Here’s a tip that I use… I have a Maybelline dewey and Smooth foundation that’s a couple years old, but it is my perfect shade match . If I’m going to Sephora or the mall to look at a new foundation, I will swatch the Maybelline on the back of my hand and go . While in the store, I will, then compare swatches to how it looks on the back of my hand next to the Maybelline . Doing this, has made it so easy for me when I go to the stores … online that’s another story. Morgan Turner is my shade match and we both have dry skin as well which works out great for me … Once in a while, I’ll pick up a shade that she reviewed and it’s a little dark on me … it was so funny on one of her recent videos she had stated “you know I think I’m actually a little darker than what I am…” I had to laugh to myself, because YES MORGAN that’s why sometimes I will go get the shade and it’s a Shade to dark. Lol
Outstanding video, Charlotte! The best guide I have ever seen. You are very comprehensive in your suggestions and I can't imagine anyone having trouble finding their shade match if they follow your suggestions.
I have to make a comment about undertone. What the makeup profession calls undertone is totally different from the color analysis people. I had a professional color analysis and was told my undertone was cool. I was flabbergasted! I always buy foundation in the neutral range and I’m very fair. I burn without sunscreen but with it I tan very golden. I said to the color analysis woman: “How can I be a winter? My skin is golden!” She said, “That’s your OVERTONE.” To complicate things, according to some of the color analysis people online, I have warm hair (brown but with a tendency to get red in the sun) and eyes (hazel). So for anyone who has gone down the whole seasonal color analysis rabbit hole, or who wants to - remember that your foundation color and the way your skin looks - even the vein thing - does not mean that your undertone (based on the kind of melanin you make) is warm or cool. A PSA from me, who spent way too much money on this stuff!!
Same here! I am fair, brown hair which looks sometimes fiery red and blue eyes which can look green (very green). Make-up artists always recommended warm colours for me and those tones were obviously off. I am cool as ICE. I have to say I was always drawn to cool tones, silver and white gold. Since I have started ignoring the bad advice I look so much better.
Well...she could have included the fair olive shade in the first place, rather than having it as an afterthought... And the lightest 'neutral' is ridiculously peach. I'm grateful that she listened to feedback and came out with 2.5, but I do think she can (and did) do wrong, by doing us dirty in the lightest shade set in the first place. I can't have been the only person disappointed not to find a shade match when her foundation line was first released.
@@chlomo2618 I get that but with so many brands releasing absolutely atrocious shade ranges of foundation I will always appreciate brand owners that listen to their customers and try hard to improve on their products in every way which Lisa does since day one. We got beautiful olive toned shades and I am grateful for that even if they came a bit later it is better than never as it is the case with so many other brands.
@@chlomo2618 I get that, but with so many brands releasing absolutely atrocious shade ranges of foundation I will always appreciate brand owners who listen to their customers and try their best to improve on their products in every way which Lisa does from day one. We got beautiful olive toned shades which I am grateful for, even if they did come a bit later it is better than never which is the case with so many other brands.
@@chlomo2618 I get that, but with so many brands releasing absolutely atrocious shade ranges of foundation I will always appreciate brand owners who listen to their customers and try their best to improve on their products in every way which Lisa does from day one. We got beautiful olive toned shades which I am grateful for, even if they did come a bit later it is better than never which is the case with so many other brands.
Skin twin 🙋♀️! It’s so nice that olive undertones are gaining a little bit more traction in the general makeup conversation as of late. The only thing I might add to the toolbox is the Flesh Tone Color Wheel by Terri Tomlinson. It’s absolutely indispensable for finding your undertone! And also for learning color theory and the tones of makeup you’re choosing in general. A total game changer. 😘
LOVE this video!!!! I couldn't agree more about "find your shade twin". I have 3 or 4 that I follow that are exact to close to my skintone, this had made it so much easier for me!!!! One thing I'd add, if you have a sample or are in store to swatch---let the foundation dry down completely. So many oxidize, which isn't bad if you know it is going to happen. Took me a hot minute to find my shade in Haus Labs but I've got a shade now that works so beautifully. I also find that Nars has one of the most "forgiving" shade ranges, is it because it stretches so far, IDK, I'm no expert!!! Thank you Charlotte, this is a great video!!! I hope you feel better soon!!!!!
I had myself color matched years and years ago to a foundation. Now I use the shade finders that match that foundation. Works for me. I hate going into Malls to shop.
Thanks for his really helpful video. I only realised i was olive when i put a skintone top on and realised i look green. Most brands think olive means tan so dont do light or fair olive shades.I wish i could find a shade twin but everyone olive seems to be lighter or darker than me
I realised I was olive when one year I looked grey over winter and dirty golden honey over summer. My mum used to scrub my skin as a child during summer, as she thought my skin was unwashed. It made so much sense when someone suggested all this means I am olive. Next to something white, I look green.
