How to Choose the Right Foundation Shade
Have you ever been met with embarrassing comments like "You're as pale as a sheet" after getting all dressed up to go out? Here are some common mistakes to analyze.
Have you ever been met with embarrassing comments like "You're as pale as a sheet" after getting all dressed up to go out? Here are some common mistakes to analyze.
Minefield Alert! Three Common Reasons 90% of People Choose the Wrong Foundation Shade
❌ Misleading Counter Lighting: Color selection under lighting is often inaccurate; carefully compare under natural light.
❌ Testing on Your Arm: The skin tone on your arm differs significantly from your face, making such a test inaccurate.
❌ Blindly Pursuing Fairness: Choosing the lightest shade can result in a fake, grayish-toned look. This often stems from choosing the wrong foundation shade. An inappropriate foundation shade not only makes your skin look unnatural but can also ruin your overall look.
Steps to Choosing a Shade
▲ 1. Determine Your Skin Tone
Before choosing a foundation shade, the first step is to understand your skin tone. Your skin tone is crucial for choosing the right foundation shade, as different skin tones require different foundation types for optimal results. By observing the color of your veins, your skin tone, and how your skin reacts to sunlight, you can get a rough idea of your skin tone. While this step may seem tedious, it's a crucial first step in ensuring you choose the right foundation shade.
Vein Test: Observe the color of the veins on your wrist under natural light.
Cool skin (pink undertone): If your veins appear purple or blue, a pink/purple-toned foundation is suitable.
Warm skin (yellow undertone): If your veins appear green or olive, a yellow/gold-toned foundation is suitable.
Neutral skin: If your veins appear a mixture of blue and green, most foundation shades will work well.
Another method is the gold and silver jewelry test: cool skin appears fairer when wearing silver jewelry, while warm skin appears flattering when wearing gold jewelry.
▲ 2. Choosing the right tone
Accurately selecting the right tone (depth or lightness) is crucial. To find your perfect shade, apply foundation to the area where your jawline meets your neck and observe how it blends with your skin tone. Ideally, there shouldn't be a noticeable dividing line. To avoid color mistakes, a safe rule of thumb is to choose a slightly lighter shade, considering the tendency for foundation to dull after oxidation. For Asian women, it's generally recommended to choose a shade 0.5-1 shade lighter than your skin tone to brighten without appearing too pale. Also, European and American brands often use "Ivory/Porcelain" shades that are pale, so choose with caution.
▲ 3. Choose a foundation based on your skin type
- Dry skin: Choose a water-based foundation with moisturizing ingredients (such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid) and avoid oil-control products.
- Oily skin: Choose products labeled "oil-free" or "matte" to ensure long-lasting results, lasting at least 12 hours. 3. Combination Skin: For the T-zone, it's recommended to use an oil-control product. For the cheeks, you can layer a moisturizing spray or lotion to maintain a balanced oil-water balance.
For sensitive skin, be sure to check the ingredient list and avoid foundations containing alcohol or fragrance. If you have acne-prone skin, it's recommended to prioritize mineral foundations to reduce the risk of breakouts. Furthermore, when choosing a foundation, consider your skin tone: cool skin should choose pink tones, while warm skin should choose yellow tones. The jawline is the best place to test the color. Also, allow for any oxidation and dullness to ensure the final effect.
Choosing the Right Skin Tone
The following explains how to choose the right foundation for different skin tones:
NC (Neutral Cool) is ideal for Asians with yellow undertones.
NW (Neutral Warm) is more suitable for Caucasians, or Europeans with pink undertones.
For Asians, NC20 and NC25 are suitable.
For fair skin, NC15 is the best choice. For fair to medium skin tones, NC20 is a more suitable shade.
For medium skin tones, NC25 creates a natural, flawless complexion.
If you have a healthy tan, NC30 or NC35 would be a good choice.
While each brand's foundation shades may vary, they generally fall into similar categories. Once you understand and determine your foundation's undertone, you can then choose the shade that suits you best. If you're looking for a brightening effect, choose a shade one shade lighter, or in other words, a shade towards the lighter end.
It's worth noting that some brands may offer a simpler foundation shade selection, limited to ivory and natural. While this may make choosing easier, professional makeup brands generally offer a more comprehensive selection of shades, making it easier to find a shade that's perfect for you.