Turquoise is a gorgeous blue-green shade that flatters a variety of skin tones. But who can pull off this eye-catching color? The guidelines for wearing turquoise depend on your individual coloring and personal style. By assessing factors like your skin undertone, hair color, eye color, and color palette, you can determine if turquoise is the right hue for you. This article will provide tips on which skin tones turquoise complements best and how to wear it in flattering ways.
Turquoise Color Meaning
Before discussing who looks best in turquoise, it’s helpful to understand the symbolic meaning behind this shade. Turquoise has cultural significance in many ancient civilizations. From the Aztecs to the Egyptians, turquoise was prized as a sacred stone. It often symbolized wisdom, tranquility, and protection. The cool blue component represents calmness and stability. While the lively yellow-green undertone evokes growth, balance, and vitality. In color psychology, turquoise promotes inner clarity and emotional healing. It brings feelings of renewal, relaxation, and flow. Turquoise also represents open communication and connection in relationships.
Complementary Skin Undertones
Skin undertone plays a major role in determining whether turquoise is flattering or not. Here are the key undertones that turquoise complements beautifully:
Cool Undertones
People with cool undertones tend to have fair skin with a rosy or pink tint. Their veins often appear blue or purple. Those with cool undertones look great in jewel tones against their skin. The blue notes in turquoise enhance their natural coloring. This makes turquoise an ideal shade for those with fair cool skin.
Neutral Undertones
If your skin has an even mix of warm and cool undertones, you likely have a neutral skin tone. Neutral complexions appear more olive, beige, or peachy than pink or golden. Turquoise brings out the subtle coolness in neutral skin undertones. The green undertones also complement neutral skin beautifully.
Warm Olive Undertones
Those with warm olive skin have golden, greenish undertones. Their veins often look green. Turquoise enhances the natural warmth in olive complexions. The splash of green plays up the natural golden-green tones. So those with medium to tan olive skin can wear turquoise well.
Ideal Hair and Eye Colors
Your natural hair and eye color also help determine if turquoise is a good match. Here are the top hair and eye colors that allow turquoise to really pop:
Blonde Hair
From platinum to dirty blonde, lighter hair colors make turquoise stand out. The contrast between bright turquoise and pale hair makes both elements pop. Those with naturally lighter locks tend to look best in vibrant, saturated hues.
Red Hair
True redheads with coppery strawberry blonde to auburn hair also look great in turquoise. The bold blue-green shade plays up the coolness in red hair. Turquoise and red may seem like a clashing combination. But they actually complement each other beautifully.
Black Hair
Those with deeper brunette to jet black hair can also pull off turquoise nicely. The slightly warm blue tones in turquoise contrast with cool black hair. This creates a striking color combination. Those with darker locks look best in deeply saturated shades. And turquoise has plenty of rich pigment.
Blue or Green Eyes
Turquoise looks amazing paired with blue or green eyes. Since turquoise contains notes of blue and green, it makes these eye colors really stand out. The shade also makes brown eyes pop as a complementary color. But the effect is most striking with blue or green eyes. Turquoise makes them appear brighter and more vivid.
Best Skin Tones for Turquoise
Now let’s explore the specific skin tones and complexions that turquoise flatters most:
Fair Cool
Those with very fair skin that appears pinkish or rosy do well in turquoise. At the lightest end, porcelain with pink undertones and dark blonde to light brown hair is ideal for turquoise. The bold shade adds warmth and dimension to fair cool skin.
Light Cool
Light skin with neutral-cool undertones also pairs perfectly with turquoise. This includes light beige skin with a subtle pink tint. People with these skin tones tend to have blue eyes and ash brown or ash blonde hair. Turquoise brings out the cool luminosity in light skin.
Medium Neutral-Cool
Medium skin with neutral-cool undertones can also wear turquoise beautifully. This includes those with beige skin and dark brown or black hair. Olive skin with a slight coolness is also ideal. Turquoise reads as a jewel tone against these medium neutral-cool complexions.
Medium Olive
Those with warm olive skin have a natural glow that turquoise enhances. Medium tan olive skin with green or hazel eyes look great in turquoise. Black, dark brown, or ash brown hair pairs well, along with a sprinkling of freckles. The green shimmer in turquoise makes olive skin glow.
Tan or Dark Olive
Deeper olive complexions also suit turquoise perfectly. The bold shade contrasts nicely with the rich golden-green skin undertones. Those with dark brown to black eyes and hair look most striking. Turquoise makes the warm undertones in tan or dark olive skin sparkle.
Who Should Avoid Turquoise
While turquoise is flattering on many, there are some who are better off avoiding this shade:
Very Fair Golden
Those with very light cream-colored skin and distinct golden undertones should avoid turquoise. The greenish tones can make very fair golden complexions appear sallow. Soft warm hues like peach and coral are more complimentary.
Light Golden
Light golden skin with peach or yellow undertones also does not pair well with turquoise. The blue-green turquoise undertones compete with the golden hue. This can make light golden skin look washed out and dull. Pure warm tones like orange and yellow are better suited.
Medium to Tan Golden
Warmer medium golden skin tones can also clash with turquoise. Strong golden olive and yellow-beige skin looks best in fiery shades. Turquoise can bring out ruddiness in medium to tan golden skin. Stick with jewel tones in ruby, emerald, and sapphire instead.
| Skin Tone | Pair Well with Turquoise | Avoid Turquoise |
|---|---|---|
| Fair | Cool, Pink | Warm, Golden |
| Light | Neutral-Cool, Beige-Pink | Golden, Peach |
| Medium | Neutral-Cool, Olive-Cool | Golden, Yellow Olive |
| Tan | Olive | Golden |
Tips for Wearing Turquoise
If you have the right coloring, here are some tips for wearing turquoise in a flattering way:
Accent Pieces
Add turquoise in small accents through jewelry, scarves, bags, shoes, or nail polish. This prevents the shade from overwhelming your look. Turquoise earrings, bracelets, and statement necklaces let you incorporate this color in a subtle way.
Color Blocking
Pair turquoise with neutrals through color blocking. Wear a turquoise top with neutral pants or skirt. Or vice versa. Use white, black, navy, tan, or gray to balance out the vibrant turquoise tones. The neutral colors give the eye a place to rest.
Pattern Mixing
Combine turquoise with patterns like stripes, florals, or polka dots. The patterns help soften a head-to-toe turquoise look. Mix different prints in the same color family for a coordinated look.
Monochromatic
Do an all turquoise monochromatic outfit by playing with different shades and textures. Try pairing a sea green dress with turquoise jewelry and accessories in lighter and brighter blues. Monochrome creates a sophisticated color story.
Neutral Makeup
When wearing turquoise, opt for neutral makeup. Nude lips, subtle brown eyeshadow, black mascara, and groomed brows keep the focus on the vibrant clothing. Avoid competing blues or greens on the eyes or nails.
Conclusion
Turquoise is universally flattering on people with cooler undertones and lighter to olive complexions. The shade flatters those with fair cool skin, neutral-cool light skin, olive medium skin, and darker tan olive skin tones. People with blonde, red, black, silver, or white hair can also pull off turquoise beautifully. Those with blue or green eyes look most striking in turquoise. But the shade brings out any cool undertones. Always accent turquoise with neutral pieces. Avoid turquoise if you have very fair or light golden undertones. Stick with warmer reddish or coral hues. But for most complexions, turquoise is a stunning statement shade that captivates.