Winter is usually the time a year us ladies like to restock on foundation. By now what little tan we were able to hold onto during the fall has been scrubbed off by our winter exfoliants. With no where to run, we head to the cosmetic department to pick up a foundation that’s not one, but two (or gasp, three!) shades lighter. In order to avoid the dreaded line of demarcation (you know, that one along your jaw that shows just how pale you really are) it’s important to pick up a foundation that is more than just the right color, but the right tone! No matter your skin color, each of us has an undertone that is equally important to match. Gather round as a dish on this skin-matching secret.
Long gone are the days when foundations came in the three shades. Paler chicks are rocking “porcelain”, “ivory” or “cream” and medium skinned girls are everything from “beige”, “medium beige,” “golden beige” or “tan.” Unfortunately, many cosmetic companies in drugstores are still in denial that women with darker complexions come in more shades than “ebony.” Although there are various colors available, it can be difficult to find the right tone. The undertone of your skin can be warm, cool or neutral.
First, it’s important to determine what your undertone is. An easy test to figure this out is to look at the underside of your arm at your veins. If the veins are blue, you have a cool undertone. If the veins appear green or yellow, then you have a warm undertone. If you have a combination of both blue and green, then you have a neutral undertone.
Next step would be to pick the right color that suits your skin’s shade and tone. More companies these days offer foundations in each of these tones, making it easier for us to find the right match. L’Oreal is a drugstore brand that has implemented this, and MAC is known for their color matching. If a brand doesn’t make it as simple, look for certain key words in the color of a foundation. Often times, words like “warm” “golden” and “sun” cater to warmer undertones. Neutral girls should be on the look out for words like “true,” “pure” and “classic.” Ladies with cooler complexions have less code words to go by, but actually have it the easiest since brands tend to cater to women with cooler complexions.
To get the absolute closest match to your skin color and tone, test the foundation first along your jaw. Your perfect shade should match seamlessly into your skin without any blending. If testers aren’t available, your best bet is to head to a part of the store with natural light and hold up the bottle or tube to your face, and pick the one that matches best. If you aren’t sold on any one color, pick up two different colors and combine them to make your perfect match.
Putting in some extra effort when picking out your foundation can change your entire look. Figuring out which foundation matches you best makes it easier to pick up your right shade during any season.