25 Colors for Cool Undertones to Enhance Your Natural Glow

When it comes to choosing the right colors for your wardrobe or makeup, understanding your skin’s undertone can make all the difference. If you have a cool undertone, certain hues will naturally enhance your complexion, making your features pop. Colors for cool undertones not only flatter your skin but also help create a cohesive and stylish look.

Whether you’re shopping for clothes, accessories, or makeup, knowing which shades work best for your cool undertone can boost your confidence and bring out your natural beauty. Let’s explore the colors that complement cool undertones and how to incorporate them into your style.

What Are Cool Undertones?

Cool undertones refer to the subtle hues that lie beneath the surface of your skin. These undertones generally have hints of blue, pink, or purple, giving the skin a cooler or more neutral appearance. Cool undertones are one of the three primary undertones—cool, warm, and neutral—that influence how colors look on your skin.

Identifying Cool Undertones

Determining your undertone is key to choosing colors that enhance your natural beauty. Here are some common ways to identify if you have cool undertones:

Vein Test: Check the veins on the underside of your wrist. If they appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones.

Jewelry Test: People with cool undertones tend to look better in silver jewelry, which complements the cooler tones in their skin. If gold jewelry looks less flattering, you likely have cool undertones.

Sun Reaction: If your skin burns easily and rarely tans, it’s another indicator of cool undertones. Cool-toned skin often reacts to sun exposure by burning rather than tanning.

Skin Tone Characteristics: Cool undertones typically give the skin a pink, red, or bluish tint. Some people with very fair skin may also have translucent, porcelain-like qualities, while those with darker skin may notice subtle blue or purple hues.

Eye and Hair Color: People with cool undertones often have lighter eye colors such as blue, green, or gray, and their natural hair color tends to be ashy blonde, brown, or black with little to no warmth.

Best Colors for Cool Undertones

Choosing the right colors can have a transformative effect on your overall appearance, especially when you’re working with cool undertones. The goal is to select hues that harmonize with the natural undertones in your skin, creating a balanced and flattering look. Here are the top color groups that complement cool undertones:

1. Jewel Tones

Jewel tones are rich, vibrant colors that tend to look stunning on those with cool undertones. These colors are deep, saturated hues that bring out the best in cool skin tones by providing contrast without overwhelming the complexion.

Sapphire Blue: This deep, vibrant blue color has a striking contrast against cool undertones, enhancing the skin’s natural undertones while adding an elegant pop.
Emerald Green: A rich, green hue with cool undertones, emerald green makes a bold statement and complements cool-toned skin by drawing out the skin’s natural glow.
Amethyst Purple: Purple is a color that blends blue and red, making it perfect for cool undertones. Amethyst is deep yet vibrant, giving a sophisticated look.
Ruby Red: A cool red with hints of blue, ruby red will highlight the natural rosiness of cool undertoned skin without clashing.
Topaz: A cool, rich golden hue that works particularly well on those with medium to darker cool undertones.

Jewel tones like these create contrast without clashing, making them the perfect choice for everything from formal wear to casual outfits.

2. Pastels

Pastels are soft, light versions of colors, and they work beautifully with cool undertones. These shades tend to have a calming effect and complement the lighter hues found in cool-toned skin.

Soft Pink: A delicate, cool-toned pink brings out the rosy hues of the skin and offers a fresh, feminine touch.
Baby Blue: This light blue has just the right amount of cool undertones to brighten the complexion without overwhelming it.
Lavender: A soft purple, lavender has a delicate coolness that enhances the natural cool tones in your skin.
Mint Green: This light, cool green shade adds a touch of freshness and elegance, perfect for both spring and summer wardrobes.
Pale Lilac: A soft, cool-toned lilac creates a subtle contrast, enhancing the skin’s natural tone in a gentle, sophisticated way.

Pastels are versatile for both casual and dressier outfits, giving a fresh, soft look that complements your natural undertone.

3. Neutrals

Neutral colors can either blend seamlessly with your cool undertones or provide an elegant contrast. When selecting neutral shades, opt for cool-toned versions to match your complexion.

Charcoal Gray: A darker neutral, charcoal gray is a classic color that complements cool undertones by providing depth without clashing with the skin.
Cool-Toned Whites: Opt for whites with blue or gray undertones, like crisp, pure white or an off-white shade, rather than warm whites that might make cool undertones appear dull.
Black: Always flattering, black is a bold color that can make cool undertones pop, creating a sleek, timeless look.
Silver: Silver accessories, as well as clothing and fabrics with a metallic sheen, will highlight your cool undertones beautifully.
Cool Taupe: This is a softer neutral with grayish undertones, perfect for creating an understated yet chic outfit that flatters cool skin tones.

These neutral tones provide a versatile base for building outfits that work well in both professional and casual settings.

4. Icy Shades

Icy shades have a cool, frosty appearance that works wonderfully for cool undertones. These shades tend to have a bright, almost silvery quality to them and offer an elevated, sophisticated look.

Icy Lavender: A soft, cool lavender with a frosty finish, icy lavender enhances the cool undertones in the skin and gives off a dreamy, elegant vibe.
Frosty Blue: A pale, icy blue that seems to shimmer, this color pairs well with cool undertones to create a fresh, light look.
Ice Pink: A soft, almost metallic pink that reflects light, ice pink complements cool undertones and adds a youthful, radiant glow.
Mint Green: A frosty version of mint, this light green with cool undertones gives a fresh, ethereal quality.
Silver Gray: A shimmering, cool gray with icy tones adds sophistication and works with both casual and evening outfits.

Icy shades are especially great for evening wear, formal events, or when you want to create a standout look.

5. Berry Tones

Berry tones are rich, deep colors that work well with cool undertones, creating a bold yet flattering look. These colors offer a lovely contrast while still blending well with the natural skin tone.

Cranberry: A vibrant red with a hint of purple, cranberry has a cool base that enhances the natural undertones of the skin.
Raspberry: A deeper pink with red undertones, raspberry flatters cool skin by enhancing the natural cool tones while adding a lively, fresh look.
Plum: This deep, muted purple shade is perfect for cool undertones, creating a bold, chic look without overwhelming the complexion.
Mulberry: A rich, dark berry tone that brings out the natural undertones of the skin and adds depth and sophistication.
Cherry Red: A cool red with blue undertones, cherry red will highlight the natural coolness of the skin, adding a pop of vibrant color.

Berry tones are excellent for fall and winter wardrobes but can also add drama and elegance to any season.