Are you deciding between warm white or cool white for your makeup application? When it comes to makeup application, light can be an advantage or a disadvantage. Without the right amount of light in a room, you can use the wrong colors which can make your makeup look weird. To help you make the right choice, we have shared tips and ideas below.
Is warm white or cool white better for makeup? For makeup application, choose cool white because it shows the real color of an object and is more luminous as compared to warm white. Do not use warm white as it can make your face appear yellowish which can result in heavy make-up application.
The right lighting can remove unwanted shadows because it produces a balanced amount of light. As a result, it makes it easier to apply makeup, pluck your eyebrows, style your hair, or even shave. What is light color temperature? Is warm white better than cool white? What is the difference between warm white and cool white? Is lighting important in makeup application? Check out the rest of the article below for the answers to these questions and more.
Warm White VS Cool White
The main difference between warm white and cool white is the color that they produce. Warm white is warmer and dimmer and cool white is brighter and has a bluish tinge to it. Both colors are measured in Kelvins. To differentiate a warm bulb from a cool one, you need to check the temperature of the bulb which is measured in kelvins. It measures how intense or weak the color is. The color ranges from 1000k to 10,000k.
Warm White
Warm white has almost the same color as candlelight. They have small pools of light that create a relaxing and warm ambiance. A warm white color temperature is recommended for applications where you want to create depth and character. For instance, warm white lights create a romantic mood so they are usually used for weddings.
Cool White
Cool white is an ideal option if you are not sure about what color temperature to choose. You can use it in areas where more brightness is needed. Cool white is usually used in bathrooms because it offers a bright and clear which is important for shaving or makeup application.
What is Light Color Temperature?
Light color temperatures determine the light appearance that is provided by a light bulb. It is measured in kelvins and ranges from 1500k to 6500k. Lights with lower kelvin appear to be more yellow while those with higher kelvin appear whiter. To describe lighting temperature, terminologies like warm white, cool white, and daylight are used.
On the other hand, you need to take note that kelvins are the most accurate when measuring color temperature. This is to avoid confusion. There are instances wherein a manufacturer will describe 6000k as cool white, but others would describe it to be 4000k. By choosing based only on the description of the light temperature, you may end up with the wrong lighting so it is best that you use kelvins.
✅ Video – Light Color Temperature Overview
Lighting Supply shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses an overview of lighting color temperature. It plays an important role when it comes to grooming and makeup application. Watch the video to learn more.
What is the Best Color Temperature for Makeup Application?
The best color temperature for makeup application measures between 4800K to 5000K which is neither too warm nor too cool. Kelvin is a unit of measurement that is used to describe the color temperature of light. This will allow you to see the right shade of colors and how they look when applied to your face. You can also read this article that discusses what kind of lighting is best for applying makeup. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
What are the Types of Lighting to Avoid When Doing Makeup?
The types of lighting that you need to avoid for makeup applications are red, yellow, and fluorescent lighting. They can mess up your makeup. This is because fluorescent lights can wash out your skin and enhance your flaws. As a result, you will end up with heavy and thick makeup. While rose and yellow-colored lights look flattering, they make it hard to see the colors that you are using and how they look on your skin. You may end up with a blush or foundation that is not perfectly blended. Let us learn more about the disadvantages of these lights below.
Yellow Light
Yellow is warm lighting that will only make your skin appear tired and dull. To compensate for that look, you may end up with makeup that is overly applied. The last thing that you want to happen is to apply too much concealer on your face that appears cakey.
Rose-Colored Light
You should also avoid red or rose-colored lighting. The reason for this is that it can provide your face with a pseudo-healthy glow. While it is ideal for a photoshoot, it can cause under-application of makeup, especially in the areas of your face where it is most needed.
Fluorescent Light
Avoid using fluorescent lighting for makeup application because it is the least flattering light source for the face. Harsh fluorescent light can make your skin appear washed out. It is too bright that you will end up putting on too much makeup that does not look good.
How to Position Cool White Lighting
Position the cool white lighting so that it hits your face evenly from top to bottom and on both sides. It is recommended that you place it in a way that it shines on your face from the front. Avoid placing the light above your head because it can create bad shadows which can result in over-application of makeup. Below are some tips that you can refer to when it comes to positioning lighting for the best lighting setup when applying makeup.
Directly in Front of Your Face
You can place the light directly in front of your face. This will provide you with a clear view of your face and get rid of shadows. Shadows can mess up your makeup because it hides the features of your face.
Evenly Spread Lighting
Make sure that the lighting is evenly spread when applying makeup. Some makeup artists use ring lights because they evenly distribute light across your entire face. You can also use wall mirrors with built-in lights because they usually have lights on both sides or around the mirror.
What is the Best Color for Vanity Lights?
The best color for vanity lights is between 2700K up to 3000K. This lighting is considered comfortable and familiar. On the other hand, people have different preferences when it comes to the vanity lights color. Those with lights that measure about 2700K have a cozier and warmer feel which is more flattering to skin tones and ideal for working with warmer color palettes. You can also check out this article that discusses what lights makeup artists use. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Is Warm White Brighter than Cool White?
Cool white is brighter and has a bluish tinge to it while Warm white is warmer and dimmer. The main difference between both lights is the color that they emit. For makeup application, cool white is the best choice.
Is LED Light Good for Applying Makeup?
LED lights are ideal for makeup application. The reason for this is that they are the closest alternative to natural sunlight. If you do not have adequate lighting in the room and are forced to use artificial lights, it is best to use LED ones. They have good CRIs and are also available in different color temperatures. The LED light will make your skin look radiant.
Is Lighting Important in Makeup Application?
Lighting is important in makeup application. It plays an important role in the color and amount of makeup that you apply to your face. Take note that even the best makeup can look dull and thick under certain lights. If there is not enough brightness, your skin will look dull. Aside from that, dark shadows under your eyes will be exaggerated.
Because of this, you may end up putting a lot of concealer or foundation on your face. Moreover, if your lighting is dark, it can be hard to see whether or not your base makeup is blended properly. We have also shared this article titled, what is the most flattering lighting? You can check out the article for more tips and information.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed if warm white or cool white is better for makeup. We have found out that cool white is the best choice for applying makeup. The color temperature eliminates shadows so that you can properly apply the right amount of blush, foundation, concealer, and other types of cosmetics to your face. Thank you for reading!