Buying foundation online can be one of the most challenging beauty purchases. Without the ability to swatch shades on your jawline, it is easy to end up with a shade that is too light, too dark, or the wrong undertone. This guide will walk you through the strategies and tools you can use to find your perfect foundation match from the comfort of your home.
Know Your Undertone
Your undertone is the subtle color beneath your skin’s surface, and it is the most important factor in finding the right foundation. Undertones are generally categorized as warm, cool, neutral, or olive. A quick way to determine your undertone is to look at the veins on your inner wrist. Blue or purple veins indicate cool undertones, green veins indicate warm undertones, and blue-green veins suggest neutral undertones.
Use Online Shade Matching Tools
Many beauty brands now offer virtual try-on tools and shade finder quizzes. These tools ask questions about your skin type, current foundation shade in other brands, and undertone preferences to recommend a shade. Some of the most accurate tools include Sephora’s Color IQ, which can match you using a photo, and brands like Fenty Beauty and ILIA that offer extensive shade finder resources.
Cross-Reference with Known Matches
If you already have a foundation shade that matches you well in another brand, use it as a reference point. Many beauty websites and databases, like Findation.com and Temptalia’s Foundation Matrix, allow you to input your known matches and find corresponding shades in other brands. This crowd-sourced data can be remarkably accurate, especially for popular brands with extensive shade ranges.
Read Reviews from People with Similar Skin
Reviews from people with the same skin type and roughly the same skin tone as you are invaluable. On websites like Sephora and Ulta, you can filter reviews by skin tone, skin type, and age. Look for reviewers who describe their skin tone in terms you recognize as similar to yours. Pay attention to comments about how the foundation wears throughout the day.
Order Samples Before Committing
Many retailers offer foundation samples for a small fee or even free with purchase. Sephora offers two free samples per visit in-store, but many online retailers also provide sample programs. Some brands offer sample sets or mini sizes that let you test multiple shades. Investing in samples can save you the hassle of returning a full-size product that does not match.
Consider Your Coverage Preference
Your perfect shade may vary depending on the coverage level you prefer. Sheer and light-coverage foundations are more forgiving of slight shade mismatches because they let your natural skin tone show through. Medium and full-coverage foundations require a more precise match because they cover more of your natural skin tone.