does anyone understand the estee lauder double wear colour system?

[dudsville]

I've been given two colours by two different EL counters. I think they are both too dark and too yellow. I would like to try choosing one myself. I think it would help if I understand their numbering system. Can anyone explain it to me?

I have been given 2c1 and 3c2. If I wanted to go a little lighter and a little pinker what would I choose?

If you go to a counter they have a little sample book thing that they show you that shows all the colours in all of the categories (yellow tones; pink etc) which I found really useful. It might well be online too

I think the letters are c=cool, n=neutral, w= warm. The number before the letter is shade depth I think, so you probably need a 1c1?

Thank you, I 've spent a huge chunk of the evening on the Internet. Apparently because I have cool pink tones I'm given yellow based foundation to balance things out and if I put a cool pink toned foundation on cool pink toned skin I would end up amplifying that... I think the counter staff have gone too far down the yellow route. Two people have suggested I'm a bit too dark/orange. One was a friend in response to direct questioning and the other a friend who acted as if she embarrassed to comment. I take both of theses as helpful comments.

C are pink based (cool) and W are yellow (warm) so perhaps they are just too dark. Maybe try a 1 (cool or neutral). EL are good at giving samples so it's worth a shot.

As Ginger said the c are pink toned. They usually match foundation to skin tone rather than counteract it so that is the right shade rande for you if your skin is cool toned. You probably just need a lighter shade- 1c1 (cool bone) is a good shade for fair cool toned skin. Or you could try a neutral shade if you want to tone down any redness in your skin.

Actually, just checked the shades you have been given on their website and they are pretty dark, if you have been matched to these then 1c1 could be way of the mark and MUCH paler than these, too pale for you. I'd go back and be rematched as mistakes are expensive buying online.

Thanks all. I dI'd see how light 1c1 wad and thought probably not. I'll go in later this week without makeup and see. I haven't tried Debenhams counter yet!

I just thought I'd come on to say I'm now trying 2N1! This make up advisor suggested that the colours I'd been given had a pink base and that with my skin's natural pink levels that might have made it too dark and should try a neutral! V nice lady gave me a sample to use for the next week, even though I bought the bottle, in case I find it's still not quite right and want to exchange.

I'm pink toned but use 1n1. Don't like the pinky tones