How to neutralise your foundation shade to match your skin tone

Finiding your perfect foundation match isn't always as simple as it sounds. More often than not, we settle for the closest shade — only to realise it appears too warm or too cool against our skin. Here, we breakdown why your foundation might not match and different ways you can neutralise your foundation for a seamless, true-to-you finish.

Why doesn't my foundation match?

When it comes to makeup, knowing your undertone and skin depth plays a crucial role in buying makeup products and creating a flawless, natural look. If you've ever felt like your foundation looks somewhat off, learning how to neutralise it will have you feeling a bit more comfortable in your makeup. When your foundation doesn't match your skin tone, it usually has to do with the undertones in the foundation not aligning with your complexion.

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How do I neutralise my foundation?

Foundations usually come in warm, cool, and neutral (a mix of warm and cool) undertones. For example, if your foundation looks too yellow or orange, you can neutralise it by mixing in a small amount of a cooler-toned foundation or preferably a blue mixing pigment to balance the warmth. Likewise, if your foundation is leaning more towards the pink side, mixing in a yellow-toned product can help balance it out. L.A. Girl Cosmetics provides and in depth explanation on what colours to use for which foundation shades, ensuring you have a balanced base.

Other hacks to neutralise your foundation

If your foundation is too warm or orange, add a blue colour corrector to the high points of your face to neutralise the overall tone.
Use foundation lightening drops - designed for both cream and liquid formulas - to balance the tone without altering the texture.
If your foundation is darker than your skin tone, apply a concealer that's a shade lighter than your foundation under your eyes, on your nose bridge, chin, and forehead.
If your foundation is too light, apply bronzer to add warmth and dimension to certain areas of your face.