How to find the right foundation shade

Anyone familiar with the makeup world knows what a foundation is. So, let’s say you’ve explored the concept of makeup brushes, bronzers, and eyeshadow palettes. But have you stopped momentarily to find out if you truly know your foundation? 

Do you know what it can do and how it should be used?

The thing is, Foundation might not be the most glamorous product in your makeup collection, but trust me, it’s the unsung hero of any makeup routine. Think of it as the primer for your masterpiece. Like a blank canvas where the rest of your makeup magic happens. 

Why do you need a Foundation in Your Makeup Collection

You need to have a foundation handy for several reasons, and I’ll share them with you in just a moment. First, it evens out your skin tone. You see, our skin has a mind of its own, sometimes showing up with redness here or a dark circle there. 

So the foundation is like a superhero for your face, evening out your skin tone and creating a smooth, unified base. It’s like hitting the reset button on your complexion, getting you ready to accentuate your look.

Second, the foundation acts like double-sided tape for your makeup. It creates a smooth surface so your blush, bronzer, and highlighter blend seamlessly, without looking patchy or streaky. 

Let’s not forget that it allows your makeup to stay for a longer time (with the right products, though). So, no more makeup meltdowns. You can rock that flawless face all day or night. 

Third, and definitely, a sure add, is that foundation can improve your makeup, giving you a confidence boost. The truth is, sometimes, a little unevenness can bring down one’s confidence. So foundation can help to hide those imperfections, whether they’re blemishes, sunspots, or redness. 

Let’s take things a step further, diving into a deeper concept of foundations, color correction, and everything else in between.

Color Correction and Foundation

Mastering the concept of color correction will take your foundation game to a whole new level of awesomeness. Yes, foundation acts like a base by smoothing things out. But what about those stubborn red patches or dark circles that dampen your look? That’s where you need color correction. 

Simply put, color correction involves using color theory to neutralize unwanted tones on your face. It’s like canceling out colors with colors. I’ll explain.

Color correction can be your secret to achieving a flawless beat, and how it works is simply based on the theory that some colors cancel out each other. For instance, green counteracts redness, such as from blemishes, lavender battles yellow tones, and peach tackles blueish tones, such as the appearance of veins on your skin.

But hold on! 

Before you go wild with your color-correcting palette, there’s one crucial thing that you need to understand, and that is undertone. This is the underlying color of your skin, like a subtle hue underneath that peeks through your surface tone. It can be cool, as in pink or rosy, warm, such as yellow or golden undertone,  or neutral, a mix of both.

In simple terms, the foundation shade has to match the darkness or lightness of your skin tone, while the foundation undertone matches the cool, warm, or neutral cast underneath. Therefore, when picking a foundation, you should look out for not only the shade but also the undertone. 

Now, I know you’re probably wondering where Color correction comes into play in all of these. Well, you’re about to find out.

The Concept of Color Correction

So now that you know what a proper foundation should do, how can you eliminate unwanted color tones?  Well, you guessed right. Color theory!

Green correctors are perfect for battling redness, so you need a green primer or color corrector to cover up blemishes or flushed areas before applying foundation. 

If you have tired eyes, a lavender corrector can neutralize those pesky yellow tones and brighten your under-eye area. Also, if you notice bluish veins or dark circles on your face, you try a peach corrector to even out your skin tone and create a more natural look.

And there you have it! The secret to a flawless beat!

With an understanding of color correction and undertone, trust me, you can take your foundation game to the next level. Just remember that color correction requires you to be subtle. So only apply a small amount of your product and blend it seamlessly for a natural finish. 

Now that you understand color correction, let’s discuss how to find the right foundation shade for your skintone.

How to Find the Right Foundation Shade

Finding the right foundation can be a bit of a hassle. But fear not—this guide will equip you to find your perfect foundation shade like a pro. 

Know Your Skin Tone

This is the first requirement when choosing a foundation shade—you can call it “Foundation 101.” 

To find your skin tone, examine your face in natural light to determine whether you’re fair, light, medium, deep, or somewhere between. If you’re unsure of your conclusion, you can always ask for a second opinion from someone else.

Also, while you’re trying to determine your skin tone, try to identify your undertone. As I mentioned, both go hand in hand, so you need that information, too. 

Here’s a little trick to help with this: Look at your veins on your wrist. If they’re greenish, it means you have a warm undertone, but if they’re blue or purple, it suggests you have a cool undertone.

Know the little tricks

You may not be aware, but foundations can change color after they dry on your skin, a phenomenon called oxidation. 

So if you want to know the true color of your foundation, apply a little product on your skin and wait for 10 minutes or so before making your final decision. This way, you won’t have a shade that’s too dark or too orange later.

Also, always use natural light when testing the foundations. Harsh fluorescent lights can play tricks on your eyes, so when applying the foundation, try to do it in natural daylight. This way, you can see the foundation’s appearance when you’re out and about. 

Take your time to choose

The first thing I want to point out here is that you need to resist the urge just to pick the shade that looks closest in the foundation bottle. Rather, test it out on your skin. To do this, apply a few shades on your jawline and blend it to see which one disappears seamlessly into your skin. You may also be lucky to find a store that offers foundation samples.

If you find one, apply a little bit of the sample at home and wear it for a few hours to see how it feels and looks throughout the day. Check if it oxidizes or makes your skin oily. Also, look out for other important factors, as these will be key to finding the right fit. 

Finding Your Perfect Match

Foundations come in all sorts of fun varieties these days. While there are lightweight formulas for a natural look and better hydration, matte foundations for people with oily skin, and even options with SPF to protect you from the sun. 

So, to help you find your best fit across different brands, I have compiled a list of foundations from popular brands and their best matches across other brands. 

To find more matches for several other foundation shades, head to Findation.com. There’s so much to discover there.

Let me say that…..

Foundation isn’t for everyone. You may love your natural skin, and that’s awesome! But if you’re looking for a way to even things out, boost your confidence, and create a flawless base for your makeup magic, trust me, foundation is your friend. 

So next time you want to create some magic with your makeup “tools”, don’t underestimate the power of a good foundation – it might be the key to unlocking your next best makeup look.

Will you be giving your foundation a chance? Let me know in the comment section. And don’t forget also to let me know what your favorite foundation is. 

See ya!!!