We created a questionnaire to gather people's opinions on how to match foundation to your skin tone.

Below are some of the responses shared1

Respondent 1

One easy way to identify your undertone is by looking at the color of the veins on your wrist:

Cool Undertones: If your veins appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones. Look for foundation shades with pink or peachy tones. Common shade names include light porcelain, rose, fawn, natural tan, honey, caramel, and espresso.

Warm Undertones: If your veins appear green, you probably have warm undertones. Opt for shades like ivory, golden beige, warm nude, sun beige, toffee, truffle, and similar warm-toned options.

Neutral Undertones: If you see a mix of blue, purple, and green in your veins, you likely have neutral undertones. Ideal shade names to look out for include porcelain, cameo, sand, caramel beige, classic tan, sandalwood, mocha, and cocoa.

Most makeup counters offer color matching services, but remember—every brand formulates shades differently. Finding the right match often takes trial and error.

As a makeup artist, I often mix different shades to create the perfect match, adjusting the tone to make it warmer or cooler depending on the client’s skin. Don’t be afraid to blend shades—customizing is often the key to a flawless match.


Receive Free Sneaker Sample

Free Delivery 

Respondent 2

I visited Sephora a while ago, and they used an iPad (or a similar device) to take a photo of my skin. It matched me with foundation shades through an app—honestly, it was the best match I’ve ever had!

Unfortunately, that perfect foundation was discontinued not long after.

Thankfully, I was able to use the old shade on sites like Foundation to discover alternative matches across different brands and price points.

Respondent 3

If you visit Sephora, you can ask for samples of a few different foundation shades. Test them at home in natural light to see which one matches best. Once you've found a good match, take the sample with you to a drugstore and try to find a similar shade in a more affordable brand.

Respondent 4

Another great option is to try foundations with a wide and flexible shade range—formulas that adapt well to various skin tones. I’ve personally been really impressed with The Ordinary. Both my mom and I use the same neutral base shade, even though her skin is almost porcelain with clear pink undertones, while I’m darker, with neutral-to-yellow undertones and tend to freckle and tan. It honestly feels like magic!

Plus, their foundation is super affordable—so even if you buy two shades to mix, you’re still spending less than many high-end options.

Respondent 5

The first and most important step is identifying your undertone—whether you’re warm, neutral, or cool. Getting the undertone right is key; you can usually work with a shade that’s slightly too light or dark if the undertone matches.

Next, determine your skin depth—how light or dark your complexion is. This part tends to be much easier once your undertone is figured out.

That said, finding a perfect foundation match can still be tricky, no matter the price point. Whenever possible, shop from retailers with a good return policy in case the shade doesn’t work out.

Many brands also offer sample sets (especially for high-end foundations). You usually have to pay for them, but they include small packets of several shades, so you can test at home. It’s a smart way to find your best match without committing to a full-size product right away

Respondent 6

I finally bought a foundation above $10 (a splurge for me haha) and of course... it was too dark. While I was watching some makeup tutorials, I stumbled upon foundation mixers! I wanted a nyx one in particular, but couldn’t find it anywhere, so I got one off Amazon. The brand is L.A. girl. It’s basically a solid white foundation, and I just mix in a little of that every day with my normal foundation, and it lightens it perfectly! They also have a dark mixer, as well as a blue or reddish orange to fix the undertones if you have a problem with that.