Shade Matching & Undertones

The Cause (Short)
Undertones sit beneath the skin and don’t change with tanning or seasons. Choosing foundation based only on surface colour often leads to mismatched, flat, or unnatural results.

The Fix (Short)
Matching depth first, then refining undertone based on how the skin behaves in natural light creates seamless, skin-like results.

Undertones are the subtle hues that exist beneath the surface of the skin and influence how colour appears once applied. The three most common undertones are warm, cool, and neutral. Warm undertones lean golden or olive, cool undertones lean pink or rosier, and neutral undertones sit between the two.

A common misconception is that undertone changes with tanning. While the depth of the skin may deepen or lighten, undertone remains consistent. This is why a foundation that matches in summer can still look wrong if the undertone is off.

One of the most reliable ways to assess undertone is to observe the neck and chest rather than the face alone. The face is often more exposed to sun, heat, and redness, which can distort undertone perception. Matching to the larger, more stable areas of the body creates a more cohesive result.

Depth should always be matched first. Once the correct depth is established, undertone can be refined. Trying to correct undertone before depth often leads to overly light, dark, or unnatural-looking foundation.

When undertone and depth work together, foundation blends seamlessly into the skin and disappears visually. The complexion looks balanced, dimensional, and naturally aligned with the rest of the body.