How to Choose the Right Foundation Shade

Match foundation to your neck, not your face, and test in natural light.

1. Identify your undertone. Look at the veins on your wrist in natural light. Blue veins signal cool undertones, green veins warm undertones, and a mix means neutral. This determines whether you need pink, yellow, or neutral-based foundations.
2. Test on your neck and jawline. Apply three shades along your jawline in natural light. The right shade disappears into your skin without blending. Your face can be darker or lighter than your neck due to sun exposure.
3. Check in different lighting. Test your chosen shade in fluorescent, natural, and warm lighting before buying. Foundation that looks perfect in store lighting can look completely wrong in daylight or evening settings.
4. Consider seasonal adjustments. Your shade changes with sun exposure and seasonal variations. Many people need two shades: one for summer when they're darker, one for winter when they fade.