Foundation - should it match your skin tone?

[citygirl1961]

I have problems with this. My colour match feels too pale (I use No7) but anything a bit darker I feel there is a line under my chin yet people say the darker shade looks healthier.

I know the idea is that foundation should match exactly. Do you follow this?

I’m pink toned but don’t want to look pink so head towards a yellow or neutral tone.

Loreal True Match has lots of shades at the paler end. You probably look healthier because people think you’ve got a tan. Use the pale shade but warm up with bronzer?

The idea is that there shouldn't be a visible line between face with foundation and neck without.

If you feel more comfortable with the darker shade, then why not use a bit of foundation on your neck so there isn't that visible line?

I try to match my foundation to my neck to avoid that line, but it doesn't always match and I just use what is left on the brush on my neck.

Talking of foundation, anyone tried Laura mercier mineral powder foundation, its recommend by a blogger I follow, suger puff and fluff, I can't workout which shade to get, it's on line so hard to judge, she like her foundation a bit darker than I would wear, she has classic beige and rich vanilla, I wear double wear in 2n1 winter 2w2, summer, can anyone help with shade choice.

It's such a minefield but I am gradually understanding the basics of choosing foundation. I think the undertone of your skin is the first thing to get right and there are more options than just warm or cool. Mine seems to be yellowish even though I'm pale European. Once that's right, even slightly too light/dark shades with the right undertone can work. There are some good youtube tutorials.

I agree with other posters that if you want to warm up or darken the complexion it's better done with bronzer than foundation. Just a very little can be effective.

Whatever foundation I wear I always blend it down past my jawline onto my neck with a beauty blender so should never be a definite line under the chin regardless of colour.

I think best to match as close as possible to your skin colour and then you can easily warm up the skin using bronzers and contouring. Also skin tone and colour varies throughout the year anyway so best to have different foundation shades for Summer and Winter.

Paler with bronzer (using a big fluffy brush) where the sun would hit. No lines and can vary it depending on how much you want to look like you've caught the sun.

Definitely match to your skin tone and add with bronzer and or blusher depending which suits you. Nothing worse than a face darker than neck dye to make up.

You could use bronzer and or blush to give you a bit of colour

Foundation should be pretty much invisible on and blend seamlessly from face to neck.

If you feel your colour match is a bit pale use bronzer strategically over your face to warm you up a bit (there the sun would naturally catch you) it makes the world of difference.

Thanks for your replies. The only issue I have with bronzer is that the powders I avoid due to having dry skin.

There are a lot of decent cream bronzer products, my favourite is the Chanel soleil tan de chanel. It's not too orange, it's buildable And easy to blend out, it's a huge pot so lasts forever. I love it. It's pricey but worth it.