Don’t Throw Shade — Shade Match Instead

Why throwing shade won’t help your complexion (but choosing the right foundation just might).

We’ve all seen it—and yes, we all know exactly what I’m talking about. That moment when someone’s face is dramatically out of sync with the rest of their skin.
Maybe it’s Taco-Cheeto in the Oval Office, a coworker who looks a little extra grey this morning, or your local newscaster giving major Oompa Loompa energy on the evening news. Or worse yet, someone wearing a foundation shade several tones too dark, in a misguided attempt at a faux tan.
It can all go south… quickly.

Now, I know calling out these examples is technically throwing shade—but let’s not dwell there. Instead, I’m here to encourage a little compassion… and a whole lot of shade matching.

Because the right shade? It doesn’t just blend. It elevates.

Why Shade Matching Matters

Every person has a unique skin tone—and more accurately, a skin tone range. Your complexion likely shifts slightly between seasons (summer tan vs. winter skin), and understanding that range is the first step.

Even more important? Undertones.
These are the subtle hues beneath your skin—cool, warm, neutral, olive—and they’re often linked to things like your vein color and how your skin reacts to certain pigments. Undertones affect everything from discoloration to how your foundation plays with light.

Then, there’s the environment:

• Lighting can dramatically shift how your makeup reads.

• Oxidation (when pigments react with air or skin chemistry) can cause your foundation to darken over time.

• SPF can leave a ghostly white cast under bright lights or in flash photography.

Bottom line? Matching your foundation isn’t just about color—it’s about science, texture, and awareness.

Common Shade Matching Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

❌ Testing on your hand.
Unless you moonlight as a hand model for Birks, skip this. The skin on your hands doesn’t match your face—it endures different exposure, texture, and tone.

❌ Judging too quickly.
When testing foundation, you need to give it time. Let it sit. Blend it in. Observe how it interacts with your undertones and whether it oxidizes. It’s not speed dating—it’s a relationship.

❌ Trusting the name.
Latte, Caramel, Honey, Amber… you’re not ordering a drink. Two brands may use the same name for very different shades, and shade scales vary wildly between companies. Don’t be fooled.

Pro Tips for Getting It Right

✔️ Start with 2–3 close matches. Swatch them from jawline to neck using a clean brush or sponge.
✔️ Blend and wait. See how the pigment melts into your skin. The right shade will almost disappear.
✔️ Match to your neck and chest. Especially if your face is lighter from regular skincare and SPF use.
✔️ Adjust by season. Most people need different shades for summer and winter, and a transitional shade—or a mix—for spring and fall.

Bonus Tip: Invest in a good makeup mixer or adjuster. Add blue to tone down orange, green to cut redness, or use a thinner to change texture. Brands like MAC, Make Up For Ever, and Danessa Myricks offer excellent options.

Inclusivity Matters

Let’s be real—foundation shades weren’t always inclusive.

From the pinky-peach nightmares of the ’80s to the golden wave of the ’90s, we’ve seen trends come and go, but many skin tones were left behind. People with the fairest complexions—or the deepest—often struggled to find any shade that worked. And those with olive or unique undertones were told to “make it work” with colors that never truly matched.

Thankfully, that’s changing. Brands like Fenty Beauty, Haus Labs, Juvia’s Place, MAC, and Make Up For Ever now offer extensive ranges—sometimes with 50 to 60 shades or more.

Still, not everyone’s getting it right (👀 looking at you, Youthforia—no one needs a pure black foundation). But we’re moving forward.

Proper shade matching can be life-changing. For someone with rosacea, acne, or uneven skin tone, finding that perfect match can restore confidence and transform how they see themselves.

So Next Time...

Instead of throwing shade—offer help.
Help your friend, your cousin, your coworker find their true shade match. The karma’s better, and so is the color payoff.

And if you want more Wearable Makeup Advice...
Stay tuned. There’s more where this came from 😉