Picking the Perfect Foundation Shade

When I first started using makeup I used to avoid foundation *insert the monkey covering its eyes emoji* I am a worrier by nature and my main concern was matching my skin to a foundation shade correctly. It seems simple enough, and it is, once you have the correct method of choosing the perfect shade, but I used to fear the 'mask' look that incorrect matching often results in!


Thankfully I learnt the easiest way to ensure getting a perfect match every time. The perfect foundation shade leaves no 'tidemark' between product and skin. If you can see even a slight difference between the applied product and your actual skin tone, you have the wrong color.

The 'Goldilocks Principle' 

The first thing I do is look at my chosen brand's shade spectrum and pick 3-4 samples that roughly match my skin color.  Go for one tester that you think is too Light one that might be Perfect and one that is clearly Darker than your skin, add a fourth shade if you feel you need it.

Next I apply these testers in stripes along my jawline/lower cheek - don't blend. I find working from dark to light makes things easier.Repeat the same stripes on your forehead. You might feel silly but go outside the shop into natural light. Shop lighting is not the best to ascertain the correct foundation shade- natural light will always give you the most realistic idea of how the colors look.

Your perfect shade is the stripe that barely shows up on your skin. If you are stuck try blending the shade you think might be the one, if it 'disappears' on your skin as you blend, you've found your shade!

 Make sure you test the colors on your cheek and forehead, and not your hand. The skin on your hand is often a different shade from your face.

Undertones

Whichever formula and subsequent shade you do pick, go for one with a yellow base. There are only a very few complexions pale enough to warrant pink undertone. Yellow neutralizes everything and adds warmth. 

Beauty counters can sometimes be an intimidating minefield, they really shouldn't be but just to make a few decisions easier, Bobbi Brown is a good go-to for a pink-free range. If you are a MAC fan, their color system is divided into NW and NC tones. NW (warm neutral) is for cool, pink undertones and NC (neutral-cool) is for warm, yellow undertones.

I hope you enjoyed these tips!

love, Olivia 

xoxo