Beauty Front Benchers
How to keep yourself smelling fresh during long days of festivities
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Ever wonder why some lipsticks make you look like you’ve slept eight hours and just got back from vacation, while others make you look, well, the opposite? The answer lies in undertones.
Undertones are the subtle hues beneath your skin’s surface that influence how colours look on you. If you think you have a golden or peachy hue, your undertone is warm. If it’s pink or bluish, your undertone is cool. Or if you see a balance of both, you have a neutral undertone. And, goes without saying, learning your undertone takes the guesswork out of makeup.
Once you’ve figured out how to shop with your undertone in mind, your foundation won’t oxidise, blush will look like a real flush and lipstick will feel less like it's washing you out. Here’s how to make every product feel tailor-made for your warm undertone-plus expert advice from Shradha Luthra, luxury bridal makeup artist and educator, to help you shop smarter.
This one is my brunch-with-besties tint—it’s coral-toned and adds a healthy, dewy sheen. The watery texture gives lips a juicy finish without feeling sticky, while nourishing oils like jojoba, almond and apricot keep them smooth and hydrated. Shea butter and fruit extracts also help repair any chapped bits, so your lips stay plush and soft. It’s vibrant enough to be noticed but never over-the-top, making it ideal for everyday wear. Available in five flattering shades, it’s the kind of tint you’ll reach for when you want an easy, glossy pop of colour that feels like skincare.
Nail the memo on vampire chic by treating your nails to a moody manicure. Don’t worry if you don’t have the time to swing by the nail studio because help is at hand: Gush Beauty offers up a set of 24 reusable press-on nails that will transform your tips in two ticks.
Foundation is where undertone awareness makes the most impact. Because it covers the largest area of your face, even a slight mismatch can throw off your whole look, making your skin appear dull, ashy or unnaturally orange. Choosing a formula with undertones that mirror your own is the easiest way to create a smoother base.
“Don’t go for foundation that’s too golden or too orange. Just because your undertone is warm doesn’t mean your base should be yellow. Foundations that lean too warm can make your skin look dull or flat. Always balance warmth with a hint of neutral—it keeps your base fresh, not muddy or overly tan”, Shradha shares. She further adds, “Test the foundation around your jawline in daylight. If it disappears seamlessly, that’s your match”.
Kylie Cosmetics Power Plush Longwear Foundation - 3W Warm
Bobbi Brown Skin Long Wear SPF 15 Weightless Foundation - Warm Beige (W-046)
Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation SPF 22 - 128 Warm Nude
Lipstick is often the quickest way to transform your look, but the wrong undertone can make even the prettiest shade feel off. Warm undertones look best in lip colours that reflect their natural depth, like shades that echo the golden, peachy or earthy hues already in the skin. Picking a lip colour with your undertone in mind makes lipstick feel less like trial and error and more like a guaranteed win.
Blue-based reds, icy mauves or cool pinks, which can create contrast that pulls focus from your natural warmth.
For the gloss lovers, Shradha suggests, “Glossy finishes tend to enhance the natural warmth—they bring out the golden glow in your complexion”. But if you love matte, here’s what she says, “Matte lipsticks, especially if they’re too cool or flat, can sometimes make the skin look drier or sallow. If you love matte, choose creamy matte formulas in peach-nude, brick or warm cinnamon tones , they keep your warmth intact while still looking sophisticated”.
FENTY BEAUTY Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick - The Mvp
M.A.C MACximal Matte Lipstick - Russian Red
Muzigae Mansion Objet Liquid - 011 Poise
Blush has the power to pull your entire makeup look together in seconds, but it’s also one of the easiest products to overdo or misjudge. For warm undertones, shades that mimic a natural flush, like peaches, corals and bronzy tones, tend to look the most flattering. The right colour will brighten your skin tone and bring balance without ever looking streaky or out of place. Pro tip: Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend slightly upwards towards your temples. This mimics the effect of natural sunlight hitting your face.
Avoid cool-toned pinks or frosty finishes—they can look chalky or clash with your natural warmth.
When asked about the kind of formulation one should choose, Shradha says, “Cream blushes with a peachy base are your best friend for that natural, sun-touched flush.”
Benefit Cosmetics Plushtint Moisturizing Matte Lip Tint - 08 Cloud Fine Cinnamon Peach
Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush - Peachy Keen
Innisfree Fruity Squeeze Tint - Coral
Eyeshadow is where undertones can really elevate your look, especially if you’re experimenting with colour. Warm undertones pair beautifully with earthy shades like bronze, copper and gold. Cooler tones such as silver or icy blue may create a sharper contrast instead of looking seamless. By choosing colours in the same family as your undertone, make your eyes pop without creating a harsh contrast. Pro tip: Layering matte warm browns with gold metallics can add dimension without overpowering your natural tone.
Silvers, icy blues and lavender tones can create a stark contrast with warm undertones, sometimes leaving eyes looking tired or washed out.