@kateaye3506 My mum did the same thing because I'd get darker muddy looking patches on my body mostly my neck in summer. She only stopped when she realised she was rubbing off skin. I don't get the darker patches so much now because I stay out of the sun mostly and moisturise more but she still says my neck is a weird, muddy colour and tells me I look ill in some colours
Thank goodness olive is even in the picture now! I remember several years ago when most foundations looked either too peach or too orange on me. Fantastic video, Charlotte ❤
OMG. I’m so excited about this video. I know nothing about my undertone and keep picking shades that seem too yellow!! THANK YOU. You have provided a vital public service.
This was a great video! I am Asian and I find that it is easier to find shade matches in concealer and foundation with Asian owned brands. One exception I have just found is Danessa Myricks yummy skin serum foundation. She sent a sample card of different shades when I purchased some eyeliner. The card had six shades which seemed to encompass a wide range of skin undertones and depth. 12W was my exact match when I used it to conceal a sun spot, with no need to color correct. I am medium with a neutral to warm undertone.
Fantastic video, Charlotte! Really helpful with all those tips. Also, thank you for acknowledging that people with olive undertone exist... the struggle is real.
Talking about the arm swatch tip, it’s so good. Was trying to find my match in luminous silk and thought I was between 3 and 4. But actually I am closer to 2. Great tip.
Immediately liked the video even before watching. So helpful Charlotte! I wish more brands offered sample cards like Lisa Eldridge. That’s how I found my perfect shade match!!!
I completely agree. It's so frustrating, and I think all brands should have sample cards for sale. Especially here in the U.K. where we can't return anything.
I wanted to buy the Hourglass Ambient Light Foundation when they had their brief Black Friday sale. Went to their website and looked for light medium neutral only to find there were 4 light medium neutral options 😫. Gave up in the end. Like you, I'm nowhere near a decent department store so it's quite frustrating at times having to take a punt and buy online. I do wish that more brands would do sample sizes/cards to try, I'd have no problem spending a few quid buying samples but baulk at spending £40 upwards for a foundation that turns out to be completely wrong.
Totally agree. I bought something recently and it had a little postcard sized Charlotte Tilbury foundation thingy (very technical term) where you pull the tabs down and there’s a wee bit of the product. Whatever it was I discovered the shade 2 was perfect.
Thank you thank you for doing this, Charlotte! You are truly a pioneer. There is no other content creator who has done this for their viewers. So appreciative…❤❤
Brilliant video, Charlotte. This will help a lot of people. I'm also in the UK, so I've been buying foundation online for a long time, and i do everything you do, and i never go wrong 😊
Choosing in-store I like to try the one I think is right on one side of my face and then either leave other side makeup free or put an alternative undertone choice on. Having the two sides to compare can help show which one looks ‘right’
Thanks for the excellent advice. I’ve been struggling with shade matching since I’ve let my grey grow out. My old shades fair/light cool don’t seem to work anymore. Your video gave me a way forward.
This seems like such a problem for people in the UK that I would think that a makeup company that allowed people to try a shade and then exchange it for a different shade if it didn't work out could generate a whole lot of sales and come out on top. Because the cost of goods sold for this stuff is so low that even if a really high percentage of people exchanged the product, the increased sales from people feeling more secure in their choices could generate a whole lot of profits for that company, I would think.
I admit I’m much more likely to commit to a purchase if I feel secure that I can return if necessary-and, to be honest, I don’t end up returning all that often.
When I’m in the uk (about half the year) I just ask for a sample and they dispense a small amount in a tiny bottle for me, it’s never been a problem, they are happy to provide. YSL even have pre filled 5ml squeeze tubes with the shade labelled on it. Tom Ford and Dior counters dispensed the sample into a special bottle with a little applicator. I understand it would be difficult if you don’t live near retailers, but I have never been refused a shade sample when I ask.
Hi Charlotte! Thanks for the best video ever on foundation matching! This continues to be a struggle for me despite years of trying different brands. Unfortunately, if your foundation shade isn’t correct, the rest of your makeup won’t look good either. The best shade I’ve found is 3N in Rose Inc. foundation (not the serum) but it breaks up on my nose and chin. Thanks for your enjoyable and helpful videos! They brighten my day! Susan
I’m a huge fan, watching your videos from Southern California. Just wanted to say how pretty I think you look in this video. Your hair looks soft, your makeup is just right and I would wear that sweater every day for the rest of my life if I were you 😂. Really, you look great!
I laughed out loud when you said you asked your lovely hubbie to help decide your foundation colour because I did exactly the same thing with the Lisa Eldridge skin-tone range of pictures and he said ... 'emmm you look like the old woman' ... he was right in that I did have the same skin tone and depth .. and even though the 'old woman' looked phenomenal .. I didn't appreciate the description ... all picture/no sound after that encounter .. still I did get my 2 perfect summer/winter shades from LE that I have never deviated from and I always use as a reference point for other foundations. Although I have to say that since I found LE, I rarely need to venture into any other foundation brand now .. I only do it out of curiousity or when I need a CC cream xxx Thanks for this, it was a fab tutorial!
