Choosing the right frame colour for your skin tone
When it comes to choosing new glasses, most people focus on selecting a shape and size that suits them. While it’s important to get these elements right, did you know that the colours you put against your skin can affect how it looks? Read on to learn how to choose the right frame colour for your skin tone.
Skin tones and undertones
Skin has surface tones and undertones. Surface tones are typically grouped into four categories: light, fair, medium and dark. Undertones describe faint hints of colour beneath your skin’s surface. If you have yellow or green tints you have a warm undertone, while pinks and blues create a cool undertone. If you’re unable to identify an underlying colour it’s likely you have neutral undertones.
Determining skin tone
There are several questions you can ask when looking to classify your skin tone and undertone:
- What colour are your veins? Take a look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they look green you have a warm undertone. If they look blue or purple, you have a cool undertone. If you can’t see a particular colour, you have a neutral tone.
- What happens to your skin in the sun? Warm and neutral skin tones usually tan and rarely burn. If you burn easily, you’re likely to have a cool tone.
- What colour are your eyes? Eyes with gold hues often denote warm skin tones, while those that are light blue or grey indicate cool tones. Some eye colours such as brown can be neutral, depending on the shade.
What are the best frame colours for your skin tone?
Once you’ve determined the tone and undertone of your skin, you can head to the glasses store to choose a pair of frames that will complement them. Those with light, fair or medium skin and warm undertones will find amber, tortoise shell, gold and olive green flattering. People with light, fair or medium skin and cool undertones should opt for blue, silver, purple or pink.
Those with dark skin can often wear bolder colours such as navy blue and black (cool undertones) or brown and dark green (warm undertones).
Selecting your glasses
In many high street stores, the colour choices are limited for each frame. However, selecting a frame from a high-end manufacturer gives you more flexibility to choose a colour that complements your skin tone. DITA glasses, for example, come in a range of colours meaning that you can pick a shape and style that you love, then tailor it to your skin. With shades ranging from Matte Black and Dark Tortoise to Amber Maple and Dusty Pink Swirl, there’s something to suit everyone.
Here at The Eye Establishment our experts will help you select the perfect glasses for your needs, style and skin tone. Browse our collection of frames from brands such as DITA, Garrett Leight, LGR and Mykita, and pop into our boutique optician for assistance or to book an eye exam.