How do you make sure that you buy the right colour foundation?

I'm going to get some tomorrow, and the one I want isn't cheap. How do you make sure you get your exact shade? I know they usually have testers and even though you dab a little on in the shop, once you get home and cover your entire face, you think.. EWW. Help me out!How do you make sure that you buy the right colour foundation?
The best way to tell if it's the right shade for you is to look at the foundation on your face in natural sunlight. If you're at a makeup counter, it can be embarrassing to run outside with the mirror to check (I've done this before LOL). I suggest getting a few samples and testing each one throughout the week.


Also, you want to look for a foundation that will match the undertones in your face. If you have pink undertones, get a foundation that has pink undertones. If you have yellow undertones, get a foundation with yellow undertones. Etc.


If you are not sure what color undertone your skin has, the ladies or men at the makeup counter should be able to help you determine this.


If you would like to find out ahead of time, you can research this on the internet. I would suggest doing some research yourself because a lot of the people selling makeup don't know this kind of information and will pretend like they do.


Also, they will usually test the makeup on your forehead or on the side of your face below your cheek. Usually, it should blend in perfectly with either of these 2 places. However, people are obsessed with their foundation matching their necks, so If your face is naturally lighter or darker than your neck, you might want to adjust your color to match.





And, once you do find your perfect color, it is important to apply the foundation correctly for the perfect results.


First of all, skin care is very vital.


Cleanse, tone, and mosturize! I believe that an expensive, quality face wash system is the best thing you can do to make your face look beautiful. My suggestions: Bare minerals or Clinique. Also, you need to exfoliate your skin (Cliniques toner exfoliates, Bare Minerals face wash tones and exfoliates). Use an eye cream- It's never too early to take care of the skin around your eyes! My favorite is Bare Minerals. I tried Shiseido's and it didn't work so great. Drink lots of water,exercise, eat healthy, take your vitamins and get plenty of sleep!





If nothing else, you want to make sure your skin is exfoliated that way your foundation isn't going on over dead skin. However, be careful not to over exfoliate- and remember, exfoliating is a GENTLE process! And stay away from loofas! They house tons of bacteria and you don't want that all over your face. I'd go for a gritty face wash or one of the face wash systems I mentioned above. After exfolitaing, make sure you moisturize so the foundation goes on over an even surface.


Investing in some primer for your face will also help improve the over-all look of your foundation.





Proper application tips:


Don't rub the makeup in with your fingers. Pat it on with a makeup sponge. If you have a foundation brush, use that.


If you are covering with powder, you can wipe the powder on. You do not need to pat it on. If you are applying the powder with a brush, you can apply it in circular motions.





If you are using concealer, use the concealer before the foundation to cover acne or undereye bags. Usually people get a concealer that is a little bit lighter than their skin. If you use concealer above your foundation, it will draw attention to the area instead of hiding the area.





Blush goes on top of foundation.


Contouring powder goes on top of foundation.


Highlight goes on top of foundation.





Also, apply your eyeshadow before applying foundation so the eyeshadow doesn't fall on top of your flawless face :)How do you make sure that you buy the right colour foundation?
Many of the department stores and specialty shops (like Sephora) will give you samples. Ask the sales associate to color match you, and then ask for a sample that you can use for a few days to ';test drive'; the foundation.
you just bring a mirror, and look at the shade.


or bring someone and have them tell you


it's ok to be like 1 shad off.


it's not a big deal unless it's like REALLY off