Makeup That Flatters
Medium Skin Tones
Medium skin encompasses a huge range of undertones — from golden-warm to cool-neutral to olive-green — and each responds differently to makeup. The foundation that flatters one medium skin tone can look chalky or orange on another. This guide identifies the specific shades that work for medium skin's most common undertone families, so you can shop with clarity rather than guesswork.
Discover Your ColorsWhy Medium Skin Needs Specific Makeup Guidance
Medium skin tone refers to the middle of the depth spectrum — deeper than fair and lighter than dark. But within 'medium' there's enormous variation in undertone: golden-warm (like tan or light caramel), olive (with a yellow-green cast), neutral (cool-warm balance), and sometimes cool (with pink or beige-pink cast). These undertones create fundamentally different relationships with makeup pigments.
Foundation is the most critical category: medium skin is the most likely to be mismatch-sold. Foundations formulated for fair skin often oxidize orange on medium skin. Foundations for deep skin often turn grey. Medium skin specifically needs formulas tested on medium undertone ranges. The same rule applies to blush: cool pinks that flatter fair skin look ashy on medium; warm-toned peachy-corals that would overpower dark skin hit exactly right on medium.
The opportunity with medium skin is extraordinary range — medium tones can support both warm and cool makeup palettes depending on undertone, and they have enough melanin to handle bold lip colors that would overwhelm fair skin. The challenge is precision: the specific undertone of your medium skin determines which "medium-friendly" shades actually flatter and which ones fight.
Your Best Makeup Shades by Category
Foundation & Concealer
Medium skin needs foundations in the tan-to-caramel depth range. For warm-golden medium skin, look for 'golden beige,' 'honey,' or 'warm tan' descriptors — and test by applying at the jaw and checking in natural light after 30 minutes (oxidation is more pronounced on medium skin). Olive-toned medium skin needs foundations with slight green or yellow undertone, not pink. Neutral medium skin can look for "'natural,' 'beige,' or 'medium" with balanced undertones.
Blush
The best blushes for medium skin are warm-toned with enough pigment to show up against medium depth. Warm peach and coral create a healthy warmth without making medium skin look sallow. Terra cotta pink has enough warmth to sit beautifully on warm and olive medium skin. Warm dusty rose works for neutral-to-cool medium tones. Avoid very cool pinks (they can look ashy), very bright oranges (too warm), and very light shimmery pinks (insufficient payoff on medium skin).
Eyeshadow
Medium skin has the depth to wear rich eyeshadow colors that would overpower fair skin. Warm bronze and copper create a luminous, warm eye look that resonates with golden or olive medium undertones. Rich chocolate brown is universally flattering — it adds depth without the harshness of black and echoes the warm-brown register of most medium skin. Warm taupe creates a sophisticated everyday look. For cool medium skin, warm charcoal and plum create similar definition.
Lip Colors
Medium skin can wear a wider lip spectrum than fair skin. Warm nudes — think warm caramel-pink, not pale beige — look natural and intentional rather than washed out. Peach-terracotta creates a vivid, fresh look with warm or olive medium skin. Warm rose is universally flattering for medium tones. Deep berry and wine colors look rich and dramatic on medium skin without looking costumey — the medium depth provides a beautiful backdrop for bold lips.
How to Apply Makeup on Medium Skin
Finding Your Perfect Foundation
Test foundation at the jawline, not the wrist — medium skin on the face and the hand can differ significantly. Apply a small amount and check after 30 minutes in natural light: it should disappear into your skin, not look pinker or more orange than when applied. If testing online purchases is difficult, look for 'virtual try-on' tools or ask for samples. MAC NC/NW numbering (NC for warm, NW for neutral-cool), Fenty's 300N-350N range, and NARS Barcelona/Syracuse are reliable starting points for different medium undertones.
Blush Placement and Technique
Medium skin handles blush buildability well — you can layer for a more vivid effect without it looking excessive. Apply warm peach or coral blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend upward toward the temples. For olive medium skin, try a terra cotta shade slightly lower on the cheek for a more sculpting, healthy effect. A light-catching highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones pairs beautifully with warm blush on medium skin.
Eyes: Bronze and Depth
Medium skin is the sweet spot for bronze and copper eye looks — the pigment shows up vividly without looking heavy. Apply warm bronze across the lid, deepen the outer corner and crease with rich chocolate brown, and add copper shimmer to the center of the lid for dimension. A warm taupe or golden shimmer highlight under the brow completes the look. Black eyeliner is striking on medium skin — apply at the lash line for definition without harshness.
Lip Strategy by Occasion
For everyday: a warm nude (caramel-pink, not pale beige) or warm tinted balm keeps the focus light. For weekends: warm peach-terracotta or warm rose creates a vibrant but wearable look. For evenings: deep berry, wine, or warm red are all exceptional on medium skin — the medium depth provides an ideal backdrop for dramatic lip colors. Blot and layer for longevity rather than applying too heavily. Avoid lining with a darker shade than your lipstick, which can look dated.
Makeup Shades That Fight Medium Skin
Pink-cool foundations
Foundations with a pink or rose undertone tend to look ashy or grey on medium skin — particularly on warm-golden or olive medium tones. Pink-toned foundations were formulated primarily for fair skin with pink undertones, and they often create an artificial, unnatural cast on medium skin. Look for golden, neutral, or yellow-toned foundations instead, and always test with the oxidization check.
