Frequently Asked Questions

What is cool-toned makeup?

Cool-toned makeup uses shades with blue, pink or purple undertones, think berry lips, mauve shadows and rosy nudes. Think 90s makeup trends, with frosted finishes and bold, dark lip liner.

It's the opposite of warm-toned (bronzes and oranges). Cool tones tend to complement skin with pink, red or bluish undertones, though they can honestly work on anyone depending on the look you're going for.

What are cool tones in makeup?

Cool tones are shades rooted in blue, purple or pink pigments rather than yellow, orange or red ones.

In practice, that means:

• Eye makeup: slate, lavender, dusty rose, taupe, icy silver and deep plum

• Lip colors: berry, mauve, cool pink, lilac and blue-red

How do I know if cool-toned makeup will work for my skin?

Cool-toned makeup works beautifully on skin with pink, red or bluish undertones, but it's not exclusive to one skin tone.

Here's a quick way to check your undertones and your seasonal color palette:

• Look at the veins on your inner wrist. Blue or purple veins? You likely have cool-toned undertones.

• Silver jewelry tends to complement you more than gold.

• You tan less easily and burn more in the sun.

That said, rules are just a starting point. Play around, cool berry lips can look stunning on warm skin tones too.

How do I apply cool-toned eye makeup?

Start with a cool-toned eyeshadow primer to help color stay true, then build from light to dark.

• Lid: Sweep a soft cool neutral (like taupe or dusty pink) across the lid as a base.

• Crease: Deepen with a cool-toned matte shade. Slate, plum or smoky mauve work well.

• Highlight: Tap an icy or silver shimmer to the inner corner and brow bone.

• Liner: Navy, deep plum or charcoal liner keeps the whole look cohesive.

• Blend well between each step for a seamless finish.

What cool-toned lip colors work for my skin?

The right cool-toned lip comes down to your skin's depth and undertones, not a one-size-fits-all answer.

A quick guide:

• Fair to light skin: Cool pink, soft berry or lilac nudes

• Light to medium skin: Mauve, rose and dusty pink

• Medium to deep skin: Deep berry, blue-red and rich plum

• Deep skin: Blackened berry, cool burgundy and violet-based reds

When in doubt, mauve is the universally flattering cool tone that works across the board.

How do I make cool-toned eye makeup last longer?

An eyeshadow primer is your best friend here, it keeps cool-toned pigments from shifting or fading throughout the day.

A few more tips:

• Set cream formulas with a matching powder shadow to lock in color.

• Use a damp brush to apply shimmer shades, it intensifies the payoff.

• Finish with a setting spray to keep everything in place from morning to night.

Can I wear cool-toned eye makeup and a cool-toned lip at the same time?

Yes, and when done right, it looks intentional and put-together.

The key is balance. If you're going bold on the eyes (think deep plum or smoky slate), keep the lip in a softer cool tone like a sheer berry or cool-toned nude. Going full drama on both can work too, just make sure the rest of your look stays minimal, so nothing competes.

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