How do you know if your foundation is too dark? If you use the wrong foundation shade, your face will appear tanned, but the rest of your body will not, and your skin will appear as if it has an additional layer.
If your makeup is too light, you will look ashy or as if you have a gray cast on your skin. If the formula is too dark, it can make your complexion look muddy. Look for the shade that disappears into your skin most is your right match.
The experts have spoken, and the answer is, foundation should be one or two shades lighter than your skin tone. This is because when you use bronzer or contour then the foundation should be able to blend and give the perfect look to your face.
3. When In Doubt, Always Go Lighter and Use Bronzer. If you're stuck between the lighter and the darker shade, it's much easier to create a darker-looking complexion with the help of bronzer than it is to lighten up a darker hue. Bronzer offers definition and dimension to a lighter foundation.
With foundation, less is more
“Foundation can add a warm, healthy, youthful glow and create a beautiful flawless base for the rest of your makeup,” says Kelly Coulter, makeup artist and national beauty expert.
Q: How to chose correct shade of foundation if my face is darker than the rest of my body? Hi, Sarbani Banerjee The standard advice is to choose the foundation shade that "disappears" into your skin. Match the foundation to your face: Even if it is darker than your neck and chest.
The right foundation shade should match your skin's undertone. While your skin tone is how light or dark your skin is, the 'undertone' refers to the colours under the surface of your skin and can be warm, cool, or neutral. While your skin tone may change with the seasons, your undertone should remain consistent.
The moisturizer lightens your foundation, but not by much. Just keep in mind that you will end up with a lighter-looking product once you combine the two. Because the mixture creates a lighter product, your foundation may not last as long.
Its ideally the same shade of your foundation that you go when buying a compact but if you want a brighter look. You can go for one shade lighter.
The Foundation Is Oxidising on Your Skin
The most common reason for foundation turning orange is that the makeup oxidises on your skin. This chemical reaction occurs when the foundation's pH shifts slightly in response to changes in weather, humidity, or even the pH of your skin.
If you've made the mistake of buying a shade darker, simply blend it with your concealer or mix it with a moisturizer. A little moisturizer can lighten your foundation and you can set it with finishing powder. But if you've bought a way darker shade and it has become impossible to use, worry not.
First off, “oxidize,” when used in the makeup world, refers to a foundation darkening or turning orange after it's applied to your face. This may happen in minutes or it may happen in hours.
If you are COOL and pick a WARM or NEUTRAL foundation, it will look yellow on you. If you are WARM and pick a COOL foundation, it will make your skin look pale and icy. If you pick a NEUTRAL foundation, it will look grey.
"If you need more pigmentation, do one third moisturizer and two thirds foundation." Mixing the two together has added benefits as well: "The moisturizer gives your foundation added slip so it blends better and hydrates the skin at the same time. And it will give the appearance of your makeup being one with your skin."
Lightening: Dilute With Moisturizer
Mixing a bit of moisturizer is one of the best ways to lighten the pigment of foundation. The method sheers out the formula, allows your true skin tone to shine through, and adds a dewy finish, which is perfect for when your skin looks slightly dry and dull.
According to her, it's A-okay to put moisturizer on over your foundation—as long as you're doing it the right way. "Pat an oil based moisturizer on top, which will protect your skin," she says, noting that the same goes for an oil.
If you're not sure, checking the color of your veins is a quick way to find out. Take a look at the veins in and around your face and neck. If you see blue veins, you have cool undertones. If your veins appear green on the skin (olive), you're warm.
'Beige' and 'Sand' foundation shades have warm tones.
Applying foundation first creates an even base to reduce overall redness, discoloration and minor blemishes. If you apply your concealer first, you may end up wiping some off when you apply foundation or using a lot more product than necessary, which can create a heavy, cakey look.
Hold a white sheet of paper against your face and look at yourself in the mirror. If your skin appears yellow next to the paper, your skin has a warm hue and undertone. If your face has a rosy blush, you're cool toned. If you can't determine between the two, you're in the middle with a neutral undertone.
If you have a warm complexion, go with a foundation shade that has yellow, gold, or peach undertones. And if your complexion is on the cool side, a foundation with pink undertones is your best bet. Those with neutral undertones should look for a foundation shade with both gold and pink tones.