Look younger

Colours that make you look younger
— and the ones that age you.

The colours that make you look younger are the ones in your own palette — the shades matched to your undertone, depth and clarity. Worn near your face, the right colour bounces flattering light upward: it evens out skin, softens shadows under the eyes, and makes the whole face look rested. The wrong colour does the opposite — it casts a grey or sallow tinge, deepens shadows and drags. There’s no single “youthful colour” that works on everyone; the most rejuvenating shade is the one at your correct temperature and softness. Here’s how to find it, plus the shades to handle with care.

Why colour changes how old you look

Skin loses evenness and warmth over time, and picks up more visible shadow. A colour in your palette counteracts that — it reflects light that neutralises dullness and lifts the face. A colour that clashes with your undertone amplifies every flaw it could hide: it emphasises redness or sallowness, and turns soft shadows into hard ones. That’s why the same navy can make one person look crisp and another look tired.

The four rules that take years off

1. Match your undertone. Warm skin looks fresher in warm colours; cool skin in cool ones — the mismatch is what ages you (see warm vs. cool undertone). 2. Wear colour near the face. A flattering top, scarf or earring does more than trousers ever will. 3. Soften, don’t harshen. If your colouring is muted, ultra-bright or stark colours overpower it; if it’s clear, dusty colours mute you. 4. Get your white right. The wrong white (optic white on warm skin, cream on cool skin) is one of the most ageing everyday mistakes.

By undertone

Warm undertones rejuvenate in peach, coral, warm ivory, golden greens and soft warm reds — they restore the glow warm skin naturally has. Cool undertones lift in soft rose, berry, blue-based pinks, cool navy and true white — they clear away sallowness. Neutral undertones do best in slightly muted, medium colours and can lean either way. Your exact best shades come down to your season.

The colour to be careful with: black

Black is the most common ageing colour worn daily. On deep, cool colouring (Winter seasons) it’s striking and youthful — but on light, warm or muted colouring it drains the face, casting shadow exactly where you don’t want it. If black is your default, try your palette’s deepest flattering neutral instead — espresso, navy or charcoal — and keep black to your lower half.