Shade Finding Guide
Finding your perfect foundation shade doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, there are a few simple ways to get it right every time!
One of the best things about mineral foundation is how forgiving it is; its light-reflecting pigments blend beautifully into the skin, and can naturally adapt to your complexion. Still, choosing your closest match will give you the most radiant, skin-like finish. Here are some easy tips and tricks to help you find your perfect shade!
Get Color Matched
One of the best things about mineral makeup is how naturally it adapts to your skin tone. Because minerals reflect light, they help create a seamless, skin-like finish. Use our shade finder to discover your most flattering match.
1. Identifying Your Skin Tone
Your skin tone refers to how light or deep your complexion is. Most people fall into one of these categories: fair, light, medium, tan, or deep. For the most accurate read, check your jawline in natural light rather than your hand, since hand coloring can sometimes be misleading. Here are some examples of these five skin tones. Which one is most similar to your own?
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Fair
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Light
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Medium
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Tan
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Deep
2. Determining Your Undertone
Your undertone is the subtle hue beneath your skin’s surface and it plays a key role in how foundation appears once applied. Have you ever seen someone wearing a foundation that appears to be the right shade, but it just looks a bit too orange, pink, or yellow? They most likely skipped this step when choosing their foundation.
Here are 4 undertones to look for:
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Cool
Veins appear blue or purple, silver jewelry tends to suit best, and skin may burn more easily
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Warm
Veins appear green, gold jewelry is most flattering, and skin tends to tan more easily
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Neutral
A mix of both blue and green tones in the veins, with both gold and silver suiting well
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Olive
A subtle green or gray undertone that can appear slightly ashy in the wrong shade
3. Testing the Foundation
Once you’ve determined your skin tone and undertone, it’s time to test your foundation.
Apply the selected shade along your jawline, blend lightly, and check the result in natural daylight. This step is important, as indoor lighting can sometimes distort how shades appear due to warm or cool artificial bulbs. The right match should blend seamlessly into the skin without leaving a noticeable line.
4. Adjusting for Seasons
It’s normal for your skin tone to shift throughout the year. Many people prefer a slightly lighter shade in winter and a deeper shade in summer. Mixing two shades is also a common and effective way to maintain a consistent match year-round.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few common mistakes can make it harder to find your perfect match.
- Testing foundation on your wrist or hand instead of your face or jawline can give you a misleading result, since skin tone often varies across the body.
- Matching only your face without considering your neck can also create a noticeable difference in color once applied. We also often see shades chosen just a touch too dark for the complexion. If you’re ever between two shades, it’s usually best to go with the slightly lighter option. You can always add warmth with a bronzer or blush!
With the right match, mineral foundation blends effortlessly into your skin creating a natural, balanced finish that enhances rather than covering up. Now you’re ready to find your perfect match!
