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Original poster

Boots Clarins Counter foundation - wrong shade! What should I do?

28 replies

ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 19:04

Hi, I'm feeling really fed up with foundation lately. I used to wear Clinique Even Better in CN28 Ivory. Went to stock up and treat myself to their gift time recently as it was my birthday and wanted a chubby stick and highlighter, too. But they were OOS of that shade. Used their online AI colour matching tech thing and it suggested I buy CN08 Linen. It's far too pale! I'm going to keep it for winter and hope for the best, as you have to pay p&p to return it for a refund and I can't be bothered.

Was in a city last week (I live in the sticks so it's 45 mins drive to a city) and went to Boots to ask to be colour matched and some advice. Ended up buying Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid in 108.5 as that's what the (very young looking) woman at the counter advised after colour matching me. I'm 44 and have really oily skin right now and this is what she suggested. It was £42.

I've been trying it and can't get on with it! It's too yellow-y for my neutral/cool skin, and just doesn't sit right.

Do I now have to spend a couple of hours going back and asking for a different shade? I've already recycled the box, but I have the receipt. Wondering if I should call them and ask for advice.

Anyone else struggling to get colour matched properly lately? Any advice please?

OP posts:
lightslittle · 28/05/2025 19:19

I think the fact you’ve used it would mean it can’t be returned. You were colour matched, and agreed to the colour whilst there?!

Plump82 · 28/05/2025 19:26

Not sure what we had to know the person who served you was very young. But I'd definitely go back and explain it's not the right shade. Or maybe tweet them and see what they say?

DeSoleil · 28/05/2025 19:43

You only have to look on social media to see every woman under thirty five is wearing the wrong colour foundation and it’s usually yellow based.

I imagine the woman that serves you is of the same mindset.

I have had to put my foot down and insist the recommended shade is completely wrong many times at various make up counters with the exception of Chanel who appear to invest a lot of training in their saleswomen as they always match correctly.

Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 21:56

lightslittle · 28/05/2025 19:19

I think the fact you’ve used it would mean it can’t be returned. You were colour matched, and agreed to the colour whilst there?!

I know this sounds bonkers, but I wasn't actually shown a mirror?! The young woman and her colleague tried three different shades on my jawline, ummed-ahhed then agreed on this one.

It was only when I got home I realised I hadn't actually seen it myself?! I am known for being far too trusting/an absolute twat, mind...!

OP posts:
Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 21:57

Plump82 · 28/05/2025 19:26

Not sure what we had to know the person who served you was very young. But I'd definitely go back and explain it's not the right shade. Or maybe tweet them and see what they say?

Well, she looked like she was in her late teens. I'm guessing that someone in their 30's, 40's, 50's etc would have probably had more experience of at least wearing foundation, if not having more work experience of colour matching.

I don't use Twitter/X, but may phone or email the store in the next couple of days to see what they say. £42 is such a lot of money to throw away (on top of the £34 I spent on the Clinique one which is far too pale).

OP posts:
TuesdaysAreBest · 28/05/2025 21:59

Ask for a sample pot next time.

Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 22:00

@DeSoleil ah, so have you had lots of experience of wasting money on the wrong shades, too then? I must admit I've not been to a beauty counter or been colour matched in over a decade. Think I'll just relent and buy my old Clinique stuff on Amazon as it's usually on offer for about £28. My skin is awful at the moment (cystic acne) so can't live without it if I'm leaving the house really.

OP posts:
Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 22:01

TuesdaysAreBest · 28/05/2025 21:59

Ask for a sample pot next time.

Thank you, hadn't thought of that. I'd not done this process for over a decade, and just blindly (literally. There was no mirror) trusted the presumably trained professional beauty specialist in the white tunic.

Annoyingly, I see Boots have it on offer now for £35.70 !

OP posts:
Illegally18 · 28/05/2025 22:05

TuesdaysAreBest · 28/05/2025 21:59

Ask for a sample pot next time.

Yes, ALWAYS ask for a sample pot. You have to see the foundation on your skin in natural daylight.

Illegally18 · 28/05/2025 22:07

DeSoleil · 28/05/2025 19:43

You only have to look on social media to see every woman under thirty five is wearing the wrong colour foundation and it’s usually yellow based.

I imagine the woman that serves you is of the same mindset.

I have had to put my foot down and insist the recommended shade is completely wrong many times at various make up counters with the exception of Chanel who appear to invest a lot of training in their saleswomen as they always match correctly.

I agree. There is a fashion for yellow or orangish foundation in the young generation. ans she most probably thought it suited you.

