How to choose the right coloured Make Up for you…and look fantastic!

When you open a magazine and look at the “new season” cosmetic colours, do you sometimes wonder if they will suit you at all? I was on a well known cosmetic website recently and I went through a questionnaire to determine what cosmetic colours from the range suited me. For those of you that haven’t met me, I have dark brown hair, blue eyes and pale skin that burns and never tans! So I was very surprised that the result was that “Peaches, oranges and corals” would suit me perfectly. Well once or twice I have been overcome by the need to feel up to date and bought “this seasons” colours in these shades. I can tell you know, they have all been given away or thrown away. In these shades I look like I am sickly and even about to be sick…not a look I was going for. The reason is that I have cool undertones, and peach, orange and coral are warm undertone colours. Naturally they don’t suit me and in fact clash with my skin tone.

Skin tone has a very significant influence on how certain colours look against your skin. When I wear the colours that suit me, I get compliments about my skin. When I don’t, the circles under my eyes stand out despite make up, my skin looks redder and (don’t tell anyone this) but the hair on the top of my lip looks darker whereas usually it is invisible. Yes, just the shade of my blouse can have this effect. So when I do wear the wrong shade of clothing or makeup, I tend to apply more foundation and wear brighter lipstick to compensate for this effect.

Skin undertone is the most significant factor in determining what colours/shades of makeup and clothing suit you. So how do you find out? Lavera Cosmetics has come up with a very simple test which I have outlined below. A tip, most Australians have a cool skin type…but often wear warm tones.

Cool Skin Type

If you belong to the cool types, your skin has a cool, bluish foundation tone. The hair has a cool ash tone and can also range from blonde to dark brown. A simple test: Place a silver-coloured cloth under your face this allows your complexion to glow, whereas a gold-coloured cloth makes the skin look tired. If you belong to the cooler type, these colours, for example, will suit you: black, light grey, pink, cold rose, lilac, claret, ice blue, marine, silver, mint, stone grey.

Warm Skin Type

If you belong to the warm types, your complexion has a yellow – golden foundation tone. The hair always has a warm gold shimmer or honey tone and can range from middle blonde to gold-brown, from red to brown. Your personal test: Hold a gold- coloured cloth under your chin – if your complexion appears noticeably fresher, you belong to the warmer type. In contrast, a silver-coloured cloth makes you appear pale and washed-out. If you belong to the warmer type, these colours for example, will suit you: tomato, chocolate brown, cream, salmon, apricot, olive, watermelon, brick red, orange, moss green.

Based on the test above, I have grouped all of the Minerelle and Lavera Make Up into Cool and Warm categories.

Cool Skin Types

Minerelle:

Megan Foundation

Skyla Foundation

Abbey Lipstick

Tina Lipstick

Marie Lipstick

Dream Eyeshadow

Flirt Eyeshadow

Bloom Eyeshadow

Kiss Eyeshadow

Elusive Eyeshadow

Rose Blush

Black Mascara

Lavera:

Tinted Moisturising Cream
Make-up light No. 1 (for lighter skin)
Make-up naturel No. 2 (for darker skin)
Concealer No. 1 (for lighter skin)
Concealer No. 2 (for darker skin)
Compact Powder No. 1 (for lighter skin)
Compact Powder No. 2 (for darker skin)
Loose Powder transparent
Powder Rouge No. 2
Eye Shadow No. 1
Eye Shadow No. 2
Eye Liner No. 1
Eye Liner No. 3
Eye Liner No. 4

Volume Mascara No. 1
Volume Mascara No. 2
Lipstick No. 14
Lipstick No. 15
Lipstick No. 16
Lipstick No. 17
Lipstick No. 18
Lipstick No. 19
Lipstick No. 20
Lipstick No. 21
Lip Gloss No. 4
Lip Gloss No. 6

Warm Skin Types

Minerelle:

Pamela Foundation

Claire Foundation

Bhavna Foundation

Lesley Lipstick

Glenda Lipstick

Kate Lipstick

Magic Eyeshadow

Joy Eyeshadow

Romance Eyeshadow

Serene Eyeshadow

Tease Eyeshadow

Calypso Blush

Gypsy Blush

Lavera:

Tinted Moisturising Cream
Make-up naturel No. 1 (for lighter skin)
Make-up light No. 2 (for darker skin)
Concealer No. 1 (for lighter skin)
Concealer No. 2 (for darker skin)
Compact Powder No. 1 (for lighter skin)
Compact Powder No. 2 (for darker skin)
Loose Powder transparent
Powder Rouge No. 1
Eye Shadow No. 3
Eye Shadow No. 4
Eye Liner No. 2
Eye Liner No. 5

Volume Mascara No. 1
Volume Mascara No. 3
Lipstick No. 20
Lipstick No. 21
Lipstick No. 22
Lipstick No. 23
Lipstick No. 24
Lipstick No. 25
Lipstick No. 26
Lipstick No. 27
Lip Gloss No. 4
Lip Gloss No. 5