Colour Theory: What is it and How Does it Work?

Whether you love a bold, glam look, or something more natural for everyday, picking the right colour can be a total game changer to make you look amazing and feel super confident. And the key to getting your colour match right? A little thing called “colour theory”.

Colour theory, and understanding the impact of the colour wheel in makeup, is the best tool in your beauty bag as a makeup artist - professional or not. But, if you have no idea where to even start with colour, we’ve got you covered. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about colour theory to give you the foundation you need to build, experiment, and play with your makeup looks.

 

Understanding colour theory

To understand how colour theory works with makeup, we need to take a little step back for a moment and figure out what colour theory is more generally. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your whistle-stop tour through the theory of the colour wheel.

 

The colour wheel

You might be somewhat familiar with the colour wheel from art classes at school. If you are, consider this a little refresher. 

Basically, the colour wheel is a visual representation of the primary, secondary, and tertiary colours. It’s a way of looking at a colour spectrum in a way that makes it a lot easier to understand which colours will go well together, and which won’t (as you’ll see in a bit). 

The colours in the colour wheel can be split into several categories, all of which tell you a little about them, including how to make them, or how they look together.

 

Primary, secondary, and tertiary colours: this is a basic classification that covers where and how each colour on the wheel fits together.

• • The primary colours are red, yellow, and blue. These cannot be made using other colours, and are actually how you make the rest of the colours on the wheel.

  • Next up, secondary colours are made by mixing two primary colours together, so red + yellow = orange, yellow + blue = green, and blue + red = purple.

  • Lastly, tertiary colours are made when you mix a primary colour with one of its neighbouring secondary colours. For example, red + orange, yellow + green, or blue + purple.

 

Complementary, analogous, and monochromatic colours: colours can also be split into the following groups.

• • Complementary colours sit opposite each other on the colour wheel, and neutralise (or cancel out) each other. You’ll want to remember this when we get to how colour theory and makeup intersect.

  • Analogous colours are made from the same base colour, making them similar enough to easily coordinate together; this is useful for making a palette, as you know these colours will look great together.

  • Monochromatic colours have the same base colour, but have been made lighter or darker.

 

For a quick cheat guide to the colour wheel, check out our graphic below…

 

Colour theory in makeup

We’ve got the basics down of colour theory - but why does this matter for makeup?

Well, everyone’s skin is unique which will affect how makeup looks on your face. Consider the differences between you and your bestie - what works for them may not look quite right on your skin, because you probably have a different combination of skin tone and undertone. 

Colour theory in makeup is a way for you to enhance, cover, or contrast with your natural features to create your chosen look. It can help you know which powder is right to set and complement your makeup, find your best ever lip colour, and even help you pick the right foundation and concealer.

 

Corrective colour theory

The main area colour theory and makeup meet? Colour corrective makeup. 

Colour correcting is the principle of using colour theory to mask dark circles, hyperpigmentation, or redness in the face with your makeup. It can also help you brighten your natural complexion for that healthy, refreshed glow.

As we saw above, complementary colours cancel each other out. This is an essential with colour corrective makeup, as it can help you create a neutral base to build on. Since we know that green neutralises red, purple neutralises yellow, and orange neutralises blue, how does this translate to makeup? Let’s get into it…

 

Coloured setting powders

A normal setting powder is designed to lock in your look and stop it from smudging or creasing throughout the day. But what if you could go just one step further, with a coloured setting powder?

As well as making sure your makeup doesn’t move an inch, and absorbing sweat or excess oils, a coloured setting powder can brighten or enhance your finished look. For example:

• Using green-toned setting powder helps to cancel out and mask skin redness to create a soft, even complexion. 

• Purple tones are perfect to reduce dullness, helping sallow skin look brighter and more glowing.

• Covering dark circles under the eye is a lot easier with orangey-pinky-peachy tones, as it helps to reduce the appearance of bluey-purple shadows. 

