Embracing Cool Tones: A Makeup Guide for Redheads

Are you looking to enhance the vibrancy of your red hair and eyes? Redheads are typically advised to use a warm color palette in clothing and makeup, creating a harmonious appearance. However, there are other options available. Cool tones can provide a striking contrast, making red hair appear more vibrant and accentuating the brightness of the eyes. Cool-toned makeup is also an excellent choice for redheads or those with red hair who have cooler undertones.

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Know your cool tones:

When you hear “cool tones,” you might think of colors like blue, gray, green, and purple. While these colors are in the cool palette, they aren’t the only ones. Many colors can have a more cool undertone, even seemingly warm colors like red, pink, and brown. A cool-toned color has more blue, purple, or gray undertones than a warm one, with more orange, red, or yellow undertones.

To determine your undertone, consider your skin’s natural hue. A straightforward method is the wrist test: look at the veins on your wrist under natural light. If your veins appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones. If they look green or olive, you probably have warm undertones. Another approach is to consider how your skin reacts to sun exposure—those with cool undertones often burn easily, while those with warm undertones tend to tan. Additionally, you can experiment with clothing or jewelry; silver usually complements cool undertones better, while gold tends to enhance warm undertones.

Do cool tones flatter redheads?

Some people believe that because our hair is warm, our complexion must be warm, too. This isn’t always the case. Redheads can have warm, neutral, or cool undertones. That being said, red hair inherently adds some warmth, no matter the individual’s undertones, so you want to be selective about how cool you go to keep things balanced.

How to rock a cool-toned look

We always suggest that you opt for a foundation that matches your complexion and brows that match your hair, but from there, you can build a look in any tone you want! Here are a few ways to rock a cool-toned makeup look as a redhead.

Eyeshadow—Cool-toned eyeshadow can help your eyes pop and be a nice contrast against red hair. It enhances your overall look while complementing your unique features and adding depth to your makeup. Pairing it with a neutral lip color can create a balanced appearance that draws attention to your eyes without overwhelming your vibrant hair.

- Neutrals – Morphe Cool-Toned Matte Essentials Artistry Palette
- Pink + Purple – AMY’S DIARY 12-Color Light Pink Purple Eyeshadow Palette
- Purple – Amethyst Shimmer Cream Single Eyeshadow Stick with Blending Brush
- Mauve – Julep Eyeshadow 101 Crème-to-Powder Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick
- Green – Cream Waterproof Hypoallergenic Eyeshadow Stick

Cream Waterproof Hypoallergenic Eyeshadow Stick: $10

Eyeliner—Adding just a bit of cool-toned liner can really help enhance the color of the eyes, creating a striking contrast that makes them appear brighter and more vibrant. This subtle touch can also define your lash line, giving your eyes a more polished and captivating look.

Cool Brown – Maybelline Tattoo Studio Automatic Gel Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner
Purple – Almay Eyeliner Pencil
Emerald – NYX Professional Mechanical Eye Pencil
Navy – Palladio Liquid Eyeliner
Silver – Julep When Pencil Met Gel Sharpenable Multi-Use Longwear Eyeliner Pencil

Julep When Pencil Met Gel: $12

Mascara—Wearing cool-toned mascaras will help define the eye and create a more dramatic look. They will draw attention to your lashes while complementing the overall color scheme of your makeup. This unexpected twist can elevate your eye makeup and make your eyes stand out even more.

Black – Finally Have Lashes® Black Hourglass Mascara
Blue – L’Oreal Paris Makeup Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara
Blue – Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara

Finally Have Lashes® - Perfectly Black: $10

Blush + Bronzer — Slightly cool-toned blushes and bronzers are an excellent choice for fair-skinned redheads, as they can help you avoid looking orange and won’t compete with freckles.