Skin-tone colour guide
The best colours for a cool undertone
A cool undertone means your skin has pink, red or blue-based coolness beneath the surface. Your most flattering colours are crisp and jewel-like — the shades that carry a hint of blue rather than yellow. Warm, mustardy colours can make cool skin look sallow, while the right cool tones make you look sharp and awake in every photo.
Not sure you're cool?
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Scan my undertone — free →How to tell if you have a cool undertone
The veins on your inner wrist look blue or purple in daylight, silver jewellery flatters you more than gold, and you tend to burn before you tan. Pure white looks clean and crisp against your skin, while cream can look slightly dull — the opposite of a warm undertone.
Colours that flatter a cool undertone
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✓ Navy & true blue
Blue-based colours are your home turf — they make cool skin look crisp and healthy.
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✓ Emerald & teal
Cool jewel greens have the blue base that flatters your undertone, unlike warm olive.
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✓ Burgundy & berry
Cool reds with a blue lean read rich and expensive on cool skin.
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✓ Charcoal & true grey
Cool greys are your best everyday neutral — sharper on you than warm brown.
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✓ Pure white & cool pastels
Crisp white and icy pastels (lavender, sky, rose) suit you where they'd wash out warm skin.
💍 Metals that suit you
Silver, platinum and white gold sit best on cool skin. Cool gunmetal and steel watch cases suit you too; save yellow gold for warm undertones.
Colours to go easy on
✕ Mustard & marigold
Golden yellows can make cool skin look sallow and tired.
✕ Orange & rust
Warm spice tones fight a cool undertone rather than flattering it.
✕ Camel & warm beige
Yellow-based neutrals can drain cool complexions — reach for grey instead.
Your palette by occasion
💡 Pro tip
Keep your crispest cool colour closest to your face. A cool white or navy collar under an outfit instantly sharpens how awake and put-together you read on camera.
FAQs
What colours suit a cool undertone best?
Blue-based, jewel shades: navy and true blue, emerald and teal, burgundy and berry, plus charcoal and pure white. Icy pastels flatter you too.
Can cool undertones wear brown?
Cooler browns like taupe work, but warm camel and tan can look dull on cool skin. Charcoal and true grey are usually your stronger neutrals.
How do I know if I'm cool or warm?
Blue or purple wrist veins, silver jewellery suiting you, and burning more than tanning point to cool. AuraCheck reads your undertone from one photo for free.
Other undertones
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