 

pH lip oils

Lip oils are pretty amazing. They help keep your lips soft, supple, and hydrated for the perfect pout. And, with plenty of colours to choose from, there’s always one out there to match your mood.

However, did you know that there’s a way to easily get a bespoke lip colour – all with a little magic?… (Okay, science, but still).

Pretty new to the makeup scene, pH lip oils are expertly formulated to react to your unique pH and lip chemistry, which changes their colour. Using a special colour-changing pigment, a pH lip oil naturally changes into a colour that complements your complexion – no colour matching required. 

Of course, getting this right can be difficult – which is why we’ve done all the hard work for you…

 

Introducing the Colour Theory Collection

Instead of you having to dig out loads of different products to boost your look, we’ve got it all in one place. Each set includes a setting powder, lip oil, and lip balm to help you balance out your complexion for an even, glowing base to start from. 

Choose between:

• Perfect Matcha: a green-toned trio that’s perfect for reducing the appearance of redness and brightening your complexion.

• That’s My Jam: our purple-toned products help to neutralise dull, sallow skin for a refreshed glow and brightening smile.

• Pink Me Up: this pink-toned collection is perfect for masking dark spots for a more even, radiant complexion and juicy pout.

 

Skin tone and undertone matching

Using the wrong foundation is arguably one of the most common mistakes you can make when you’re putting on makeup. And, it can really have an impact on your finished look. Thankfully, colour theory comes in handy to help make sure you choose the perfect one for you.

How? Because your skin isn’t just made up of your outward skin tone. You also have to consider undertones.

Undertones are split into warm, cool, and neutral – and are importantly not decided by your skin tone. People with darker skin can have cool undertones, and people with paler skin can have warmer undertones. Getting your colour theory right here helps you choose the best foundation and concealer for your skin and undertones. For example:

• If your foundation looks ashy or grey, you’ve likely got one with the wrong undertone. A warmer, yellow foundation on a cool undertone looks ashy because yellow and purple cancel each other out (since they’re complementary colours).

• If your foundation looks yellow, you have the same problem but in reverse. Warmer shades on cooler undertones means the yellow is front and centre, and won’t blend properly with the rest of your skin.

Finding the best foundation and concealer is a little bit of trial and error – but the right one will instantly elevate your makeup game. So, if you’re looking for a fresh new look, why don’t you check out our collection of Foundations and Concealers?

 

Making an impact with colour theory

Of course, colour theory in makeup doesn’t just end once you’ve chosen your base. There is a whole world of different looks to play with.

• Contouring: knowing where to highlight and where to apply darker shades helps you create light and shadow to enhance your features. It also stops you from choosing shades that are too muddy or warm for your skin.

• Innovative new eyeshadow: creating a bold, colourful eyeshadow look is so much easier when you know which colours are going to work well together. And, knowing the rules means you know which ones you can break for a wicked new look.

• Choosing the right lipstick: knowing how colour theory works can help you pick the best lip colours for your skin tone. Blue-based reds will naturally look stunning against a cool undertone, while orangey-reds are perfect for warm tones. Or, grab a pH lip oil from The Beauty Crop for totally bespoke colour perfection…

 

Get creative with colour with The Beauty Crop

Basically, understanding colour theory, and how it works, can give you a massive leg up on everything from choosing the best makeup shades to make a dramatic impact, to colour-correcting dark spots or hyperpigmentation for an even, glowing complexion.

Our Colour Theory range has everything you need to create a glowing, even complexion - the perfect base for the rest of your look. And speaking of the rest of your makeup look, why not explore the rest of our amazing collections? 

Try out Oui Cherie for a burst of cherry sweetness, or you could be a total Vitamin Babe with our vitamin C-enriched collection. 

 

Want to keep reading? We think you’ll love… Non-Comedogenic Makeup: The Best Choice for Acne Prone Skin | The Importance of Wearing SPF Every Day | How To Choose The Right Lipstick For Your Skin Tone