A woman is applying color theory makeup to her cheek with a blush brush
BEAUTY
Our Complete Guide To The Color Theory Makeup Trend
By ACACIA DEADRICK
Streaks of light and dark shade foundations being applied to a cheek with a makeup brush
Learn The Basics
It can be difficult to match your makeup to what you see in an online tutorial. However, you can do so without purchasing new products by using color theory.
A woman applying multiple shades of foundation to the inside of her arm
Undertone Categories
Your undertones are the shades that sit underneath your skin tone and fall into one of three categories: cool, warm, or neutral.
Studio shot of young woman with foundation on her cheeks
Identifying Undertones
To identify your undertones, look at the veins in your wrist. Blue or purple veins mean cool, green or olive means warm, and both blue and green mean neutral.
A pair of gloved hands near a color wheel on a white background
Use The Color Wheel
When you’re shade matching, you need to know which colors are cool or warm; when color correcting, you need to know complementary colors.
A woman has purple, orange, and white color correction concealer on her face applying the color theory makeup method
Start With Concealer
A color correcting concealer neutralizes skin insecurities, like dark circles or acne, by offsetting the color you wish to cover with its complementary color.