Forget the vein test - it never works. Here's how to actually figure out if you're warm, cool, or neutral toned for better foundation and makeup shade matching.
Let's Be Honest About the Vein Test
You know the one. "Look at your wrist veins! Blue means cool undertone, green means warm undertone!" I've been doing makeup for eight years and I still can't tell if my veins are blue-green or green-blue. It's not just you.
Here's what actually works for finding your skin undertone.
The White T-Shirt Trick for Undertones
Grab a plain white tee and stand near a window. Not in direct sunlight - that washes everyone out. Just good, natural light.
Look at your face against the white fabric. Does your skin look a bit yellow or peachy? You have a warm undertone. Does it pull pink or even slightly blue? Cool undertone. Can't tell because it looks like... skin? You're probably neutral, and honestly, that's most people.
Foundation Shade Matching (The Part Everyone Gets Wrong)
Here's the thing nobody tells you about foundation matching: your face and your neck are often different colors. Match your foundation to your neck and chest area, not your face. Your face gets more sun, more products, more everything. Your neck is the real MVP here.
And test foundations on your jawline, not your hand. Your hand means nothing for shade matching. I don't know why stores still have hand testers. It's 2026.
The Gold vs Silver Jewelry Test (This One Actually Works)
Hold a piece of gold jewelry on one side of your face, silver on the other. Don't overthink it - which one makes you look more alive? More like yourself?
- Gold looks better = warm undertone
- Silver looks better = cool undertone
- Both look fine = neutral undertone
What If You're Between Foundation Shades?
Welcome to the club. Most foundation shade ranges have gaps, and most of us fall into them. A few things that help:
- Mix two shades together. Seriously, it's not cheating.
- Look for brands with wide shade ranges (Fenty Beauty, NARS, and MAC still come through here)
- Your summer shade and winter shade are allowed to be different. Buying two foundations is normal.
Choosing Blush and Lip Colors for Your Undertone
Once you know your undertone, picking blush shades and lipstick colors gets easier.
Warm undertones tend to look better in peachy blush, coral lipstick, and warm pink shades.
Cool undertones usually suit berry blush, mauve lipstick, and blue-based pink shades.
Neutral undertones can wear pretty much anything.
But here's my actual take: wear what you like. I'm warm-toned and I wear berry lipstick all winter. Rules are guidelines. Your face, your call.
When You Still Can't Figure Out Your Undertone
Go to a makeup counter. A real one, with good lighting. Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, a department store - somewhere with trained makeup artists and a solid shade range. Get matched by a human. It takes five minutes and it's free.
Then take a photo in natural light before you buy anything. Store lighting lies.
Bottom line: knowing your undertone matters for foundation matching, but don't let it limit what colors you wear. Makeup is supposed to be fun.
Shop the Look
If you're still figuring out your undertone, our Golden Hour Collection is designed with warm, universally flattering shades that work across most skin tones. The bronzers and blushes pull warm without going orange - which honestly makes shade matching way less stressful.
