Warm vs. Cool Undertones: How to Pick Frame Colors That Complement Your Skin Tone

Step 1: How to Identify Your Skin's Undertone

Your undertone isn't the surface shade of your skin (fair, medium, deep)—it’s the subtle, underlying hue beneath it. Undertones generally fall into three categories: Warm, Cool, or Neutral.

Here are three reliable ways to test yours in natural daylight:

1. The White Sheet Test: Hold a piece of pure, stark white paper next to your clean, unmakeuped face in natural light.

   • If your skin looks yellow, golden, or peachy next to the paper, you have warm undertones.

   • If your skin looks pink, rosy, or blueish-red, you have cool undertones.

   • If you look better next to off-white or cream than stark white, you lean warm. If stark white brightens your face, you lean cool.

2. The Jewelry Test: What metal naturally brightens your skin without making you look washed out?

   • Yellow Gold flatters warm undertones.

   • Silver, Platinum, or Pewter flatters cool undertones.

   • Both look equally flattering = You likely have neutral undertones.

3. The Sun Reaction Test: Think about how your skin naturally reacts to sun exposure (always wearing sunscreen, of course!).

   • You tan easily, golden up quickly, and rarely burn = Warm undertones.

   • You burn easily, turn pink/red quickly, or tan very minimally = Cool undertones.

Step 2: Pick the Best Frame Colors for Your Undertone

Once you identify your undertone, choosing frame colors becomes effortless.

Option A: Frames for Warm Undertones

If you have warm undertones, your skin has golden, yellow, or peachy base tones. You’ll look best in frames with rich, earthy, or warm-toned hues that enhance your natural glow.

• Top Frame Colors: Tortoiseshell, warm amber, gold, honey, olive green, warm brown, peach, and muted terra-cotta.

• Metals to Look For: Gold, brushed bronze, and copper.

• Colors to Avoid: Harsh pastel blues, bright silver, or stark white, which can wash out warm skin.

Option B: Frames for Cool Undertones

If you have cool undertones, your skin has pink, red, or subtle bluish base tones. Frames with cool, crisp, or jewel-toned bases will complement your features without clashing.

• Top Frame Colors: Black, dark tortoise (with grey/black mottling), navy blue, plum, icy pink, slate grey, and dark emerald.

• Metals to Look For: Silver, pewter, chrome, and white gold.

• Colors to Avoid: Yellow-gold, warm orange, or pale honey browns, which can create unwanted contrast against cool skin.

Option C: Frames for Neutral Undertones

If you’re neutral, you have a balanced mix of warm and cool tones.

• Top Frame Colors: Almost anything works! You can lean warm or cool depending on the vibe you want. Neutral acetates like champagne, clear, dark tortoiseshell, and classic black are effortless wins.

Step 3: When to Break the Rules

Rules are great starting points, but style is personal.

• Looking for high contrast? Pick a color opposite your undertone. A cool-toned bright blue frame on warm skin creates a bold, fashion-forward statement.

• Want something subtle? Go for crystal/clear frames or thin wireframes in your complementary metal (gold for warm, silver for cool). Clear frames let your natural features take center stage regardless of undertone.

Ready to Find Your Match?

Finding the right frames is all about confidence. Next time you're browsing for a new pair, start with your undertone as a roadmap, then pick the frames that match your personal daily style.