Makeup guides

Undertones, foundation shades, ingredient labels, dupes and prices, explained plainly. Written by the people who make Shadecubby, the free makeup discovery app.

• How to find your undertone: warm, cool, neutral or oliveWhat undertone am I? Four quick tests for warm, cool, neutral and olive undertones, why they disagree, and how to read undertone codes on a foundation.
• Olive undertones: how to tell, and which foundation shades to tryHow to tell if you have an olive undertone, and how to shop for foundation shades that don’t turn orange or pink on olive skin.
• How to find your foundation shade at any brandHow to find your foundation shade: depth, undertone and finish, how to swatch properly, and how to use a shade you already wear at another brand.
• Why is my foundation pilling? Silicone vs water-based makeupFoundation pilling is usually a layering problem: silicone over water-based products, too much skincare or no drying time. How to tell which, and how to fix it.
• Non-comedogenic makeup: what it means and how to check a label“Non-comedogenic” means a product shouldn’t clog pores, but no US rule defines it. What it promises, and how to check the ingredient list yourself.
• Talc-free, fragrance-free and paraben-free makeup: what the labels meanWhat talc-free, fragrance-free and paraben-free mean on makeup, why people avoid each one, and how to check the ingredient list yourself.
• How to pay less for makeup without giving up what you likeCheap makeup doesn’t have to mean worse makeup. Compare store prices, use price per ounce, time your buys around sales, and spot a real deal.
• Makeup dupes: how to find one that’s actually closeA makeup dupe is a cheaper product that looks or wears like a pricier one. How to judge one by color, undertone, finish and formula.
• How long does makeup last? Expiration dates by productHow long makeup lasts after opening, product by product, how to read the PAO symbol (the open jar with 6M or 12M), and the signs a product has gone off.
• Makeup gift ideas, without guessing the shadeMakeup is a great gift until the shade is wrong. Which gifts are safe without knowing a shade, which need the exact one, and how a wishlist helps.
• The best drugstore foundation for your skin, and how to choose itHow to choose the best drugstore foundation for your skin type, finish and undertone, plus popular formulas worth swatching, with no paid placements.
• Makeup organizer ideas: how to organize your makeup and keep track of itHow to organize your makeup: what to sort and toss, where to store it, which kind of makeup organizer suits a small or big collection, and how to track what you own.
• Sephora and Ulta sales: when they usually happen, and how to plan for themSephora’s Holiday Savings Event runs Oct 30 to Nov 9, 2026, and Ulta’s Black Friday starts Nov 21. Dates, tier discounts, and how to plan a list.