I am pretty sure that I had the wrong color foundation for years and I didn’t know it. I always thought that my skin need more moisturizer, I need a better face cleanser, I was aging, I have giant pores and getting old and my makeup is settling into my fine lines. I must have the worst skin because I see other woman with flawless makeup. My makeup was hurting my self esteem and the reality is that there is nothing different about my skin than other women, the only difference is that their makeup was the correct shade and mine was not. Luckily I have learned to look for the symptoms of the wrong color and quickly fix them. You have enough things to worry about, like what exactly your two year old found to eat in between the couch cushions (true story), you don't want to worry about your makeup.
Symptoms of the wrong color
1. Your face is a different color than your neck.
If your face is a totally different color than your neck you have what I like to call the floating head syndrome. Don't worry this syndrome is not fatal, but it does need immediate attention!
2. You face looks chalky or orange.
If you have makeup that is to light your skin will look chalky or washed out, you need to shade up pronto. If your face looks orange, you have probably gone to dark or you are using makeup with the wrong undertone.
3. Giant pores
If you put on foundation and look in the mirror to see every pore glaring back at you, your foundation is the wrong color! It is not your skin, it is your makeup.
4. Not going on smoothly
If your makeup is not going on easily or smoothly and it is bringing attention to every blemish or dry spot. Don't run out and try an expensive new skincare system, maybe try a different shade on your face first.
5. You use the same color year round
Unless you are moving from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere every six months. Chances are you are getting more sun in the summer months than in the winter months. Even if you are religious about putting on sunscreen, your skin tone will change and your makeup shade should be changing also!
4. Your fine lines and wrinkles are showing
Nobody wants to look older than they really are, so don't let your makeup age you! If your makeup isn't lasting all day and is settling into those fine lines and wrinkles, chances are you need a darker shade.
Getting the best color
Once you have diagnosed yourself with the wrong color, there are a few things you should be doing to get makeup that matches your skin tone.
1. Where to test the color
Swatch on your jaw, not on your neck or on your arm. If you swatch on your jawline you are trying to match your makeup to your face, while at the same time comparing the color to your neck. This will to help prevent catching the floating head syndrome.
2. Blend your swatches
Blend swatches into your skin, if you are just swiping on a thick swatch of makeup and not blending you run the risk of picking the wrong color. When you blend in the swatch it is easier to see the color that disappears into your skin tone. If it totally disappears you know it is the correct color for you.
3. You might need more than one color.
There are an unlimited number of skin tones and a limited number of makeup shades. If you fall between two shades you may need to mix two colors to get the perfect shade for your skin. Also, if you have a lot of redness you may need more than one color, one to cover the redness and one for the areas on your face without redness.
3. Stop thinking about it so much!
If you have a preconceived idea of what color you need and don't try other colors you might fool your brain into thinking the wrong color is the one to get. I've been there girl, it is difficult but going in with an open mind and in a good mood is the best way to get the perfect color.
4. Get help!
There are plenty of people who can help you, phone a friend or an expert. I am happy to help! Take the color match quiz or send me a selfie.
I live in the tiniest of towns, so my foundation options are 1. The five shades of foundation that the local market carries. 2. Driving three hours to the nearest mall and trying to brave the makeup counter with a cranky two year old. 3. Wearing the wrong color makeup.
Are these really even options?
Enter color matching, by sending a selfie H-A-L-L-E-L-U-J-A-H! So, girl let me make your life easier, lets find the perfect color for you! About a year ago I changed my foundation to IIID foundation from Maskcara and haven't looked back! What I loved when I first started using it and what I still love now is that there is help for getting the perfect color match. In person or by sending a selfie, you don't have to do it by yourself and you can do it in your PJs while trying to get your toddler eat her breakfast (not out of the couch cushions!).
