Do complexion products look ashy on you? It’s all about getting the undertone right!

Types of undertones

There are generally three types of undertones:

Warm: Golden, yellow, or peachy tones.
Cool: Pink, red, or bluish undertones.
Neutral: A balance of both warm and cool tones.

“If you’ve bought a foundation that’s not quite the right undertone, don’t worry, you can fix it using foundation color correctors (Source: Freepik)

Why is it necessary to find the right undertone?

“Finding the right undertone is crucial because it ensures your foundation and concealer blend seamlessly with your skin, making your makeup look more flawless and cohesive. The wrong undertone can leave you looking washed out, overly yellow, or even ashy,” said Bali.

Bali shared some simple ways to figure out your undertone:

Look at your veins: If your veins appear green, you likely have a warm undertone. If they appear blue or purple, you probably have a cool undertone, and if you can’t really tell if they’re blue or green, you’re likely neutral.

The jewellery test: If gold jewellery looks better on your skin, you may have a warm undertone. If silver jewelry compliments you better, you may have a cool undertone. And if both look great on you, you are likely neutral.

How can you fix the wrong undertone of a complexion product?

“If you’ve purchased a foundation with the wrong undertone, don’t worry—foundation colour correctors can help,” said Bali. For a foundation that’s too yellow, add a small drop of blue colour corrector to neutralise it. If your foundation is too pink or red, mix in some yellow for a warmer finish. And if it looks ashy or gray, a bit of orange corrector can warm it up for a healthier, more natural complexion.