it’s designed for both! For a long-lasting pout, look for CITY Lips Advanced Formula in CHICago and South Peach.

Eyes made easy: Are you going for a natural or striking look? For natural highlights, choose shadows from the same color family as your skin tone — beige, chocolate, gold, copper, taupe, eggshell, apricot or olive. To add drama, apply a contrasting color to those natural shadows. Here are some examples:

• Breathtaking browns: If your eyes are darker brown, colors like sea green and turquoise can add brightness. Lighter brown eyes shine in plum or lavender. For eye liner and mascara, go basic with brown or black.
• Happening hazels: Hazel hues against a pale crimson, pink, coral or mauve background will create contrast. Choose charcoal eye liner and mascara.
• Gorgeous greens or blues: The warm skin, cool-eyed combination is already a natural contrast. So to keep your eyes looking bright, match your shadow to your eye color. Add a highlighter with bright red, orange or gold flecks for the full effect. And apply brown, navy or green mascara and eye liner.

Product picks: To enhance the eyes, grab Stila Convertible Eye Color in clove or onyx. If your eyes are light, select slate instead. The Stila Eye Shadow Duo is the perfect background for a variety of eye colors. For brown eyes, try colors like Kajiki or Mara Simba. Hazels will sparkle in Dragonfly or Lily. If your eyes are green, look for Seafoam and Orchid. And blue eyes will look great in colors, such as Borealis and Salome. For darker, thicker lashes, try Blinc Kiss Me Mascara in shades of black, dark brown or brown.

The palette for warm complexions is full of vibrant colors. Play with these various shades to find your perfect match.

See also:

Makeup for Combination Skin: A Beautiful Duo

Bridal Beauty Do’s and Don’ts

Makeover Your Beauty Routine