Find Your Perfect Neutral Makeup Shades | Skin Tone Guide

Gavin O'Neill

Just Peachy

If you have light skin, the secret to finding your most flattering neutral shades is to strike the perfect balance: Colors too close to your complexion will wash you out (think ivory and beige), while those that are too far off (such as mauve) will be harsh. Instead, use shades like peachy pink on your eyes, cheeks, and lips to create a harmonious glow. Add radiance by choosing hues with a pearl finish.

Gavin O'Neill

Go Greige

Women with a medium skin tone tend to have a touch of yellow in their complexion. For contrast, wear cool shades like slate or gray-beige on your eyes; these will accentuate your dark hair, eyes, and brows. Nude makeup is especially stunning on medium skin, so keep the rest of your look simple with brown or beige blush and lipstick.

Gavin O'Neill

Strike It Rich

If you have dark skin with orange undertones, your go-to colors are chocolate brown and brick red. Layer a shimmery rust shadow over a chocolate shade to define your eyes. Brick blush and lipstick will play up your warm complexion. For a modern twist, top your lips with clear gloss.

Gavin O'Neill

Your Color Palette: Light Skin

Never play makeup roulette again. When you want to enhance your natural look, reach for these neutral shades, which were handpicked to make your skin tone its most gorgeous yet.

Eyes: Maybelline New York Color Tattoo Eye Shadow in Inked in Pink ($7, drugstores), Almay Shadow Softies by Intense i-Color in Creme Brulee ($5, drugstores)

Cheeks: Physicians Formula Nude Wear Nude Glow Blush in Natural ($13, drugstores)

Lips: Urban Decay Naked Lip Gloss in Liar ($20, urbandecay.com)

Nails: Dior Diorlisse in Snow Pink ($25, dior.com)

Gavin O'Neill

Your Color Palette: Medium Skin

Eyes: Maybelline New York Chic Naturals Eyeshadow in Tastefully Taupe ($4, drugstores), L'Oreal Paris Silkissime Eyeliner in Black ($9, drugstores)

Cheeks: Make Up For Ever HD Cream Blush in 315 ($26, sephora.com)

Lips: NYC New York Color City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Color in Park Slope Peach ($3, drugstores)

Nails: OPI Nail Lacquer in Samoan Sand ($9, ulta.com)

Gavin O'Neill

Your Color Palette: Dark Skin

Eyes: Sonia Kashuk Pearlescence Longwear Creme Shadow in Quartz ($9, Target stores), Nars Matte Eyeshadow in Bengali ($24, narscosmetics.com)

Cheeks: Iman Cosmetics Luxury Blushing Powder in Peace ($11, walgreens.com)

Lips: Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Decadent ($30, esteelauder.com)

Nails: Priti NYC Polish in Sweet Sultan ($15, pritinyc.com)

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, March 2014.