Nail Color Matcher: Match Polish to Your Outfit
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Lipstick Shade Finder: Explore Colors for Your Undertone
Choose your skin undertone, skin depth and the occasion to see three lipstick color families to try, with advice on how deep to go and which finish suits the look.
The lipstick shade finder suggests three color families that suit your undertone and the occasion, so that you can go to the counter with a short list.
What this tool does
It reads three shade families from a fixed table of undertone and occasion, shows a rough color dot for each, and adds advice for your skin depth and for the finish. The suggestions are color families, such as "dusty rose" or "brick red". They are not products.
What you enter
| Field | Choices |
|---|---|
| Skin undertone | Cool, warm, neutral or olive |
| How light or deep your skin is | Fair, light, medium, tan or deep |
| Occasion | Everyday, work or study, evening out, or a bold statement |
| Finish | Matte, satin or cream, glossy, sheer or tinted, or no preference |
If you do not know your undertone, the Foundation Shade Finder has four questions that work it out.
The shade table
| Undertone | Everyday | Work or study | Evening out | Bold statement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool | Rosy nude, soft pink, mauve | Dusty rose, soft berry, mauve | Blue red, raspberry, plum | Fuchsia, cherry red, deep wine |
| Warm | Peachy nude, caramel nude, coral pink | Terracotta rose, warm rose, soft coral | Tomato red, brick red, warm berry | Bright coral, orange red, rust |
| Neutral | Pink beige nude, rose, soft peach | Dusty rose, rosewood, mauve pink | True red, berry, rosewood | True red, magenta, deep plum |
| Olive | Rose brown nude, peach brown nude, soft terracotta | Rosewood, muted berry, terracotta rose | Brick red, berry, warm plum | Orange red, deep wine, magenta |
How the result is worked out
- The three shades come straight from the table.
- Your skin depth adds one paragraph: lighter, softer versions for fair skin, mid-tone versions for medium skin, and deep, strongly pigmented versions for deep skin.
- If you choose "No preference" for the finish, the finder suggests sheer for everyday, satin for work and for the evening, and matte for a bold statement.
Messages you may see
Three lists need a choice. An empty one shows "Choose your skin undertone.", "Choose how light or deep your skin is." or "Choose an occasion."
How to use it
- Choose your undertone and skin depth.
- Choose the occasion and, if you like, a finish.
- Select "Find my shades".
- Test the suggested families on your lips or on a fingertip, in daylight.
Worked example
Olive undertone, tan skin, an evening out, no preference for the finish.
The result is "Brick red, berry or warm plum". For tan skin, the advice is to choose the richer versions of these shades, and nudes with caramel, rose-brown or terracotta in them. The suggested finish is satin, which is comfortable and has medium shine and staying power.
Limits and assumptions
Undertone rules are a guide, and any color you enjoy wearing is a good choice. The natural color of your lips changes how a lipstick looks, so the same shade differs from person to person. The dots are approximate, and screens differ. How to Choose Lipstick for Your Skin Undertone explains the reasoning behind the table, and Lipstick Finishes: Matte, Satin, Glossy, and Sheer compares the finishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Which lipstick shades suit every undertone?
Shades that sit between warm and cool are the most forgiving: a true red, a rosewood, a dusty rose. Sheer formulas are also easy, because your own lip color shows through.
How do I choose a nude lipstick?
Look for a shade close to your natural lip color, or one step deeper. A nude that is lighter than your lips can make them look pale. See [[BLOG-106]].
Does the finish change the color?
Yes. Matte looks deeper and more intense, gloss looks lighter and softer, and a sheer formula shows only a wash of the shade in the tube.