How Does Color Affect Skin Tone?

Color can affect a person's skin tone dramatically. When a person is fair-skinned and she wears a light color, such as white or light pink, it can make her skin tone look even lighter or blend into the shirt, not showing any contrast. That will also have the same effect when a person with a dark complexion wears a dark color.

When you have a light complexion, wearing a light color can really wash a person's skin tone out completely. You can actually look like you have lighter skin, or your skin can look like it is the same color as the shirt you are wearing. For example a person wearing a white t-shirt, while having a light complexion will look washed out and look as if the shirt is actually their skin, because they are so similar.

Wearing or using certain colors that contrast with your skin tone can actually help your skin tone look more flattering and it won't wash out the color of your skin. For example, if you have dark or tanned skin and you wear a white tank top, your skin will give the illusion of looking even tanner. In comparison, if you have fair skin and you wear a dark cobalt blue color, your skin will show up more and not blend directly into the color you are wearing.