How to Choose Your Correct Foundation Colour
Finding ‘The One’ when it comes to foundation isn’t always easy, but it’s well worth the search. The right foundation will give you the kind of seamless finish you want - the perfect amount of coverage while still allowing your skin to look like… well, skin! While selecting foundation may not be quite as fun as finding a showstopper lipstick or bold and bright eyeshadow, it’s an element of makeup that has the power to make or break the entire look. So, it pays to take the time to swatch, sample and get it right! Here’s our foolproof guide on how to choose the right foundation.
Find your skin tone and undertone
Before you even begin to consider foundation shades, you need to check out your skin shade first - namely your skin tone and undertones. When it comes to how to choose the right foundation colour for your skin, these two will help you narrow down your options.
Skin tones range between fair, light, medium, tan and deep. Meanwhile, your skin’s undertone will either be warm, cool or neutral. Those with warm tones have golden-yellow traces in their complexion, while cool tones have more of a red-pink hue. Neutral undertones sit somewhere between the two. So, which one are you?
Those with warm undertones generally tan easily, have predominantly green veins and suit gold jewellery, while those with cool undertones might burn more easily, have blue veins and look fantastic in silver. Neutral types sit between the two and can tan or burn, while their veins tend to appear colourless or a mix of green and blue. If you’re unsure which one you are, check out our Fit Me Shade Finder to guide you.
Our tips on how to find your foundation colour
The first step in how to tell what colour foundation you are to utilise what you now know about your complexion to guide you towards the right shades.
Those with a cool complexion should look for a foundation with pink or red undertones, depending on the depth of your skin tone. If your complexion is warm, opt for a shade of foundation that has yellow, gold or peach undertones. Someone with neutral undertones will suit a shade with a balance of both golden and pink or red tones.
It’s also key to consider what kind of finish you want – and how your preferred finish will sit with your skin type. For example, do you prefer a matte finish like Instant Perfector 4-in-1 Matte Foundation, or an illuminated effect like the Instant Perfector 4-in-1 Glow Foundation Makeup?
Read on for our top tips to help you find your perfect shade match in-store or online.
1. Select three or more shades
Learning how to pick foundation colour involves a little trial and error. While it’s tempting to just grab the shade that looks right superficially or go with a shade name you recognise, it’s always better to test before you buy. One technique to find your match without excessive swatching (testing shades on your skin) is to choose the best of three. Simply narrow your selections down to the top three shades you think will suit you – for example, one lighter and one darker than your guesstimated shade.
2. Swatch on your face or neck
When it comes to how to choose the right foundation shade the aim a finish that looks like your natural skin but better. So, when you’re trying on shades, go makeup-free so you can really see how the colour sits. With your three shades, swatch foundation on your jawline or neck to get the most accurate idea of its compatibility.
Once you think you’ve settled on the right hue, try this handy trick to confirm you’ve found the perfect fit: rather than your wrist or hand, swipe the product onto your jawline. You’ll know you’re on the right track if there’s no difference between your naked skin and the swatch, and the colour seems to ‘disappear’.
3. How to pick foundation colour online
If you’d rather scroll than head in store you’ll need to enlist a little help to narrow down your options on screen. When it comes to the dilemma of ‘how do I choose the right colour foundation online?’ there are a few tools you can use to make it easier. Firstly, check out our Foundation Finder which is full of handy tips to help you hone in on your ideal colour. Then, use our Virtual Try-On tool which uses your phone’s camera to ‘try on’ foundation at home so you can see how a shade looks before you add to cart. Genius!