Thank you so much for this video! I’m from Sweden, and we got the same problem as you in the UK: no possibility to return makeup, and many brands that are not sold here. So online purchase it is - at least very often, and the money I spent on wrong shades… I seriously don’t want to think about it. So now I am hesitant of buying any new foundation, and just stick to the brand I know. But I would love to explore more, and this video has shown me it’s possible, I just need to allow the shade-decision take more time.
All good tips. There are some people who I watch for exactly the reason that they are my shade twin. In the US, I prefer the Ulta on-line matching tool over Sephora because Ulta includes drug store brand as well as higher end foundations. Much easier to take the risk on a lower cost foundation that’s commonly found than a high end one. Mine 2 matches are from Colourpop and Covergirl and using those and shade twins plus my own experience (keep a photo of the products that work for you for reference) I usually do pretty well with matching. I do fine those white card swatches not so great though - they confuse more than help. I’m at the border of fair and light in most cases and in my mind the swatches all start to look too similar after a while.
Oddly enough, I bought a Morphe foundation from Ulta and it worked but was a bit light going into summer. I had an associate help me pick out a new shade although she didn't actually put it on my face. BIG mistake, lol. It was labled cool and looked very cool when swatched, however on my face, ORANGE! Now I have to go back again cause I literally can't wear this outside.
So helpful, thank you. Most of the time I'm buying online too, wish more brands and retailers offered samples or returns in the UK. I know I have fair, neutral skin, but still don't always get it right!
This video is incredibly helpful! RCMA (a pro makeup line) has amazing undertone offerings! Their cream foundation is beautiful and I do not typically like cream foundations. You can get a 5 part olive undertone (or any other undertone) palette in various depths for $30. I would LOVE to see you try it and see what you think. I cannot express enough how beautiful and natural and not heavy their base products are.
Thanks for this video. I loved Charlotte tilbury light wonder shade 6 it was one of the only light-medium foundations with a decent amount of green. It’s discontinued and I’m searching for a replica. Foundations never looked good until I found out I was olive. I’ve been recommended mixing in a green corrector and it sort of works, never perfect. I also range in depth over the year but I don’t buy a summer colour of each foundation I like, I just buy a much lighter shade and a much darker shade of a favourite foundation and mix into any foundation I want to use that day. I use pat foundation 14 and Fenty eaze drop 2 those formulas mix well with others.
I have a yellow undertone. That’s what I look for when trying to pick out foundations. I never go by the swatches they supply online. It’s always incorrect. I have found a UA-camr that is a shade twin for me. I will say hair color can also change how your skin look. My sister went from Auburn to black hair color. She had to purchase new foundation. The one she was using looked very orange with her black hair. She gave me the foundation which looked fine on my yellow skin and golden blonde hair. I didn’t look orange at all.
TY Charlotte! I am the worst! at online selections! I am fortunate to live in Chicago so I can easily access in store for shade matches! However we still don't know have Prafa in store and as you know I have been waiting!😂😂😂 Maybe?? 😅
I've gone from needing warm to neutral. I used to tan due to my sport I was always tan as hell now I have to use a neutral a peach under eye corrector and stay the ef outta the sun. I was an international sailor and equestrian so I was so ruined on my early years. This was a marvelous video it was so confusing for me due to my former lifestyle as an athete to now a mommy scared of skin cancer
This was so amazingly helpful! And the Findation website was so good! I put in my two favorite foundations/shades and it popped up with 2 others I use and a suggestion I had already guessed and put in my cart at Sephora for a new foundation I wanted to try! Magic! The worst thing though using shade finders with brands is when they come back with "we do not have a match for you". Sigh.
Charlotte, this is such helpful information. Kosas sells foundation card samples as well and they also give you credit for the money spent to purchase your new foundation after trying the samples.
I am very bad at this, so I usually copy UA-camr shade twin matches, and your winter shades are one of the ways I find out as most of your winter shades are my shades too, and I also use Marium Maquillage. Saaamage and Mexican Beauty too! . I use Findation as a guide but often it's wrong, so most of the time I go into store and swatch a bunch of shades, before coming home to buy it online using my discount codes. I usually go for neutral or olive shades for foundation, much cool/peach for concealer. However, similar shade UA-camrs are usually my go to. NARS have my exact match, and also the Dr Jart premium BB cream in medium is also an exact match
In outdoor natural lighting, my skin's undertone is a cooler neutral, yet olive tone. I look at the Welsh twins (Robert and James) and see my own undertone, overtone and depth. Like a rosier olive, if that makes any sense? Incredibly difficult to match! Because, as you mentioned, most olive toned foundations lean very warm, almost never, ever rosy! The cosmetics companies do not make it easy, do they?
I would say that I have blueish undertone with light skin and I have realised that it easier for me to pick right foundation shade online than buy it from the store. The sales associates always try to offer either cool or neutral undertone foundations but most cool or neutral undertone foundations look way too pink or peach on my complexion. I have noticed that neutral olive undertones suite me the best even though I don’t tan and I definitely don’t have olive undertones. I rather buy too yellow/warm foundation than too pink or peach. Lisa Eldridge foundation in 9 is a good shade match for me. Unfortunately I haven’t found my shade twin online that would make the online purchase process much easier.
