Warm undertone colors are shades with a golden, peachy, or earthy base: camel, cream, coral, terracotta, olive, and mustard. They share the yellow cast in warm skin, so your complexion looks even and bright. Cooler shades like icy pastels or stark white can make the same skin look sallow.
Not sure you're warm yet? Take the free undertone test first. It takes about 30 seconds, and the palette below assumes a warm result.
Best neutral colors for a warm undertone
Use these for your wardrobe basics: trousers, coats, knitwear, and bags.
Everyday neutrals for warm undertones
Ivory
#F6EFDF
Use instead of stark white
Cream
#EFE3C8
A soft light neutral for tops and knits
Camel
#C19A6B
The classic warm coat color
Warm Beige
#D8C3A5
An easy everyday neutral
Chocolate Brown
#5C3A21
A warmer alternative to black
Olive
#6B6B3A
An earthy neutral that works like khaki
The quickest upgrade for warm skin is swapping your black and white basics. Ivory instead of stark white and chocolate instead of black make an outfit look warmer straight away.
Best accent colors for a warm undertone
These shades bring the most life to warm skin, especially when worn near the face.
Accent colors for warm undertones
Coral
#F27D63
A warm pink-orange that lifts the face
Terracotta
#C46A47
An earthy red-orange
Rust
#A8502A
Deep and rich for autumn
Mustard
#D4A52C
A golden yellow that suits warm skin
Peach
#F6B38E
A soft warm pastel
Tomato Red
#D9412B
The warm version of a classic red
Moss Green
#7A8450
A muted earthy green
Warm Teal
#2F7F78
A green-leaning teal for contrast
When you want a cool-looking color, pick its warm version: teal with a green lean instead of icy blue, coral pink instead of fuchsia, and warm red instead of blue-based cherry.
Colors that can wash out a warm undertone
| Instead of | Try | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stark white | Ivory, cream | Bright white can make warm skin look yellow |
| Pure black near the face | Chocolate, espresso | Black can look harsh and draining |
| Icy pastels (baby blue, mint) | Sky blue, sage | Icy shades fight the golden cast |
| Fuchsia and magenta | Coral pink, salmon | Blue-based pinks clash with warm skin |
| Silver gray | Warm taupe, stone | Cool grays make the face look dull |
For the full list, see colors to avoid with a warm undertone.
Makeup colors for a warm undertone
- Lipstick: coral, brick red, terracotta, warm nude, and orange-red. See the lipstick guide for specific shades.
- Blush: peach, apricot, and warm coral.
- Foundation: look for shades labeled W (warm), golden, or yellow. The foundation matching guide explains how to test them.
Easy color combinations
- Camel + cream + gold jewelry
- Olive + rust
- Chocolate brown + coral
- Ivory + terracotta
- Denim + mustard
For full outfits built on this palette, see the warm undertone outfits guide.
Next steps
Read the complete warm undertone guide for signs, jewelry, and common mistakes. If you're not sure you're warm, compare this palette with the cool undertone colors and the neutral undertone colors. For a color season, warm undertones usually start with Bright Spring or Soft Autumn.