Guide on how to buy makeup when you can't try it on Some strategic rules for purchasing the right thing
Buying something without trying it first has become the norm due to the rise of online shopping. But purchasing a makeup product without ever testing it is almost an act of faith. Or madness. You scroll, add to cart, imagine the result, and then it arrives at home and that foundation that seemed like it could change your life is too orange, too gray, or just not right for you. The good news is that, with a few strategic rules, you can avoid 90% of beauty disappointments and buy makeup online without ending up crying in front of the mirror.
Guide on how to buy makeup when you can’t try it
Undertone is everything
@jamzlt is this the key to finally know your undertone? let’s analyze it! #fyp original sound - Jam Zoleta
Even before talking about shades, there’s one thing you need to understand: your undertone. It can be warm, cool, or neutral. It has nothing to do with how light or dark you are, but with the base of your skin. If you are warm, your undertone leans yellow or golden, you tan easily, and gold is definitely your ally. If you are cool, your skin base is pink or bluish, you burn more easily, and silver suits you much better. If you are neutral, you can pull off almost anything: warm, cool, or in-between colors. Lucky you! The ultimate test is to look at the veins on your wrist. If they appear green, your undertone is warm. If they look blue or purple, it’s cool. If it’s hard to tell or you see both, you are most likely neutral.
Abbreviations you need to know to find the perfect foundation
When looking at foundation online, never rely on the name. "Caramel," "Sand," or "Honey" are purely aesthetic—they make the product look appealing but don’t tell you if it’ll suit you. What really matters is the shade code. Here are the most common abbreviations brands use for undertones: W stands for warm, ideal for warm undertones. The foundation will have a yellow or golden base. C stands for cool, for cool undertones, with a pink base. N is neutral, with a balanced base. A practical example: 30W indicates a medium shade with a warm undertone; 30C has the same intensity but a cool base; 30N is the in-between, for neutral tones or those who don’t like too much yellow or pink. And 30 refers to your skin’s depth, basically your complexion.
Which blush shade should you choose?
First, makeup is yours, wear whatever you like, experiment freely. That said, some colors harmonize better with your skin tone, and the basic rule is the same as before: undertone first. If you’re warm, go for peach, coral, or soft orange. If you’re cool, opt for dusty pink, mauve, cherry red, or plum. Neutral? You can explore both categories without a warning from color theory pros.
And what about lips?
Again, undertone helps: if you’re warm, choose terracotta, coral, peach, or brick red. If you’re cool, try light shades like dusty pink, bolder fuchsias, or deeper tones like burgundy. Neutral? Lucky you, almost everything looks good, so go wild!
Buying something without trying it first has become the norm due to the rise of online shopping. But purchasing a makeup product without ever testing it is almost an act of faith. Or madness. You scroll, add to cart, imagine the result, and then it arrives at home and that foundation that seemed like it could change your life is too orange, too gray, or just not right for you. The good news is that, with a few strategic rules, you can avoid 90% of beauty disappointments and buy makeup online without ending up crying in front of the mirror.
Guide on How to Buy Makeup When You Can’t Try It
Undertone Is Everything
@jamzlt is this the key to finally know your undertone? let’s analyze it! #fyp original sound - Jam Zoleta
Even before talking about shades, there’s one thing you need to understand: your undertone. It can be warm, cool, or neutral. It has nothing to do with how light or dark you are, but with the base of your skin. If you are warm, your undertone leans yellow or golden, you tan easily, and gold is definitely your ally. If you are cool, your skin base is pink or bluish, you burn more easily, and silver suits you much better. If you are neutral, you can pull off almost anything: warm, cool, or in-between colors. Lucky you! The ultimate test is to look at the veins on your wrist. If they appear green, your undertone is warm. If they look blue or purple, it’s cool. If it’s hard to tell or you see both, you are most likely neutral.