Maybelline New York City Mini Eyeshadow Palette - 52 Rooftop Bronze
M.A.C Connect In Colour X6 Eye Shadow Palette - Bronze Influence
Stila Cosmetics Shimmer And Glow Eye Shadow – Kitten
Nails might seem like a small detail, but they can make a big difference in tying a look together. For warm undertones, polishes in vibrant corals, orange-reds and bronzy metallics echo the natural warmth in your skin and offer a polished finish. Even neutrals lean warmer here, with sandy, caramel tones looking more flattering than cool or icy shades.
When asked whether nail polish really makes a difference with undertones, Shradha explains, “Nail polish is more forgiving. But undertones do subtly affect how ‘clean’ or ‘clashy’ a colour looks. Warm undertones glow with corals, warm reds and golden beiges”. She further adds, “Cool toned shades like icy lilac or blue may pop more, but if you like them—wear them! It’s less about rules, more about balance”.
Gush Beauty Nailed It Reusable Luxury Press On Nails - Candy Apple Red - Medium Almond
Foundation is where undertone awareness makes the most impact. Because it covers the largest area of your face, even a slight mismatch can throw off your whole look, making your skin appear dull, ashy or unnaturally orange. Choosing a formula with undertones that mirror your own is the easiest way to create a smoother base.
“Don’t go for foundation that’s too golden or too orange. Just because your undertone is warm doesn’t mean your base should be yellow. Foundations that lean too warm can make your skin look dull or flat. Always balance warmth with a hint of neutral—it keeps your base fresh, not muddy or overly tan”, Shradha shares. She further adds, “Test the foundation around your jawline in daylight. If it disappears seamlessly, that’s your match”.
Kylie Cosmetics Power Plush Longwear Foundation - 3W Warm
Bobbi Brown Skin Long Wear SPF 15 Weightless Foundation - Warm Beige (W-046)
Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation SPF 22 - 128 Warm Nude
Lipstick is often the quickest way to transform your look, but the wrong undertone can make even the prettiest shade feel off. Warm undertones look best in lip colours that reflect their natural depth, like shades that echo the golden, peachy or earthy hues already in the skin. Picking a lip colour with your undertone in mind makes lipstick feel less like trial and error and more like a guaranteed win.
Blue-based reds, icy mauves or cool pinks, which can create contrast that pulls focus from your natural warmth.
For the gloss lovers, Shradha suggests, “Glossy finishes tend to enhance the natural warmth—they bring out the golden glow in your complexion”. But if you love matte, here’s what she says, “Matte lipsticks, especially if they’re too cool or flat, can sometimes make the skin look drier or sallow. If you love matte, choose creamy matte formulas in peach-nude, brick or warm cinnamon tones , they keep your warmth intact while still looking sophisticated”.
FENTY BEAUTY Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick - The Mvp
M.A.C MACximal Matte Lipstick - Russian Red
Muzigae Mansion Objet Liquid - 011 Poise
Blush has the power to pull your entire makeup look together in seconds, but it’s also one of the easiest products to overdo or misjudge. For warm undertones, shades that mimic a natural flush, like peaches, corals and bronzy tones, tend to look the most flattering. The right colour will brighten your skin tone and bring balance without ever looking streaky or out of place. Pro tip: Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend slightly upwards towards your temples. This mimics the effect of natural sunlight hitting your face.
Avoid cool-toned pinks or frosty finishes—they can look chalky or clash with your natural warmth.
When asked about the kind of formulation one should choose, Shradha says, “Cream blushes with a peachy base are your best friend for that natural, sun-touched flush.”
Benefit Cosmetics Plushtint Moisturizing Matte Lip Tint - 08 Cloud Fine Cinnamon Peach
Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush - Peachy Keen
Innisfree Fruity Squeeze Tint - Coral
Eyeshadow is where undertones can really elevate your look, especially if you’re experimenting with colour. Warm undertones pair beautifully with earthy shades like bronze, copper and gold. Cooler tones such as silver or icy blue may create a sharper contrast instead of looking seamless. By choosing colours in the same family as your undertone, make your eyes pop without creating a harsh contrast. Pro tip: Layering matte warm browns with gold metallics can add dimension without overpowering your natural tone.
Silvers, icy blues and lavender tones can create a stark contrast with warm undertones, sometimes leaving eyes looking tired or washed out.
Maybelline New York City Mini Eyeshadow Palette - 52 Rooftop Bronze
M.A.C Connect In Colour X6 Eye Shadow Palette - Bronze Influence
Stila Cosmetics Shimmer And Glow Eye Shadow – Kitten
Nails might seem like a small detail, but they can make a big difference in tying a look together. For warm undertones, polishes in vibrant corals, orange-reds and bronzy metallics echo the natural warmth in your skin and offer a polished finish. Even neutrals lean warmer here, with sandy, caramel tones looking more flattering than cool or icy shades.
