Skims Jasper vs. Cocoa: What's the difference?

The Skims Jasper and Cocoa shades are two of the brand's deepest neutral tones, but they serve entirely different style purposes. Cocoa is a rich, warm chocolate brown with distinct red undertones, designed to complement deep warm skin tones or act as a cozy earth-toned basic. Jasper, on the other hand, is a much darker, cool-toned shade that reads as a soft, muted black or deep charcoal gray.

Here’s a complete look at these two popular colors to help you decide which dark neutral is the right addition to your wardrobe.

Skims Cocoa

Cocoa is one of Skims' most well-known shades and a staple in many of its core collections. It’s a true, rich chocolate brown defined by its warm, reddish undertones. The color was designed as part of the brand’s mission to provide inclusive "nude" options for a wider range of skin tones, specifically catering to deeper complexions with warm undertones where traditional beiges and tans fall short.

• What it is: A deep, warm-toned chocolate brown color available across multiple Skims collections like Fits Everybody, Cotton Jersey, and Soft Lounge.
• Color Profile: Rich brown with prominent warm, red, and sometimes orange undertones. It stands out as a luxurious, earthy color.
• Pairs Well With: Creams, tans, olive green, gold jewelry, and other warm, autumnal earth tones.
• Best for Skin Tones: Excellent as a nude shade for medium-deep to deep skin tones with warm or olive undertones. It also serves as a beautiful warm contrast on fairer skin.
• Pros: A rich and versatile neutral, provides an excellent "nude" option for many, looks luxurious and cozy.
• Cons: The strong red undertones might clash with very cool-toned skin and may not be subtle enough for those seeking a more muted brown.

This color is the perfect choice for anyone wanting a warm, welcoming neutral to complement an earthy wardrobe or to find a flattering nude for a deeper complexion.

Shop this color: skims.com/collections/browns

Skims Jasper

Jasper is Skims' sophisticated answer to a soft black. It's an extremely dark, cool-toned neutral that often appears as a faded black or charcoal gray depending on the lighting and fabric. Unlike Skims’ true black shade, Onyx, which is stark and saturated, Jasper has a noticeable softness and a muted quality, making it a more subdued and modern alternative.

• What it is: A deep, cool-toned off-black or dark charcoal gray color available in many core collections.
• Color Profile: Very dark neutral with cool, gray, or sometimes subtle blue undertones. It is less stark and intense than a true black.
• Pairs Well With: Other grays, blues, white, silver jewelry, and bold, bright colors where it can anchor the look without the harshness of black.
• Best for Skin Tones: Highly versatile, but it particularly flatters neutral and cool-toned complexions. It avoids the draining effect that a harsh black can sometimes have.
• Pros: A chic and modern alternative to black, incredibly versatile, less intense than a saturated black, flatters cool-toned palettes.
• Cons: May be too muted for those who want a deep, true black, can sometimes be mistaken for a faded black rather than an intentional off-black.

Choose Jasper when you want the versatility of black but with a softer, more contemporary feel that adds effortless sophistication to any outfit.

Shop this color: skims.com/collections/shop-all

Skims Jasper vs. Cocoa Comparison

Color & Undertone

The most significant difference between Cocoa and Jasper lies in their undertones. Cocoa is fundamentally a warm color. In person, its red and earthy notes are immediately apparent, giving it a vibrant, chocolatey warmth that feels cozy and inviting. It is unambiguously a shade of brown.

In contrast, Jasper is a distinctly cool color. It sits firmly in the gray and off-black family, lacking any of the warmth found in Cocoa. When you hold it next to Skims’ Onyx (true black), Jasper's softer, muted charcoal quality becomes clear. It’s for those who are building a cool-toned wardrobe and want a dark base that isn’t overly harsh.

Styling & Versatility

Because of its warmth, Cocoa styles best with other earth tones. Think of pairing it with cream loungewear, tan jackets, olive pants, or gold accessories. It’s a perfect foundational color for an autumn-inspired or minimalist-neutral aesthetic that leans warm.

Jasper functions almost identically to black in terms of versatility but with a softer edge. It's a fantastic base for cool-toned outfits - picture it with light wash denim, gray cashmere sweaters, or silver jewelry. It also allows bright colors like hot pink or cobalt blue to pop against it without the starkness that a true black can create.

Nude Intent

Skims developed Cocoa with the explicit purpose of serving as a skin tone-matching color, or a "nude," for customers with deeper complexions. It’s designed to blend in seamlessly to create a smooth, second-skin foundation under clothing for these individuals.

Jasper, however, does not function as a nude color. It is a fashion neutral, meant to be a standalone color choice similar to black, gray, or navy. Its purpose is to offer a sophisticated and versatile dark neutral for any wardrobe, not to match a specific skin tone.

Which One Should You Choose?

While both are dark neutrals from Skims, they appeal to very different style preferences and wardrobes.

Choose Cocoa if:

• You have a warm or olive-toned complexion and are looking for a flattering nude garment.
• Your wardrobe is built around earth tones like cream, tan, beige, and olive green.
• You prefer gold jewelry and other warm-toned accessories.
• You specifically want a rich, luxurious chocolate brown shade.

Choose Jasper if:

• You're looking for a softer, more modern alternative to a harsh, true black.
• Your wardrobe has many cool tones like blues, grays, and pure whites.
• You exclusively wear silver or platinum jewelry.
• You want a highly versatile dark neutral that functions like black but feels more contemporary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Skims Cocoa and Jasper?

The core difference is undertone. Cocoa is a warm-toned, rich chocolate brown with red undertones. Jasper is a cool-toned, very dark charcoal gray that reads as a soft, muted black. Cocoa is an earth tone, while Jasper is a grayscale neutral.

Is Jasper just a faded black?

No, Jasper is an intentional color. While it can look like a faded black, it’s designed to be a softer alternative to Onyx, Skims' true, saturated black. It has a more muted, gentle appearance that feels more modern and less stark.

Can Cocoa work as a nude on light skin tones?

On lighter skin tones, Cocoa does not function as a nude. Instead, it becomes a rich, statement-making chocolate brown color. It's a beautiful fashion choice but won't blend into the skin as it would on deeper complexions.

Which color is more versatile?

This depends on your wardrobe. Jasper is arguably more universally versatile as it can be swapped in for black in almost any context. However, if your personal style leans heavily into warm earth tones, Cocoa will be far more versatile for you.

Which Skims collections have the Jasper and Cocoa colors?

Both colors are staples in Skims' most popular collections, including Fits Everybody, Cotton Jersey, Soft Lounge, and Body basics. However, availability can vary by specific product and season, so it's always best to check the website for current stock.

How does Cocoa compare to other Skims browns?

Cocoa is one of Skims' warmest and most popular browns. It's richer and has stronger red undertones than shades like Oxide (a muted, clay-like brown) or Umber (a deep espresso brown). It's the go-to color for a true, warm chocolate shade.

Does Jasper go with brown?

Generally, it's advised to avoid mixing cool-toned off-blacks like Jasper with warm-toned browns like Cocoa. It's better to pair Jasper with other cool tones like grays, blues, and pure whites, or use it to anchor bright colors.

What's darker, Jasper or Cocoa?

Jasper is significantly darker than Cocoa. It is very close to black, whereas Cocoa is clearly identifiable as a medium-to-deep brown shade.