Makeup Artist 101: Understanding Skintones

Breaking down the Skin Tone Mystery with Primary Colors

As a professional makeup artist it is crucial to understand skin tones. Anyone familiar with Becca Cosmetics? They're a really chic brand that can color match anyone.Good makeup companies like Becca know how to mix primary colors to mimic natural skin tones. Well I came across a make chart by Becca & I think the its  great because it uses celebrities for examples.

The chart goes like this... (*celebrities I've added to the list)

'Pink' indicates that the color has obvious pink-based undertones.
'Yellow' indicates that the color has obvious yellow/golden based undertones.
'Neutral' indicates the neither pink/red nor yellow/golden-based dominate the color.
'Warm' indicates that orangey to red undertones dominate the color.

I'd like to stop here and point out something. Pink undertones are made up of skin that's almost translucent (having little or no melanin and appears "white") and the blood underneath the skin (red) make pink.
All other skin tones are a combination of nature's primary colors: Yellow, Red & Blue.


Skintone Categories:

1) LIGHT TO FAIR
Refers to the palest skin types characterized by creamy, ivory skin is usually accompanied with pink undertones. This skin tone does not tan naturally tending to redden and burn very easily. Soft Pink and/or Apricot colors can give this skin tone a pretty sunkissed look (Renee Zellweger, Kelly Osbourne, Christina Ricci).

2) FAIR
Milky, pale skin that could have either yellow or pink undertones. This skin type does not tan well naturally, however very light face tanning and bronzing products can suit. (Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Madonna) *Adele, Cyndi Lauper, Miley Cyrus.

3) FAIR to MEDIUM
Light beige-looking skin tones that naturally appear quite pale, but do tan reasonably well. Fake tanning and bronzing products suit this skin type and appear natural.(Kylie Minogue, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cameron Diaz) * Lady Gaga, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Drew Barrymore

4) MEDIUM
Light beige-looking that naturally appear sunkissed. This skin type does tan well and has predominately yellow/golden to warmer undertones. (Elle McPherson, Demi Moore, Giselle Bundchen) * Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Thalia, Selena Gomez

5) LIGHT TAN
 Olive Toned complexions that tan easily and are characterized by yellow/golden to warm undertones. These skin types are often of Mediterranean, Hispanic, Brazilian, or Asian decent. (Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, Lucy Liu) *Vanessa Hudgens, Kourtney Kardashian

6) TAN
 Skin tones that have a coffee/caramel color with predominantly yellow/golden undertones (Beyonce, Ashanti, Halle Berry) *Rhianna, Leona Lewis

7) DARK TAN
Light Brown skin tones that appear a slightly richer in color and have warmer undertones (Tyra Banks, Alicia Keys) *Nicki Minaj

8) DARK GOLDEN
Brown skin tones that have predominantly golden to slightly warm undertones (Naomi Campbell, Whitney Houston, Oprah) * Jennifer Hudson, Kerry Willams

9) GOLDEN BROWN
 Darker brown complexions that can have both golden and warm undertones (Angela Bassett, Mary J. Blige, Serena Williams)

10) WARM BROWN
 Rich Brown skin tones that appear warm and where red is the more dominant undertone (Iman, Kelly Rowlands, Natalie Cole) *Gabrielle Union

11) DEEP BROWN
 Deep chocolately- brown skin that appears more neutral but still has warm undertones (Angie Stone, India Arie)

12) BRONZE
Darkest skin tones that can have warm to blue black undertones (Alec Wek)

If you want to become a makeup artist practice on as many different skin colors as possible. It will help train your eyes to detect the various tones discussed..

Hope that was helpful:)
If you have any questions please contact me at :studio7beauty@gmail.com

Thank you!
Gina Marissa