Debunking Myths and Discovering Truths About Finding Your Skin's Undertones

Draping is the only reliable way to find which of the skin undertones you have

If you've ever gone down the internet rabbit hole trying to figure out whether you're warm or cool, you're not alone. “Just look at your veins!” “Hold up a gold earring and a silver one!” “Everyone with blue eyes is cool-toned!” Sound familiar?

The truth is, there’s a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to understanding undertones. In my studio, I use precise, controlled tools and full-spectrum lighting to help clients find their true seasonal palette- but today, I want to clear up some of the most common myths I see online.

Let’s break it down.

Myth #1: You can find your skin's undertones by looking at your veins.

Truth: Vein color is not a reliable indicator of undertone.

Many people are told to look at the color of the veins on their wrist: blue means cool, green means warm, somewhere in between means neutral. But here’s the problem: vein color is influenced by everything from your skin thickness to your lighting to how hydrated you are that day. It’s not a standardized or scientific method, and it often leads people to the wrong conclusions.

Myth #2: If gold jewelry looks better on you, you're warm-toned. If silver looks better, you're cool.

Truth: Jewelry preference can be misleading.

Jewelry is about more than undertone; it’s about personal style, makeup, what you’re wearing that day, and even your hair color. If the rest of your outfit is warm toned, silver jewelry will automatically look "off." While silver does tend to flatter cool undertones and gold flatters warm ones, the majority of people wear both beautifully. In a professional color analysis, I will also show you a range of metallics- not just yellow gold and bright silver- that harmonize with your natural coloring.

Myth #3: People with pale skin are always cool-toned. People with tanned or deep skin are always warm-toned.

Truth: Undertone and skin depth are not the same thing.

You can have the deepest skin and still be cool-toned, or the fairest skin and be warm-toned. Undertone is about the pigment beneath the surface, not how light or dark your skin is. This is why surface swatching often fails; it doesn't reveal what’s going on underneath.

Myth #4: You can figure out your undertone from a photo or filter.

Truth: Lighting and background color dramatically change how we perceive undertones.

Photos can be helpful clues, but they’re not definitive. That’s why professional color analysts use neutral gray capes, neutral backdrops, and full-spectrum daylight to isolate your natural coloring from all external influences. The wrong lighting or even your phone’s white balance can throw things off completely.

In conclusion:

Finding your undertone isn’t just about picking between warm and cool; it’s about discovering the harmony between your skin, eyes, and hair and the colors that bring them to life. It’s nuanced. It’s scientific. And when done well, it’s incredibly empowering.

If you’ve ever felt confused by all the conflicting advice out there, you’re not alone. You're not doing anything wrong. It might just be time for a more thorough approach.

Want to learn more or experience the full process for yourself? I'd love to help. Book with me for an in-person analysis in West Palm Beach today!