Cool, which means your skin is more blue, red, or pink. Warm, which means your skin is more golden, yellow, or peach. Neutral, which means your skin will have a combination of cool and warm colors.
Naturally black, brown, or blonde hair combined with green, grey, or blue eyes is an indication of a cool undertone. Hazel, brown, or amber eyes combined with naturally black, auburn, or strawberry blonde hair indicates a warm undertone. [3] X Research source Silver jewelry will look best on you if your undertone is cool; gold jewelry will look best on you if your undertone is warm; someone with a neutral undertone will look equally good in both silver and gold. [4] X Research source People who are cool will tend to turn pink or burn easily in the sun, while people who are warm will bronze or tan in the sun. Blue veins on the inner wrist indicate cool; green veins indicate warm; bluish-green indicates neutral. [5] X Research source
Choose a matte finish or oil-free liquid or powder foundation if you have oily skin. Choose a moisturizing or hydrating cream or stick foundation if you have dry skin. Choose a hypoallergenic and scent-free foundation if you have sensitive skin. Choose a powder foundation if you have combination skin. [6] X Research source Choose a foundation that offers full or medium coverage if you have an uneven complexion and want to cover most of your skin. Otherwise, look for a foundation that offers partial or sheer coverage if you have a fairly even complexion and want a more natural look. It’s always a good idea to buy foundation that has an SPF, because this will provide a small measure of protection against damaging UVA and UVB rays.
For cool undertones: choose a foundation with a rose, red, or blue base, and consider shades like cocoa, rose, sable, and porcelain. For warm undertones: choose a foundation with a gold or yellow base, and consider shades like caramel, golden, tan, chestnut, and beige. For neutral undertones: consider shades like buff, nude, ivory, or praline. [7] X Research source
If the store doesn’t offer testers, hold the bottles of foundation up to your neck and jawline. Whether you are using testers or just holding bottles up to your skin, find a door or window to see what the foundation shades will look like in natural light. [8] X Research source This will also give the foundation some time to dry so that you know what it will look like all the time.
Consider purchasing a few shades at once so that you can try them out at home and compare them, especially if your shop doesn’t have testers available. [11] X Research source Some people insist that foundation should “give your skin a color,” but this isn’t true. [12] X Expert Source Daniel VannLicensed Aesthetician Expert Interview. 12 April 2019.
Moisturizer Primer A lighter foundation Concealer or finishing powder
Adding blush or concealer Mixing it with bronzer Combining it with a darker foundation or tinted moisturizer