If your not sure of your undertone, is it easier to use a neutral undertone? I find it so difficult getting shade match. I am fair skin and I often look too pale.
I am light-medium warm-leaning neutral, so I am very well aware of my *own skin tone, but the issue I often have is that the foundations are either poorly named (i.e. say they are neutral or cool, but all pull yellow), or oxidize over time so they change color throughout the day. 🙄
I am an absolute pro. Also no stores around me and I get my shade right every time. People definitely need to figure out undertones and wait for as many swatches online as possible. Sephora US site, comments usually have the most swatches photos, TikTokers use filter and light is often misleading. And the best is to find a UA-camr who buys everything and is your skin shade 😅
I wish I knew what undertone grey was, is it neutral or really pale olive? I know the Korean bases that lean grey are perfect on me. But it’s so hard to find them. The shiseido ‘lace’ is pretty good but that’s all I’ve found so far.
I also have it down to a fine art. I pop on to UA-cam check what shade you are and taddah perfect shade match 😂 I really do live in the middle of nowhere, one chemist which sells only 2 makeup brands! To try anything I have to get on a plane 😂
I can relate: live remotely ✅, have light with slight olive complexion ✅, stick mostly to neutral u/t’s ✅. It has taken me years to figure out how to approximate my skin in a foundation. I shudder to think of $$$ spent. Here’s a recent cheat I use. Check out the custom foundation by Dcypher. While it is not available for shipment to my Country, I did take the photo test and saved the screenshot of the resulting skin tone. I found it helpful to solidify in my brain the overall impression of depth and colour. Otherwise, I have three foundations which never seem to have favourite formula and favourite match combined, but they are useful for comparison as well. Then the final challenge: accurate depictions of swatches on-line.. 😱😱😱. Terrific video, Charlotte!
Since you mentioned Haus Labs, I think it's important to realize that they are using the backwards MAC descriptions of undertones, where warm = pink and cool = yellow, for all their products (including foundation, concealer and bronzers). I think that Haus Labs does offer a really good shade range in general, but people who do not realize how they are defining those words can get really terrible matches!
This is a brilliant video. Great tips to find your correct shade. I have not yet found a perfect shade match but this should help. There is a new foundation out in the uk called Dcypher it is a custom made shade. You take you photograph using AI on your phone and they make an exact match for you. Can you please review this foundation? Thank you 🙏
Here’s a tip that I use…
I have a Maybelline dewey and Smooth foundation that’s a couple years old, but it is my perfect shade match .
If I’m going to Sephora or the mall to look at a new foundation, I will swatch the Maybelline on the back of my hand and go .
While in the store, I will, then compare swatches to how it looks on the back of my hand next to the Maybelline .
Doing this, has made it so easy for me when I go to the stores … online that’s another story.
Morgan Turner is my shade match and we both have dry skin as well which works out great for me …
Once in a while, I’ll pick up a shade that she reviewed and it’s a little dark on me … it was so funny on one of her recent videos she had stated “you know I think I’m actually a little darker than what I am…”
I had to laugh to myself, because YES MORGAN that’s why sometimes I will go get the shade and it’s a Shade to dark. Lol
Good tip.
This shade of blue makes your complexion sooooo luminous and fresh 💖 you look gorgeous!
I agree.
Thank you so much!!
"Bag of frogs!" You are a riot! So funny!
Outstanding video, Charlotte! The best guide I have ever seen. You are very comprehensive in your suggestions and I can't imagine anyone having trouble finding their shade match if they follow your suggestions.
Thanks so much!
I have to make a comment about undertone. What the makeup profession calls undertone is totally different from the color analysis people. I had a professional color analysis and was told my undertone was cool. I was flabbergasted! I always buy foundation in the neutral range and I’m very fair. I burn without sunscreen but with it I tan very golden. I said to the color analysis woman: “How can I be a winter? My skin is golden!” She said, “That’s your OVERTONE.” To complicate things, according to some of the color analysis people online, I have warm hair (brown but with a tendency to get red in the sun) and eyes (hazel). So for anyone who has gone down the whole seasonal color analysis rabbit hole, or who wants to - remember that your foundation color and the way your skin looks - even the vein thing - does not mean that your undertone (based on the kind of melanin you make) is warm or cool. A PSA from me, who spent way too much money on this stuff!!
Same here! I am fair, brown hair which looks sometimes fiery red and blue eyes which can look green (very green). Make-up artists always recommended warm colours for me and those tones were obviously off. I am cool as ICE. I have to say I was always drawn to cool tones, silver and white gold. Since I have started ignoring the bad advice I look so much better.
I have a light olive skin tone and the only foundation that truly matches me so well is Lisa's, she can do no wrong. Love this video!
Same here. I mix everything with a blue mixer, every day of my life.