Very pale nude lips
Pale, chalky lip colors — the 'greige' nudes popular on very fair skin — look washed out on medium skin. The lack of pigment contrast creates a flat, undefined look. Medium skin needs nudes in the warm beige-pink or warm caramel range rather than pale greyish-pink. A warm-toned nude has enough pigment to read clearly against medium skin's depth.
Very cool-toned blush
Bright fuchsia and cool pink-purple blushes look unnatural on warm or olive medium skin — there's no warm resonance between the cool pigment and the warm undertones, creating a disconnected, artificial flush. For warm and neutral medium skin, stay within the peach-coral-warm rose range. Only genuinely cool-neutral medium skin benefits from cool-pink blush.
Heavy orange bronzer
Bronzers that are very orange-toned can make medium skin look muddy or artificially sun-damaged rather than naturally sun-kissed. The orange registers against most medium undertones without creating the golden glow effect. Look for bronzers described as 'warm brown' or 'golden tan' rather than orange. Matte bronzers often have more natural finish on medium skin than very shimmery versions.
Makeup Swaps for Medium Skin
Replacing shades that fight your undertone with ones that enhance it.
Pink-cool foundations look ashy on most medium skin. Warm-golden tones match the yellow-red undertones common in medium complexions.
Cool pinks can look artificial on warm and olive medium skin. Peachy-coral creates a natural, sun-kissed warmth that resonates with medium undertones.
Pale cool shadows can look ashy on medium lids. Warm golden champagne gives luminosity while harmonizing with medium skin's warmth.
Pale cool nudes wash out on medium skin. Warm caramel-pink nudes have enough pigment to read clearly and complement rather than fight warm undertones.
Blue-toned cool reds can look harsh on warm medium skin. Warm reds with an orange-red quality flatter medium undertones more naturally.
Orange bronzers look muddy on medium skin. Warm brown bronzers create a natural deepening effect that mimics a genuine sun-kissed look.
Which Seasonal Palette Are You?
Medium skin appears across multiple seasonal palettes. Your specific season depends on your undertone, eye color, and hair color — not skin depth alone.
Warm Autumn
Learn moreIf your medium skin has warm golden-brown or warm beige undertones, your hair is warm brown or dark, and earthy warm colors feel most natural on you, Warm Autumn is a strong possibility. Your makeup palette leans warm and earthy: warm terracotta blush, golden bronze eyeshadow, warm brick lip.
Soft Autumn
Learn moreIf your medium skin is warm but soft — muted golden rather than vivid warm — and your overall coloring feels blended and earthy rather than high-contrast, Soft Autumn may fit. Your makeup palette uses softer warm tones: peachy blush, warm taupe shadow, warm dusty rose lip.
Warm Spring
Learn moreIf your medium skin is light-medium with clear warm undertones, bright warm eyes, and your natural coloring feels fresh and clear rather than muted, Warm Spring is worth exploring. Your makeup palette is warm and clear: fresh coral blush, warm gold eyeshadow, bright peach-coral lip.
Find Your Exact Makeup Palette
Medium skin tone is one of the most undertone-diverse categories — whether you're warm-golden, olive, neutral, or cool-neutral changes which foundation, blush, and lip colors flatter versus fight. A personalized colour analysis identifies your exact seasonal palette and maps that directly to specific makeup shade families, so you always know whether to reach for warm peach or cool rose, golden bronze or cool taupe.
Get Your Color AnalysisRelated Color Guides
Explore more personalized color advice based on your features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makeup looks best on medium skin?
Warm peach and coral blush, warm bronze and chocolate eyeshadow, warm nude or warm red lips, and golden-toned foundations all flatter most medium skin tones. The key is warmth — most medium skin has golden, olive, or warm-neutral undertones that respond best to warm-toned makeup. Cool pinks and very pale nudes tend to fight medium skin's warmth.
What foundation shade should I choose for medium skin?
Test at the jawline in natural light and check after 30 minutes for oxidation. For warm-golden medium skin, look for golden, honey, or warm tan shades in the NC30-NC42 (MAC) or equivalent range. For olive medium skin, find formulas with yellow-green undertone adjustments. Avoid pink-toned foundations, which tend to look ashy on medium complexions.
What blush color suits medium skin?
Warm peach and coral blush are the most universally flattering for medium skin — they create a natural flush that resonates with warm and olive medium undertones. Terra cotta pink works beautifully for warm and deep-medium skin. Warm dusty rose suits neutral-cool medium tones. Avoid bright cool fuchsia and very pale shimmery pinks, which lack the pigment depth to flatter medium skin.
What lipstick colors flatter medium skin?
Medium skin handles a wide lip spectrum well. Warm nude (caramel-pink, not pale beige), warm peach-terracotta, warm rose for everyday. Deep berry, wine, and warm red for evenings. The medium depth provides an ideal backdrop for bold lips. Avoid very pale, cool-toned nudes, which look washed out, and very cool blue-reds, which can look harsh on warm medium undertones.
What eyeshadow colors look best on medium skin?
Warm bronze and copper create stunning eye looks on medium skin — the pigment shows up vividly and the warmth resonates with golden undertones. Rich chocolate brown adds definition that black can provide without the harshness. Warm taupe is the perfect everyday neutral. For evenings, deep plum and warm forest green create dramatic looks that suit the depth of medium skin.
What is the best contour shade for medium skin?
A warm brown matte bronzer or contour powder two shades deeper than your skin tone works best — look for 'warm brown' or 'golden tan' descriptors rather than orange-toned bronzers. For cooler medium skin, a cool taupe or mushroom shade can create definition without an orange cast. Apply along the hairline, hollows of the cheeks, and jawline for the most natural effect.