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Best colors for dark skin

The best colors for dark skin are often rich, deep shades like emerald, cobalt, burgundy and deep true red, because they match its natural depth.

What colors look good on dark skin?

  • Emerald
  • Cobalt
  • Burgundy
  • Deep True Red
  • Mustard
  • Bright Magenta
  • Copper
  • Sapphire
  • Peacock
  • Plum

Colors to avoid with dark skin

  • Pale Stone#E6E4DF
  • Pale Mushroom#CCC6C0
  • Pale Khaki#D5CEB5
  • Dusty Powder Blue#C1D0DB

Color analysis for dark skin: the seasons it often points to

Pale, muted colors can turn grayish against your skin, so those are the ones to leave alone. Top picks include emerald, cobalt, burgundy, deep true red, mustard, bright magenta, copper, sapphire, peacock and plum. Seasons that often suit dark skin are Deep Winter, Bright Winter, Deep Autumn and Warm Autumn. Colors to skip are pale stone, pale mushroom, pale khaki and dusty powder blue.

How does color work on dark skin?

Dark skin carries a lot of depth naturally, which means it can take bold, saturated color without being overpowered. Jewel tones such as sapphire, plum and burgundy blend with your complexion nicely and pull focus to your eyes.

Contrast means how much lighter or darker your clothes are compared with your skin. Deep and bright shades create a strong contrast, while pale ones create a weak one. Emerald and peacock are easy first picks, since both look lively beside deep complexions.

Warm and cool undertones

Depth of skin on its own won't tell you your season. Your undertone counts as well: the warm golden or cool blue hint sitting just beneath the surface.

Golden or bronze-looking skin usually points to Deep Autumn or Warm Autumn. Warm, earthy shades such as mustard and copper tend to warm up your face.

If your skin leans cool and bluish, you're more likely a Deep Winter or Bright Winter. Sharp shades like cobalt and bright magenta usually look crisp on you. Orange can leave you looking drained.

Shades that drain you

Pale stone and pale mushroom carry plenty of gray. On dark skin, that can turn chalky and steal the warmth from your face.

Khaki in its pale form and dusty powder blue are both soft and low in pigment. Beside a rich complexion they fall flat, and they can bring out the shadows under your eyes.

Keeping your best colors close to the face

You don't have to replace your whole closet. What sits nearest your chin and cheeks counts for the most, since that color reflects onto your skin.

  1. In daylight, hold a deep true red top beneath your chin and check how your face looks.
  2. Pick 1 or 2 rich colors, plum or copper for example, for the shirts and jackets you wear day to day.
  3. If your closet is full of pale tops, add a bright magenta or peacock scarf near your face so the color your skin loves sits closest to it.
  4. Swap a pale gloss for burgundy lipstick.

Finding your exact season

Along with skin depth, your eye color and hair shade play a part. Two people whose skin tone matches may still need different palettes when one runs warm and the other cool.

Our home quiz asks about gold versus silver, whether your features are light, medium or deep, and whether bright or soft colors suit your face better: 3 questions in all, one per screen. It then picks 1 of the 12 seasons for you and connects you to that season's palette. No photo, no account, no email, and your answers never leave your browser. Think of a quiz as a first step; checking colors in a mirror under daylight or a draping session in person can confirm the result.

Questions people ask

Are pastels an option for dark skin?

Soft, dusty pastels tend to look flat beside dark skin, so if you want something light, choose a clear, crisp one and wear it with one of your deeper colors.

Does black work as a neutral on dark skin?

Black works well for Deep Winter and Bright Winter, since it fits their cool, high contrast style. It can look harsh on Warm Autumn, where dark chocolate brown may be gentler.

Which jewelry metals suit dark skin?

Yellow gold and bronze flatter warm undertones, since they echo that golden warmth. Silver and white gold come across as crisp and clean on cool undertones.

Is white wearable on dark skin?

Yes, cool seasons can wear pure bright white, and warm seasons are better in cream or warm ivory.

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