Well...she could have included the fair olive shade in the first place, rather than having it as an afterthought... And the lightest 'neutral' is ridiculously peach. I'm grateful that she listened to feedback and came out with 2.5, but I do think she can (and did) do wrong, by doing us dirty in the lightest shade set in the first place. I can't have been the only person disappointed not to find a shade match when her foundation line was first released.
@@chlomo2618 I get that but with so many brands releasing absolutely atrocious shade ranges of foundation I will always appreciate brand owners that listen to their customers and try hard to improve on their products in every way which Lisa does since day one. We got beautiful olive toned shades and I am grateful for that even if they came a bit later it is better than never as it is the case with so many other brands.
@@chlomo2618 I get that, but with so many brands releasing absolutely atrocious shade ranges of foundation I will always appreciate brand owners who listen to their customers and try their best to improve on their products in every way which Lisa does from day one. We got beautiful olive toned shades which I am grateful for, even if they did come a bit later it is better than never which is the case with so many other brands.
@@chlomo2618 I get that, but with so many brands releasing absolutely atrocious shade ranges of foundation I will always appreciate brand owners who listen to their customers and try their best to improve on their products in every way which Lisa does from day one. We got beautiful olive toned shades which I am grateful for, even if they did come a bit later it is better than never which is the case with so many other brands.
Skin twin 🙋♀️!
It’s so nice that olive undertones are gaining a little bit more traction in the general makeup conversation as of late.
The only thing I might add to the toolbox is the Flesh Tone Color Wheel by Terri Tomlinson. It’s absolutely indispensable for finding your undertone! And also for learning color theory and the tones of makeup you’re choosing in general. A total game changer.
😘
Thanks for sharing!!
@@CharlotteHoldcroft 🥰💚
LOVE this video!!!! I couldn't agree more about "find your shade twin". I have 3 or 4 that I follow that are exact to close to my skintone, this had made it so much easier for me!!!! One thing I'd add, if you have a sample or are in store to swatch---let the foundation dry down completely. So many oxidize, which isn't bad if you know it is going to happen. Took me a hot minute to find my shade in Haus Labs but I've got a shade now that works so beautifully. I also find that Nars has one of the most "forgiving" shade ranges, is it because it stretches so far, IDK, I'm no expert!!! Thank you Charlotte, this is a great video!!! I hope you feel better soon!!!!!
I had myself color matched years and years ago to a foundation. Now I use the shade finders that match that foundation. Works for me. I hate going into Malls to shop.
Thanks for his really helpful video. I only realised i was olive when i put a skintone top on and realised i look green. Most brands think olive means tan so dont do light or fair olive shades.I wish i could find a shade twin but everyone olive seems to be lighter or darker than me
I realised I was olive when one year I looked grey over winter and dirty golden honey over summer. My mum used to scrub my skin as a child during summer, as she thought my skin was unwashed. It made so much sense when someone suggested all this means I am olive. Next to something white, I look green.
@kateaye3506 My mum did the same thing because I'd get darker muddy looking patches on my body mostly my neck in summer. She only stopped when she realised she was rubbing off skin. I don't get the darker patches so much now because I stay out of the sun mostly and moisturise more but she still says my neck is a weird, muddy colour and tells me I look ill in some colours
Thanks for being a shade twin and thank you for listing your shades in popular foundations in EVERY video 🙏 it’s been so helpful!!!
Findation is great. It has only ever steered me wrong once (it was way off on Haus Labs lol).
It's so good!
Thank goodness olive is even in the picture now! I remember several years ago when most foundations looked either too peach or too orange on me. Fantastic video, Charlotte ❤
OMG. I’m so excited about this video. I know nothing about my undertone and keep picking shades that seem too yellow!! THANK YOU. You have provided a vital public service.
Hi Charolette! Your hair color is so pretty today! I really like the blonde and darker brown on you. 😊
This was a great video! I am Asian and I find that it is easier to find shade matches in concealer and foundation with Asian owned brands. One exception I have just found is Danessa Myricks yummy skin serum foundation. She sent a sample card of different shades when I purchased some eyeliner. The card had six shades which seemed to encompass a wide range of skin undertones and depth. 12W was my exact match when I used it to conceal a sun spot, with no need to color correct. I am medium with a neutral to warm undertone.
Fantastic video, Charlotte! Really helpful with all those tips. Also, thank you for acknowledging that people with olive undertone exist... the struggle is real.
Talking about the arm swatch tip, it’s so good. Was trying to find my match in luminous silk and thought I was between 3 and 4. But actually I am closer to 2. Great tip.
Immediately liked the video even before watching. So helpful Charlotte! I wish more brands offered sample cards like Lisa Eldridge. That’s how I found my perfect shade match!!!
🙌🙌
I completely agree. It's so frustrating, and I think all brands should have sample cards for sale. Especially here in the U.K. where we can't return anything.
I wanted to buy the Hourglass Ambient Light Foundation when they had their brief Black Friday sale. Went to their website and looked for light medium neutral only to find there were 4 light medium neutral options 😫. Gave up in the end. Like you, I'm nowhere near a decent department store so it's quite frustrating at times having to take a punt and buy online. I do wish that more brands would do sample sizes/cards to try, I'd have no problem spending a few quid buying samples but baulk at spending £40 upwards for a foundation that turns out to be completely wrong.
