Should You Wear Black? How to Know If It Flatters You

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Black Isn’t Always the Best Neutral—Here’s How to Tell If It Works for You

June 7, 2025

(And What to Wear Instead for a 10x Glow-Up)

Intro

Black is chic. It’s timeless. It’s everywhere. But what if it’s... not actually your best color?

If you’ve ever put on black expecting to look ✨flawless✨ but instead looked kinda tired, gray, or blah—it’s not you. It’s the undertone clash.

Here’s how to tell if black works for your skin tone—and exactly what to wear instead if it doesn’t. Because neutral doesn’t have to mean boring, and your glow-up deserves better.

🖤 Why Black Isn’t a One-Size-Fits-All Neutral

Let’s break the myth:

• Black absorbs light. That can wash out soft or warm undertones.

• On the wrong undertone, it emphasizes shadows, under-eyes, and texture.

• That’s why your “easy all-black look” sometimes feels… off.

📸 That filterless glow you're chasing? Starts with the right neutral.

🔍 How to Tell If Black Is Your Neutral

You probably rock black if:

• You have cool undertones or contrasty features (Winter girlies, this is you)

• Your skin looks brighter next to black—not dull

• You can wear black with little/no makeup and still look balanced

🧼 You might want to skip black if:

• Navy, chocolate brown, or charcoal look better on you

• You need bronzer or a bold lip just to balance black

• Black makes your skin look tired, uneven, or accentuates breakouts

🪞Try This Test:
Hold a black tee next to your face in natural light (no makeup).
Then hold up a navy or warm brown one.
✨Which one makes your skin look smoother, clearer, and more radiant? That’s your real neutral.

🎨 Better Neutrals By Color Season

Want to glow in your neutrals, not fade into them? Start here:

Woman wearing tan blazer with white trousers for workwear outfit

☀️ If You’re a Spring (Warm + Light)

• Best neutrals: Warm beige, camel, light olive, soft ivory

• Avoid: Jet black, stark white

• Outfit Idea: Tan blazer + ivory trousers + gold jewelry

Woman in grey sweater and black jeans styled for fall

🌸 If You’re a Summer (Cool + Soft)

• Best neutrals: Dove gray, charcoal, dusty navy, cool taupe

• Avoid: True black or super warm browns

• Outfit Idea: Charcoal knit + slate jeans + silver earrings

Woman in brown leather jacket and brown mini skirt

🍂 If You’re an Autumn (Warm + Rich)

• Best neutrals: Chocolate brown, olive, rust, camel

• Avoid: Icy shades, stark black

• Outfit Idea: Brown leather jacket + cream blouse + camel skirt

Woman in black turtleneck and dark blue jeans

❄️ If You’re a Winter (Cool + High Contrast)

• Best neutrals: Black (yay), white, navy, gunmetal gray

• Avoid: Muddied, warm tones

• Outfit Idea: Black turtleneck + dark wash denim + silver hoops

🪩 Still Love Black? Here’s How to Wear It Right

You don’t have to cancel black—just style it smarter.

• Keep it off your face

◦ Try black bottoms with a top that flatters your skin tone

• Break it up

◦ Use scarves, statement earrings, or lipstick to add balance

• Play with texture

◦ Leather, satin, mesh, or knits = softer impact than flat cotton

• Use black as an accessory

◦ Bags, boots, belts = safe zone for all undertones

🖤 Black can still be a vibe—it just shouldn’t dim yours.

📣 Call-to-Action: Your Glow-Up Starts with the Right Neutral

The right neutral doesn’t just match you—it flatters you, brightens you, and makes every outfit easier.

Download the LookSky app to find your color season and shop curated daily picks that work with your real skin tone—not against it.

✨ Now you can glow up in neutrals that love you back.

Let me know if you want outfit images for each color season—we can make this post shoppable and Pinterest-perfect.

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