It can also be confusing to figure out what shade to get when you’re shopping in the drugstore and there are no testers available. Keep reading to see my best tips on how to find the right foundation shade when shopping both online and in-store!
How to Find the Right Foundation Shade
Do not skip this step if you’ve never worn foundation or have never found a good color match! This first step involves you actually setting foot in a store. I know I like to avoid shopping in store at all costs, but this will absolutely ease the confusion of even where to begin. If you’ve never been color matched, have never worn foundation, or feel like you’re wearing the wrong shade, my best advice to you is to get color matched in a store.
Just Starting Out – Get Color Matched In-Store
The best and most accurate matching system (in my opinion), is the Sephora Color IQ. Step into any Sephora store and ask them to color match you with the Color IQ device. Insist on this instead of them trying to match you otherwise. Knowing your Color IQ number is a really great starting place. The Color IQ device is this little scanner that takes a picture of your skin and then assigns you a Color IQ number. If you do not have a Sephora local to you, visit a makeup counter (Estee Lauder and MAC do a pretty great job at this) and have them match you. I’ve found that Ulta can be very hit or miss on this, so I would use them as a last resort.
Just Starting Out – Get Color Matched In-Store
Once you have your color match, you can get the help of an experienced associate to look at that match with different products and swatches on your skin. If you’re happy with it, you’re set! Did you know that Sephora can make you a sample of any foundation they carry? Take advantage of it. You don’t have to buy anything at the moment (unless you really loved a product and need it). Play around with your foundation samples (that are properly matched to you – yay!). Do they work well with your skin? Do you find that they match really well? Now you’ve gotten a feel for your likes and dislikes and you’re ready to shop online! Yay for never having to get dressed!
Take Home Samples
Now You’re Ready to Shop for Foundation Online or in the Drugstore
There are a few amazing online foundation shade finder tools. With these tools, you will enter in brands and shades that you wear that you know you are a foundation match, and then they will suggest matches in other brands and formulas!
Foundation Shade Finder
This is my go-to when I am trying to find a foundation match. You enter in brands and shades that you currently wear (the more you enter, the better your matches will be), and then it will give you a list of recommendations. Alternatively, you can look for a match in a specific product.
Findation.com
This tool does the same thing that Findation does, but you can also start from scratch if you have no idea what shades you wear in the first place.
Temptalia Foundation Matrix
Go to any foundation product page, and above the shades you will see a little button that says “Shade Finder.” Then you’ll enter in brands/shades you currently wear and it will tell you your match for that particular product. Very handy!
Sephora Shade Finder
I hope this has really demystified and simplified the foundation matching and buying process. Now you can expand your collection to include all sorts of brands, formulas, coverages, and finishes! Happy foundation shopping!
Now You have the Perfect Foundation Match!