How to Shade Match Yourself

Written By Anifa Musengimana

  • Apply each shade you are trying along your jawline, extending from your cheekbone down toward your neck. Keep the swatches side by side and slightly blend each one downward to see how it compares against your skin. Be careful not to blend the shades into each other.

  • Wait 10 minutes for the foundation to dry down and oxidize.

  • The right shade disappears into your skin, with no line, no shift, no cast, and not too warm, cool, or ashy.

  • If you have hyperpigmentation or areas of uneven skin tone, look for the shade that overall matches your complexion, rather than matching only to your lightest or darkest areas.

  • Wear your closest match for a few hours to confirm how you feel about it. Check it in natural light and see how the shade looks throughout the day. Ask a trusted family member or friend for their opinion, too.

  • Look for the shade that makes you feel good and confident in your skin! That’s the ultimate confirmation.

  • If you’re still unsure after wearing it and getting a second opinion, it’s probably not your match.

Anifa Musengimana