Skin Undertones - Help! :(

Jul 23, 2013

Kim S.

So I'm pretty sure my skin is cool. I'm very fair, I burn easily, my veins look blue, a lot of the palest foundations still look orange on me etc.BUT I'm a natural red head (which, to be fair, is not as fiery as it was when I was little, it's gone a bit mousey, but it's still definitely red), my eyes are green with some orangey brown towards the middle, I have a faint scattering of freckles (which are a pale, warm orangey colour) and I feel like I look better in gold than silver.

It may be hard to tell in my pictures because some may be in unnatural lighting which may make me look warmer but if anyone could offer their opinions that'd be much appreciated...

I'm wondering if, as a redhead, the warm colouring of my hair and eyes could sort of 'override' my cool skin... Or maybe it just balances out as neutral? Or maybe I'm warm and just didn't know it? Argh. I don't even know why it matters because I'm sure I could just look in the mirror and decide if a colour looks ok on me or not haha, but for some reason I'd really just like to know!

Jul 23, 2013

Kim S.

Oh I'm not having trouble finding a foundation I was just mentioning that because it gives the impression that I must be cool, but then I feel like I suit gold better than silver which would indicate that I'm warm. I feel like I suit some warm colours and some cool colours... It must just be because my skin is cool but my hair is warm. Maybe people with that combo can get away with both?

Jul 23, 2013

Kim S.

Also, the natural colour of my eyebrows is a cool, mid brown. They don't match my hair. I feel like I'm cool and was born with the wrong hair haha

Jul 23, 2013

Jennifer R.

I've had a look through some of your pictures (you're absolutely stunning btw, I'm so jealous!) and I'm pretty sure you're warm toned. In a lot of the pics you're using a peachy blush and/or bronzer? I think it really suits your skin tone and makes you glow. And peachy colours tend to wash out most pale, cool skinned chicks.

Jul 23, 2013

Kim S.

I don't use bronzer for contouring any more, I use the NYX taupe blush which is a neutral/cool colour and my blush is a pale coral colour but its not super orange. I just don't know. I think with cool skin and warm hair I just have enough elements of both to be able to wear some colours from each category. You know who this calls for? Jacqueline. I'm off to leave her a comment immediately! She'll know :)

Jul 23, 2013

Jessica M.

@kim: that pink lipstick looks beautiful on you. what color is it?

Jul 23, 2013

Jamie D.

I totally get it!
I think I agree with Jacqueline. I'm a natural red head (although I have blue eyes) and while cool based lipsticks generally work best on me, the color gold looks absolutely fabulous on me no matter how I wear it. It just goes so perfect with the hair.
So I'd say we're just special.

Jul 23, 2013

Kim S.

Thank you Jacqueline, you pretty much said what I was thinking, but I couldn't make sense of why it all seemed mixed up for me and was thinking maybe I was actually just wearing the wrong colours and didn't realise.

Jamie I think they should just add another category... 'Warm, neutral, cool... And ginger skin' cos we're kind of messed up lol. Some warm colours clash too much, some cool colours wash us out and a few of each are perfect. We kind of have the best of both worlds but with a lot more hassle!

Jul 24, 2013

Alyssa G.

I've been wondering the same thing, too, Kim! I'm a natural redhead with a lot of freckles. I have blue eyes and like you, burn like no ones business and my veins are blue. I've never been able to figure it out!

Jul 24, 2013

Kim S.

Jessica it's Maybelline ColorSensational Vivids in Fuschia Flash, it's amazing and it lasts a long time as well

Jul 24, 2013

Jessica M.

Ooohhh, I have that one and I love it.