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Step 1
Keep in mind when attempting to choose complimentary colors, despite the wealth of color our eyes behold, there are actually only three--red, yellow and blue. All other colors are derived from these colors.
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Step 2
When choosing complimentary colors, choose a second color that is comprised of the remaining colors not included in the first. For example, if you are looking for a complimentary color to blue, you will match the red and the yellow together to put orange beside the blue. This is why women who have shiny blue eyes can make their eye makeup pop if they use orange tones of makeup or wear an orange top. Similarly women with green eyes can get away with red makeup more than others. The complimentary color to green, comprised of green and yellow is red.
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Step 3
Watch your tone. If you are looking for the complimentary color to an orange that is particularly yellowy with just a hint of red, then you will select a complementary color that is purple, with a focus towards a bluer shade of purples.
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Step 4
Remember, that in a pinch, there are three colors that are comprised of all three colors: white, black and brown. No matter what you are matching, white, black and crown can always serve as a complimentary color. While the only white you can duplicate with color is found in light, it is comprised of combining equal parts of red, yellow and blue light. Brown is the combination of equal parts red and yellow with a touch of blue. Black is mainly blue with a touch of orange (yellow and red).
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Step 5
Last but not least, use lightened tones of the same exact color to compliment a tone in a monochromatic fashion. Make sure the two shades match in tone, however, or you will miss the mark.
Comments
lunaryak said
on 6/24/2009 I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but it's "complementary" colors, NOT "complimentary" colors. They are two different words entirely. I hope you will fix this so that even more people are not mislead by the mis-spelling! It's a common one, unfortunately. Thanks!