“How will I know what colours suit my skin tone?” is one of our most frequently asked questions at Sienna. And while there are absolutely no rules, there are some shades that will look more flattering than others, depending on your skin tone. This means the colours are well matched to your undertone or provide just the right amount of contrast to make your nails pop. With over 60gorgeous shades of Sienna to choose from it can be hard to know where to start. So if your nail polish soul mate still eludes you, never fear. We are here to help you choose a polish that will give you both a high-performance manicure and look absolutely dreamy at the same time.
You do you
But as we are fond of saying around here “You do you”. Sometimes you find a nail polish and it’s love. So if you like a fuchsia-hued mani with your corporate workwear, go for it. If you are committed to a dark plum crème in high summer, we won’t stand in your way. In this crazy-busy, fast-paced world we live in, a slick of nail polish in a colour that lifts your spirits can spark a little moment of joy.
The guide
While there are many (so many) trends and ways to choose a colour for your nails, here is the best of the accepted wisdom to choosing a flattering colour for your skin tone.
Dark skin tone
Vivid reds and pinks are your go-to classics, but mauve pink, fiery red-orange, deep purple, blacks, bronze, green, almond, mocha and caramel based neutrals are all going to look terrific. As will bold, bright colours. And even yellow. The world is your nail bar, you lucky thing!
Medium skin tone
If this is you, a wide range of colours are going to be flattering. Choose burgundies, plums and wine tones for a super-chic look. Fruity/coral type shades and pastels like soft white, bubblegum pink and lilac will also look gorgeous. Teal is the best of the blues for you.
Olive skin tone
If you are an olive-skinned beauty, be guided by tropical colours like orange, hot pink, coral and melon – they will all look amazing. But so will browns, taupes and terracotta if you are after a more subtle look.
Fair skin tone
For a classic colour choice, your friends are soft pinks and blue-toned berry colours. Having said that, classic red, and even a bright-vermillion crème look fantastic. Navy and charcoal are great if you are looking for a glam high-impact look with an edge. A warm clay or a sheer pink are the best options for a neutral look.
If all else fails, look at your best, most flattering lipstick or, even your lips, and choose a shade thatis close to that colour. Also think of the most flattering clothes hues that you wear, this can be a great way to ensure your nails complement your wardrobe.
As you can imagine, colour is a hot topic at Sienna HQ and we all have our favourite colours and go-tos. You can imagine how much we have loved putting this guide together for you. Please let us know if there’s any we have missed.
FAQs
The general rule of thumb is that skin with cool undertones look best with greys, browns, blues, greens and purples. Skin with warm undertones look best with either bright or light colors. And skin with neutral undertones looks great in bold, bright colors.
How do I know what colors look best with my skin tone? ›
There are several hues that work well with different skin undertones. Warm-toned individuals should opt for earthy colours such as amber and beige, or pastel shades like peach and lavender. Cool-toned individuals look stunning in jewel tones like emerald and ruby, or blush and pink undertones.
What color suits best according to skin tone? ›
As a general guide, lighter suits are most complimentary for people with medium and darker skin tones. Likewise, a deep and dark-coloured suit looks most complimentary on fairer skin. You can also consider and work with your skin's natural undertones.
What color suits my skin tone test? ›
Test 5 - Color Test
Check the color of your clothes against your skin and see which ones complement you. You have cool undertones if cool colors like blue suit you. You have warm undertones if warm shades like the yellow suit you. You have a neutral undertone if any and every shade suits you.
How do I check which color suits me? ›
The key to choosing flattering colours is to understand if your natural colouring is either warm or cool, and then 'match' your clothing colours. It is important to note that the colours that most affect how you look are those that you wear next to your face, through tops, scarves, or jewellery.
How do I find my perfect skin tone? ›
Cream Test: Grab two articles of clothing, one white and the other off-white. While wearing no makeup, decide which color complements your skin tone best. If it's the pure-white shade, your undertones are warm. If the cream color suits you more, you have cool undertones.
What colors wash me out? ›
You may want to avoid colours at either end of the colour spectrum – soft, pastel shades and bright colours as they'll both wash you out. If you want to wear neutrals avoid light beige and stone. Instead, choose richer shades such as camel, khaki, chocolate brown, slate grey and even white.
How do I find the right color corrector for my skin tone? ›
For redness: Neutralize red and pink tones with a green color corrector. For dark circles and dark spots: Use a peach color corrector if you have fair skin, or a deeper orange shade if you have medium to dark skin. For sallowness: Balance out unwanted warmth with a lavender color corrector.
How do I figure out my color palette? ›
The first step to find out your colour palette is understanding your skin undertones. Cool undertones have hints of pink, blue, or purple, while warm undertones lean towards peach, yellow, or golden hues. If you're unsure, consider examining the veins on your wrist.
How do I find my perfect color? ›
When selecting colors for your wardrobe, consider three factors of your personal coloring: your skin color, your eye color, and your hair color. Personal coloring gives clues to your best-worn colors in clothing and cosmetics.
Look at your wrist veins under natural light.
If your veins appear to be green, you probably have warm undertones. If they're blue or purple, you probably have cool undertones. If they are a mix of both, you may have neutral undertones.
What color suits my skin tone app? ›
Dressika is a personal AI shopping assistant and colour style consultant. The app has a unique feature - automatic personal colour analysis. Just take a selfie to find out your season colour, seasonal colour palettes and make-up colours. Use a virtual dressing room to create perfect outfits.
How do I choose my makeup color based on my skin tone? ›
If your skin color is olive, brown and copper blushers are good for you. If you have medium skin color, you should use peachy color. For people with fair and blonde skin color, pink or rose colors are suitable. If you are blond and your skin tone is warm, use beige colors.
