How To Choose The Right Foundation Shade

Discovering the ideal foundation shade is a gemstone quest. It can highlight your natural beauty, bring out a great finish, and make you feel confident. Yet, many of us have been disappointed by unmatched foundation shades – too pale, too dark, too orange, or too ashy. Don’t worry, however, because we have developed a definitive guide that will help you understand the world of face foundation and guide you in finding the best match for you.

Understanding Skin Tone and Undertone

Definition of Skin Tone

Skin tone is the superficial color of your skin, which generally falls into categories: light, medium, or dark. It is determined by genetics, sun exposure, and the level of melanin in your skin. Your skin color will vary slightly with the seasons, becoming darker in the summer from sun exposure and lighter in the winter.

1. Those with light skin are usually fair and easily redden or burn from the sun.

2. Medium skin tones range from olive to tan and are less likely to be red.

3. Dark skin tones range from dark brown to dark ebony, typically containing a high amount of melanin, which provides protection from sun damage.

Definition of Undertone

Undertone is the soft color beneath the surface of your skin that never changes even in sunlight. There are three common undertones:

1. Cool undertone: Your skin's undertone is pink, red or blue. People with cool undertones will want their skin to vary more naturally on the cusp of silver.

2. Warm undertone: The skin's undertone is golden, yellow or pale yellow. People with warm undertones are generally more likely to be charmed on the gold level.

3. Natural undertone: Your skin has an equal mix of cool and warm undertones, or you are unable to notice a strong light color.

Why Are Both Important In Foundation?

Undertone and skin tone are both important in the right foundation. While superficial skin color guides you on shade boundaries, choosing a foundation color that matches your complexion will help you with shading. A foundation that integrates your undertones will blend naturally into your skin, rather than creating a cakey or mismatched look. For example, a person with a warm complexion may prefer a foundation with pink or blue undertones, while a person with a cool complexion may prefer a foundation with pink or blue undertones.

How To Determine Your Skin Tone

The first step in finding the ideal foundation match is to determine your skin tone. Here's how to do it:

1. Look at your skin in natural light

The most accurate way to determine your skin tone is to look at it in natural light, as artificial light can distort your complexion. Wash your face and stand in front of a window to look at your skin tone.

2. Check your jawline

The skin around your jawline is the best reflection of your actual skin tone because it is less affected by sun exposure. Match the color of your jawline to the light, medium, or dark color categories to find out your skin tone.

3. Think about how your skin reacts to the sun's rays

If you burn easily, you likely have light skin, while skin that tans but doesn't burn indicates medium to dark skin.

Now that you've determined your skin tone, you can move on to determining your undertone, which we'll discuss next. Knowing both aspects will ensure that your foundation will not only match your skin color, but also enhance its natural beauty.

How to Determine Your Skin undertone

Skin tone is the color that is visible from beneath the skin's surface. Skin tones are warm, neutral, or cool. 

• Warm undertone: Your skin tone is golden or yellow. If gold accessories look better on your skin than silver accessories, you probably have a warm undertone.

• Cool undertone: Your skin tone is pink, red or blue. If silver jewelry looks better on you than gold jewelry, you have a cool undertone.

• Neutral undertone: Your complexion has an equal combination of warm and cool shades. You can wear gold or silver jewelry equally well. 

Identifying Your Undertones

The Vein Test

Check the veins on your wrist. Blue veins represent cool undertones, green veins represent warm undertones, and a combination of these can represent neutral.

The Jewelry Test

Understand which jewelry looks more attractive on you, whether it is gold or silver. Silver is suitable for cool undertones, and gold is suitable for warm undertones. Neutral undertones can easily complement both.

The Sun Reaction Test

If you burn, you probably have cool undertones. If you tan easily, you probably have warm undertones. If you experience a combination of both, you may have neutral undertones.

Knowing your undertone is important because it determines how the foundation shade will react with your natural skin.

Tips For Choosing The Right Foundation Shade

When choosing a foundation, swatching and testing the shade properly is the key to getting the perfect match for you.

1. Swatching on your jawline: Always test foundation shades on your jawline, not on your arm or hand. Your jawline is the ideal place to compare your face and neck to get a uniform look without any obvious color difference.

2. Testing in natural light: After swatching, step into natural light to see how the shade looks. Artificial light can distort the appearance of the foundation, so natural daylight is essential for accurate color matching.

3. Letting it oxidize: Some foundations can become slightly darker within a few minutes of exposure to air, which is called oxidation. Let the swatch dry for 5-10 minutes to see if the color has changed and then conclude if it is a match.

By knowing your skin tone and undertone, and testing foundation shades properly, you will be able to choose a foundation that enhances your complexion, looks natural, and gives you a flawless finish.

Foundation Formulas And Finishes

The type of foundation you use depends on your skin type and the finish you want.

Foundation types: liquid, powder, cream

• Liquid foundation: Can be used on most skin types.

• Powder foundation: Great for oily skin and gives a matte finish.

• Cream foundation: Best for dry skin, gives a hydrating, dewy finish.

Choosing the right finish: matte, dewy, satin

• Matte finish: Ideal for oily skin, reduces shine.

• Dewy finish: Gives a glow, ideal for dry or flat skin.

• Satin finish: Natural look, perfect for all skin types.

Tools for applying foundation

• Brushes: Give precise application and coverage.

• Sponges: Give a smooth, blended effect.

• Fingers: Can be used to create a natural, skin-like finish.

How To Choose a Foundation Based on Skin Type?

Choosing the ideal makeup foundation depends not only on skin color, but also on skin type, which can be dry, oily or combination.

- Sensitive skin: In the case of sensitive skin that is easily irritated and prone to itching or rashes, you should exclude certain ingredients such as fragrances, alcohol, mineral oil and talc.

- Dry skin: You have to choose a moisturizing foundation, or use a liquid foundation if your skin is really dry. They will moisturize your skin and make it wet.

- Oily skin: You can use a powder foundation that will pull moisture from your skin, or use an oil-free liquid foundation so that they do not allow excess oil to accumulate on your face.

- combination skin: This is a difficult skin type because your skin is oily in some areas and dry in others. You should stay away from formulations that contain emollients or oil-based formulations that will activate your skin.

Common Foundation Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

• Testing foundation on the wrong part of your body

Most people apply foundation on their hand or wrist, but this is not the most effective way to find the right foundation for you. Your face (especially near your jawline) is a different color than your arms or hands. Always test foundation on your jawline to make sure it matches your face and neck.

• Not attention to undertones

Ignoring undertones can cause your skin to clash with the foundation. Although a foundation may match your skin tone, it still won't look good if the undertones are unsuitable. Always find out if your undertones are cool, warm or neutral before buying a foundation.

• Ignoring skin tone changes throughout the year

Your complexion changes depending on the time of year, sun exposure and even your hormonal imbalances. Some people use the same foundation all year round, but you may find that you have to switch shades depending on the season.

• Buying foundation via internet swatches

Although shopping online is easy, using swatches alone is misleading. Screen settings and lighting can cause foundation colors to appear inaccurate. When possible, try the product in store or buy a sample size to match before investing in a full line.

How To Make Your Foundation Season-Friendly

Summer and winter - Different seasons require different foundations for makeup. In summers our skin is a little darker while in winters it looks lighter. So, as soon as you feel that your chosen foundation is not working for your needs, it is time to change it. Apart from being prepared to organize your vanity according to the season, it also becomes easier to know which foundation will be right for you. For example, if your skin gets very dry in winters, you should choose an oil or cream-based foundation and avoid water-based foundations.