How can i find the right shade of foundation?

I bought the maybelline dream matte mousse in nude but I'm slightly darker.......isn't there a way that I can just make a lighter shade look good/natural ??Thanks.How can i find the right shade of foundation?
Look at the colour of the skin on the inside of your wrist. That will give you some clue as to what shade you need. There is nothing to stop you mixing two colours together to make the right one a lot of make up artists do this.





Look at your skin does it have a warm undertone (go for the browner end of the scale) or is it pale (try the pink end of the scale). .


If you have a dark skin you need something with warm undertones. If you have pale skin go for the lighter shades.





Its trial and error really. The colour nude I often find is quite a dark flat shade try the next one up or down from it. They should have testers so you can see.





And you may find that another companies foundation is better. I usually use Boots No 7 but was getting fed up of the prices and I just found yesterday that the Collection 2000 at half the price foundations are almost the same! So dont just stick with what you know.How can i find the right shade of foundation?
Foundation comes in many different tones because of the light refraction that escalates in times of intense light or dark. It is best if you find a window and use daylight to monitor your skin. Report Abuse

you could buy a slightly darker shade an mix the two.. its always best to try foundation in natural light.


you can ask a shop assistant for a sample, they usually take some out of a tester that does not get put on the shelves and pop it into a small tub.. dab it on your jaw line and if it blends to your natural colour its the right colour for you... alternatively try the soft fleshy side of your thumb near your wrist..this part of the skin closely matches your face colour.. dab three different shades and when you get outside you can see which one is the best for you...
You should have put a tester colour on the back of your hand this is the nearest shade to your face you can get.





Your best bet is to put a darker face powder over the top, also makes a matt finish.
I agree with Smexie, your hands %26amp; your face are 2 totally different colours. Jawline %26amp; near the chin are better...


also out the colour on bare face, go outside in natural daylight, %26amp; ask a friend or look in a mirror..


also ask the sales assitants for advice.


some comapnies give free samples,


I know Chanel,Lancome etc give you a small sample which you can try at home %26amp; if you wear it a few times you get a feel of the colour. ..


another tip, don't put foundation all over the face, only out it on area of ur face that needs correction %26amp; balancing....it looks much more natural %26amp; doesnt look cakey...





in regards to the foundation being light, you can ask for a slightly darker sample from somewhere(!) %26amp; mix it with the one u have on the back of ur hand...%26amp; ur skin might get lighter in the winter.
buying foundation is easy but it's the testing thats the hardest! never test foundation on your hand because its not always the same shade as you face.but test foundation on your jaw-line because this is the clearest,smoothest and most accurate part of your face to test.dont throw away the foundation-buy a much darker shade and mix the two together to get proffessionally perfect colour! i hope i've helped !xxx
Find a merchant that lets you try before you buy.
Sometimes you can contact the company directly and they can send you a sample with many different shades for you to try and this helps alot especially when you don't know what shade to buy.
Step to the makeup counter at the department store they can better match it for you if you can't afford to buy it get lots of free samples.
that just happend to me a few days ago, but heres a trick look for the color that you think matches the way your skin looks(the color on the package or bottle) and go like 2 shades darker, it might look to dark on the package, but once you put it on it will be fine =]
colour tests should be done just under your chin,your hands are always exposed to daylight so won't give a true colour match. I agree its a nightmare to find the right colour especially if you change brands.
if you can, go to the makeup counter and ask for a consultation. they will match you up with a shade closest to your skin tone.