I’m a winter/summer/neutral/warm. What does any of it really mean anyway? Just when you think you’ve got it down, your more adventurous bestie slides you a sample of her latest cosmetic conquest from Rejuva Minerals (that’s us!) with the promise that it’s the best thing on the market. And while it’s the perfect finish, easy to work with and free of the ‘dirty dozen’ chemicals you want to avoid, going through all of the trouble again just to find that perfect shade has you wondering “Am I the only one who doesn’t get it?” Let me assure you, this is so not the case.
The process for naming and categorizing shades varies by company so I won’t go too much into detail, except to point out there are some key differences that make it necessary to consult with ‘the experts’. Meaning the company who manufactured the products. Because no one knows us like we know ourselves.
Let’s start with skin tones. Which one is right for you? According to some cosmetic companies, you should be selecting the opposite of your own tone and undertone for a ‘balanced’ effect. This may work if you have a good deal of redness or coolness you need to balance, but for most, this can leave us looking like the next big internet meme. We market ours differently (and hopefully easier). Just flip your wrist over and have a gander at those veins. Are they blue/purple? You’re cool or neutral! Are they green/purple? You’re warm! Here is a bit more on the skin tones:
- Cool (pink tones) = Will burn/redden without tanning
- Neutral (no obvious pink or yellow tones) = May burn/redden but will tan
- Warm ( yellow or olive tones) = Tans easily
Next is the shade level. This refers to how light or dark your skin tone is. Generally speaking, we each have two shade levels; one for winter and one for summer. This is important because it can mean your ‘usual’ shade will no longer suffice. If you need to go darker or lighter to compensate for the season, it’s good to know you can hop on the net real quick and chat with an agent to see what shade will work best for you.
Finally, there is the undertone to consider. And this is where things could get confusing. And here is where companies can vary their techniques for categorizing. One company’s ‘Ivory’ can contain yellow undertones, while another’s contains pink and still another’s will be neutral! We have broken it down to pink, neutral (no obvious pink or yellow), yellow and olive, rather than relying on the shade name for an indication. Seeing is believing. But what if you aren’t a ‘makeup person’ and can’t really tell? Our handy-dandy foundation selector may be just the ticket. Instead of covering tones, levels and undertones, the selector provides pictures of models wearing our shades and the names (loose and pressed) listed below each. Easy-peasy. Not so much? Read on!
Of course this is by no means a fail-safe list. Just the general scoop. We have other options to help. Just mail us a sample of your favorite foundation. Don’t forget to include identifying information, such as your name and email address. Including the brand and shade name is nice too! Sound like a plan? Click (here) for the mailing address and some instructions on how to submit an adequate sample size. If you are having trouble with skin sensitivities, scaring from acne, rosacea or other skin conditions we can help there too. If you’re still confused keep calm and chat on! We’ve made it so easy! Just slip out the door for a quick ‘break’ and snap a selfie, attach it to the chat window and a team member can have you matched in no time!
Finding your perfect shade is a snap!
Author:
Shelly Broaderick – Licensed Cosmetologist for Rejuva Minerals