How to Find the Best Foundation for Your Skin Tone, According to a MUA

Foundation range is a vital part of the beauty world, and brands everywhere are accountable for creating a shade range that fits every skin tone and undertone — whether you’re cool, neutral, warm, and everything in between. Choosing your exact foundation match is the next step in the process, and in order to break down how to do so once you’re in the aisle at your nearest Sephora or drugstore, NYC-based makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran had a few tips that will help. Ahead, find her three hacks to master finding the best foundation for your skin tone.

RULE 1: Swatch, Swatch, Swatch

Jaikaran’s first tip is a no brainer: You’ve got to swatch the product first and foremost. "The side of the face along the jawline is the best place to swatch,” she says. “If you can blend down to your neck and the color disappears, that's a good match." This trick will help make sure that the foundation color you choose will not only blend seamlessly onto your face, but will also perfectly complement your neck.

RULE 2: Mix if You Please

Jaikaran’s next tip is that it’s okay to mix foundations if you find yourself falling between shades. "When using foundation, sometimes it's not necessarily about making your entire face lighter or darker, it's about letting certain areas be their natural color,” she notes. This means you can always mix two shades to customize as you please.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The eyes have it!! ✨ New for @issue_official . . Photographer: @jdthecombo Model: @madisinrian Makeup: #jaleesajaikaran using @armanibeauty Grooming: @suhstudios Wardrobe Styling: @itzsaulu Creative Direction: @_rhseven @roderickhawthorne ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #madisinrian #jdthecombo # #beauty #makeupartist #newyorkmakeupartist #newyorkmakeupartists #armanibeautystars #thelifeofamakeupartist #makeupartistsworldwide

A post shared by NYC Makeup Artist (@jaleesajaikaran) on Nov 1, 2018 at 5:34am PDT

RULE 3: No One is One Shade

"Especially for women of color,” says Jaikaran, “if you have different tones on your skin, you should use two different foundation shades.” She notes that leaving the perimeter of the face darker acts as a natural contour in this case. "I don't think anyone is one shade; even if you're very even, you want to play with light and dark tones to add some dimension."

Read More

The Best Foundations For Oily Skin

7 Foundation Tips Every Beauty Guru Needs To Know

How To Use A Face Oil And A Serum Together