ShadecubbyHow to find your foundation shade at any brand
Shade names don’t carry over from brand to brand, so a 230 at one brand can be nothing like a 230 at another. Here’s how to shortlist shades with what you already know, then confirm the right one before you buy.
Updated · 6 min read
The three things a shade has to get right
- Depth
- How light or deep it is. Most shade numbers go up as shades get deeper, but every brand spaces them differently.
- Undertone
- Warm, cool, neutral or olive. Getting depth right with the wrong undertone is why a shade can look orange, pink or gray. See how to find your undertone.
- Finish and coverage
- Matte, natural or dewy. A dewy formula can look a touch lighter, and some formulas oxidize, getting darker or warmer as they dry.
Start from a shade you already wear
A foundation or concealer that already works for you is the best clue you have. Note its brand, shade name and undertone code, then look for shades at the new brand with the same undertone and a similar depth. Compare the swatch colors, not the numbers.
That’s what Shadecubby does with the foundation and concealer on your shelf. It suggests a short list of close shades at other brands to swatch. It’s a good place to start, not a promise.
How to swatch so you can trust it
- Swatch on your jaw, not your hand. Your hand and wrist are usually a different color from your face.
- Try three shades side by side: your best guess, one lighter and one deeper.
- Wait ten minutes. Many foundations oxidize as they dry.
- Check in daylight. Store lighting is usually warm or very bright. Step outside or stand by a window.
- Pick the one that disappears. If none do, try a different undertone, not just a different depth.
Buying online without swatching
Ask for samples where you can, check the return policy, and read reviews from people who mention the shade you’re considering. Customer photos help, but phone cameras and screens shift color, so treat them as a rough guide.
When your shade changes
Many people need a lighter shade in winter and a deeper one in summer. Mixing two shades of the same formula is an easy way to cover the in-between months.