Makeup 101: How to find the right foundation shade.

Makeup 101:How to find the right foundation shade.

Have you ever walked in a store and bought a foundation you thought was right for you and you try it out and its way off?Haven't we all been there. You probably did this cause you had no knowledge of how to choose the best foundation for your skin tone. This is how I could help. I will walk you through the steps you should consider on how to find the right foundation shade for your skin tone.



Step 1: Know Your Skin Tone.

In order to find your perfect foundation, you need to find out first what is your skin tone? Now, there are four types of skin tones.

• Fair Light Skin :If you tend to burn easily or can't stay in the sun for too long. This is probably your skin tone.
• Light Medium Skin : If your skin tends to burn first but tan when you've been out in the sun. This could be your skin tone.
• Medium Deep Skin : If you tan easily when exposed to the sun. This could be your skin tone.
• Deep or Dark Skin : If your skin is naturally brown without tanning. This is your skin tone.

Step 2 : What is your undertone?

Most manufacturers group their foundations based on the different types of skin tones and undertones. Therefore, knowing your undertone would go a long way in finding your perfect foundation. There are three categories; warm/yellow, cool/pink, neutral/peach. You find your undertone using these methods.

• With jewelry: If you feel your skin looks vibrant when you wear gold jewelry, your undertone should be warm/yellow. If it looks better when you were silver jewelry, your undertone should be cool/pink. If you look good either wearing gold or silver jewelry, your undertone should be neutral/peach.
• With your clothing: If wear an orange or yellow shirt and your like "Hmm, I look good in this shirt.", your undertone should be cool/pink. If you try it on and your like "Umm, No! Blue shirt anyone?", your undertone should be warm/yellow. If you look good wearing both, your undertone should be neutral/peach.
• With a piece of paper: Carry a white piece of paper and put it next to your face. If your complexion looks dull in comparison, you have cool/pink undertone. If you cast a warm shadow, you have a warm/yellow undertone. If you didn't notice a difference, you have a neutral/peach undertone.
• With your veins: Turn your hand and look at your veins. If they appear green in color, you have warm/yellow undertone. If it appears blue or purple you have a cool/pink undertone. If you have both, you have neutral/peach undertone.

Step 3: Understand the type of foundation.

To choose your perfect foundation, you need to understand the various types of foundation that work well with your skin type.

• Liquid foundation:As the name implies, this type of foundation comes in liquid form. They are generally universal for all skin types i.e dry, oil or combination skin type. Note:- If your looking to control the oiliness of your skin, I would recommend buying a matte foundation or a compact powder. If your looking to make your skin feel less dry, I would recommend a hydrating moisturizer or primer and foundation.
• Cream foundation: This kind of foundation has a creamy texture which is slightly thicker than liquid foundation. I would recommend this to be used by people who have dry to combination skin type because of the oily formula of this foundation.
• Stick foundation: They are more suitable for oily skin types. I would not recommend this for dry skin because of the texture but if you have this skin type putting on a moisturizing primer or cream or an elixir as a primer i.e farsali rose gold elixir. The advantage of this stick though is the compact nature, so you don't have to worry about it breaking or pouring in your luggage when you travel.
• Powder foundation: These type of foundations work when your looking to go for a little coverage and no makeup kind of look. It also works best for oily skin and can also be used to set your previous foundation if you applied one.
• Mousse foundation: They have a creamy formula with an added moisture to them. They are great for all skin types and give an air brushed, silky, matte finish which is a perfect canvas to do the rest of your makeup. They are found to be best applied with your fingers from the center of your face outward but if you feel it didn't distribute well, you could go in with your foundation brush.
• Tinted moisturizer: This is a blend of foundation and moisturizer. It's used by most women who don't need much coverage. They are mostly 3-in-1 products being a moisturizer, foundation and contain SPF.
• Loose foundation: This gives a sheer to medium coverage. It is suitable for acne-prone skin and can be used to set your foundation. It usually gives a matte finish.

Step 4: Test your foundation.

You should always test your foundation before buying it. When most people want to try a foundation shade, they try it out on the back of their hand. Beware, the back of your hand is usually darker than your face, so testing your foundation here is wrong. Let me share with you a personal experience.

I bought Milan Conceal+Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation in the shade Spiced almond (12) and of course i tested it on the back of my hand and it blended seamlessly. I went home and tried it on. Yes, i looked darker but i tried to convince myself otherwise. I wore this foundation to a friend's place and I kept on getting remarks "Oh, You're darker now".

Food for thought:Test your foundation along your neck and jawline. If it disappears seamlessly into your skin, you've found the right foundation shade.

Step 5: Step out.

Most store lighting would give you a false impression on how your foundation looks. So step out into the sun and see if this foundation blends into your skin naturally.

Tips and tricks

• If there are samples of foundation, feel free to take one of your potential shades home and test it out to find out if it is your foundation shade.
• Go online and research on foundations after using this as a guide to know what type of foundation would fit your skin. Look for products from brands that have generally favorable reviews. This would help you limit your choices and choose a foundation that would make you happy.
• Don't buy a foundation online unless you're sure that's your shade. Most graphical representation of foundation shades are not realistic/true.
• Use your knowledge of undertones and skin tones to find foundation shade names to narrow down your selection.
• Like if you have a warm/yellow undertone, you would usually see names like medium beige, golden tan, golden caramel, natural tan etc.
• Like if you have a cool/pink undertone, you would usually see names like cool beige, nude, classic ivory etc.
• Like if you have a neutral/peach undertone, you would usually see names like warm sand, warm beige, pure beige etc.

NOW WHAT IF YOU BUY THE WRONG SHADE?

Some stores don't accept return policies for certain products. Now if you did buy the wrong shade, don't fret. We've all been there trust me. These are some ways you could resolve this.

• If its darker than your skin, you could mix it with a little moisturizer or SPF lotion which is preferably white to make it lighter.
• If its lighter than your skin, apply your foundation then apply a bronzer to give a warmer glow.
• You could also mix two foundations and try to get your perfect shade. 

After I found out the Milan Foundation wasn't my shade, I mixed it with my Mary Kay 507 foundation and viola! My perfect foundation shade.

So what are you waiting for? Use these guide/steps to help you find the right foundation.
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