The guide to finding your foundation shade.

You know that expression “never judge a book by its cover”? That applies to how to find the right foundation shade, too. Shade names like espresso or beige are not universal to all brands or even amongst the different foundation types within the same brand. They can be a helpful guide, but if you want to get it right off the get-go, we always recommend color-matching by a consultant, which is a free service. Also keep in mind that whenever a formula is different, the same shade name can look slightly different based on the interaction of its ingredients.

Shade is of the utmost importance, but formula plays a large factor in your perfect foundation as well. Is SPF key, and are you looking for a foundation that helps with dark spots over time? Even Better Makeup does just that, with a moderate coverage and natural finish. Are you looking for a triple dose of skincare with your foundation? Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation is a full coverage, matte finish foundation that visibly improves skin with three potent serum technologies. You can also switch your foundation formula and shades up depending on the season, or what your skin is craving. Winter may call for a lighter shade with more hydration, while summer may call for a deeper shade with more nourishing ingredients.

Clinique foundations are formulated and created for all skin tones and undertones—it’s just about understanding the ins and outs of yours. To identify what type of undertones you have, examine the inside of your wrist. If your veins are blue, then you have neutral undertones, which means you can wear both cool and warm foundation shades. If your veins look purple-ish, then you have cool undertones, giving your skin a pink tint. If your veins look green, then you have warm undertones, giving your skin a golden tone. The shades in Clinique Even Better foundation shades are easy to navigate because along with shades like Truffle or Alabaster, they are labeled with qualifiers like WN and CN that stand for Warm Neutral and Cool Neutral to help you out.

After determining which swatch looks like the best foundation shade match, remove the other two and fill in a small section of your jawline with the leading contender. Now take a cotton swab soaked in makeup remover and sweep it down the middle of the patch. It’s not breaking news that you should always check the way your foundation looks in natural light before making a commitment.

There you have it: how to find the right foundation shade.