Quick answer
Bright, saturated colours like turquoise, royal blue, hot pink and gold look striking on deeper skin. Navy, purple, lavender and light blue suit fair skin. Teal, purple, burgundy and royal blue flatter medium and olive skin. Whatever your skin tone, navy and dark purple make teeth look whitest.
Best braces colours for each skin tone
These are style suggestions based on contrast: colours that stand out clearly against your skin and lips without fighting them. Use them as a starting point and try them in the picker.
Best picks
Also great
Pink, Teal, Dark Purple
Very pale pastels can wash out next to fair skin; pair them with a darker shade.
Best picks
Also great
Turquoise, Hot Pink, Navy Blue
Muddy mid-tones like gold and dark green can look flat; choose clear, saturated colours.
Best picks
Also great
Teal, Gold, Light Blue
Very dark shades can blend in; brighter colours give more contrast.
Best picks
Also great
Light Blue, Purple, Teal
Navy and black still help teeth look whiter, but bright jewel tones stand out more.
Warm or cool undertone
Undertone is the hue under the surface of your skin. A quick test: look at the veins on your wrist in daylight. Greenish veins usually mean a warm undertone, bluish or purple veins a cool one, and a mix means neutral.
- Warm undertone: turquoise, teal, gold, coral-leaning pinks and burgundy.
- Cool undertone: navy, royal blue, purple, lavender and light blue.
- Neutral undertone: most colours work; pick by style instead.
Braces colours for your eye colour
| Eye colour | Best picks | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | Navy, royal blue, teal, purple | Cool shades bring out warmth in brown eyes |
| Blue | Purple, burgundy, pink, teal | Warm-leaning shades make blue eyes stand out |
| Green | Purple, burgundy, dark pink, teal | Red-purple tones sit opposite green |
| Hazel | Purple, dark green, teal, gold | Picks up the green and gold flecks |
Whiter teeth work the same on every skin tone
Skin tone changes which colours feel flattering, but it does not change the whitening effect. Our Tooth Brightness Index compares the band to the tooth, so navy (80), dark purple (79) and black (74) help on everyone. If you want both, pair a flattering bright shade with one of those, for example turquoise with navy.
Not sure which way to go? The 60-second quiz asks about your skin tone and picks for you, and the combos page has 24 pairs to try.
Try it on your own smile
Spin the wheel, mix two colours and see the Tooth Brightness score live.
Common questions
What braces color looks best on dark skin?
Bright, saturated shades such as turquoise, royal blue, hot pink and gold create the strongest contrast against deeper skin. Navy and dark purple still give the biggest whitening effect if that matters more to you.
What braces color looks best on light skin?
Navy, purple, lavender and light blue suit most fair skin. Pale pastels on their own can look washed out, so pair them with a darker shade, such as light blue with navy.
What braces colors go with brown eyes?
Blues, teals and purples bring out brown eyes. Navy and royal blue also help teeth look whiter.
What braces colors go with blue or green eyes?
Purple, burgundy and pink complement blue eyes. Purple, burgundy and dark pink also flatter green eyes. Teal works for both.
Does skin tone change how white my teeth look?
The band colour matters more than skin tone. Our Tooth Brightness Index scores the band against the tooth, so navy, dark purple and black make teeth look whiter on every skin tone.
