Neutral Shades that Complement Caramel Skin Tones

Eva Longoria and Aishwarya Rai show off stunning neutral looks at the 63rd annual Cannes Film Festival.

Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

It's time to step into stylish neutral territory. Soft and creamy or sharp and crisp, neutral shades are a major must in every wardrobe -- so get on that shopping spree, mademoiselle! If you're a caramel-skinned beauty with a light-golden-brown complexion, your fashion mission is to work the neutral shades that set off your natural glow.

Grays and Blues

Go-to neutrals gray and blue provide a sleek, sexy contrast against the gold in your complexion and will make your skin positively shimmer. A girl's gotta have options, so stock up your wardrobe with a range of stylish gray tones -- from snowy light gray to true storm gray to deep charcoal. Or try tres-chic twists on the classic such as blue-charcoal and gray-green. And yes, navy is a neutral -- and an incredibly flattering one for you, so get yourself that navy blazer, ASAP. Add some smoke to your stare with a smudgy layer of granite or navy blue eye shadow.

Black and White

Pure black and white are the ultimate in neutral shades -- and you, lucky lady, have the complexion to pull off both. A fresh white shade amplifies the gold in your skin for a goddess-worthy glow, while an inky black makes your caramel skin look creamy and flawless. The trick to working these extreme neutrals without the look going flat is to play around with sensual textures and cool light-reflecting effects. For example, rock that white frock in a floating chiffon or a nearly sheer linen. Slip into a black dress with a hit of shimmer or with a sexy metallic finish.

Browns and Peaches

You can't go wrong with a stylish pick from the brown and peach color families. They're oh-so-pretty and on-trend, and go gorgeously with your caramel complexion. Colors such as coffee, toffee and maple have the same yellow and brown undertones as your skin, so they'll naturally enhance and perfect your complexion. Peachy hues such as terracotta, apricot and light coral make your skin look lusciously luminous. And remember, you were more or less born to wear bronze, which can definitely go neutral when done in a matte fabric. Work these illuminating shades into your makeup routine with chocolate eye shadow, cinnamon-gold lip gloss, bronzer and golden-coral blush.

Off-Whites

Beige is always a beautiful bet for caramel-skinned cuties. The color has similar undertones to your skin -- but since it's lighter, it reflects more light, giving you a flawless radiance. No way does beige equal boring. Try it in a body-hugging silhouette or sheer layers, or pair it with punchy accessories for a totally modern take. Beige is by no means your only off-white option, either. Just stick with yellow-based off-whites such as cream or buttermilk. These will flatter the golden undertones in your skin. Get a glowing makeup look with creamy, peachy-taupe lip gloss and shimmering, dark golden-beige eye shadow.

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References

 

"Beauty Rules"; Bobbi Brown; 2010 "Reinvent Yourself With Color Me Beautiful: Four Seasons of Color, Makeup and Style"; JoAnne Richmond; 2008 "Daily Mail"; Speed Read: How to Wear Nude, This Season's Hottest Trend; Alison Tyler; March 2010
"Vogue": Nude Study: Eight Alternatives to This Season's Rainbow Brights

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