You're wearing the wrong colours! Here's how to choose the perfect outfit for your skin tone

Red and green should never be seen – or so they say. Whoever came up with that sage (pardon the pun) piece of sartorial advice obviously hadn’t seen mint with burgundy or the palest eau de nil with a bold, true red. One can transform the other, and even make you fall in love with colours you didn’t think were very ‘you’.

We’re asked from the earliest age what our favourite colour is, but many of us don’t give much thought to what our favourite colours are and why we love to see certain shades together.

Colour expert Momtaz Begum-Hossain (@momtzbh) agrees: “Colours are powerful on their own, but when you place them next to another colour they take on whole new properties. The colour can suddenly appear more vibrant, feel more toned down, or even warmer or cooler depending on what it's paired with. I like to think of it as one colour can make another colour sing, but in colour theory it’s known as ‘simultaneous contrast’; the colour is still the same as it was before, it just feels or looks different. That’s why pairing the right colours together in an outfit for example can transform it, from how it looks to how you feel when you wear it.”

Recently, having our ‘colours done’ has been back in fashion, deciding on the palette that best suits our skin, eye and hair colour combination, but what we wear or how we choose to do our make-up might be different to the shades we like to see in the rooms of our house, for example. Let’s explore how being intentional about our colour choices in every area of our lives can be a mindful, considered and immersive experience that improves our confidence, mood and is a lot of fun into the bargain.

Fashion forward

Momtaz suggests the following three tricks to discover your favourite colour combinations when it comes to getting dressed: 

Use a colour wheel

“Owning a colour wheel and looking at it for reference is the simplest way to choose which colours to wear together,’ says Momtaz. You can pick up pocket-sized colour wheels at art and craft shops or Amazon.

“Opposite colours on the colour wheel are complementary and these colours naturally look good together. They include orange and blue. But it’s not just opposite ends of the spectrum that work. There are different ways to use colour wheels. The colours that sit beside each other are great together because they harmonise. Or try a triadic trio. These are three colours evenly spaced out on a colour wheel like the primaries of red, yellow and blue. These colours create the perfect balance.”

Go monochromatic

“I love this as it’s a fun way to try different colours,” says Momtaz. “It looks like you’ve made lots of effort and it looks really good but really it’s a simple trick that’s ideal if you feel a little nervous as it will build your colour confidence. Take one colour and wear different shades in one outfit. Though you’re wearing one hue, all the different shades and tones are colours in their own right. A great colour to start with is one that you feel comfortable in and is easy to find in different colours like blue. So, you might wear dark denim blue jeans, a baby blue blouse and a royal blue jacket or for green, a khaki skirt, a mint green top and an aqua green cardigan.”

Look at palettes in nature

“Colour palettes are all around us and they provide inspiration without us having to think about colours that go together,” says Momtaz. “My go-to colour palette that always makes me feel happy is peacock colours. I love teaming greens, blues and purples together. Try wearing other natural colour palettes as a way to pair different colours, like blossom trees – teaming pink, white and green or the warm shades of sunset like red, yellow and orange. Choose an aspect of nature you love and you will feel so good wearing it!”

Now, how much of each colour to wear is another aspect to consider. The 60-30-10 rule is a design principle, particularly in interior design and colour theory, that suggests using a dominant colour for 60 per cent of a space or outfit, a secondary colour for 30 per cent, and an accent colour for 10 per cent, creating a balanced and cohesive look. So, you might wear a lilac maxi dress with an orange cardigan and a vibrant, lime yellow bag as your accent accessory for example.

Make-up to turn heads

Now, what about make-up, where the palettes are a little more restricted to complement our skin? Pro make-up artist, Sarah-Jane Froom (@sarahjanefroom), says, “One of the questions I get asked all the time is, ‘How do I know what colours suit me best?’ Honestly, finding your perfect make-up colour palette is not about following trends and what’s on the runway! It’s about what is going to suit you. First find out your skin tone and your undertone. If you are unsure of this then pop to your nearest Boots or department store for a shade match. bareMinerals are really good at this. As well as your undertone we need to take into consideration your features, and what makes you feel comfortable.”

“Let’s start with your undertone,” continues Sarah-Jane. “Are you warm, cool, or neutral? That’s your foundation (literally!) for finding flattering shades. Warm undertones, golden, peachy, and yellow-based shades will bring out that natural warmth and radiance in your skin. Cool undertones look amazing in pinks, blues, and rosy reds as they add freshness and vibrancy. A lot of people with a cool undertone are afraid to go for more pink or red but they work well. Neutrals have the best of both worlds as they can wear a real mix of tones.”

