Each of us has a skin tone that is based on yellow or pink. Here’s how you can determine whether
you have a pink undertone or a yellow undertone, which is crucial in choosing the right color. You
have yellow undertones if your eyes are brown or hazel and you look best in gold jewelry and clothes
that are orange, bronze, cream, or brown. You have pink undertones if your eyes are cool hazel, blue,
green, or blue-gray, and you look best in silver jewelry and clothes that are violet, plum, pale blue, or
pure white. Many cosmetic brands list colors for pink undertones as “neutral,” while yellow
undertones are often labeled as “golden.”
Still unsure? If shopping in a department store, ask for a small sample in a clean jar. If shopping
online, buy a small sample. Decent retailers are always happy to accommodate a cautious customer,
because when you make informed buying decisions, you are less likely to return a product.
Mineral foundations today come in powder and fluid form. Powders are more versatile but less
portable. Fluid mineral foundations are less common. Jane Iredale and Miessence make the best ones
I have found so far. Fluid mineral foundations are a much better choice for aging skin. In addition to
mineral pigments, they contain emollients, humectants, and plant antioxidants, which means that fluid
foundations can double as moisturizers. Fluid mineral foundations can be “sealed” with powder
mineral foundation, especially if you need to hide birthmarks, acne scars, or brown spots. In the
summer you can also use Dr. Hauschka Toned Day Cream, which provides quite a substantial layer of
natural-looking glowing tint. You can top the tinted moisturizer with a subtle layer of a mineral
powder foundation to obtain some sun protection, but don’t rely on the sun-protective qualities of
mineral foundation! It cannot be your sole sunscreen. The tinted moisturizer, ideally with SPF rating
fifteen or higher underneath the mineral powder, will provide moisture and prevent the powder from
getting cakey and accentuating fine lines and wrinkles.
If your skin feels oilier in the summer, you can try the excellent Suki-color Tinted Active
Moisturizer that contains vitamin C, retinol, organic plant extracts, and willow bark, an antioxidant
rich in salicylic acid. I found that the coverage is quite sufficient when applied with fingertips, but for
lighter coverage you can mix the foundation with a few drops of your regular moisturizer.
Shopping for the right color is no walk in the park. Here are some tips that you will find useful.
Green Tip
When you find a color that looks good indoors under florescent lights, take a small mirror and walk outside to check
the color in natural light. Many colors will prove themselves too shimmery or too bronzy for everyday use.
Always test the color in the middle of your cheek where you can see it. Many sales consultants
want you to test the foundation at your neck so the color “will not leave a visible line.” I find this
practice useless. People first see your face, not your neck. The foundation must match your facial skin
tone. Plus, it’s virtually impossible to see your neck clearly in a mirror. For the same reason, don’t
test for color on your hand unless you are trying to camouflage some scars on your hands. Always test
where you will actually apply the foundation and ignore all attempts to smear your neck or hand.
Mineral foundations allow for seamless blendability, so the visible line at your chin should be the
least of your worries.
Choosing the right foundation color can be tough for women with darker skin tones. That’s why
many women with dark complexions faithfully stick to their foundations and are reluctant to trade
them for mineral versions, no matter how pure they are. Fortunately, most mineral makeup producers
have broadened their color spectrum to suit every skin tone. Bare Escentuals carries excellent warm
and neutral shades ranging from golden caramel to darkest espresso brown. The darkest shades can
be found in Cover FX Powder FXMineral Powder Foundation, which unfortunately is loaded with