FIND YOUR SHADE by Harpersbazaar

The contents of this post is originally created by the Harpersbazaar Korea

Until now, we've identified the essential qualities of a perfect foundation as follows: excellent coverage, long-lasting wear, and flawless adhesion. However, what must be considered first is the base color that matches your skin tone. Often, the frustration with foundation can be resolved by finding the optimal color.

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Regarding the Increasing Difficulty of Color Selection

In countries with diverse populations, the base color represents the inclusivity of beauty. This movement was significantly propelled in 2017 by Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, which introduced a groundbreaking 40 shades of foundation under the slogan "Beauty for All." Since then, many brands have emphasized inclusive beauty by subdividing their color ranges. This is why some brands face backlash just for discontinuing or replacing certain shades.

This trend is similarly observed in the domestic market, where the once-prevalent preference for fair skin and the belief that shade 21 was the ultimate answer have long disappeared. As looks that express individual uniqueness gain support, the options for face colors are increasing. Although still in its infancy compared to overseas markets, the domestic market is growing steadily by continuously adding to color charts and moving towards mixing colors or custom production.

What do makeup artists consider the optimal base color? About six to seven years ago, when color started to become more segmented, the dominant opinion was to use a foundation one tone lighter to make the skin appear more radiant. But now, things are different. Most artists say that the best color is the one that matches your natural skin tone. "Many still perceive a color that perfectly matches their skin tone as too dark. There's also a common belief that pink tones are brightening and yellow bases are dull.

However, a lighter foundation often makes the face look wide and flat rather than brightening it," explains makeup artist Oh Mi-young. Numerous other experts, including Lancôme Senior National Makeup Artist Baek Kyung-ha, share the same opinion, emphasizing that strictly speaking, it's not the foundation's job to lighten the skin tone. The mission of foundation is to even out the skin tone, not to change it.

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