How to Figure Out the Right Shade of Makeup

Mix several foundation colors to create an exact shade match.

Figuring out the right shades of makeup for your skin tone lets you create a natural look that polishes and enhances your face. Foundation, blush and lip color vary the most from person to person, but some shades of eyeshadow and mascara colors work on everyone. Black mascara defines and brightens every eye color, and an eyeshadow palette with four coordinating shades of brown is a versatile, sophisticated addition to any makeup bag.

Instructions

Foundation

1. Flip your wrist over and examine the veins showing through your skin. Warm undertones give skin a yellowish cast, which will in turn give your veins a green appearance. Cool undertones are typically pink, which means veins will appear purple. Neutral undertones are rare and result in clear blue veins. Choosing a foundation that contains the same undertones will help it blend into your skin.

2. Choose three foundation shades, one with the correct undertones that closely match the back of your wrist, and the shades that are one shade darker and one shade lighter. Rarely does one shade match your skin right out of the bottle, and it may take blending several different shades to create the perfect foundation. Custom blending your own foundation also lets your recalibrate your shade if weather or illness.causes your skin color to change.

3. Apply a small amount of the foundation that most closely matches your skin to the back of your wrist. Dip a foam cosmetic wedge in the foundation, then sponge the foundation onto your jawbone. Examine the makeup in direct sunlight, as fluorescent light can distort the color. If the foundation is too light on your skin, mix in the darker foundation shade; combine the foundation with the lighter hue if the makeup is too dark. Check each formulation in the sun until you achieve the perfect ratio of color.

Cheeks and Lips

1. Apply an ice cube to your lips and cheeks for several seconds, then observe the color that rises to your skin. The ice will increase the blood flow to your skin, resulting in a natural rosiness. Choose lip and cheek colors that closely mimic this natural flush. You can also pinch your lips and cheeks to stimulate increased blood flow and discover your ideal lip and cheek shade.

2. Pay attention to packaging and choose shades with names that will enhance your natural coloring. If a lipstick or blush shade name contains an orange object (peach, apricot, coral), it will work best with skin that contains yellow undertones. Names that include purple objects like berries, wines and plums are better suited to cool blue undertones. When it comes to shimmer, gold is more flattering to all skins tones than silver, which can make skin with any undertone appear ashy or gray.

3. Work within two shades darker of your natural lip and cheek color when choosing bright lipsticks and bronzers for a dramatic look. A bronzer can be used in place of blush during the summer to give the illusion of a tan; a shade that is two shades darker than your natural foundation shade will blend naturally. Lips that naturally turn pink when cold look best with a bright fuschia or hot pink lip color for a funky twist, while lips that turn red with cold can try a bold red lipstick for added drama.

References

• Cosmopolitan: Find the Right Foundation Shade
• CBS News: Choosing the Right Foundation
• Bella Online: What's Your Color - Skin Undertones
• The Gloss: Choosing the Right Bronzer
• Daily Makeover: How to Choose the Perfect Blush
• Allure: Allure Says -- The 10 Newest Makeup Shades that Look Amazing on Every Skin Tone