topic Re: Makeup Color Explanations in Beauty

Makeup Color Explanations

rms1954 — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 02:18:51 GMT

I love the way the vendors provides us "great information" on how to choose their shades. So Dimitri is on HSN and he's going to go through the shades. "Fair, you know who you are. Light, is light. Medium is medium. Medium Rich is a little darker than Medium. Tawny has more olive tones. And, last but not least, Deep is deep." That was soooooo helpful. Ha ha ha.

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

SandySparkles — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 02:42:30 GMT

I like Dimitri, but I need a better explanation that.😂😂 Seriously, most of us know our foundation colors, but it can vary from vendor to vendor, so he should be more specific than that. Thanks for that laugh.😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

lovesrecess — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 02:45:14 GMT

I wasted money on some IT foundation a few years ago when the vendor said exactly which shade to get if you are fair-skinned, which I am. It was much too dark, made my face look dirty, and had an orange tone to it. It was a no go. So I had two I couldn’t use. The only good color info I have found is Laura Geller’s.

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

VegasBusinessWoman — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 03:50:27 GMT

Agree that verbal descriptions aren't all that helpful; even when there is a picture online or on a tv screen, how can you know? My approach has been to go present myself in person at Ulta. There are always all kinds of samples to try to get a good match, and they have makeup artists there to make suggestions and demonstrate how to use the products--and it's all free.

Can't go wrong if you have access to an Ulta.

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

this is my nic — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 04:08:55 GMT

Oy! The most difficult makeup trick is finding the right color foundation. I still have no idea if I'm warm based or cool! What might look ok in the store doesn't always look good in natural daylight. What to do, what to do, what to do? Pick one and hope for the best!

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 04:38:48 GMT

IMO, foundation, BB, and even CC creams are always trial and error. The vendors are all the same when it comes to desciptions, it’s not just Dimitri. And they never go off script either. I bet many of us know Laura Geller’s and the IT presenters’ schpiel. Then, if a shade sells out, they’ll say try one that’s close because suddenly they are very forgiving. Umm, no they aren’t.

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

Gorgf — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 11:31:50 GMT

The usual adage is tossed out again today.. "Works on ALL skin tones and hair colors!"

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

jackthebear — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 12:05:24 GMT

they used to show the foundation colors swatched, but now just show a face which is useless

at least with a swatch we can see the shade differences side by side

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

Shanus — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 12:33:29 GMT

@rms1954 wrote:
I love the way the vendors provides us "great information" on how to choose their shades. So Dimitri is on HSN and he's going to go through the shades. "Fair, you know who you are. Light, is light. Medium is medium. Medium Rich is a little darker than Medium. Tawny has more olive tones. And, last but not least, Deep is deep." That was soooooo helpful. Ha ha ha.

@rms1954 I've never watched him, so cannot comment on his descriptions of shades, BUT foundations are and always will be tricky to purchase without being able to try them on. Some guidelines: Fair is usually very light with a pink undertone (always burns in the sun), Light is darker w/ a yellow or more neutral undertone (burns, but could tan afterwards), when you get into the Mediums, you're usually beige or neutral or olive depending on how many shades of Medium are offered, Deep also should have a lighter shade of deep, a medium deep and a darker shade called rich.

If foundations are limited to 4-5 choices, they've grouped too many possibilities under each name and the "match" will be really difficult. For example: If just one Medium shade is offered, it most likely includes everyone who doesn't fall into the Light or Deep categories. Uh, don't purchase unless it can be returned because it's a cwap shoot whether it'll be even close to your skin color.

To make matters worse, there are no standardized shade matches across the board in all lines. If you're Fair in one brand, you can be Light Beige in another. Some dept. store brands go by numbers which are impossible to decipher.

Don't feel badly because we makeup artists are rebelling, too. We're not able to stock so many shades in our kits. We're choosing a few brands with tried and true color matches. Yes, Bobbi Brown who has an accurate shade finder w/ photos online (still not as great as being personally matched), MAC which stays consistent and Estée Lauder Double Wear (has a few finishes). BB has many Fairs, Lights, Mediums and Deeps...descriptions of each.

Yes, most foundations have gone on the yellowish side to color correct any redness...the main complaint women have expressed. I have pink undertones, but prefer a Fair Neutral instead of a Fair w/ pink. I use the lightest BB shade called Alabaster which has a hint of pink, but have to mix it w/ the next fair shade Porcelain which is neutral. I like to start out w/ a blank canvas and then add back my color. If my foundation already has pink in it, it's difficult to match concealers (need ones w/ pinkish cast) and blushes tend to be overpowering because the "base" layer is already pink.

The vendors do not adequately describe the foundation shades because they don't know through the TV screen what will match and just want to sell. There's a 50% chance you'll make it work and not return it.

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

Shanus — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 12:35:38 GMT

@this is my nic wrote:
Oy! The most difficult makeup trick is finding the right color foundation. I still have no idea if I'm warm based or cool! What might look ok in the store doesn't always look good in natural daylight. What to do, what to do, what to do? Pick one and hope for the best!

@this is my nic OY is accurate!!!