So what about when it comes to adding colour in a pop of eyeshadow or lipstick? “Every skin tone can take colour, it’s just about choosing the right ones to suit you and not wash you out or drag the complexion down,” says Sarah-Jane. Here are her tips:

Fair skin

“Fair skin looks fab in soft, cool shades like peachy blushes, pale pinks, soft taupe’s, with maybe a hint of soft champagne highlighter to give that fresh and lit-from-within glow.”

Medium skin

“Medium skin loves warm corals, and berries to bring brightness and warmth. For the eyes, bronzes, golds and copper tones are stunning.”

Olive skin

“Olive undertones are complemented beautifully by deep browns and bronzes. However, with the depth of skin I also love to use pastel purples or greens paired with a soft lip in pink or a peachy nude.”

Dark skin

“This is where rich colours like deep purples, cherry reds, and vibrant oranges look stunning. I love to use these tones with a touch of shimmer or metallic as it makes the colour pop and stand out.”

“Make-up really should be personal, playful, and empowering,” says Sarah-Jane. “If we make a mistake it doesn’t matter! It comes off. Whether you’re someone who sticks to your favourites or love to try new trends, there’s always a way to refresh your look with a colour you haven’t considered before, there’s something for everyone.”

Rainbow room

When it comes to our interiors, we might be inclined to be a bit bolder with colour, without the constraints of wondering if something suits us. For some, it might be that a more muted, sophisticated and calm colour palette is what they prefer at home.

Interiors expert Joanna Thornhill @joannathornhillstylist) has some excellent advice: “Before you get into the weeds of choosing your interior colours, think about how you want your room to feel when it’s finished: if you’re after a calm and restful vibe, then a gentle mix of blues and greens would work perfectly – but if you want it to feel lively or energising, choosing an accent tone which maybe feels a little ‘off’ (say, a flash of vibrant orange) might be a better way to go.”

“When people refer to finding colours that ‘go’, often what they actually mean is colours which sit sympathetically together and don’t shout out,” says Joanna. “Usually, this means tonal or harmonious pairings (which use just one or two tints, tones and shades of the same key colour), such as a combination of duck egg blue with forest green. Using complementary colours is a great way to bring in a little more interest and personality into your scheme.

“Complementary pairings by their nature always work well together and offer more contrast (and therefore interest) than tonal or harmonious pairings, making them a great choice for social spaces or a home office. You can then build up the contrast by choosing two stronger colours – say, terracotta and aquamarine – or dial down the intensity with pale apricot and sky blue tones instead.”

Using complementary colours is a great way to bring in a little more interest and personality into your scheme

Sounds dreamy doesn’t it? Joanna has more inspiring ideas for colour combinations in the home: “I personally love to decorate with a broad mix of different colours, but my choices are usually slightly knocked-back, muddy tones which contain a little black pigment, which makes them more rich and earthy than very bright or light tints and tones. For example, right now I’m loving rich mustard with peachy sunset hues, for a bit of a sun-bleached look, and I’m also really into the deep red and burgundy colours which are cropping up everywhere right now – they look so good teamed with browns and plums for a moody look, or lightened with putty pinks and beiges.”

And when it comes to red and green in a home setting? “These can actually be brilliant bedfellows – they’re complementary to one another on the colour wheel after all. The key is in striking the right balance, such as offsetting a vibrant red with a pale sage green, or using diluted versions of both, like a pairing of maroon and olive.”

Try something new

Sometimes it’s the shades you least expect that end up becoming your favourites. If you want to elevate your routine, then why not try these:

• Peach (not just pink!)


Peach tones are so flattering and often overlooked in favour of classic pinks. I use peach blushes and shadows across all skin tones for that healthy, glowing lit from within look. BareMinerals and Charlotte Tilbury have some stunning peach-toned blushes that work on everyone.

• Charcoal Grey


A chic alternative to black. It’s soft, wearable, and perfect for a smoky eye that isn’t too intense. I love layering this shade with metallics for evening looks, try Hourglass or Maybelline as they both do fantastic greys.

• Deep Berry


A glam go-to for lips. Whether you go sheer or bold, a deep berry brings richness and elegance. It’s particularly beautiful in autumn and winter. NARS and Lisa Eldridge have amazing berry toned lipsticks and lip liners.

• Mustard Yellow


Mustard is brilliant for warming up eye looks in a fun and unexpected way. I love pairing it with bronzy tones or just popping it in the inner corner. Suqqu and Huda Beauty offer some wearable versions for experimenting. They are fab when it comes to playful colour.

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Embrace slower fashion

Once you’ve discovered which colours suit you best, it’s time to revamp your wardrobe! And since we all want to protect our wonderful planet, learn how to break your fast fashion habit and give your clothes a longer life.