CMP Color Theory & Application 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client with yellow-toned skin asks for a nail color that will make her feet look more neutral. Which undertone in a polish would best counteract the yellow?
- Purple or violet undertones (Correct answer)
- Orange undertones
- Yellow undertones
- Gold undertones
Correct answer: Purple or violet undertones
Purple/violet sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, neutralizing yellow undertones in skin.
Question 2: Which color scheme uses three colors equally spaced around the color wheel?
- Triadic (Correct answer)
- Analogous
- Complementary
- Split-complementary
Correct answer: Triadic
A triadic color scheme uses three hues evenly spaced 120° apart on the color wheel.
Question 3: When mixing nail art pigments, adding white to a pure hue creates a:
- Tint (Correct answer)
- Shade
- Tone
- Chroma
Correct answer: Tint
A tint is created by adding white to a pure hue, making it lighter.
Question 4: A client requests a 'muted' coral polish. Which technique achieves this effect?
- Mix the coral with its complementary color or gray (Correct answer)
- Add white until the coral becomes pastel
- Layer coral over black base coat
- Mix coral with a primary yellow
Correct answer: Mix the coral with its complementary color or gray
Adding a complementary color or gray reduces saturation, creating a muted or toned-down version of the hue.
Question 5: For a client with very dark skin, which nail color family provides maximum visual contrast and pop?
- Bright neons and vivid jewel tones (Correct answer)
- Nude beige matching skin tone
- Dusty mauves
- Sheer pinks
Correct answer: Bright neons and vivid jewel tones
High-chroma neons and vivid jewel tones contrast strongly against deep skin tones for maximum visual impact.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'saturation' in color theory?
- The intensity or purity of a color (Correct answer)
- The lightness or darkness of a color
- The temperature of a color
- The hue's position on the color wheel
Correct answer: The intensity or purity of a color
Saturation refers to the intensity or purity of a color — how vivid versus dull it appears.
Question 7: A nail technician applies a sheer pink polish over a client's naturally purplish nail. What color will likely result?
- A slightly mauve or lavender-pink (Correct answer)
- Pure pink identical to the bottle color
- Bright coral
- Deep burgundy
Correct answer: A slightly mauve or lavender-pink
Sheer polishes allow the natural nail color to show through, blending pink with the underlying purplish tone to create mauve.
CMP Color Theory & Application 2
A client with yellow-toned skin asks for a nail color that will make her feet look more neutral.
Which undertone in a polish would best counteract the yellow?