How to find the perfect foundation for your skin tone

Want to find the perfect foundation? Determine your skin tone, get to know your skin type and find the right make-up.

With the range of foundations on the market, it's not easy to find the right make-up. What coverage do I want, what finish and what is my skin tone anyway? Learn all about it here.

First things first: Do you actually know what skin type you have? The selection of the perfect foundation is based on that. Here, you can determine your skin type.

Another important basis for perfect foundation is the skin tone. Your skin either has a golden or rosy undertone – the wrong shade can look applied and unnatural. Here's how to determine your skin undertone:

If you have golden-brown, dark brown, or black hair and your eyes are brown or green, then you most likely have a golden undertone. Your skin has a slightly yellowish sheen and tends to tan relatively quickly? The veins on your wrist appear more greenish?

Then you should opt for a foundation with a golden undertone, often labeled as "amber," "honey," "sand," "ivory," "desert," or "golden."

Light to medium brown or blonde and reddish hair, along with gray or blue eyes and a pale complexion, indicate a rosy undertone. If your wrist veins also shimmer bluish-violet, you definitely need a cool undertone in the foundation.

Rosy-toned foundations are named, for example, "cool," "beige," "rose," "bisque," or "neutral."

Finding a brand or product line with various shades isn't always easy. However, Estée Lauder Double Wear shades make this possible:

It's important to interpret the numbers of different foundations correctly:

In general, the lower the number, the lighter the foundation. For instance, fair skin types typically need a number from 1-2, medium ones need 3-5, and darker skin types require a foundation labeled 5 or higher.

Note: Depending on the brand, the numbers may vary. Yet, the principle of the higher the number, the darker the foundation applies to most brands.

Now that you know which makeup color suits your skin, remember that our skin tone changes constantly with the seasons and sunlight. We recommend purchasing your favorite foundation in two different shades. This way, you can mix the colors individually.

Depending on your skin's needs and the desired end result, there are different coverage levels in foundation.

Completely covers the skin. Particularly suitable for evening or stage makeup, tattoos, pigmentation spots, or very blemished skin.

Covers blemishes but allows the skin tone to show through. Ideal for everyday work.

Covers light blemishes and gives a fresh complexion. Ideal for leisure time, clear skin, and a quick makeup look.

A beautiful foundation can only work perfectly on flawless skin. So, a good base is essential.

Start with a moisturizing face cream suitable for your skin type. Then refine the complexion with an appropriate primer.