For the longest time,
I Was Getting The Wrong Foundation Color.
For years I didn’t even know that my color wasn’t my color.
My friends, my family, and no one said a thing. There’s a reason why they never said anything.
My foundation was always blended enough to match what they perceived as my actual skin color, but it wasn’t.
So how can you say your foundation color doesn’t match when you don’t have my bare skin to match it?
Here’s how I figured out I was wearing the wrong foundation color and how I fixed it.
Loreal Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation Color Cocoa
I am one of those chicks that actually watch beauty guru videos on Youtube. My favorite is Tati Westbrook. I’ve purchased so many of the products that she has recommended and guess what?
Homegirl has never failed me.
I had been wearing the loreal infallible pro-matte foundation color cocoa for years based off of a video she did.
I was faithful and never tried another because finding a great drugstore foundation can be exhausting and it sucks when you get one that just doesn’t work.
Seriously, I can’t go to work with a bad foundation on my face. That’s ridiculous.
Tati had taken a long-year hiatus. No one knew if she was ever going to come back and boy was it a joyful day when she came back. Of course, we all want to know what our favorite beauty guru is now using.
She had mentioned a few, but the one that I wanted to try was the Loreal Infallible Freshwear foundation. I decided to go with that one because I was already using the Loreal Infallible foundation and I do love Loreal products.
This foundation looked thinner but buildable and more skin-like. The current foundation I was using was a bit thicker and could sometimes be a little messy, but I loved it still.
I took a moment to write down the name of the foundation on a sticky note so that the next time I was out purchasing makeup I could pick this one up.
Hello, L’oreal Infallible Freshwear Foundation
It was time to pick up some new makeup. Normally I do this in-store, but this time I decided to just go onto Amazon. I mean it should be easy, right?
It’s a loreal foundation. I’ve been using a loreal foundation. I will just choose the same color, cocoa.
To my dismay, they didn’t have cocoa. They had shades similar to cocoa, but not cocoa. I kept staring at the swatches on the screen placing my hand against the screen to see if that would help.
I even went to various different websites where they had color matchers and either the process was too long or they got it wrong. Sorry, Ulta color matcher I’m nowhere near Ivory.
My default move is to choose the darkest shade, but here’s a spin for you… they broadened the range for deep skin tones.
I went to my local stores and they didn’t carry the foundation colors that were online which would normally make me mad, but I’m used to it and carried on with trying to figure out my foundation shade.
Photography & Color Correction
I decided to wait because I had come up with what I thought was a great, but cute idea to get my guy involved.
He’s a photographer and he is magic when it comes to editing photos, but I would say he is especially amazing at color-grading photos.
Late that night as we sat on the couch I popped open my tablet and said hey, help me with my foundation. I don’t know what color to choose.
I selected the ones that I thought were the best choices and he couldn’t stop laughing. Too dark. In fact, I have noticed that your foundation color is always a bit too dark for you.
I was in shock… too dark? Growing up black everyone thinks you’re hexcode #000000 despite there being a plethora of shades within the deep/deeper skin color range.
Even my mother called me dark so I assumed the darkest would be the correct color.
Wrong.
I decided to trust him and I’m glad that I did.
L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Up to 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation, Sienna
That’s my color. It was so cool to see that the lighter color actually matched my actual skin. Friends and family were giving me all sorts of compliments on my skin. Yeah, I’ve been taking care of my skin, but it was the foundation.
I looked brighter, fresher, and more like a human instead of an acrylic painting. I’m joking about the acrylic painting part.
Also, it taught me the importance of photography and how detailed your eye has to be to select the perfect foundation color from a screen.
Okay, so you know the trick on how to find the perfect foundation color. How does the foundation perform?
It is my favorite foundation. It is light and buildable, it doesn’t transfer, and if it does it isn’t noticeable.
The 24-hour wear label isn’t a joke because unfortunately there have been times when I’ve stayed up too late and just passed out without washing my face and my foundation is still on.
Terrible, but hey at least I know that the 24-hour wear is legit.
What Are Your Favorite Makeup Foundations?
I’ve always wanted to try the Estee Lauder Double Wear, but I couldn’t get past the price. I’m sorry, but I’m really cheap when it comes to… everything honestly.
I would love to see your recommendations for your favorite foundations. Just leave a comment below or send me a message on Twitter or Instagram.
