Foundation can be defined as the cosmetic base that one uses to cover blemishes of their face. It is important to find out the appropriate foundation shade for your skin as well as how to apply it. This is because the wrong foundation can make you look unnatural and the rest of the cosmetics won’t look good on your face. In order to create an ideal natural-looking complexion using makeup, you must understand your skin tone and undertone.
Read this article to find out how you can choose the right skin tone foundation shade for you.
How to Find your Skin Tone?
There are three different categories of skin tone- Light, Medium & Dark. The skin tone is determined by the amount of melanin present in the outer layer of the skin.
- Light:Individuals who have light skin tone are sensitive to sun exposure and come from regions that have a cold climate (Example: Canada). Thus, their skin does not need much melanin to protect their skin from the UV rays. This type of skin requires extra protection if they are exposed to harsh sun rays.
- Medium:Medium skin tone is a balanced neutral tone that tans easily whenever they’re exposed to the sun rays (Example: Indians). Thus, this type of skin tone requires a high amount of melanin to protect their skin against the harsh UV rays.
- Dark: Similar to medium skin tone, dark skin tone tans easily whenever they are exposed to sun rays (Example: Africans). Dark skin tone requires protection against harsh UV rays in order to prevent premature aging of the skin and pigmentation.
How to Identify your Skin Undertone?
Skin undertones are of three types- cool, neutral, and warm. These tones are referred to as the colors that come via the skin from underneath its surface.
- Cool undertones have hints of pink, blue, and reddish complexion. They tend to burn more easily.
- Warm undertones usually have traces of gold, olive, and yellow tones in their skin. They don’t burn easily and generally get darker in the sun.
- Neutral undertones have an equal mixture of both warm and cool tones. They generally get darker in the sun and might burn too.
Some of the tests that you can do to identify your skin undertone are listed below:
- Firstly, look at the inside part of your arm and check the color of your veins. If the color of your veins is purple or blue, then you have got a cool skin undertone. If the color appears green or olive then you have a warm skin undertone. But if you find it difficult to determine the color then most probably you have a neutral skin tone.
- Secondly, if you see that your skin is turning red when you are exposed to the sun then you have a cool skin undertone. On the contrary, if it appears darker in the sun then you have a warm skin undertone.
- The white test: Take a piece of white paper or a bright white towel and put it up by your face (without makeup). Check if your complexion looks dull or good? If it looks dull, then you have got a warm skin undertone. If you think it is looking good, then you have a cool skin undertone. However, if you cannot see much difference then you have a neutral undertone.
How to Select Foundation Shade from Swatch Test?
Once you have identified your skin color and undertone, then it won’t be much difficult for you to choose the foundation shade. You can begin by shortlisting 3 shades that match your skin tone. Dab some swatches onto your jawline (keeping some space between each one) and test them. Finally, opt for the foundation shade that blends perfectly with your face and neck.
- If you have a cool skin undertone then you must select a foundation with a rose or blue base, and shades like rose, sable, and porcelain.
- If you have a warm skin undertone then you must opt for a foundation with a gold or yellow base, and choose shades like caramel, golden, and tan.
- If you have a neutral skin undertone then choose shades like nude, ivory, or praline.
How to Determine Which is the Right Foundation Shade for You?
Select a foundation shade that provides full or medium coverage if you have an uneven complexion. Or else, you must opt for a foundation shade that provides partial coverage if you have an even complexion and want a natural look.
Now, after you have found the right shade from the three swatches, spread the final shade across your jawline and brush a cotton ball that is soaked with makeup remover at the center. If you do not spot any difference between the foundation shade and your bare skin, then congratulations! You’ve found the right foundation shade for you.
How will Know if your Foundation Shade is Season-proof?
Skin tones can change in various seasons owing to sun exposure. This means you will have different makeup foundations for different seasons. During winter, our skin tone is paler while in summer it usually becomes darker. While choosing foundations for different seasons, keep in mind the type of foundations- liquid/cream/serum/powder that suits you. For example, if your skin becomes dry during winter then opt for a moisturizing or hydrating cream foundation shade. On the contrary, if your skin becomes oily during the summer season then choose a matte finish or powder foundation shade.
Find Out Foundation Shade That Matches Your Skin Tone
To find out which foundation shade matches your skin tone, look at the table below:
| Skin Tone | Foundation shades you can try |
| Ivory | 1) L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation – N(ivory)
2) Lakme 9 to 5 Weightless Mini Mousse Foundation (Rose Ivory) |
| Natural | 1) Olay Total Effects 7 In One Touch Of Foundation BB Creme SPF 15 (Natural shade)
2) Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation (Natural/Golden Natural) |
| Golden | 1) L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro‑Matte Foundation (Golden shade)
2) Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation (Golden/Beige) |
| Porcelain | 1) SUGAR Drop: The Base Serum Foundation – 37 Freddo (Porcelain/Nude)
2) Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation SPF 20 – 10 Light (Porcelain) |
| Tan | 1) Lakme Absolute 3D Cover Foundation (Cool Tan/Nude)
2) Nykaa SKINgenius BB Cream SPF30 ( Claasic Tan) |
| Honey | 1) Lakme Absolute Argan Oil Serum Foundation SPF 24 ( Neutral Honey)
2) Lakmé 9 to 5 CC Complexion Care Cream(Honey/Beige/Almond) |
| Sand | 1) L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation – D5W5 (Golden Sand)
2) Nykaa SKIN genius Sculpting & Hydrating Foundation (Warm Sand Shade) |
Conclusion:
So now that you got an idea about your skin’s tone and undertone, what are you waiting for? Purchase the skin tone foundation shade that suits you.