Module 2: Foundation Matching & Coverage

Understanding how to match your skin tone and undertone is key to achieving a flawless, natural-looking base every time.

Why Foundation Matching Matters

Your foundation sets the tone (literally!) for your entire makeup look. When matched and applied correctly, it enhances your natural beauty, evens out your complexion, and allows the rest of your makeup to shine. But when the tone is off—even slightly can make your makeup look unnatural, flat, or disconnected from your neck and body.

Understanding how to match your skin tone and undertone is key to achieving a flawless, natural-looking base every time.

The Power of Color Theory

Color theory plays a major role in how foundation complements the skin. Knowing your undertone helps you choose the right foundation shade and avoid ashiness or unwanted warmth.

Undertones Explained

Your skin tone is the depth (light, medium, deep), while your undertone is the subtle hue underneath your skin's surface. Undertones don’t change with sun exposure and are consistent across your face and body.

Here’s how to identify yours:

• Cool Undertones:

  • You burn easily in the sun

  • Veins look blue or purple

  • Silver jewelry looks more flattering

  • Skin may have a pink, red, or blue hue

• Warm Undertones:

  • You tan easily

  • Veins look green or olive

  • Gold jewelry looks more flattering

  • Skin may have a golden, peachy, or yellow hue

• Neutral Undertones:

  • A mix of cool and warm features

  • Both gold and silver look good on you

  • Veins may appear blue-green

  • Skin tone appears balanced—not too pink or yellow

Types of Foundation Coverage

Knowing what kind of coverage you want will influence how much product you apply and which formula to choose:

• Light Coverage:

  • Looks like your skin, just more even

  • Great for everyday, natural looks

  • Typically in tinted moisturizers or sheer liquids

• Medium Coverage:

  • Evens tone and covers redness or minor blemishes

  • Ideal for soft glam looks

  • Buildable formulas offer flexibility

• Full Coverage:

  • Conceals acne, scars, hyperpigmentation, and uneven tone

  • Creates a flawless base for bold glam

  • Best applied with a dense brush or sponge for control

How to Properly Match Foundation

📍 Test on Your Jawline, Not Your Hand!

• The skin on your hand and wrist often doesn’t match your face or neck. The jawline is the perfect balance between your face and body.

• Swipe a few shades vertically along the jawline.

• The best match will disappear into the skin and blend seamlessly with both your face and neck.

📸 JCB Pro Tip: Check your match in natural light, not just under store lights. Step near a window or take a quick photo with flash to double-check.

Foundation Match Tips

• When in between shades, mix two colors to get your perfect tone.

• If your face is darker or lighter than your chest, match to the chest for more balance and bronzer for correction.

• Always prep the skin with proper moisturizer and primer before applying for the best results.

✍️ Practice Prompt for Students

1. Identify your undertone using the test provided.

2. Grab 2–3 foundation shades you think might match.

3. Apply each to your jawline and blend slightly.

4. Step into natural light and choose the one that melts into your skin.

5. Take a selfie to compare—it’s a great way to build your matching eye over time.