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 28/05/2025 22:08

Over the years I have learned never to buy foundation without trying a sample all day first.

It's a sunk cost.

Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 22:08

Illegally18 · 28/05/2025 22:05

Yes, ALWAYS ask for a sample pot. You have to see the foundation on your skin in natural daylight.

Show quote history

Thank you, I really wish I'd done that now. Didn't know it was an option. Just reading reviews on Boots' website and someone on there has said that the colour match in store looked good, but far too yellow when at home. It definitely makes my skin look kinda dirty in natural light :-(

OP posts:
Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 22:11

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 28/05/2025 22:08

Over the years I have learned never to buy foundation without trying a sample all day first.

It's a sunk cost.

Ooh, just had to Google 'sunk cost' - thank you for teaching me that! I despite sunk costs. Bras also fall into that category for me. Fit lovely for the first wear or so then turn into instruments of torture.

OP posts:
Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 22:13
  • @Needtosoundoffandbreathe from Google AI: Sunk Cost Fallacy:
  • The sunk cost fallacy is a cognitive bias where people continue investing in a failing project or endeavor simply because they have already invested resources in it. This can lead to irrational decision-making because people are unwilling to abandon a project due to the money or time already spent, even if it's clear that the project is not going to be successful.

Hmm...perhaps this will be me this summer with my dirty-looking orangey/yellow skin and a nice tide mark around the jawline! ;-) Then again, if it's in fashion with the younger generation, perhaps I should just accept it and embrace it (never been in fashion before in my life).

OP posts:
Illegally18 · 28/05/2025 22:14

ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 22:08

Thank you, I really wish I'd done that now. Didn't know it was an option. Just reading reviews on Boots' website and someone on there has said that the colour match in store looked good, but far too yellow when at home. It definitely makes my skin look kinda dirty in natural light :-(

Show quote history

A sample pot that last a few days, in natural light, and see how it wears throughout the day.

Supima · 28/05/2025 22:16

Take it back. I bet they change it for you.

suburburban · 28/05/2025 22:17

Might be worth going back and saying you’re not happy with match.

Londontown12 · 28/05/2025 22:19

I never ever ever trust these girls on makeup counters !!
Theyblook like they trowel makeup on and it’s the wrong colour even on themselves I’m not an expert but I know when something is wrong !
always ask for a sample pot another thing I do it put the colour on white tissue and try and match with the sample let it dry and u get to see it ! U can see if its a perfect match for the one I use already x

Londontown12 · 28/05/2025 22:20

Btw deffo take it back it’s their fault not yours ! They will deffo refund u x

Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 22:22

I think I'm going to have to try and find a couple of hours in the next couple of weeks to trek back. Fingers crossed they swap it for me. I think reading up on it I'm a 'neutral' and they've given me a 'warm' shade.

Not a huge fan of the look/feel of it, but just don't want to waste £42 (but also don't want to have to drive/train a 60 mile round-trip with all the costs that incurs) and still actually need foundation.

OP posts:
BorderTerrierTimesThree · 28/05/2025 22:23

I think if you take it back they will refund you. In the meantime could you try mixing a small amount of both the new foundations and see if the mix matches your colouring/skin type better. Just a thought to save you a trip.

Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 22:24

BorderTerrierTimesThree · 28/05/2025 22:23

I think if you take it back they will refund you. In the meantime could you try mixing a small amount of both the new foundations and see if the mix matches your colouring/skin type better. Just a thought to save you a trip.

Funnily enough, whilst typing replies on here, I did actually think about doing that. I'll give it a go for sure, as not sure when I'll have the time to go back to be honest.

OP posts:
Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 28/05/2025 22:28

Just ordered my usual Clinique Even Better in Ivory for £26.62 on Boots.com with free delivery, so at least I'll have my old favourite to use in the meantime.

Thanks for all your help everyone :-)

OP posts:
Illegally18 · 28/05/2025 23:48

BorderTerrierTimesThree · 28/05/2025 22:23

I think if you take it back they will refund you. In the meantime could you try mixing a small amount of both the new foundations and see if the mix matches your colouring/skin type better. Just a thought to save you a trip.

But in that case she would have to buy a second foundation! And who wants to mix tow foundations in the morning?

LoafofSellotape · 28/05/2025 23:51

lightslittle · 28/05/2025 19:19

I think the fact you’ve used it would mean it can’t be returned. You were colour matched, and agreed to the colour whilst there?!

No,it can be returned. I did exactly the same with Clinique and emailed customer service and said the match was awful and they refunded me. Give it a go.