Part II: Understanding Your Unique Undertone Story

Skin Deep: How to find foundation, lipstick, and blush

So you’ve figured out your undertone story, and it’s more complex than a single label(Read Part 1). Now comes the practical part: how do you shop for makeup that works with mixed undertones?

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The Foundation Reality Check

When it comes to mixed undertones, you’re not looking for a foundation that perfectly matches every part of your face. Instead, aim for one that disappears seamlessly at the jawline-to-neck junction — because your neck is often the most neutral, balanced area of your undertone map.

Why the neck matters: It’s where your cooler and warmer zones meet. Matching here helps everything else look cohesive.

Foundation Shopping Strategy for Mixed Undertones

If your face is cool-dominant but you have warm areas:

• Start with neutral foundations that lean slightly cool

• Look for descriptions like "natural beige," "neutral rose," or "cool beige."

• Avoid anything too pink (will clash with warm areas) or too yellow (will muddy cool areas)

If your face is warm-dominant but you have cool areas:

• Start with neutral foundations that lean slightly warm

• Look for "natural beige," "neutral golden," or "warm beige"

• Avoid anything too yellow (will emphasize warm areas too much) or too pink (will clash)

If you're truly balanced/neutral:

• You have the most flexibility

• Look for "true neutral," "natural," or "balanced beige"

• You can sometimes mix slightly warm and cool foundations to create your perfect match

Lipstick Shopping Cheat Sheet

Cool-Dominant

Buy: Berry, mauve, blue-red, classic red, rose, cherry

Avoid: Coral, orange, peach, warm pink, brick red

Warm-Dominant

Buy: Coral, peach, warm pink, brick red, bronze, golden.

Avoid: Berry, blue-red, mauve, cool pink, purple tones

Neutral

Buy: True red, natural pink, muted coral, soft berry, balanced brown

Can experiment: Both warm and cool, just avoid extremes

Blush Shopping

Follow your lipstick logic:

• Cool-dominant → Pink/berry blush

• Warm-dominant → Peach/coral blush

• Neutral → Both work, avoid extremes

Quick Application Tips

For Mixed Undertones

• Color correct lightly: Peach corrector on cool/gray areas, pink corrector on warm/yellow areas

• Strategic placement: Put cool blush on naturally cooler cheek areas, warm products on warmer areas

• Blend well: Use neutral products to bridge different undertone areas

Troubleshooting

"Foundation looks off" → Try mixing two shades or add color-adjusting drops

"Can't find my shade online." → Look for brands known for neutral undertones, and read reviews from similar skin descriptions

"Different makeup artists say different things." → Ask them to explain which area they're matching, and tell them you have mixed undertones

"Some golds look terrible on me." → Try muted/antique gold instead of bright yellow gold, or champagne tones

The Bottom Line

• Foundation: Match your neck

• Color makeup: Follow your dominant facial undertone

• When in doubt: Choose neutral/balanced options

• Trust compliments: If people say you look great in a color, it works regardless of "rules"

Remember: Your goal is to look like the best version of yourself, not to follow rules perfectly.