Skin Tones Of Many Hues, Which Shade Are You?

From the palest porcelain to the deepest blue-brown, skin tones come with unique assets and liabilities. There are 4 distinct skin tone types that are based on how pigment responds to sunlight, and these complexions are generally classified on a color intensity scale as: Light (pale to porcelain), light brown (beige to tan), medium brown (honey to milk chocolate), and dark brown (cocoa to blue-black). Each group of tones has distinct features to consider in texture, makeup selection and sun protection. 

*Light ivory skin tones have a translucent texture with a minimal amount of pigment in the cells. Thus, they have very little of a natural SPF factor, so they need conscientious sun protection, to avoid freckling and possible skin cancer. On the positive side, they absorb more Vitamin D from sunlight, and heal with little or no scarring.

*Light brown skin tones are thicker and more elastic than the light tones, and contains more melanin in the cells. It is more even in color and clear in texture, and also ages more slowly in the natural state (without added sun damage) than the light tones, but it does need continuous protection from the sun. If scarring occurs due to injury or breakouts, they do fade to white over a period of time.

*Medium brown tones are rich in color, and tans easily. It ages even more slowly in the natural state, and has an even higher degree of resiliency.  It is slower to burn in sun exposure, and generally has a lower degree of risk for sun cancers than the lighter skin tones because of the higher degree of natural SPF from more melanin in the skin cells. One disadvantage is that scarring from acne, accidents, and incisions gradually fade to a lighter color than the skin tone.

*Deep brown tones have the most melanin in the cells of all the skin tones. It has the highest degree of natural SPF, and a smooth, firm texture. Deep browns are burnished in color, and tans deeply. It is difficult to gauge an injury to dark skins because any redness may not show up until it is severe. Also, these tones are highly prone to scarring that looks like a dark lesion, also known as keliods.

 Finding The Beauty Within

All of these groups have a special radiance all their own, and each is enhanced with a carefully chosen makeup palette. Knowing your skin tone's special features can help you define your look when selecting your foundation and color.

Light ivory skin tones enjoy a broad degree of color selection, but be careful of intensity when applying. Too strong an application can result in a hard looking appearance, so make sure any edges are blended well. Light brown tones look great in both clear and muted neutral colors to play up the radiance of this group, and lip colors can be a bit more dramatic. Blending well is most important to achieve an overall balance in the look, especially if you are using a stronger lip color. Medium brown tones wear drama in color quite well. Rich deep colors such as wine, plum, deep browns, and blue-gray are excellent contrasts for this skin tone, and can add a touch of the exotic in look. Deep browns can wear the most intense and vibrant of colors, especially the blue-red undertones. Metallic colors also play well on this skin tone.