When asked whether nail polish really makes a difference with undertones, Shradha explains, “Nail polish is more forgiving. But undertones do subtly affect how ‘clean’ or ‘clashy’ a colour looks. Warm undertones glow with corals, warm reds and golden beiges”. She further adds, “Cool toned shades like icy lilac or blue may pop more, but if you like them—wear them! It’s less about rules, more about balance”.
Gush Beauty Nailed It Reusable Luxury Press On Nails - Candy Apple Red - Medium Almond
Foundation is where undertone awareness makes the most impact. Because it covers the largest area of your face, even a slight mismatch can throw off your whole look, making your skin appear dull, ashy or unnaturally orange. Choosing a formula with undertones that mirror your own is the easiest way to create a smoother base.
“Don’t go for foundation that’s too golden or too orange. Just because your undertone is warm doesn’t mean your base should be yellow. Foundations that lean too warm can make your skin look dull or flat. Always balance warmth with a hint of neutral—it keeps your base fresh, not muddy or overly tan”, Shradha shares. She further adds, “Test the foundation around your jawline in daylight. If it disappears seamlessly, that’s your match”.
Kylie Cosmetics Power Plush Longwear Foundation - 3W Warm
Bobbi Brown Skin Long Wear SPF 15 Weightless Foundation - Warm Beige (W-046)
Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation SPF 22 - 128 Warm Nude
Lipstick is often the quickest way to transform your look, but the wrong undertone can make even the prettiest shade feel off. Warm undertones look best in lip colours that reflect their natural depth, like shades that echo the golden, peachy or earthy hues already in the skin. Picking a lip colour with your undertone in mind makes lipstick feel less like trial and error and more like a guaranteed win.
Blue-based reds, icy mauves or cool pinks, which can create contrast that pulls focus from your natural warmth.
For the gloss lovers, Shradha suggests, “Glossy finishes tend to enhance the natural warmth—they bring out the golden glow in your complexion”. But if you love matte, here’s what she says, “Matte lipsticks, especially if they’re too cool or flat, can sometimes make the skin look drier or sallow. If you love matte, choose creamy matte formulas in peach-nude, brick or warm cinnamon tones , they keep your warmth intact while still looking sophisticated”.
FENTY BEAUTY Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick - The Mvp
M.A.C MACximal Matte Lipstick - Russian Red
Muzigae Mansion Objet Liquid - 011 Poise
Blush has the power to pull your entire makeup look together in seconds, but it’s also one of the easiest products to overdo or misjudge. For warm undertones, shades that mimic a natural flush, like peaches, corals and bronzy tones, tend to look the most flattering. The right colour will brighten your skin tone and bring balance without ever looking streaky or out of place. Pro tip: Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend slightly upwards towards your temples. This mimics the effect of natural sunlight hitting your face.
Avoid cool-toned pinks or frosty finishes—they can look chalky or clash with your natural warmth.
When asked about the kind of formulation one should choose, Shradha says, “Cream blushes with a peachy base are your best friend for that natural, sun-touched flush.”
Benefit Cosmetics Plushtint Moisturizing Matte Lip Tint - 08 Cloud Fine Cinnamon Peach
Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush - Peachy Keen
Innisfree Fruity Squeeze Tint - Coral
Eyeshadow is where undertones can really elevate your look, especially if you’re experimenting with colour. Warm undertones pair beautifully with earthy shades like bronze, copper and gold. Cooler tones such as silver or icy blue may create a sharper contrast instead of looking seamless. By choosing colours in the same family as your undertone, make your eyes pop without creating a harsh contrast. Pro tip: Layering matte warm browns with gold metallics can add dimension without overpowering your natural tone.
Silvers, icy blues and lavender tones can create a stark contrast with warm undertones, sometimes leaving eyes looking tired or washed out.
Maybelline New York City Mini Eyeshadow Palette - 52 Rooftop Bronze
M.A.C Connect In Colour X6 Eye Shadow Palette - Bronze Influence
Stila Cosmetics Shimmer And Glow Eye Shadow – Kitten
Nails might seem like a small detail, but they can make a big difference in tying a look together. For warm undertones, polishes in vibrant corals, orange-reds and bronzy metallics echo the natural warmth in your skin and offer a polished finish. Even neutrals lean warmer here, with sandy, caramel tones looking more flattering than cool or icy shades.
When asked whether nail polish really makes a difference with undertones, Shradha explains, “Nail polish is more forgiving. But undertones do subtly affect how ‘clean’ or ‘clashy’ a colour looks. Warm undertones glow with corals, warm reds and golden beiges”. She further adds, “Cool toned shades like icy lilac or blue may pop more, but if you like them—wear them! It’s less about rules, more about balance”.
Gush Beauty Nailed It Reusable Luxury Press On Nails - Candy Apple Red - Medium Almond
