| Finding the perfect foundation is a challenge every | | | | best way to determine your undertone is with a |
| woman has faced in her lifetime. For some it is an | | | | stripe test where a stripe of foundation from one of |
| ongoing quest that seems almost futile at times. | | | | each undertone in an appropriate shade is placed on |
| Others seem completely oblivious to the fact that | | | | the jaw line. The correct undertone will fade away |
| their foundation is making them look like they are | | | | and the wrong ones will stand out. |
| wearing a Halloween mask. | | | | Some companies will tell you that your undertone has |
| There are several challenges to finding the perfect | | | | something to do with your hair and eye color, but |
| foundation:o Color: the wrong color sticks out like a | | | | this is completely off base. I am a prime example of |
| sore thumb and distracts from everything else you | | | | this. I have auburn hair and tawny-hazel eyes which |
| do with your make-up and wardrobe choices.o | | | | would by this type of standard classify me as having |
| Coverage: young flawless skins can opt for sheer | | | | a warm undertone, BUT my skin has a blue-red (cool) |
| coverage while those with more imperfections need | | | | undertone. If I wear foundation with a warm |
| a medium to full coverage.o Formulation: you might | | | | undertone it is difficult to blend and may leave a line |
| choose from powder, liquid or cream foundations | | | | around my jaw. However, I do look really good in |
| depending on which is more comfortable for you to | | | | warm colors for my eyeshadows, lipsticks and blush. |
| use. | | | | It is important to understand the difference between |
| Now I will give some guidance for each of these | | | | a skin's undertone and complimentary make-up colors |
| areas beginning with the one where the most | | | | and I hope this example sheds some light. |
| mistakes are made: | | | | Coverage: |
| Color: | | | | This may be listed right on the label, but if not you |
| This is an area that many COSMETIC COMPANIES as | | | | should ask your beauty consultant. Some foundations |
| well as ladies get totally wrong. I recently read an | | | | even have "adjustable coverage" which means you |
| eBook that claimed to reveal "make-up secrets". The | | | | can layer it to get more coverage (without getting |
| book was nothing more than a marketing ploy for a | | | | "cakey"). Healthy skin without a lot of flaws should |
| lesser known cosmetic company and it claimed that | | | | go with a light coverage to let the natural beauty |
| "most women have a yellow undertone to their skin | | | | shine through. More coverage in the RIGHT COLOR |
| so all of our foundations have a yellow undertone". | | | | will not give a mask appearance, but rather, will still |
| That is really a silly comment. There are actually 4 | | | | look very natural. |
| undertones a person's skin can have: Yellow-orange | | | | Formulation: |
| (most common to be sure, but certainly not even | | | | This is mainly a matter of personal preference, but |
| close to everyone), Red-orange, Red (least | | | | some formulations lend to different types of |
| common--less than 4% of people have this | | | | coverage, so be aware of that. Mineral powder |
| undertone) and Blue-red. The Yellow-orange (think | | | | foundations are all the rage right now, but they aren't |
| golden) and Red-orange (think peachy) are what are | | | | for everyone (I still love my liquid, but sometimes I |
| known as warm undertones and the Red and | | | | dust a little mineral powder foundation over the top |
| Blue-red are the cool undertones. Some companies | | | | for an extra glow). |
| classify their undertones as Warm, Cool or Neutral (a | | | | Well, there you have my mini-guide to finding the |
| lot of Red-oranges will find themselves here). The | | | | best foundation for you. |