I also wish that more brands would sell samples, I would certainly buy them!
Totally agree. I bought something recently and it had a little postcard sized Charlotte Tilbury foundation thingy (very technical term) where you pull the tabs down and there’s a wee bit of the product. Whatever it was I discovered the shade 2 was perfect.
In natural daylight, try holding a piece of white printer paper next to your face. It helps to see undertones.
Brilliant! Thanks Charlotte - so helpful!
You're so welcome!
Thank you thank you for doing this, Charlotte! You are truly a pioneer. There is no other content creator who has done this for their viewers. So appreciative…❤❤
Brilliant video, Charlotte. This will help a lot of people. I'm also in the UK, so I've been buying foundation online for a long time, and i do everything you do, and i never go wrong 😊
Thank you so much for,this - really helpful. I find I get thrown sometimes when they also have a “rosy” shade! Like it wasn’t hard enough…
Choosing in-store I like to try the one I think is right on one side of my face and then either leave other side makeup free or put an alternative undertone choice on. Having the two sides to compare can help show which one looks ‘right’
Thank you for this. There were a lot of handy tips. Finding your perfect shade match is a journey.
Thanks for the excellent advice. I’ve been struggling with shade matching since I’ve let my grey grow out. My old shades fair/light cool don’t seem to work anymore. Your video gave me a way forward.
Great video I wish I watched this years ago. I eventually worked out my undertone by buying Lisa Eldridge’s sample cards.
Thank you for doing this video! It's a good one to watch & rewatch as needed. Much appreciated Charlotte!
Thankfully Michele Wang is my skin twin, her choises is always a good match for me.
That icy blue top looks amazing on you! Thanks for the tips, I’m very excited to try the findation website!
It really helps me if they have models wearing it. Assuming the model is a good representation I can make a pretty good guess
I am really good at picking my foundations online as well. Its a great ability to have.
You have done so much work on this. It’s so helpful. I’ll be rewatching it. Thank you.
Angie Hot & Flashy is my Skin Twin
Any idea of her Chanel shades?
@@kateaye3506 hi 👋🏼 Angie is B30 in Chanel
@@kateaye3506 Angle is B30 in Chanel
@@kateaye3506 Angie uses shade B30 in Chanel
@@kateaye3506 every time I reply to this it gets removed. Not sure why. B30
This seems like such a problem for people in the UK that I would think that a makeup company that allowed people to try a shade and then exchange it for a different shade if it didn't work out could generate a whole lot of sales and come out on top. Because the cost of goods sold for this stuff is so low that even if a really high percentage of people exchanged the product, the increased sales from people feeling more secure in their choices could generate a whole lot of profits for that company, I would think.
I admit I’m much more likely to commit to a purchase if I feel secure that I can return if necessary-and, to be honest, I don’t end up returning all that often.
Definitely!
Clinique offer this option on their website (at least, the one here in Germany). Very helpful video, thank you Charlotte.
When I’m in the uk (about half the year) I just ask for a sample and they dispense a small amount in a tiny bottle for me, it’s never been a problem, they are happy to provide. YSL even have pre filled 5ml squeeze tubes with the shade labelled on it. Tom Ford and Dior counters dispensed the sample into a special bottle with a little applicator. I understand it would be difficult if you don’t live near retailers, but I have never been refused a shade sample when I ask.
Thank you, Charlotte. I live in a rural area and I always have to order makeup online. I try my best but I am in need of guidance. 💛
Charlotte, this is brilliant my friend. You and Tara are my go to Twin Match ! ❤❤❤❤
The video I definitely needed, but never would have thought to ask for!
Thank you Charlotte, your channel is very helpful. ❤
Hi Charlotte!
Thanks for the best video ever on foundation matching! This continues to be a struggle for me despite years of trying different brands. Unfortunately, if your foundation shade isn’t correct, the rest of your makeup won’t look good either. The best shade I’ve found is 3N in Rose Inc. foundation (not the serum) but it breaks up on my nose and chin.
Thanks for your enjoyable and helpful videos! They brighten my day!
Susan
Fantastic video ! You are my shade-twin in winter❤
🙌🙌
Thank you Charlotte. Best video I’ve seen on this subject, and I’ve seen a lot!
Wow, thank you!
You are my shade twin-ish and our preferences match for fragrance and foundations match. I am 3 WO in Dior.
I’m a huge fan, watching your videos from Southern California. Just wanted to say how pretty I think you look in this video. Your hair looks soft, your makeup is just right and I would wear that sweater every day for the rest of my life if I were you 😂. Really, you look great!
