The Most Flattering Pastel Makeup Shade For Your Skin Tone

Lilac eyeshadow, peach lipstick and sky blue polish are pretty ways to welcome spring—but how do you know which of these soft shades flatters your skin tone? We asked makeup artist Pati Dubroff for her advice on picking the perfect hue for you.

If you're dark...
Do go for bold. Any vivid statement-making shade, like lilac or canary, will dazzle against deep skin tones. If a full-on lavender lipcolor seems too intimidating, try swiping on a nude lipstick and adding just a dab of color to the center of your lips.
Don't use a light touch. A wash of pastel powder can appear ashy on ebony skin. Instead, apply a dense cream formula and then layer powder on top to create a dramatic pop of color.

Shadow: Maybelline New York ExpertWear Mono Eye Shadow in Purple Daze ($4; drugstores) Liner: Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon in Mist Me? ($25; Sephora.com) Lipcolor: L’Oréal Paris Infallible Lip Paints Lipcolor in Lilac Lust ($10; drugstores) Polish: Essie Treat Love & Color in Laven-dearly ($10; Essie.com)

Do warm up your complexion with a peach or a soft yellow. Both enhance the rich golden tones of medium skin.
Don't choose an overly chalky blue or green. When applied to caramel complexions, the white pigment in those shades can appear flat and ashy, so it’s best to use deeper hues.

Shadows (from top): Mary Kay Eye Color Palette in Sunlight ($24; MaryKay.com), Kat Von D Beauty Pastel Goth Eyeshadow Palette ($38; KatVonDBeauty.com) Lipcolor: Laura Geller Shine Stick Triple Benefit Lip Color in Polished Peach ($21; Ulta.com) Polish: Dior Vernis in Maybe ($27; Dior.com)

Do sing the blues. Baby and powder blue not only brighten your complexion, but also beautifully complement pale skin.
Don't go for rose or violet if your skin has very pink undertones; those shades can leave you looking washed out. Women with yellow undertones should skip apricot, which can appear muddy.

Shadows (from top): Mary Kay Eye Color Palette in Glistening Horizon ($24; MaryKay.com), Dior Colour Gradation Eyeshadow Palette in Blue Gradation ($63; Dior.com) Liner: Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon in Deja Blue ($25; Sephora.com) Polish: OPI Infinite Shine in Suzi Without a Paddle ($12.50; Ulta.com)