What is Skin Tone?
The key to dividing skin tones is the undertone.
The surface color of your skin can change.
It might look pale, tanned, or darker depending on the season, sunlight, or makeup.
But the undertone, which is the natural base color under your skin, almost never changes throughout your life.
This undertone is what decides whether you are cool toned or warm toned.
For example,
two people can both have fair skin, but one may have a bluish undertone which is cool,
while the other has a yellowish undertone which is warm.
That is why the same plain white T-shirt can make one person look bright and fresh, while it makes another look dull or sallow.
Warm Tone
A warm undertone usually has hints of yellow, golden, or olive. In sunlight, the skin often looks healthy, glowing, and slightly golden.
Warm toned people usually tan more easily, and warm shades flatter them best.
Colors that suit: browns, olives, oranges, golds
Metals: gold jewelry looks natural and bright
Cool Tone
A cool undertone usually has hints of blue or pink. In sunlight, the skin may look rosy, flushed, or even slightly translucent.
Many people with cool undertones blush easily or have skin that looks clear but sensitive.
Warm colors tend to make them look washed out,
while cool colors make their skin look radiant.
Colors that suit: blues, purples, emerald, silver
Metals: silver, white gold, platinum
Easy way to remember:
Cool tones look best in blue and silver. Yellow or golden tones can make the skin look dull or grayish.
Warm tones look best in orange and gold. Blue next to the skin can make the face look lifeless.
At first, personal color was explained with the four seasons: Spring and Autumn for warm tones, Summer and Winter for cool tones.
This helped people see why certain colors made them glow while others made them look tired.
But four groups were often not enough.
Many people seemed to sit between categories.
To make the system more accurate, each season was divided into three, creating twelve types.
This added brightness (light vs dark) and clarity (soft vs vivid) as new guides.
For online quizzes and self tests, twelve types are the most practical.
They are clear enough to show real differences without being overwhelming.
Systems with sixteen types or more require tiny distinctions that usually need a professional using fabric drapes in person.
That is why twelve types are the best choice for exploring your colors online.
Once you know your type, it becomes much easier to choose clothes, makeup, and hair colors
that bring out your best.
Cool Winter Tone
Cool Winter skin usually looks clear, vibrant, and striking.
The undertone shows a blue or pink glow that makes the face look pure and porcelain.
In sunlight, it tends to look translucent and brilliant, and people with this tone may find they don't tan easily.
Because of this coolness, clean cool shades add drama, while very warm shades can make the face look a bit sallow.
In short, there are more blue and pink pigments under the skin, so it reflects light crisply and brilliantly like winter ice.
Cool Winter vs Cool Summer
Both are cool.
Cool Winter: deep, vivid, clear colors such as true black, pure white, and emerald green.
Cool Summer: light, soft, muted colors such as powder blue, soft rose, and lavender.
If a color feels sharp and intense, think Winter.
If it feels soft and hazy, think Summer.
The three Winter Cool subtypes
- Cool Winter
- Deep Winter
- Bright Winter
These differ by brightness, which is how light a color is, and clarity,
which is how clean or how muted it looks.
We use these two ideas to pinpoint your best Winter palette.
No color is forbidden. Even outside your best palette, you can wear a shade by balancing it with the right partners like makeup, accessories, or layers. Personal color is a guide to highlight you, not a rulebook that limits you.
A clear night sky after fresh snowfall or the brilliance of a diamond, a Cool Winter has a crisp and striking charm.
This guide is for you, a person who shines brightest in cool, high-contrast colors with icy clarity.
Core Concept
The most important characteristic of a Cool Winter is coolness.
You have a blue or pink undertone, and your complexion looks best in shades that are sharp, cool, and vivid.
Unlike Summer, your palette is not muted or hazy but instead defined by clarity, contrast, and brilliance.
Best Color Palette
A Cool Winter should avoid anything warm, muted, or earthy.
Your best colors are clear, cool, and saturated, from icy lights to deep jewel tones.
- Foundation Colors
These are your go to basics: Pure White, Cool Charcoal Gray, Deep Navy, Royal Blue, Ice Blue, Midnight Blue, Jet Black
Tip: Lean into sharp, cool neutrals for contrast. No other season wears pure black and pure white as naturally as Winter.
- Accent Colors
These are the colors that add brilliance: Fuchsia, Deep Crimson, Emerald Green, Teal Blue, Peacock Blue, Sapphire Blue, Royal Purple
Tip: Jewel like shades with cool clarity will amplify your natural radiance.
Styling Tips
High Contrast Styling is your strength.
Pair light and dark cool tones together such as black and white with a jewel accent for a bold, dramatic effect.
Materials
Fabrics with a sleek, polished finish highlight a Cool Winter’s vivid clarity.
Consider silk, satin, crisp cotton, polished wool, and refined synthetics.
Avoid faded, rough, or earthy textures.
Makeup
Focus on cool, dramatic shades.
A bold red lip with blue undertones, a cool pink blush,
and defined black or charcoal liner will make your features pop.
Skip warm browns, bronzers, and peach tones, which clash with your undertone.
Colors to Avoid
Avoid any color that feels warm, muted, or earthy.
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Warm Earth Tones: Mustard, rust, camel, and olive
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Dusty, Muted Shades: Soft beige, taupe, and dusty pastels
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Low Contrast Colors: Cream, warm ivory, or faded neutrals that dull your brightness
As a Cool Winter, your best asset is crisp contrast and luminous clarity.
Use bold, high contrast cool tones and jewel like shades to highlight your striking, dramatic beauty.
A midnight sky or the intensity of black velvet, a Deep Winter has a bold and commanding charm.