I laughed out loud when you said you asked your lovely hubbie to help decide your foundation colour because I did exactly the same thing with the Lisa Eldridge skin-tone range of pictures and he said ... 'emmm you look like the old woman' ... he was right in that I did have the same skin tone and depth .. and even though the 'old woman' looked phenomenal .. I didn't appreciate the description ... all picture/no sound after that encounter .. still I did get my 2 perfect summer/winter shades from LE that I have never deviated from and I always use as a reference point for other foundations. Although I have to say that since I found LE, I rarely need to venture into any other foundation brand now .. I only do it out of curiousity or when I need a CC cream xxx Thanks for this, it was a fab tutorial!
Thank you so much for this video!
I’m from Sweden, and we got the same problem as you in the UK: no possibility to return makeup, and many brands that are not sold here. So online purchase it is - at least very often, and the money I spent on wrong shades… I seriously don’t want to think about it.
So now I am hesitant of buying any new foundation, and just stick to the brand I know. But I would love to explore more, and this video has shown me it’s possible, I just need to allow the shade-decision take more time.
All good tips. There are some people who I watch for exactly the reason that they are my shade twin. In the US, I prefer the Ulta on-line matching tool over Sephora because Ulta includes drug store brand as well as higher end foundations. Much easier to take the risk on a lower cost foundation that’s commonly found than a high end one. Mine 2 matches are from Colourpop and Covergirl and using those and shade twins plus my own experience (keep a photo of the products that work for you for reference) I usually do pretty well with matching. I do fine those white card swatches not so great though - they confuse more than help. I’m at the border of fair and light in most cases and in my mind the swatches all start to look too similar after a while.
Oddly enough, I bought a Morphe foundation from Ulta and it worked but was a bit light going into summer. I had an associate help me pick out a new shade although she didn't actually put it on my face. BIG mistake, lol. It was labled cool and looked very cool when swatched, however on my face, ORANGE! Now I have to go back again cause I literally can't wear this outside.
So helpful, thank you. Most of the time I'm buying online too, wish more brands and retailers offered samples or returns in the UK. I know I have fair, neutral skin, but still don't always get it right!
Thank you!! This was so helpful!! 💜
Lots of helpful tips, thankyou!
Thank you Charlotte!!! That was so helpful!
This video is incredibly helpful! RCMA (a pro makeup line) has amazing undertone offerings! Their cream foundation is beautiful and I do not typically like cream foundations. You can get a 5 part olive undertone (or any other undertone) palette in various depths for $30. I would LOVE to see you try it and see what you think. I cannot express enough how beautiful and natural and not heavy their base products are.
Fantastic fantastic Miss Charlotte!!!! Thank you for sharing your extreme wealth of knowledge. 💜💜💜
You are so welcome!
@@CharlotteHoldcroft 💜💜
Excellent, Charlotte - so very, very helpful - thank you ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, thank you!!! You have been so very helpful!!! Again! Get well soon. ❤❤❤
Thanks for this video. I loved Charlotte tilbury light wonder shade 6 it was one of the only light-medium foundations with a decent amount of green. It’s discontinued and I’m searching for a replica. Foundations never looked good until I found out I was olive. I’ve been recommended mixing in a green corrector and it sort of works, never perfect. I also range in depth over the year but I don’t buy a summer colour of each foundation I like, I just buy a much lighter shade and a much darker shade of a favourite foundation and mix into any foundation I want to use that day. I use pat foundation 14 and Fenty eaze drop 2 those formulas mix well with others.
Really great video. Thank you very much. I’ve saved this for future reference ✌️🇦🇺
This is so helpfull, thank you for doing this❤❤
You're so welcome!
I have a yellow undertone. That’s what I look for when trying to pick out foundations. I never go by the swatches they supply online. It’s always incorrect. I have found a UA-camr that is a shade twin for me.
I will say hair color can also change how your skin look. My sister went from Auburn to black hair color. She had to purchase new foundation. The one she was using looked very orange with her black hair. She gave me the foundation which looked fine on my yellow skin and golden blonde hair. I didn’t look orange at all.
That was very helpful and informative, Charlotte. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
TY Charlotte! I am the worst! at online selections! I am fortunate to live in Chicago so I can easily access in store for shade matches! However we still don't know have Prafa in store and as you know I have been waiting!😂😂😂
Maybe?? 😅
This is so in-depth & helpful, Thank you.
Hope you feel better soon 💕
I've gone from needing warm to neutral. I used to tan due to my sport I was always tan as hell now I have to use a neutral a peach under eye corrector and stay the ef outta the sun. I was an international sailor and equestrian so I was so ruined on my early years. This was a marvelous video it was so confusing for me due to my former lifestyle as an athete to now a mommy scared of skin cancer
This was so amazingly helpful! And the Findation website was so good! I put in my two favorite foundations/shades and it popped up with 2 others I use and a suggestion I had already guessed and put in my cart at Sephora for a new foundation I wanted to try! Magic! The worst thing though using shade finders with brands is when they come back with "we do not have a match for you". Sigh.
So glad!
SO helpful ❤
Great, Great video!! Thank you so much xo❤
Great ....sooooooo helpful....thanks.....lov U😍😘😻💋❤💝💄
What do people think of the temptalia shade matcher? 🤔
Charlotte, this is such helpful information. Kosas sells foundation card samples as well and they also give you credit for the money spent to purchase your new foundation after trying the samples.
