3 Easy steps to find the right foundation shade

When it comes to foundation, many people suffer from “Goldilocks syndrome” – having to test out your fair share of duds before you find the one that’s just right. If this is you, know that meeting your match doesn’t have to be Mission Impossible. With a bit of expert know-how, you’ll be able to find the right foundation shade for your skin.

Swatch on your face

Makeup artist Tamryn Jefferies says the cardinal sin when trying to find the right foundation shade is applying it on your hand or wrist. “The skin on your face is almost always a different colour to that of your body,” she says. “Always test foundation on your face – along your jawline as well as your forehead. Ultimately you want to swatch a few colours and pick the one that disappears.”

Find your light 

“The fluorescent lighting in shops and department stores often makes it difficult to see what a colour really looks like. Once you’ve applied your swatches, head out to the parking lot or any place where there’s natural light so you can get a clearer idea of which shades are working for you,” says Tamryn.

If in doubt, head to the dark side

If you find yourself torn between two shades, Tamryn suggests you rather pick the slightly darker one. “If you sheer the foundation out with a sponge, it can act like a tint that you can get away with. It’s much better to do that than wear something that’s too light as this will enhance every wrinkle and pore while creating an unhealthy-looking, ashy effect,” she says. 

When it goes wrong

Thought you found the right foundation shade but actually bought a mismatch? All is not lost. “Many makeup brands now sell foundation lightening and darkening drops which work really well, provided you just want to move no more than two shades lighter or deeper than your dud,” says Tamryn.

They work with almost any liquid foundation and are also useful if you tend to change colour along with the seasons. Cleverness! 

IMAGE CREDIT: shutterstock.com