What's your skin tone? What's your undertone? What's the difference? If you don't have an answer to these three questions, it's an issue, and you've got to read this now to know why. Firstly, you're probably using all the wrong makeup, in turn not allowing it to enhance your natural beauty. Vogue got Eliano Bou Assi, Bobbi Brown's regional director to help you know your skin better.
Skin tone versus undertone
The skin tone is usually what your foundation shade is matched to—it is the natural skin colour that you see on the surface. However, the undertone is always either olive or in the eastern parts of the world, it is yellowish. “When you look at your skin, you should be able to tell if the undertone is green or yellow,” explains Assi.
This is how you can determine your skin tone
Skin tones can be classified from very light skin to dark. Very light skin tones will generally have a slightly pinkish undertone; unlike in the case of Asians who mostly have yellow undertones. Here in India, the undertones are mostly olive or gold-yellowish.
One method of determining your skin tone is by applying foundation. If the foundation disappears in your skin, then that specific shade is your skin tone. It could vary from light to medium, medium to dark or dark to rich. For e.g.: If you are between shades Alabaster to Porcelain, then you are in the light skin category. If you fall between Beige and Honey, you have medium skin tone, and between Warm Honey to Warm Almond, you are in the dusky to deep skin tone category.
You must note that your skin tone can keep changing depending on the weather, your location and exposure to sun. If you visit the beach, your skin tone will be on the darker side. However, your under tone will stay constant and never change.
Here's how you can figure out your undertones
Finding your undertone requires just careful observation. There is no specific technique as such. If your skin looks more gold-yellowish, you have yellow undertones. Sometimes, you may find skin looking ashy green. This means you have olive undertones. If you see your skin is slightly pink, then you have pink undertones. So, the only way to know your undertone is to see it yourself.
How to find the right foundation for Indian skin tones
First of all, the foundation you choose should always be yellow tone based.
Never try the foundation on your hand as the skin shade is different from that of your face.
Choose your favourite formula, then swatch a few shades on the side of your face and on your forehead. The shade that disappears upon blending is the right one.
If the foundation looks ashy, it is too light. If the foundation looks muddy, it is too dark.
You can also apply the foundation on the jaw line to compare it to the neck as it must look flawless all over.
You must also duplicate the application on the forehead as sometimes women have more colour on their forehead and chin than the rest of their face.
How to find the right concealer for Indian skin tones
“Corrector and concealer is the secret of the universe. It helps women look less tired, brighter, and fresher,” says Assi.
