What is the Difference Between Skin Tone and Undertone?

The terms "skin tone" and "undertone" are often used to describe the color of a person's skin, but they have distinct meanings:

• Skin Tone: This refers to the actual color of your skin, which is determined by the amount of melanin (naturally occurring dark brown or black pigments) in the epidermis (the outermost layer of your skin). Skin tones can be classified into four main types: light, fair, medium, and deep (dark).
• Undertone: This refers to the subtle hue underneath the surface of your skin. There are three main types of undertones: warm, cool, and neutral.

1. Warm Undertone: If you have hints of yellow, peachy, or golden hues, you have a warm undertone.
2. Cool Undertone: If you have hints of pink or blue, you have a cool undertone.
3. Neutral Undertone: If your undertone is roughly the same color as your actual skin tone, you have a neutral undertone.

Understanding the difference between skin tone and undertone can help you choose the right foundation shades and flattering colors for clothing, lipstick, hair color, and more. To determine your skin tone, examine your jawline or listen to what your friends say about your complexion. To determine your undertone, you can try various methods, such as looking at your jawline, checking your veins, or comparing your skin to white and black objects. Once you have identified your skin tone and undertone, you can use this information to make more informed decisions about makeup and fashion choices.

Comparative Table: Skin Tone vs Undertone

Here is a table comparing skin tone and undertone:

Remember that skin tone and undertone are two different aspects of skin color, and understanding both can help you make better choices when it comes to cosmetics, hair color, and clothing colors.