Thanks for sharing!!
I am very bad at this, so I usually copy UA-camr shade twin matches, and your winter shades are one of the ways I find out as most of your winter shades are my shades too, and I also use Marium Maquillage. Saaamage and Mexican Beauty too! . I use Findation as a guide but often it's wrong, so most of the time I go into store and swatch a bunch of shades, before coming home to buy it online using my discount codes. I usually go for neutral or olive shades for foundation, much cool/peach for concealer. However, similar shade UA-camrs are usually my go to. NARS have my exact match, and also the Dr Jart premium BB cream in medium is also an exact match
This was really helpful.Thank you!
So so helpful, thank you Charlotte
This was a GREAT video! Thank you!! ❤
In outdoor natural lighting, my skin's undertone is a cooler neutral, yet olive tone. I look at the Welsh twins (Robert and James) and see my own undertone, overtone and depth. Like a rosier olive, if that makes any sense? Incredibly difficult to match! Because, as you mentioned, most olive toned foundations lean very warm, almost never, ever rosy! The cosmetics companies do not make it easy, do they?
Thank you so much !! Very very helpful
I would say that I have blueish undertone with light skin and I have realised that it easier for me to pick right foundation shade online than buy it from the store. The sales associates always try to offer either cool or neutral undertone foundations but most cool or neutral undertone foundations look way too pink or peach on my complexion. I have noticed that neutral olive undertones suite me the best even though I don’t tan and I definitely don’t have olive undertones. I rather buy too yellow/warm foundation than too pink or peach. Lisa Eldridge foundation in 9 is a good shade match for me. Unfortunately I haven’t found my shade twin online that would make the online purchase process much easier.
Great video, thank you!
During covid I became an expert lol. You aren’t my shade twin but are a reference point. I can say ok if she’s that shade I’m this shade. Etc.
If your not sure of your undertone, is it easier to use a neutral undertone? I find it so difficult getting shade match. I am fair skin and I often look too pale.
Thank you so much ! Soooo helpful ❤❤❤
one of the hardest tones to match is the light olive!! they dont make olive light enough!! :(
I am light-medium warm-leaning neutral, so I am very well aware of my *own skin tone, but the issue I often have is that the foundations are either poorly named (i.e. say they are neutral or cool, but all pull yellow), or oxidize over time so they change color throughout the day. 🙄
Fantastic video! Appreciate you so much!
I am an absolute pro. Also no stores around me and I get my shade right every time. People definitely need to figure out undertones and wait for as many swatches online as possible. Sephora US site, comments usually have the most swatches photos, TikTokers use filter and light is often misleading. And the best is to find a UA-camr who buys everything and is your skin shade 😅
Wonderful!! Thank you so much.
I wish I knew what undertone grey was, is it neutral or really pale olive? I know the Korean bases that lean grey are perfect on me. But it’s so hard to find them. The shiseido ‘lace’ is pretty good but that’s all I’ve found so far.
This is so helpful. Hope you are feeling better soon xx
Thank you!!
I also have it down to a fine art. I pop on to UA-cam check what shade you are and taddah perfect shade match 😂 I really do live in the middle of nowhere, one chemist which sells only 2 makeup brands! To try anything I have to get on a plane 😂
WINNING!!
I can relate: live remotely ✅, have light with slight olive complexion ✅, stick mostly to neutral u/t’s ✅. It has taken me years to figure out how to approximate my skin in a foundation. I shudder to think of $$$ spent. Here’s a recent cheat I use. Check out the custom foundation by Dcypher. While it is not available for shipment to my Country, I did take the photo test and saved the screenshot of the resulting skin tone. I found it helpful to solidify in my brain the overall impression of depth and colour. Otherwise, I have three foundations which never seem to have favourite formula and favourite match combined, but they are useful for comparison as well. Then the final challenge: accurate depictions of swatches on-line.. 😱😱😱. Terrific video, Charlotte!
Since you mentioned Haus Labs, I think it's important to realize that they are using the backwards MAC descriptions of undertones, where warm = pink and cool = yellow, for all their products (including foundation, concealer and bronzers). I think that Haus Labs does offer a really good shade range in general, but people who do not realize how they are defining those words can get really terrible matches!
That's where the fab Sephora descriptions come in! They have excellent ones for Haus labs! x
I have cool tones and light tan skin. I tan easily. I wear gold. If I cannot find the right color foundation I will go neutral.
Great video!! I’m super lucky because you’re my shade twin ❤❤❤
🙌🙌🙌
This is a brilliant video. Great tips to find your correct shade. I have not yet found a perfect shade match but this should help. There is a new foundation out in the uk called Dcypher it is a custom made shade. You take you photograph using AI on your phone and they make an exact match for you. Can you please review this foundation? Thank you 🙏
Great video ❤
Love this! TY ❤
Thank you for this video. Truely helpful 💜💜💜
I'm so glad!