But there are palettes out there that can do wonders for your looks, according to New York City makeup artist Emily Kate Warren. “Once you find the right makeup shades, you’ll be amazed at how they wake up your entire face and make your skin glow,” she says.
To figure out which hues are most gorgeous on you, we developed three nature-inspired color categories that almost all women fall into: Sun, Ocean, and Earth.
Read the descriptive statements for each group on the following pages to see which you belong to, then check out the corresponding tips to discover a beautiful new look. Yes, it’s that easy.
Are you a sun?
You’ll look great in these warm, sunny shades if …
Your perfect makeup look
A wash of sunset-inspired shades on your eyes complements your skin’s warm undertones, according to Warren. Start by applying a copper shadow all over your lids, then blend a golden beige shade above it to the brows. Apply a dark peach blush along your cheekbones to bring out your skin’s golden hue, then slick on a sheer, brown lip gloss. (It’s more flattering to your skin than cool pinks or berries.)
Are you an ocean?
You’ll look great in these cool, sea-inspired shades if …
Your perfect makeup look
Cool lavender eyeliner and a soft blue shadow make your eyes pop. Trace your lower lash lines with lavender liner, then dust a soft blue shadow over your lids. (For a night out, top your liner with a matching shadow.) Blend a pink blush over the apples of your cheeks, and finish with a pink gloss that has a hint of lilac. “It complements your skin’s cool undertones,” says Warren.
Are you an earth?
You’ll look great in these muted, neutral shades if …
“With your coloring, which has both warm and cool undertones, a sage green smoky eye looks amazing,” notes Warren. Apply the color to your lids, then use it to line your lower lash lines. Next, darken the creases of your eyes with a brownish-mauve shadow. Blend an apricot cream blush along your cheekbones. (The shade is a mix of cool pink and a warm peach—beautiful on you.) Finish with a subtle, rosy-beige lip gloss.