This guide is for you, a person who shines brightest in dark, dramatic contrasts and jewel like colors.
Core Concept
The most important characteristic of a Deep Winter is depth.
You have a cool undertone, but what sets you apart is the intensity of your coloring.
Your natural look can balance very deep shades paired with strong contrast, which might overwhelm other seasons.
Best Color Palette
A Deep Winter should avoid anything light, faded, or warm.
Your best colors are rich, dark, and cool, highlighted with bright jewel tones for contrast.
- Foundation Colors
These are your go to basics: Pure White, Charcoal Gray, Deep Navy, Royal Blue, Deep Tea, Aubergine Purple, True Black
Tip: Your palette thrives on deep neutrals with sharp clarity.
Unlike other Winters, you can wear very dark shades as a base without looking weighed down. - Accent Colors
These are the colors that add brilliance: Deep Red, Fuchsia Pink, Emerald Green, Teal Blue, Cyan Blue, Sapphire Blue, Violet Purple
Tip: Use vivid jewel tones as accents against your deep neutrals for dramatic balance.
Styling Tips
High Contrast Layering works beautifully.
Think of combining deep neutrals (like black or navy) with a striking jewel accent (like emerald or ruby).
Monochromatic deep outfits also look polished and commanding.
Materials
Fabrics with rich depth and structure complement a Deep Winter’s intensity.
Consider velvet, wool, leather, polished cotton, and sleek knits. Avoid faded, thin,
or overly rustic fabrics that weaken your bold look.
Makeup
Choose deep, cool colors.
A classic red lip with blue undertones, deep berry shades, or rich plum will emphasize your intensity.
Black eyeliner and bold mascara define your eyes, while cool toned blush (like rose or berry) adds balance.
Avoid bronzers and warm peach tones.
Colors to Avoid
Avoid any color that feels light, warm, or faded.
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Warm Earth Tones: Camel, rust, mustard, olive
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Soft Pastels: Baby pinks, peach, dusty lavender
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Low-Contrast Neutrals: Cream, beige, or light taupe that lack depth
As a Deep Winter, your best asset is powerful depth and dramatic contrast.
Use rich, dark neutrals with jewel accents to express your striking, magnetic presence.
A dazzling diamond or a brilliant icy sky, a Bright Winter has a vivid and striking charm.
This guide is for you, a person who shines brightest in clear, cool, high contrast colors.
Core Concept
The most important characteristic of a Bright Winter is clarity.
You have a cool undertone and a naturally crisp look that thrives on pure, vivid colors.
Unlike other Winters, your chroma is at its peak meaning your best shades are not just dark or deep, but clear, bright, and glowing.
Best Color Palette
A Bright Winter should avoid muted, earthy, or dusty colors.
Your best colors are cool, clean, and jewel like, often at full saturation.
- Foundation Colors
These are your go to basics: Pure White, Charcoal Gray, Navy Blue, Royal Blue, Magenta Pink, Fuchsia Pink, Black
Tip: Bright Winters can wear high contrast black and white better than any other season they amplify your natural brightness. - Accent Colors
These are the shades that bring your palette alive: Crimson Red, Hot Pink, Turquoise, Teal Blue,Cobalt Blue, Royal Purple
Tip: Use these vivid accents boldly Bright Winters thrive on energy and contrast.
Styling Tips
High Contrast Color Blocking is your strength.
Pair pure white with jet black, or wear bold jewel tones against icy neutrals for dramatic effect.
Don’t be afraid of intensity your look is designed for it.
Materials
Fabrics with shine and clarity emphasize your brilliance.
Think silk, satin, patent leather, crisp cotton, and polished knits.
Avoid fabrics that look dusty, faded, or overly rustic.
Makeup
Choose clear and cool shades.
A vivid fuchsia or berry lip, a cool pink blush, and sharply defined eyes
with black eyeliner will highlight your brightness.
Skip warm bronzers or earthy tones they clash with your cool clarity.
Colors to Avoid
Avoid anything muted, warm, or earthy.
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Muted Tones: Beige, taupe, dusty rose, or soft pastels
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Warm Shades: Mustard, rust, olive, or tomato red
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Overly Soft or Earthy Neutrals: Cream, camel, or warm browns that dull your crispness
As a Bright Winter, your best asset is radiant clarity and vivid contrast.
Use sharp, cool brights and icy neutrals to express your bold and luminous personality.
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Undertone – The natural base color under your skin that doesn’t change.
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Cool Tone – Skin with blue or pink undertones; best in cool shades.
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Warm Tone – Skin with yellow or golden undertones; best in warm shades.
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Season System – Divides undertones into four groups: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.
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Cool Winter – Crisp, clear cool type; suits pure black, white, jewel tones.
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Cool Summer – Soft, cool type; suits light, muted, hazy shades.
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Deep Winter – Dark, intense cool type; suits deep neutrals and jewel accents.
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Bright Winter – Clear, vivid cool type; suits saturated, high-contrast colors.
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Foundation Colors – Neutral base shades for daily styling (black, white, navy).
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Accent Colors – Bright or jewel-like colors used for highlights.
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Clarity – How clean, sharp, or pure a color looks.
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Contrast – The difference between light and dark shades.
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Muted – Soft, toned-down, slightly grayish colors.
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Jewel Tones – Rich, gem-like colors (emerald, ruby, sapphire).
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Neutrals – Basic versatile shades (black, white, gray, beige, navy).
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High Contrast Styling – Pairing very light and very dark colors together.
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Chroma – The brightness or saturation level of a color.
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Vivid – Colors that are very bright, strong, and full of energy.
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