One of the hardest aspects of makeup application is finding the perfect foundation shade for your skin tone. The correct foundation can give you smooth and even skin while the incorrect one can leave your face looking artificial or mismatched. A lot of people pick foundation purely on the color of their skin, but you have to consider your skin tone, undertone, skin type and the foundation formula. In this guide we’ll cover how to pick the perfect foundation shade for your skin tone along with few simple tips to select the foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foundation is the base of your makeup and picking the right shade will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Create a natural, skin-like base
Make your makeup blend well<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reduce your chances of having a cakey or unnatural face. A lighter foundation will make your face seem ash or grey and a dark foundation will create contrast between your face and neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you start searching for foundation shades, you need to know your skin tone. The general terms are used to categorize the surface color of your skin. They are typically referred to as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Fair skin tone<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s usually characterized by very light skin that burns easily in the sun.
Suits foundation shades: Light beige, Ivory, porcelain shades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Medium skin tone<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The average skin tone mostly seen in India.
Suits foundation shades: Warm beige, Natural beige, sand shades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Dusky skin tone<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They have deep and rich complexion, mostly seen in Indian skin tones.
Suits foundation shades: Caramel, Honey, deep beige, Mocha shades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Skin tone is not all you need to consider when choosing a foundation shade. You also have to determine your undertone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Skin undertone is the actual color beneath the surface of the skin. Skin tone could change if you get a tan, but the skin undertone will remain consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Warm undertone<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have golden, yellow or peachy hues beneath the surface of your skin you have a warm undertone.
Characteristics: Gold jewelry looks best on your skin and veins on your wrist look green. Skin usually tans easily. Yellow undertones require yellow-based foundations and concealers.
Suits foundation shades: Golden beige, warm honey, yellow based foundation shades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Cool undertone<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your skin has hints of pink, red, or bluish shades below the surface it has a cool undertone.
Characteristics: Silver jewelry enhances your features and veins on your wrist look blue or purple. Skin burns quickly and easily. Pink undertones require pink-based foundations.
Suits foundation shades: Pink beige, rose tones, cool ivory shades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Neutral undertone<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is when the skin is a mix of both warm and cool.
Characteristics: When you can wear both gold and silver jewelry well then this is the undertone you have. Veins can look blue-green and most shades will probably suit you.
Suits foundation shades: Natural beige, Neutral shades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you cannot figure out your skin undertone, here are a few tricks you can use at home to identify your undertone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Vein Test:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If you have green veins, then you have warm undertones. If your veins appear blue or purple, then you have cool undertones. If you have both blue and green veins or a mix, you have neutral undertones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Jewelry Test:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try a few gold and silver jewelry on your wrist. If gold looks better on you, you have warm undertones. If silver looks good on you then you have cool undertones. If both silver and gold suit you, then you have neutral undertones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The White Cloth Test:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hold a white piece of cloth near your face without any makeup on it. If your face appears more yellow or golden, then you have warm undertones. If your face seems more pinkish then it is a cool undertone. And if they seem neutral, then you have neutral undertones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you know your skin tone and undertone, it’s time to find the foundation that is suitable for you.
Step 1: Identify your skin type<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first thing before choosing a foundation color would be to know your skin type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oily Skin: Prefer mattifying shades and oil-free formulas.
Dry Skin: Use hydrating or dewier foundations that hydrate and lend a glow to the skin.
Combination Skin: Use a natural finish foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The simplest way to find the appropriate foundation shade is by testing the foundation directly on your jawline. As your hands can be different in tone to your face, do not test on your hand; use either your jawline or lower part of your cheek where your face and neck meet. The foundation color must blend with both your face and neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of the department store lights are usually not of good quality. It is important to check the color under the natural light before buying foundation. If, you are choosing it from an online store, check for swatches images under natural light and customer reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some foundations oxidize after application, which means the color deepens. So, before finally deciding, wait for 10 to 15 minutes. If the foundation is in the correct shade after oxidation, then you can finalize it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choosing a lighter foundation to match Indian skin tone: A lighter foundation tone when applied will look ash and grey and not like your actual skin tone.
Ignoring the undertone: Even if the foundation shade is accurate, it might be wrong in undertone, making you look unnatural.
Applying it on your hands:Hands have completely different tones when it comes to comparing with the face, so never apply it on the hands.
Buying without research: If you do not test the shade at all or check it under natural light, you end up with wrong shades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to choosing foundation shades for Indian skin tones we often choose between warm and neutral undertones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avoid extremely pink-based foundations.
It is always better to have a neutral or golden based foundation for Indian skin tone.
Always test your foundation shades on the jawline and also the neck so that the tone should be perfect blending into the two.
Many foundations also change shade after oxidation, so test it and give it some time to settle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
always moisturize your skin well before applying any makeup
Use a primer for a more even canvas
Use only a thin layer of foundation and never directly heavy application.
Blending well into the neck is essential
Always use makeup tools like foundation brushes or beauty blenders
If you feel it’s too much then apply it sparingly and set it with a little loose powder for a more natural finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choosing the correct foundation shade for your skin tone is a key part of makeup. A foundation shouldn’t appear to alter your complexion but should blend seamlessly into the skin giving it a natural look. With the tips above, you can easily make sure you get the perfect match without looking artificial and enhancing your beautiful features with the correct foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. How can I identify my ideal foundation shade?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Test foundations on your jawline to see how well they match your face and neck. Choose the shade that blends most seamlessly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One of the hardest aspects of makeup application is finding the perfect foundation shade for your skin tone. The correct foundation can give you smooth and even skin while the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n