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

Shanus — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 12:39:52 GMT

@Gorgf wrote:
The usual adage is tossed out again today.. "Works on ALL skin tones and hair colors!"

@Gorgf Haircolor and/or eye color have absolutely nothing to do with foundation shades. What's making things more impossible is that through the years, many of us have mixed ancestry which could change a Fair skinned blonde to one who has just enough yellow in her skin to tan and push her into the next shade up.

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

Shanus — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 12:42:07 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
they used to show the foundation colors swatched, but now just show a face which is useless

at least with a swatch we can see the shade differences side by side

@jackthebear ....but not accurate since TV and computer screens show colors differently than they actually are in person. Ever purchased a lipstick that looked great online and arrived nothing like the swatch?

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

nyc1 — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 14:21:15 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
they used to show the foundation colors swatched, but now just show a face which is useless

at least with a swatch we can see the shade differences side by side

@jackthebear YOu just stated what I was thinking. It's so frustrating when they show those ridiculous pictures. I wish they would bring back the display with all the colors and then do the color swatches. Years ago they used to show each individual color displayed when they did the show.... THAT was helpful. Now they just breeze through it in a very flippant manner saying each shade IS VERY FORGIVING. Come on! Let's be a little more helpful please.

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

jackthebear — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 14:22:42 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@jackthebear wrote:
they used to show the foundation colors swatched, but now just show a face which is useless

at least with a swatch we can see the shade differences side by side

@jackthebear ....but not accurate since TV and computer screens show colors differently than they actually are in person. Ever purchased a lipstick that looked great online and arrived nothing like the swatch?

of course it isn't but swatching foundations can at least show differences between 2 shades, where as the faces they show are useless

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

Icegoddess — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 14:38:22 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@jackthebear wrote:
they used to show the foundation colors swatched, but now just show a face which is useless

at least with a swatch we can see the shade differences side by side

@jackthebear ....but not accurate since TV and computer screens show colors differently than they actually are in person. Ever purchased a lipstick that looked great online and arrived nothing like the swatch?

Oh, don't get me started on lipsticks. Christian Dior has discontinued my favorite and I can't find anything close that doesn't have orange in it whereas the CD shade has a little mauve.

Back to foundation, for me Fair is almost always too ghostly, but I'm a pink Light, so all these Light shades on Q & H are all too yellow. I can make the yellow-based Lights work probably because I use so little and blend and buff well, but really wanted something more pink or neutral. I went to my local mini Sephora (sans makeup) looking at a Nars brand. The girl comes over and tried using that device they put up to your face to pick the shade. It was very obvious to both of us it was way off. Not sure why it didn't work right. She called the "expert" over and she looked at me and said Mont Blanc in the formula I was looking at. The expert was right. Best shade match for me with no yellow.

I'll still use my other yellow-based Lights since I can make them work at least until I use them up, but probably won't re-purchase.

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

Shanus — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 15:01:26 GMT

@Icegoddess That's one reason I don't care for full coverage foundations. Tinted moisturizers (some have more coverage) are more forgiving and I use a foundation stick or concealer to touch up areas where needed. Most women need coverage in the middle of face, not all over, anyway.

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

Shanus — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 16:39:52 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
@Shanus wrote:
@jackthebear wrote:
they used to show the foundation colors swatched, but now just show a face which is useless

at least with a swatch we can see the shade differences side by side

@jackthebear ....but not accurate since TV and computer screens show colors differently than they actually are in person. Ever purchased a lipstick that looked great online and arrived nothing like the swatch?
of course it isn't but swatching foundations can at least show differences between 2 shades, where as the faces they show are useless

@jackthebear Usually they have other products on their face under foundation and powder over....that's IF they're even wearing the advertised foundation. It may appear yellow on a model, as well, and they switch her to another in the makeup room. Smoke and mirrors.

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

depglass — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 17:13:24 GMT

The problem is trying to shoehorn yourself into one of five or six shades. I have abandoned all these limited choice lines. You are better off going to the drugstore and choosing one of the many choices in warm or cool. Hopefully you know which one you are. If not, pick one in neutral. If you insist on spending more money thinking expensive is better, go to a dept store cosmetic counter or one of the makeup stores and get expert help. Just be sure they have a return policy if you are not happy with the shade when you get home.

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

Naturesbeauty — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 18:11:00 GMT

I think when it comes to a foundation weather a liquid or powder, one needs to (if possible) go into a store to get a perfect match. Try it on and go outside with a mirror. Get out in natural light see what it looks like. It Cosmetics offers so many more shades in the stores. Foundation is a personal thing and I don’t think that they can be sold on TV. Colors, textures, liquids, powders need to be tried in person. Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom’s, Macy’s will spend time with you getting the perfect match. They also will give you a pretty substantial sample to see if it works for you. “Happy Holidays! 🎄🎁.”

Re: Makeup Color Explanations

Jordan2 — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 18:31:42 GMT

I watched two of the presentations of the Tarte TSV on line. It would have been very helpful to see swatches of the products on the model's hand. I really don't need this, but part of the reason for not buying it is not getting to really see it.