Nail Color Matcher: Match Polish to Your Outfit
Choose the main color of your outfit and the kind of match you like to see nail polish colors that go with it: tonal, neutral, contrast or accent…
Foundation Shade Finder: Explore Shades for Your Skin Tone
Describe your skin depth, undertone, skin type and the coverage you like to get a starting foundation shade, the words to look for on shade names, and a formula to try.
The foundation shade finder narrows a wall of bottles down to a small group worth testing. It describes your shade in the two terms that brands use, depth and undertone, and suggests a formula for your skin type.
What this tool does
You choose how light or deep your skin is. If you know your undertone, you choose that too. If you do not, four quick questions work it out. The finder then tells you which words and letters to look for on shade names, and which kind of foundation suits your skin type and the coverage you want. It does not match you to a product, because shade names differ between brands.
What you enter
| Field | Choices |
|---|---|
| How light or deep your skin is | Fair, light, light to medium, medium, tan, deep or rich |
| Your undertone, if you know it | Cool, warm, neutral, olive, or "I am not sure" |
| Skin type | Dry, normal, combination or oily |
| Coverage | Sheer, medium or full |
| Four questions | Needed only when you are not sure of your undertone |
The four questions ask about the color of the veins at your wrist, whether silver or gold jewelry looks better, what your skin does in the sun, and whether foundations often look too pink or too orange on you.
How the result is worked out
- If you chose an undertone, it is used as it is.
- If you answered "yes" to question 4, the result is olive.
- Otherwise, questions 1 to 3 each point to cool, warm or neutral. Two or three matching answers decide. Three different answers count as neutral.
- The formula comes from a table of skin type and coverage. For example, oily skin with medium coverage gives "An oil-free liquid foundation with a matte or soft-matte finish".
The result shows a color dot as a rough picture, the depth words and undertone words used on shade names, the formula, and a four-step test to confirm the shade on your jawline.
Messages you may see
- "Choose how light or deep your skin is.", "Choose your skin type." and "Choose the coverage you would like." for an empty list.
- "Choose an answer for question 2, or choose your undertone above." when you are not sure of your undertone and a question is unanswered.
How to use it
- Stand near a window with a bare face.
- Choose your depth, skin type and coverage.
- Choose your undertone, or answer the four questions.
- Select "Find my shade", and take the result with you when you shop.
Worked example
Medium depth, undertone not sure, oily skin, medium coverage. Veins mostly green (warm), gold jewelry (warm), skin that burns first and then tans (neutral), and "no" to question 4.
Two warm answers decide: the result is "Medium with a warm undertone". Look for the words sand, honey or natural for depth, and W, "warm", "golden" or "yellow" for undertone. The formula is an oil-free liquid foundation with a matte or soft-matte finish.
Limits and assumptions
The vein and jewelry tests are quick guides and do not work for everyone, especially on deep skin, where undertone is easier to judge against shade swatches. The color dot is approximate, and screens differ. Always confirm in daylight on your jawline. How to Choose the Right Foundation Shade explains the test in full, and the Lipstick Shade Finder uses the same undertone.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between skin tone and undertone?
Skin tone, or depth, is how light or deep your skin is, and it changes with sun. Undertone is the cool, warm, neutral or olive cast underneath, and it stays the same all year.
Should foundation match my face or my neck?
Match the jawline, so that your face blends into your neck. If your face and neck differ a lot, choose the shade that sits between them.
Why does my foundation turn darker or orange after a while?
Some formulas darken as they dry or as they mix with the oil on your skin. Wait about ten minutes after swatching before you judge a shade.