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Best colors for tan skin

The best colors for tan skin are rich, lively shades like terracotta, teal, coral and emerald.

What colors look good on tan skin?

  • Cream
  • Coral
  • Terracotta
  • Gold
  • Rust
  • Olive
  • Turquoise
  • Teal
  • Emerald
  • Burgundy

Colors to avoid with tan skin

  • Lilac#BFA0D3
  • Light Amethyst#9E7EC2
  • Pale Turquoise#ADE8E3
  • Dove Grey#B4B7BD

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

Colors with this kind of depth and warmth echo what your skin already has.

How does tan skin handle color?

Tan skin carries real depth, so your complexion reads as fairly dark in daylight. Depth calls for strong color to keep things in balance, and saturated shades will look clear and lively rather than overwhelming.

Earthy, warm tones such as rust, olive and terracotta sit beautifully against a golden complexion. Brighter options like coral and turquoise give your cheeks a healthy glow.

Contrast plays a part too. It's simply how much lighter or darker your hair and eyes are compared to your skin. Dark hair plus dark eyes pair well with bold shades like burgundy and emerald, which match that strong look. If your hair or eyes are lighter, cream and gold will keep an outfit from feeling too heavy.

Why does undertone change the advice?

Tan skin on its own won't tell you your season. You also have an undertone, that steady warm or cool cast sitting just beneath your skin. Warm Autumn, Deep Autumn, Warm Spring and Deep Winter are the seasons that tan complexions most often fall into.

If your cast is golden or peachy, the warm seasons are yours, and terracotta, gold and coral will look fresh on you. An olive or cool brown cast leans toward Deep Winter, or toward the cooler side of Deep Autumn. Teal and emerald, both jewel tones, suit those looks wonderfully.

What to pass up when you shop

Icy pastels can wash the warmth right out of tan skin. Lilac and light amethyst carry a lot of white, which is why they can turn chalky and sometimes leave your face looking gray.

Pale turquoise doesn't have the depth of true turquoise, so it can leave your complexion looking flat. Dove grey tends to highlight the shadows under your eyes. Already own some of these? You can keep them away from your face by wearing them as pants or skirts.

Making your best colors an everyday habit

The color closest to your chin matters most, so there's no need to replace your whole closet. Put your strongest shades near your face first, and always check them in natural light.

  • Try cream tops or scarves in place of stark white shirts for a softer effect.
  • Stand by a window holding terracotta or rust beside emerald or burgundy, and see which family lights up your face.
  • A coral or burgundy lipstick pulls those same shades onto your face.

To pin down your exact season, the home page has a three-question quiz covering gold versus silver, light versus deep features, and bright versus soft colors. You can confirm what you find with a mirror check in daylight, or by having a draping done in person.

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Questions people ask

Is white or black a good pick for tan skin?

Stark white can look harsh, so a cream top is the gentler pick. Deep Winter and Deep Autumn can carry pure black beautifully. For Warm Spring and Warm Autumn, dark brown or olive usually works better.

Which jewelry metals suit tan skin?

Yellow gold and bronze suit most tan complexions, since they pick up on your natural warmth. If your undertone is cool and you're a Deep Winter, silver will look clean and bright.

Will a deeper summer tan change my season?

Sun may darken your skin, but your undertone doesn't move, and neither does your season. When your tan is at its deepest, just reach for teal and burgundy, two shades with real depth.

Which makeup shades suit tan skin?

Warm tan skin comes alive with coral or terracotta blush and a brick-toned lip. On Deep Winter complexions, try a burgundy lipstick with plum blush in a cool tone.

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