How to find the right foundation for your skin tone

It is very important to know the right foundation to wear for your skin tone. Majorly skin tones can be grouped into three major types : light, medium, dark. This highly depends on the region where you are located and the amount of melanin being produced.

Skin tones and undertones

Skin tones can be grouped into two, the surface skin tone and the under tone. The colour of your skin surface depends solely on the amount of melanin concentration produced by your skin. The subtle shade underneath your skin is referred to as your skin undertone.

Skin tone types

Fair skin tone
Light skin tone
Medium skin tone
Dark skin tone

Skin undertone types

Warm undertone
Cool undertone
Neutral undertone

How to identify your right skin undertone

There are many ways of knowing what type of undertone you fall into. You can either do a skin test or sun test.

The skin test involves you checking the color of your veins. You can check the veins on your wrist if they are dark blue or purple in color it shows you have a cool undertone. If the veins are light green in color then you have a warm undertone. If you veins are not very visible then you fall into the category of dark undertone.

The sun test – does your skin tan easily when you are out on the sun. If yes then you do have a warm undertone.

Guide to choosing the right foundation based on skin tone type

Acne prone skin – this type of skin is very sensitive to products so it is advisable to go for light weight medium to fill coverage foundation.
For dry skin type go for a hydrating foundation with light coverage.
For oily skin type you should go for a medium to full coverage foundation
Combination skin type go for a velvet matte foundation. This will keep the T-zone oiliness in place and avoid products from moving.
Sensitive skin type – do not go for products that are too heavy but rather go for products that are light weight.

S/N	Shades	Foundation guide
1	Porcelain	Fair to light skin with cool undertones
2	Light	Light skin with warm undertones
3	Medium	Medium skin with warm undertones
4	Medium Tan	Medium to tan skin with warm undertones
5	Tan	Tan to deep skin with warm undertones
6	Deep	Deep skin with neutral undertones
7	Mocha	Deep skin with cool undertones