We’ve all been there –
Perusing the aisles of our favorite beauty store trying to locate the perfect foundation shade. Whether you’re looking for an everyday staple or shopping for a major event, it’s no secret that foundation sets the tone for a flawless makeup look. Thirty minutes and ten arm swatches later and you’re struggling to find the perfect shade. Whether it’s too light/dark, gives skin a gray cast or makes the complexion look muddy, foundations, if not in the proper shade, can leave behind a less-than-favorable base. Luckily, learning how to identify your undertone could be the secret to finding your perfect match!
While it’s easy to decipher which skin tone, or surface skin tone category, you’re a part of, selecting an undertone can be quite the task. Undertones refer to the subtle hue underneath the surface. For years, makeup artists and skincare professionals have gone by three universal undertone categories: pink (cool), golden (warm) and neutral (a mix). And while your surface color may shift throughout the year, the undertone will always remain the same.
Meet the Undertones
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Pink
Pink, or cool, undertones often display hints of red or blue.
Perfect Pairing: If you have pink undertones, try the following shades of our 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation: Light, Blush Medium, Medium Tan, Deep -
Golden
Golden, or warm, undertones often display hints of yellow or peach.
Perfect Pairing: If you have golden undertones, try the following shades of our 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation: Porcelain, Golden Medium, Light Tan, Tan, Medium Dark, Golden Dark, Deeper -
Neutral
Neutral undertones display characteristics of both pink and golden undertones.
Perfect Pairing: If you have neutral undertones, try the following shades of our 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation: Porcelain, Light, Golden Medium, Light Tan, Tan, Medium Tan, Medium Dark, Deeper
Identifying Your Undertones
- Vein Test:Taking a look at your veins is a great way to indicate what color undertones you have. Golden undertones often have veins that appear green or olive, while pink undertones often have veins that appear blue or purple. If you have neutral undertones, it’s common to have veins that appear blue-green.
- Sun Test : While we always recommend that PUR beauties load up on the SPF, your skin’s natural reaction to sun can help determine your undertone. For example, if you burn easily without achieving a tan, it is likely that you have pink, or cool, undertones. However, people with golden undertones often tan fairly easily. Lastly, if you burn and it eventually leads to a tan, you likely have neutral undertones.
- Jewelry Test: Observing your skin using jewelry and metals can help you determine your undertones. Keeping with the name, golden undertones look amazing in gold or earth-toned jewelry. While cool, or pink undertones look best in silver or white metal. If both gold and silver metals compliment your complexion, you likely have neutral undertones.
PRO Tip: When testing a new foundation, apply the shade to your jawline and wait a few minutes to access how the formula reacts to your complexion. To ensure a perfect match, observe in different lighting.
