Whether you purchase the foundation online or pick it up from a beauty store. The dilemma that we come across is how to choose the right foundation shade and that too as per the skin type. Most of the time we end up picking the wrong shade foundation or the wrong skin type foundation. It’s a nightmare if that foundation is non-returnable or non-exchangeable.
Even after grabbing the foundation from a beauty store we still aren’t certain if that’s the right shade or not. Getting the correct shade in one go via the online portal is a big-time achievement. For a perfect makeup look its base has to be flawless. No matter how beautifully you draw smokey eyes or achieve a perfect winged eyeliner. A wrong shade in the foundation can break the makeup look.
What’s worse than picking a foundation that doesn’t match our shade as well as doesn’t suit our skin type? Oh my god, it would feel like the end of the world. Well fret not, here is a guide to help you solve the biggest equation of how to choose the right foundation shade for your skin type.
Read: 15 Best Foundations For Acne Prone Skin To Cover Acne Scars And Large Pores
Read: 13 Best Dewy Foundations For Instantly Glowing Skin
P.S: With a beautiful look do you wish to slay further with trendy outfits and jump on the bandwagon then do read 15 Spring Summer 2024 Fashion Trends or 9 Spring Summer 2024 Color Trends
How To Choose The Right Foundation Shade For Your Skin Type:
1. Analyze Your Skin-Type:
This is the most vital step in picking up the right foundation color for your skin type. Know what type of skin you have: Dry Skin, Oily Skin, Combination Skin.
If you have dry skin: Dry skin is the dehydrated skin that needs moisture. This type of skin requires a foundation that is hydrating and has a creamy consistency. A foundation with a dewy finish works best with dry skin.
If you have oily skin: Oily skin requires a foundation that helps to control shine by keeping it at bay and offers a matte finish. Oil-free foundation with a matte finish works great with oily skin.
If you have combination skin: Combination skin has some parts of the face oily while other parts dry. You need to strike a balance between hydrating and mattifying foundation. Several foundations are out there explicitly formulated for combination skin without you having to mix two different foundations.
2. Match Your Skin-Tone:
Numerous shades are available in foundation to suit your skin tone. But majorly foundation shades are divided into three categories: Light, Medium, and Deep.
So the first and foremost step here is to narrow down the list by eliminating the other two categories that aren’t your skin tone. Pick the foundation that matches your skin tone.
3. Know Your Undertone:
Undertone is basically the skin’s underlying color. Yes, you need to match the foundation shade with your undertone too. Undertones are of three types: Cool, Warm, and Neutral.
To know your undertone check the color of your veins.
Cool Undertones: If the color of your vein is purplish you have a cool undertone. The foundation for cool undertones has a pinkish hue.
Warm Undertones: If the color of your vein is greenish you have a warm undertone. The foundation for warm undertones has more of a yellowish hue.
Neutral Undertones: If you aren’t able to predict the color of your veins or you have a mix of both cool and warm tones then you fall under the neutral undertone category. The foundation for a neutral undertone should neither be too pinkish nor too yellowish. The peachy foundation works well with neutral undertones.
Some brands do label the undertones on them. While some brands offer online charts that sort the shades accordingly to match the undertone and skin tone.
4. Choose The Coverage:
Different foundation provides different coverage. There are three types of coverage: Light, Medium, and Full.
Light Coverage: If you just want to even out the skin tone you can opt for a foundation that offers light coverage.
Full Coverage: With acne-prone skin or skin with blemishes, imperfections require a full coverage foundation to cover acne scars and blemishes seamlessly.
Medium Coverage: Medium coverage evens out the skin tone and can cover blemishes up to some extent. Medium coverage is often buildable to full coverage by layering it up.
5. Determine The Type Of Finish:
Foundations are formulated with different types of finish depending upon the type of look you prefer.
Matte Finish: Matte finish keeps the sheen at bay and provides a poreless finish. This type of finish is best suitable for oily skin or acne-prone skin.
Dewy Finish: A Dewy finish is suitable for dry skin as it makes the skin radiant and luminous.
6. Do A Foundation Swatch:
Now that you have matched the foundation with your skin tone and undertone you are left with a handful of options. Test them all one by one. No, you don’t have to test it on your hands. The shade of your hand is usually different than the shade of your face and neck. The best way is to swatch along the jawline such that the foundation swatch is on both the face and neck. Swatch all the shades next to each other and compare them all.
Choose the one that matches exactly or closely to that of your skin tone. Wait, we are not done yet. Have you heard of foundation oxidation?
Foundation oxidation is the process in which the foundation turns a shade or two darker in contact with air. To know if the foundation oxidizes blend the foundation and wait for some time. If it turns darker then the foundation oxidizes. In that case, you will need to select a shade lighter than the tested foundation. If it doesn’t oxidize you can go with the one you tested.
If you are planning to purchase a foundation online you can read reviews about its shades and oxidation.
Some tips on how to choose a foundation:
- The foundation is basically used to even out skin tone and not create a fairer base so the shade must match your skin tone and undertone.
- If you have sensitive skin reach out for a fragrance-free foundation as fragrance irritates sensitive skin.
- It is essential to use non-comedogenic foundations if you have acne-prone skin. Non-comedogenic products are those that won’t clog pores. Pore-clogging products worsen acne.
- Foundations infused with salicylic acid help to treat acne as well as prevent any other future breakouts.
- Whenever you buy a foundation make sure it is returnable or exchangeable.
- If you are purchasing the foundation online make sure you read reviews about it.
Some Of The Best Foundations You Can Try:
| Coverage | Dry Skin | Oily Skin | Combination Skin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buildable To Full Coverage | Maybelline New York Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation | Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation | Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation, Revlon ColorStay Makeup |
| Medium Coverage | Maybelline New York Dream Radiant Liquid Hydrating Foundation | Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Liquid Makeup | L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup |
Conclusion:
This was the guide on how to choose the right shade foundation for your skin type. Hope you enjoyed reading this article. By following this guide I am certain you will never regret buying the wrong foundation shade or you will never be stuck with a ruined makeup base.
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