Top 10 Tips for Finding a Foundation

Foundations are always something that has confused me, all this talk of undertones and warmth, glow, shine, matte. There is thousands of options, shades and finishes. It is overwhelming.

I am no expert, I have only just figured out myself what my undertones are, and what shade I should look for etc, so I thought I would give you my tips to look out for when it comes to finding your shade. Things that I have learned through this process, and what to look out for.

1. Never EVER trust a name.

Things I see across all brands is they like to use the same names to describe their foundations, the most common are "Ivory" "Beige" etc. Just because they are labelled as Ivory doesn't mean they are the same colours, quite often they are miles apart, so always always test.

2. Never trust a brand to stay the same.

With every new launch always retest your shade, especially with drugstore/highstreet foundations. Eg. I am "51 Vanilla Clair" in the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, but I cannot use their new "Radiance" collection as they have changed their shades...

3. Counters will recommend shades closest to your skin tone - regardless of it being correct.

From experience, out of the countless times I have been "matched" at a counter very few have actually been correct (due to me being a pale Simpson character). A counter will rarely turn you away because they don't have your shade, so instead what they will do is find your closest match. At counters where the shade range isn't wide eg. Chanel, you may be matched with a shade that isn't right for you.

4. Just because they work on a counter, does not mean they know your skin tone.

Quite a few times now I have been matched incorrectly by someone at a counter, walking out looking like a tangerine is never a good look. The key thing to remember is that matching foundation is HARD. People have different tastes, some people are ok with going up a shade, others aren't, so never buy a foundation until you are 100% sure, they shouldn't pressure you into anything.

5. Different Counters get different training.

For example, the Estee Lauder team seem to have things sorted, loads of skincards, millions of options, a process to follow. The Dior girls use a machine to match, then choose their colours from there. Then there is some of the counters just seem to guess...

6. Foundation can change colour & react badly

Some foundations will react with your skin and change colour throughout the day. Which means you could leave looking fabulous and within a few hours look like an oompa loompa, so always get a tester, or let them apply it onto your face before you buy it - wear it for a day and see how it looks. Worse case scenarios some will end in breakouts, dry patches, you never know how you will react to something new.

7. Lighting sucks.

Always leave a store with swatches all over your arm, or a full face, you will soon see how it looks in daylight - which is often totally different from the stores lighting.

8. Foundation should match your neck not your face.

Such a simple rule but one I didn't fully understand until recently. your neck will always be paler than your face, so when you apply the right shade of foundation to your face you should look washed out, or pale, you then add the colour back in with blush, bronzer etc... this will avoid the evil tide lines, or worse your face looking the wrong colour to your body.Also when you are swatching instore, do this to your wrist/inner arm not your hand, your hands don't match your face! :)

9. Undertones is a real thing.

Yes its confusing, and odd, and it is impossible to try and decide what you are, but they exist and they do matter, regardless of your skin colour, but especially when you are pale. The key things I remember is your either Orange based (warm) Yellow Based (Neutal) or Pink Based (Cool). This means that if you are pale (like me) and not warm based (like me) you will not be able to wear foundation with any form of orange in it, or you will end up looking silly. Just like if you are warm based you cannot wear foundation which is pink based. Neutral can work either way, but can also not work either way, depending on the shades... head hurting yet? mine too.

10. It's ok to not know. And its ok to not fit into a category or shade range.

everyone has different skin tone, its part of life, we don't all fit into little groups. So when a brand is offering groups its ok to say "I don't fit into these" and move on, do not waste your money on something that isn't right for you. If a brand doesn't have your shade tell them, tell them they don't cater to you, tell them their range isn't big enough - you never know, if enough people do this they might realise their range isn't big enough. Get to know your skin tone and be proud of it. Yes it's impossible to find your shade on the high street, or at certain counters - that is not your fault.

Top Tip: 
 Any good counter/MUA will understand the value of trying before you buy. So they shouldn't be annoyed at you wanting to try something on before handing over your money, it should be encouraged. If they product is good and you are matched correctly you can come back and buy it. It doesn't all need to be done then and there, and they should appreciate that.

As someone who does not fit into a standard "shade" (Fair & Neutral/Yellow)  I have had to accept that many brands do not fit me. This has taken me well over a year to really know my tone and what to look out for. If you are new I would very highly recommend being skin matched at an Estee Lauder counter, not only will they match you - they teach you how to match yourself, which really taught me a lot. Their shade range is easiest to understand, they have the 3 undertones laid out infront of you, and they show you on your own skin what works and why. Definitely worth taking an hour to spend with them if you can.

Those of you who are interested, I match as NC15 in MAC, 1N1 in Estee Lauder, Ivory in Too Faced & Gobi in NARS. The only drugstore foundation I can find as an exact match is the Bourjois Healthy Mix in 51 Vanilla Clair, but only healthy mix.

Brands I cannot wear are:- Rimmel, Soap & Glory, Maybelline, Soap & Glory, Maxfactor, & YSL.

What is your top tips for buying foundation? Do you ever have any trouble trying to find your match? would you add anything to my list? let me know in the comments below :)