The Impact of Color Match Makeup on Your Look

Finding a foundation shade that matches your complexion is essential to achieving a natural-looking look. Many beauty products are broken down into different shade categories and undertones to help shoppers find their perfect match.

First, determine whether your skin has a warm or cool undertone by looking at the veins on your wrist. If they are blue or purple, you have cool skin, while red or green veins indicate warm skin.

The Right Shade

Choosing the right shade is key to making your foundation look like skin rather than caked-on makeup. Ask any beauty pro and they’ll tell you that a perfect foundation matches your complexion and blends seamlessly—so much so that it’s nearly impossible to even tell you have anything on your face. But often, what looks great in the bottle can turn into a less-than-perfect match once it’s applied (or, worse, it may oxidize and become even more off).

One of the most common mistakes people make is focusing only on their skin tone when finding a foundation shade, but it’s just as important to take your undertone into account.  A good way to find your ideal undertone is by swatching a few shades of foundation on your neck.

The color of your neck is usually the same as that of your face, so this is the best place to test a foundation to see if it’s a match. Avoid swatching on your hands, as the colors of your palm can vary from the tone of your face and skin.

Also, if possible, always test a foundation in natural light. Fluorescent lighting can alter the undertones of a makeup product, so it’s best to try it out in natural light at home or at your favorite store before you commit to a purchase.

The Right Texture

Foundation is a makeup essential for a reason-it evens out skin tone, covers breakouts and pores, and can give you that fresh-faced look. But finding the right formula is no small feat. With so many brands, shades, and textures on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. To help you achieve the best results, we’ve rounded up tips from beauty insiders to help you pick out the perfect shade and texture for your unique complexion.

When it comes to finding the right foundation color, two factors play a role: your skin tone and your undertone. Your skin tone refers to the overall tone of your face, while your undertone determines what color of makeup will flatter you. To identify your undertone, take a look at the veins on your wrist; if they appear blue or purple, you have cool-toned skin; if they’re green, you have warm-toned skin. If you’re unsure, go with a neutral shade as this can suit both warm and cool tones.

If you’re not sure which shade to choose, it may be best to get your color analyzed by a pro. But keep in mind that digital color-matching technology isn’t always accurate (there’s an entire Reddit thread on how inaccurate it can be). For the most accurate results, try to examine foundation samples under natural light, and make sure you have a clean fingertip to apply the product with. It’s also helpful to be wearing nothing else on your face at the time of examining the foundation, as this will give you the most accurate reading of how it will look with your skin.

Once you’ve nailed your foundation color, you can start to experiment with other products and colors. It’s important to remember that warm and cool colors are on opposite sides of the color wheel, so using a makeup that is meant for your skin undertone can make you look reddish or flushed if you’re a warm tone, or washed-out and pale if you’re a cool tone.

The Right Coverage

Foundation is one of the most important makeup products you can use to achieve a flawless look. The right shade and texture can help you hide breakouts, even out skin tone, and look like your natural self – but finding the right match can be tricky with the ever-growing variety of shades and formulas available.

With so many options, it’s easy to wind up with a makeup product that doesn’t quite work for your complexion and looks unnatural or cakey. Many makeup brands offer a tool that helps identify your best match, like Seint Makeup.

The key to picking the right coverage is to start with a sheer foundation, which will blend in with your skin tone rather than showing obvious contrast against it. Sheer products are also more flexible, allowing you to switch up your main highlight and brightening highlight depending on the season and other factors.

When choosing a foundation, make sure to test it out in natural light and not in a harsh setting, like at a gym, before you buy it. Your skin is likely to be at its most hydrated and show the truest color pigment in natural light.  Additionally, it’s important to avoid sleeping with your makeup on, as this can cause dirt to build up in the pores and lead to a dull appearance.

The Right Appearance

If you want your makeup to look flawless, a little color-matching goes a long way. But navigating the ever-growing number of complexion products can be tricky. Whether you’re seeking a foundation that blurs pores, brightens your complexion or just evens out your skin tone, finding the right shade is critical to your overall look.

Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to make your search a breeze. First, you’ll need to know your skin tone—a general classification that usually falls under fair, light, medium, tan or dark (sometimes also called deep). It’s important to determine this on bare skin during the day when your skin is naturally moisturized. Then, you’ll need to identify your undertones (which fall into blue, pink or red).

You can usually rely on the veins on your wrist to determine your skin undertone; blue or purple veins indicate cool-toned skin, while green veins indicate warm-toned skin. Alternatively, you can use your hair color or eye color. For example, brown eyes typically have flecks of yellow and gold in them, making them best-suited to cool shades like plum or navy.

Once you know your skin tone and undertones, it’s time to swatch the foundation. Instead of swiping the product directly on your face, try swatching it along your neck just below your jawline. This area is less susceptible to color changes than your hands or wrist and will give you a more accurate reading of how the product will look on your face.

Once you’ve found a good match, test it out again on the rest of your neck and face. If there’s no demarcation and the color blends in seamlessly, you’ve found your perfect foundation shade.

Once you’ve nailed your foundation, the next step is to address any discoloration or flaws using concealer. Make sure you select a concealer that matches your skin tone and undertone, as well as your skin type, such as an oil-absorbing formula for dry skin or a luminous cream for shiny areas. Then, apply a setting powder to help your makeup last all day and avoid shine. Try a translucent powder that won’t leave your face looking dull or cakey.