Skin tone fluctuates throughout the year. Therefore, the hues that looked amazing on you throughout the warmer months could easily make you look tired and washed out in the winter. And, we all have experienced the challenges of choosing flattering “change-over” shades for our hair color, nail polish and lipsticks. Fortunately, Kari Hill, Tom Bachik and Billy B. -- Experts from L’Oréal Paris -- have shared some tips on how to choose the most flattering shades … along with product recommendations to make the seasonal color transition a little easier!
Kari Hill, L’Oréal Paris Consulting Hair Colorist – Expert Tip: Instead of using the face, I look at the forearm to determine a more precise and unaffected matching of skin tone. When choosing hair color, in addition to skin tone, you should also consider your natural eye color, present choice of makeup, desired maintenance/upkeep and the time of year.
Cool haircolor tones look best on skin with cool undertones, which can range from blue or pink on fair skin to even an olive undertone for darker. On fair skin, L’Oréal Paris Mousse Absolue in Lightest Icy Blonde or Feria Absolute Platinum typically looks great. For darker skin, consider L’Oréal Paris Mousse Absolue Icy Dark Brown or Superior Preference Luminere Black Sapphire.
Warm haircolor tones look best on skin with golden or yellow undertones, regardless of dark or light skin. Some at-home hair color options that look good on warm skin tones include, L’Oréal Paris Mousse Absolue Lightest Golden Blonde, L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Medium Golden Blonde or L’Oréal Paris Feria Dark Gold Blonde.
Neutral toned haircolor is the closest tone that could complement a wide variety of skin tones. I liken a neutral color to the tone of a child’s hair. Here are some haircolor options for accommodating varied skin tones: L’Oréal Paris Mousse Absolute Pure Dark Blonde, Feria Very Light Natural Blonde, or Superior Preference Natural Blonde.
Tom Bachik, L’Oréal Paris Global Nail Artist – Expert Tip: When choosing nail shades, keep it simple and think in warm or cool tones. The easiest way is to look on the underside of your arms. If your veins are mostly purple in tone, then you’re more cool skin toned. If your veins are mostly greenish in tone, then you’re more warm skin toned. Another tip – think about the colors you like to wear and the same palette will likely work for nail shades.
For cool skin tones look at rich berries (L’Oréal ParisColour Riche Nail in Violet Vixen), deep purples (L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail in Paparazzi Pleaser) and Bright Blues (L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail in Not a Cloud in Sight).
For warm skin tones, I like burnt reds (L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail in Red Tote), warm dusty rose tones (L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail in Spice Things Up) and rich corals (L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail in Tangerine Crush).
Billy B., L’Oréal Paris Consulting Makeup Artist – Expert Tip: When it comes to choosing a good lip color, I not only look at skin tone, but also pay attention to eye color, hair color and what my clients are wearing.
Generally, I used the below guidelines for skin tone and lipsticks:
- Olive – nudes (L’Oréal Paris Extraordinaire by Colour Riche in Nude Ballet) pinks, oranges (L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in Volcanic) and reds (L’Oréal Paris Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain in Endless Red)
- Fair – bold shades in pink and red (L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Balm Pop in Bold Blush and Fiery Red,)
- Darker skin tones – Bold, rich colors like burgundy, browns (L’Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour Compact) berry colors (L’Oréal Paris Infallible Le Rouge in Enduring Berry) and deep reds (L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Glossy Balm in Petite Plum).
