Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Foundation Shade

The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Foundation Shade: Tips for Every Skin Tone 

Finding the perfect foundation shade can feel like embarking on a thrilling treasure hunt, with your skin's unique undertone and depth of colour guiding the way. Whether you're a makeup artist with a keen eye for detail or a beauty enthusiast eager to unlock the secrets of a flawless complexion, understanding how to choose the correct foundation shade and formula is key. The journey begins with identifying your undertone—pink, yellow, or neutral—which serves as the foundation for selecting a shade that seamlessly blends with your natural skin colour. Coupled with determining your depth of colour, this ensures you avoid the common pitfalls of mismatched shades. Join us as we delve into the art of finding your ideal foundation, empowering you to confidently showcase your beauty with products tailored just for you, like ourStroke of Genius Foundation.

Find your tone

Before diving into the world of foundations, it's crucial to understand your unique skin tone. This knowledge will be your compass in navigating the vast sea of foundation shades available. 

Discover Your Undertone 

Your undertone is the subtle hue beneath your skin's surface that affects how foundation looks on you. It's the key to finding a foundation that truly matches your skin. 

There are three main undertones: cool (pink or red), warm (yellow or golden), and neutral (a mix of both). To determine yours, try these simple tests: 

1. Check your veins: Blue or purple veins indicate a cool undertone, green veins suggest a warm undertone, and if you can't tell, you might have a neutral undertone. 
2. Consider how your skin reacts to the sun: If you burn easily, you're likely cool-toned. If you tan easily, you're probably warm-toned. 
3. Hold gold and silver jewellery against your skin: If gold looks better, you're warm-toned. If silver complements your skin, you're cool-toned. If both look great, you might be neutral. 

Remember, your undertone isn't necessarily related to your skin's depth of colour. You can have fair skin with warm undertones or deep skin with cool undertones. 

Determine Depth of Colour 

Once you've identified your undertone, the next step is determining your skin's depth of colour. This refers to how light or dark your skin appears on the surface. Your depth of colour is where you sit on the spectrum of light (medium or dark) and will ensure you don’t choose a shade that’s too light or too dark. So, how do you tell your depth of colour? 

Skin depth typically falls into one of these categories: fair, light, medium, tan, deep, or very deep. To determine yours: 

1. Fair skin – doesn’t tan easily and is quite pale all year round. 
2. Light – mostly pale but can still get a slight tan. 
3. Medium – tan most of the year round but can build quite a dark tan when exposed to the sun. 
4. Deep - Dark – consistent caramel /chocolate tone all year round. 

If you're someone whose skin tone changes with the seasons or tans easily, don't be afraid to mix shades for a perfect match. Many makeup artists blend two shades to create a custom colour. Our foundations come in a range of shades that cater to a variety of skin tones, so don't hesitate to explore and blend different shades to achieve a customised look that complements your unique complexion. 

Matching Shade to Skin Tone 

Finding your ideal foundation shade is a mix of science and art. It's about matching both your undertone and depth of colour for a seamless, natural look. 

Start by selecting a few shades that seem close to your skin tone. Test them on your jawline, not your hand or wrist, as these areas often have a different tone than your face. 

Pro tip: Natural light is your best friend when shade matching. Step outside or near a window to see how the foundation looks in daylight. 

Remember, a good foundation should disappear into your skin, not mask it. If you can see a line where the foundation ends, it's not the right shade. 

Selecting the Ideal Formula 

The right foundation formula can make all the difference in achieving a flawless finish. Your choice should depend on your skin type, desired coverage, and preferred application method. 

For dry skin, seek out hydrating liquid or cream foundations. Our Foundation Stick and Stroke of Genius Foundation are perfect for adding moisture while providing buildable coverage. If you prefer a natural, barely-there look, try a tinted moisturizer or BB cream like our BBB Cream SPF 30+ or Off-Duty Tinted Moisturizer.  

If you have oily skin, opt for oil-free or matte formulas. Both the Advanced Mineral Makeup and China Doll Foundation are excellent for controlling shine while giving a natural finish. 

For combination skin, consider using different formulas on different areas of your face. You might use a matte foundation on your T-zone and a more hydrating formula on drier areas. Consider using a powder foundation like our Camera Finish Powder Foundation to give you that flawless, airbrushed effect. 

Find your perfect match

Remember, the best foundation is one that makes you feel confident and comfortable in your skin. Don't be afraid to experiment until you find your perfect match!