Finding the Right Foundation: How to Match Your Perfect Shade

For me, foundation is the most important thing in my whole make-up bag. Everything else sits on top of it. But I know how frustrating it is to find the right shade. During my training at Art of Colors I learned how to read skin tones properly, and that's what I'm sharing with you today.

Why the right shade matters so much

Too light, too dark or the wrong undertone, and everyone sees it straight away. Your face can look like a mask, you get a line along your jaw, or your natural skin colour looks completely off. The right shade? Looks like you're wearing nothing at all. Just better skin.

Step 1: Determine your undertone

Your undertone is where it all starts. There are three types:

• •Warm: your skin has a golden, peachy or olive tint. The veins on the inside of your wrist look greenish.
• •Cool: your skin has a pink, reddish or bluish tint. Your veins look blue-purple.
• •Neutral: a bit of both. Not clearly warm, not clearly cool.

My tip: look at the inside of your wrist in daylight. It tells you more than any test in the shop.

Step 2: Choose the right formula

Not every foundation is the same. Pick a texture that suits your skin type:

• •Dry skin: a creamy, hydrating foundation or a serum foundation.
• •Oily skin: matte or semi-matte formulas last longer and keep shine in check.
• •Combination skin: a satin-matte finish usually works best.
• •Mature skin: light, caring textures that don't settle into fine lines.

Step 3: Test properly

The most common mistake? Testing on the back of your hand. Your hand is a totally different colour to your face. Here's how to do it:

• •Swatch three similar shades along your jawline.
• •Go out into daylight. Shop lighting lies.
• •The shade that disappears into your skin is your match.
• •Wait 10 minutes. Lots of foundations oxidise and go darker.

My personal tip: mix two shades

I almost never have just one foundation. My skin changes with the seasons, so I often mix a lighter and a darker shade to get it spot on. I learned that at Art of Colors and I still do it today.

Drugstore or high-end?

Honestly? Price doesn't tell you much. There are brilliant drugstore products and expensive disappointments. What counts: the formula suits your skin and the shade is right. Spend your money on the right match, not the biggest name.

Finding your foundation takes a bit of time, but it pays off every single day. Get the base right and the rest of your make-up is half the work. And looks twice as good.