What skin tone do you have, how do you even determine that, and why does it really matter anyways?! The truth is that different skin tones have various colors and shades that compliment them better and will ultimately make your senior portraits POP *which is what we all want right*! By wearing the colors that actually work the best for you personally, we can ensure that you & your images turn out picture perfect. This also applies to makeup as well so make sure you check out our Hair & Makeup Tips and Tricks! Let’s get to it!

How do you determine your skin tone?

There are a few different “tests” you can do to help you!

The Sun Test

Ask yourself what happens to your skin when you spend time out in the sun. If you burn fast, you likely have cool undertones. If you burn initially but it quickly turns into a tan, you likely have neutral tones. If you tan easily, you likely have warm tones.

The Vein Test

Head outside into the natural light and look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If your veins appear blue or purple, you have cool undertones. If your veins appear greenish-blue, you have neutral undertones. If your veins appear green or olive colored, you have warm undertones.

The Jewelry Test

If silver jewelry looks the best on you, you have cool undertones. If gold jewelry looks best on you, you have warm undertones. If both look great on you, you have neutral undertones.

The Paper Test

Hold a piece of plain white paper next to your face in natural lighting and compare your skin tone to the paper. If your skin appears more pink or blueish-red, you have cool undertones. If your skin appears grayish, you have neutral undertones. If your skin appears more yellow, you have warm undertones.

So you’ve figured out what skin tone you have, now let’s determine…

What colors will look the best on you?

Cool Skin Tones

Typically colors on the cool end of the color spectrum work the best for people with cooler tones. ESPECIALLY jewel tones! Think emerald, sapphire, and ruby, as well as your neutral black, white, and grey. Avoid oranges, yellows, beige, browns and other warm type colors.

Neutral Skin Tones

Neutral skin tones can play around with colors from both the cool and the warm side. Typically medium blues, jade green, and reds, as well as charcoal, creams, and taupe look best on people with neutral tones. Try out a variety of colors to see what works best for you!

Warm Skin Tones

Typically people with warm tones look best in colors on the warm end of the color spectrum & colors with a golden undertone. ESPECIALLY olive & sage shades of green, coral, and shades of taupe & khaki, as well as black and cream.

As always, it’s important to try on different colors and shades to see what works best for you personally – and remember, just because a color is popular or trendy, doesn’t mean it will look the best for your skin tone. For your senior portraits it’s always better to wear a color that genuinely looks great on you versus one thats simply trendy! I know this can be tricky and confusing *plus- you don’t know what colors will also photograph well* which is why at Evelyn June Photography we always have a Style Consult with our seniors! This is when we discuss outfit colors, styles, cuts, and even more to make sure you capture gorgeous senior portraits!

You can always find tons of tips, tricks, behind the scenes info, and more by following us on social media @evelynjunephoto and checking out our other blog articles!