Red- it’s the color of love, passion, and power, and’s even been said to increase one’s heart rate. No wonder why it’s so often associated with Valentine’s Day! No other shade represents romance in such an explicit way. But if you don’t feel like you could pull off red, or if you aren’t involved in a romantic relationship this February 14th, never fear. We’ve found a shade of red for every skin tone out there, and you don’t need to be dating anyone to try them out! This year, your valentine can be your confidence. Here’s what shade of red you should wear this Valentine’s Day based on your skin tone.
If your skin is on the fairer side, going for a bold red might sound a little intimidating, especially if you’re used to wearing cooler shades like blues and purples. But when done right, a true, fire-engine red (one that has more of an orange tint to it) can look stunning! It may seem counter-intuitive to go after a shade that’s so opposite of one’s color scheme, but in this case, it couldn’t be smarter. The warmness of this kind of red (the same shade you’d find at a farmer’s market at the tomato stand) contrasts the blue or ashen nature of cool fair skin, making the complexion appear peachy and healthy. Take some notes from fashion daredevil Elle Fanning. She doesn’t let her ethereal features stop her from trying on a bold shade of red! Test the waters with a lip or nail color, and if you fall in love with the shade, get it in a sweater or dress.
Redheads and those with fair, warm skin (the kind that’s very pale but can freckle or tan easily) can pull off a similar shade to their cool fair-skinned friends, but they look best in a shade with much more of a salmon tint to complement their skin tone. This is because salmon is a perfect blend of pink and orange. The pink helps to counteract any sallowness in the skin, and the orange will flatter the warmth that’s already there. Pro tip: this shade works best for those with lighter hair (such as blonde, strawberry blonde, or light red) along with warm, fair skin. If you have a higher skin- hair contrast (such as pale skin, dark red hair, and brown eyes), you may want to try out a deeper shade.
Those who are blessed with slightly darker, cool-toned skin look lovely in more wine-colored shades, as the pigment in the color won’t be too overbearing for their complexions. The bluish tint in burgundy will keep the red from drowning out any gorgeous tan hints in the cool medium tone, whereas the red tint provides a nice contrast to the blue, drawing attention to the contrast points in the wearer (such as the eyes and teeth). Now, Gina Rodrigues (pictured below) is an exception from the “stick to more bluish shades of red” rule even though her skin tone is closer to medium cool, as her skin tone’s versatility have made her able to rock a chili pepper red just as well as burgundy. So you may be just as fortunate! Try out different shades but if all else fails, stick with burgundy.
Whosoever possesses a medium skin tone with more golden/yellow undertones has a little more wiggle room when it comes to the red game. While those with this skin tone could rock a true red or wine-red shade, they look best in a red that’s much cooler than it is warm. A raspberry shade with a hint of magenta may be exactly what the medium-warm gal needs to feel her best this Valentine’s Day. The purples and blues in this shade bring rosy color to complexions that can often be overwhelmed by warmth (and therefore can look sallow). Plus, the stark contrast of the cool raspberry color to the golden skin, eyes, and hair of the wearer will create a beautiful unity of opposites that is guaranteed to turn heads.
If your skin resembles that of the lovely 12 Years A Slave actress Lupita N’yongo, then dressing in crimson red will make you stand out in a crowd of thousands! Not only does your God-given chocolate skin look beautiful in nearly anything, but the striking orange tints in a classic crimson (think of holly berries and you’ve got your ideal shade) will contrast your cool undertones and bring a fiery element that could never be achieved by a cooler shade of red. As you may have noticed with the other skin tones, going for a color that’s the opposite of your natural tone will only bring your look to life and make you look healthy. This may not be true of all shades- but red is one of those colors that looks best when its tint directly opposes the wearer’s undertones. Therefore, cool, dark undertones like Miss N’yongo’s look wonderful in a bright, warm shade like crimson.
Got striking features like Rosario Dawson? Looking for a shade of red that flatters your dark golden skin and adds vivacity to your wardrobe? Go for a candy apple red, which resembles the crimson shade mentioned earlier but has less red and more pink, bringing vibrancy to the lips and eyes. You with darker warm skin (as light as Rosario’s or as deep as a warm chestnut brown) are lucky: not a lot of people can pull off this shade! Your darker features and bronze skin make you the ideal model for a sweet candy apple red.
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