Cool undertone colors are shades with a blue, pink, or clear base: navy, charcoal, pure white, jewel tones like sapphire and emerald, and icy pastels. They echo the pink or blue cast in cool skin, so your complexion looks clear and bright. Golden and earthy shades can make the same skin look tired or sallow.
Not sure you're cool yet? Take the free undertone test first. It takes about 30 seconds, and the palette below assumes a cool result.
Best neutral colors for a cool undertone
Use these for your wardrobe basics: trousers, coats, knitwear, and bags.
Everyday neutrals for cool undertones
Pure White
#FAFAFA
Crisp and clean on cool skin
Cool Gray
#8A8F98
A blue-leaning gray for knits and suits
Charcoal
#36393F
A softer alternative to black
Navy
#1F2A44
The most versatile cool neutral
True Black
#111111
Cool skin carries black well
Cool Taupe
#8C8285
A gray-brown to use instead of camel
Cool undertones carry high contrast well, so black and white together usually look sharp rather than harsh.
Best accent colors for a cool undertone
Jewel tones and blue-based shades bring the most life to cool skin, especially near the face.
Accent colors for cool undertones
Sapphire
#1F4E9C
A deep, clear blue
Emerald
#009B77
A jewel green with a blue lean
Ruby
#9B1B30
A blue-based deep red
Amethyst
#7B52AB
A clear purple that suits cool skin
Cherry Red
#C11B3C
The cool version of a classic red
Raspberry
#B3245C
A cool deep pink
Lavender
#B9A7D6
A soft cool pastel
Icy Blue
#CFE3F2
A pale blue that stays crisp
When you want a warm-looking color, pick its cool version: burgundy instead of rust, lemon instead of mustard, and emerald or pine instead of olive.
Colors that can wash out a cool undertone
| Instead of | Try | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cream and ivory | Pure white, soft white | Yellowish whites look dull on cool skin |
| Camel and tan | Cool taupe, stone gray | Golden neutrals make skin look sallow |
| Orange and rust | Cherry red, burgundy | Orange fights the pink cast |
| Mustard yellow | Lemon, icy yellow | Golden yellow looks muddy |
| Olive green | Emerald, pine green | Yellow-greens make the face look gray |
These rules matter most for colors worn near the face. Below the waist, or as a small accent, they relax.
Makeup colors for a cool undertone
- Lipstick: cherry, berry, raspberry, mauve, and pink nudes. See the lipstick guide for specific shades.
- Blush: soft pink, rose, and cool berry.
- Foundation: look for shades labeled C (cool), pink, or rosy. The foundation matching guide explains how to test them.
Easy color combinations
- Navy + pure white + silver jewelry
- Charcoal + raspberry
- Cool gray + lavender
- Black + emerald
- Denim + icy blue
For full outfits built on this palette, see the cool undertone clothing guide.
Next steps
Read the complete cool undertone guide for signs, jewelry, and common mistakes. If you're not sure you're cool, compare this palette with the warm undertone colors and the neutral undertone colors. For a color season, cool undertones usually start with Soft Summer or Deep Winter.