Which Colors Flatter Your Skin Tone?

If You Have Dark Skin

Think of matching colors to your skin tone as a game of opposites attract. Dark skinned gals are going to look best in colors on the warm end of the spectrum in any shade, from pastels to brighter colors and rich, deeper tones as well. Warmer colors will bring out the warmness in your skin tone.

Think any shade of purple from light and bright to royal purple to plum and eggplant; the pink spectrum from pastel and ballerina pink to poppy pink; yellows from soft yellow to a rich, bright yellow, and don't forget gold, bronze, and copper. Dark skinned girls can also pull off white in a really fabulous way and colors in the orange and red families. These hues will pop against their skin, warm their complexion and overall, really flatter their tones.

Dark skinned girls should steer clear from browns and blacks, plus colors on the cool end of the spectrum, like blues, gray and silver. If a color is too close to their skin tone, it just won’t flatter as much. Cooler colors are harsher on dark skin, can bring out gray undertones and can even make your skin look yellow… which in turn will make you look sickly.

If You Have Medium Skin

Picking out colors to flatter your skin is like playing a game of opposites. You never want to wear a color that’s the exact shade of your skin, because it just won’t be as flattering.

Girls with medium skin should stay away from browns, beiges, caramel, oranges and very pale pastels in any hue. Pastels and other light hues will be too cool against your skin and can bring out gray undertones. Gray is just not something you want in your complexion. Instead, you want colors that will bring out the warmth in your complexion.

Stick with brighter, deeper hues and jewel tones that will really pop against your skin. Jewel tones are deep, rich colors that resemble precious gems like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and amethysts.

The blue family, from deep navy to royal blue, is really flattering for medium skin. Deep pink, bright pink and raspberry pink are also good choices. The red and green families, plus deep purples will also be flattering for you as well.

If you have olive skin.

Girls with olive skin are lucky because they can pull off practically any color. Olive skin tends to have yellow and brown undertones, so when you’re shopping, think of colors that will compliment these hues.

The best color for girls with olive skin, however, is pink. Bright pinks will bring out the subtle red undertones in your skin, and give you a colorful glow that will make you look like you just got back from vacationing in the islands.

Any shade of green, from olive to emerald to lime, will bring out your beautiful brown tones.

Olive skinned girls can also pull off colors in the orange family really well (it’ll give you a nice summer glow) and any shade of red. Bright reds, like cherry and rose, can really make your skin pop. Deeper reds like burgundy and softer reds with hints of brown and rose will give you a nice glow.

If you have fair skin.

If your skin is fair, it can have either warm, peachy undertones (usually with freckles, chestnut, red, golden blond or strawberry blond hair) or cool undertones (think Snow White or Reese Witherspoon- no color in your cheeks, ash blond, dark brown or black hair). You’ll want to determine your skins undertones before you match colors to your skin.

So, if you’re fair skinned with warm undertones, earth-tones will look great on you. Think any shade of brown (even pinkish-brown) and any shade of green- from olive to grass, emerald and lime. Ivory, navy and gray will also look really good on you- they’ll compliment your peachy undertones.

The lighter side of the red and orange families (think peach, apricot, light pink, rose pink or rose red) will work well. It’s all about flattering the subtle red undertone in your skin.

You’ll want to stay away from very bright colors and neons- they’ll clash with your skin. Black will be too dark and harsh, and white is too pale and can make you look sickly.

If you’re fair skinned with cooler undertones, you look great in the berry family. Think strawberry or deep red, raspberry pink, boysenberry and deep purple. It creates a nice contrast with your skin and can bring out a hint of color in your cheeks.

Jewel tones can also really flatter your skin. Think emerald, turquoise and amethyst.

As for metallics, stay away from silver and stick with gold.

You’ll want to stay away from shades that are too bright and light. White will make you look too pale, and black will give you a goth vibe. Neons, yellows, and lilac won’t bring out the best in your skin, either.