Makeup should not feel like gambling.

If you’ve ever bought a foundation that looked perfect in the store… then looked orange, gray, too pink, too dark, too light, or just off once you got home — you are not doing anything wrong.

Foundation is tricky because it’s not just about “light” or “medium.” It’s about undertone, depth, lighting, formula, and how your skin actually behaves in real life.

This guide will help you choose shades more confidently — and stop wasting money on almost-right products.

Why foundation matching feels so hard (and it’s not your fault)

The goal isn’t “perfect” - it’s believable and wearable

Here’s the truth: your face is almost never the same color as your body.
Between redness, sun, hormones, skincare, and just… being a human, your face can change constantly.

So instead of matching foundation to the “problem areas” on your face, I like to match it to the part of your body you actually love the coloring of — usually your chest, sometimes your neck, or even your arms.

Then we use placement and balance to make the face look fresh and even — without trying to “paint over” your natural skin.

Match to Your Body (Not Your Face)

A quick note on redness:

And about “one-and-done” foundation…

Most people want one perfect forever shade. I get it.
But in real life, that’s rare.

Makeup artists mix shades (and even use primary color adjusters) all the time — and you’re probably not trying to do all that.

So here’s the practical goal: wear what makes you feel your best and get as close as you can with the whole picture and the whole picture is connecting your head and face, to your body.