How to match your fake tan to your skin's undertone for a natural-looking glow

Struggling to find a fake tan product that actually offers a natural-looking radiance, rather than a tinge of orange? Well, your skin's undertone can play a big part in that and according to the experts, there are a few ways to identify what it is.

Whether you're a lover of the best fake tans for mature skin or prefer the low maintenance of the best gradual tans, finding the right shade to complement your natural complexion is essential. After all, the whole point of the best instant tans and mists is to give the illusion of a natural, sunkissed glow, without the risks involved with sitting out in the sun. But this can be easily shattered if the hue you've applied doesn't quite match up to your natural undertone. It's the same premise as finding your perfect colour match amongst the best foundations except, you can't sample a tan like you can your favourite skin tints and concealers before buying it.

Thankfully though, the tanning pros have shared a few pointers for deducing your skin's natural undertone for fake tan - to ensure you achieve a believable bronze...

How to determine your skin's undertone for fake-tan

Whether you're relying on the best fake tans for pale skin to add a glow to your complexion before the summer strikes, or are looking to even out an existing tan, your skin's undertone is crucial for picking the perfect, flattering shade.

Undertone-wise, there are three types:

• Warm (golden or yellow)
• Cool (peachy, pink, red, or blueish)
• Neutral (a blend of both tones)

And, according to Melanie Brownlow, founder of St. Moriz, there are four easy ways to determine which category your skin falls into...

1. Throw on a white t-shirt

"Put on a white T-shirt in the daylight," says Brownlow and if your skin looks pinky or rosy by comparison, you're likely to be cool-toned.

Brownlow continues, adding that if it appears, "more yellow, you are warm toned or if off white is more flattering than stark bright white, you have a warm undertone. If either suits you, you are neutral."

2. Consult your go-to jewellery

If you don't have a white T-shirt to hand, your every day jewellery is also a good tell. Brownlow notes, "Gold jewellery tends to suit warmer undertones so much more than silver. Silver suits cooler undertones and if you can wear both you are likely to be neutral."

So, if you've always gravitated more to silver rings and necklaces, finding that they seem to compliment your skin more, your complexion is likely to be on the cooler side and so on.

3. Check your veins

While it makes us feel a little squeamish to say this, check your veins - as their colour is another indicator of your undertone.

"Look at your wrists and then at veins around your face and neck," Brownlow instructs, adding: "You have cool undertones if veins appear blue, warm undertones if veins appear green and neutral is a mix of both."

4. Have a good look in the mirror

Next up, is to take a good look at yourself in the mirror because your complexion, hair and eye colour can also provide some clues.

"Hair, eye and skin colouring can play a part too," Brownlow quips, "If you have a deeper skin tone and darker hair or eyes this often means you have a warm undertone. If you are fair and have light eyes, you are often a cool or neutral undertone."

Once you've determined your undertone, it takes some of the guessing out of self-tanner selection. If in doubt though, we'd suggest opting for a gradual, buildable tanner as they're a tad more forgiving or can be layered up if the initial shade isn't quite right.

Our team's go-to fake tan picks

If you're stuck on how to choose a fake tan formula, opt for one that has a guide colour or a gradual tan - which offers more subtle, buildable results. And in case you're looking for some suggestions, we've rounded up a few of our team's favourite formulas, spanning gradual tans to the best fake tans for your face.

Once you've found your perfect shade and have applied it, Brownlow also reminds us that aftercare is very important and says to, "ensure you top up and regularly hydrate your skin following your self-tan application. If you don’t, it can cause the tan to become patchy, and cling to dry areas."