How to choose a foundation shade for your skin tone

The wrong foundation shows up in photos as a grey or orange mask, or a face lighter than the neck. Most of the time the depth (light or deep) is close enough. It is the undertone that is off.

Step 1: find your undertone

Undertone is the colour under the surface of your skin. It does not change with a tan.

| Check | Warm | Cool | Neutral or olive | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Veins on the inner wrist, in daylight | Greenish | Bluish or purple | Hard to tell, both | | Which jewellery flatters you | Gold | Silver | Both | | Plain white vs cream fabric near your face | Cream looks better | White looks better | Both work |

Many South Asian skin tones are warm, golden or olive. Shades labelled "warm", "golden", "W" or "Y" (yellow) usually suit them better than pink-based "C" or "R" shades.

Step 2: test three shades on your jawline

1. Pick the shade you think is right, one lighter and one deeper.
2. Swatch a stripe of each along your jawline, running down onto the neck.
3. Wait 10-15 minutes. Many foundations darken slightly as they dry (oxidation).
4. Look in daylight, by a window or outside, not under shop lighting.

The right shade disappears into both your face and your neck. If your face is lighter than your neck, match the neck, or the face looks separate in photos.

Step 3: match the finish to your skin type

• Oily skin: matte or long-wear formulas, set lightly on the T-zone
• Dry skin: hydrating or satin finishes; prep with moisturiser first
• Combination: a satin finish, with powder only where you shine

Not sure of your type? The skin type test takes an hour, and Glow's free skin scan shows shine and dry areas zone by zone.

Weddings and events

A camera flash makes some formulas look lighter or ashy. Before a wedding or a long event, take a flash photo of your swatches. For a bridal look, a makeup artist will mix shades to match you exactly and test them in your trial.

Two common mistakes

• Choosing a lighter shade to look fairer: it reads grey in photos and stops at the jaw
• Buying from a swatch on the back of the hand: hands are a different colour from the face