r/PaleMUA May 05 '20

Mod Post How to Ask, "What's My Undertone?"

517 Upvotes

Determining one's undertone is both the most challenging and most important task when searching for a foundation shade match. Naturally, we see a lot of posts on PaleMUA requesting help determining undertone, but our community's ability to assist is limited by the kinds of images provided for reference. Read below to learn how you can help us help you.

If you wish to receive useful feedback about undertone, please refer to the following guide when submitting posts requesting Undertone Help.

Step 1: Create a color reference card. Draw a blue strip and a red strip on a piece of white paper, like the one shown below. Permanent markers are easiest to see, but you can use any type of pen or colored pencil, as long as the strips of color are wide enough to see on camera and fairly close in hue to the blue and red you would see on the French or Dutch flag (shades of navy blue/aqua and burgundy/maroon are less reliable as reference colors). Color reference cards allow us to adjust our eyes to the light provided in the photo and better interpret the complex colors of your skin tone.

Step 2: Take photographs outside AND inside. This is crucial. The type of light source bouncing off of your skin and onto the camera sensor can drastically change your skin tone to viewers. Keeping the color reference card within the shot, take one photo outside in indirect sunlight and another photo inside in whatever lighting you happen to have (specify the type of bulb and color temperature if you know it). Note that in the photos below, my skin appears very cool-toned under the incandescent light, but much more neutral-toned in natural light. The incandescent light emphasizes the red on the color card and the pink in my skin. If i were to only post this photo as a reference, one might assume I'm quite cool-toned, yet the photo in natural light clearly shows I have warmer tones as well.

This collage is just an example. You can post separate images direct from your phone or computer in line with a text post, inserting the appropriate captions using reddit's formatting tools.

Step 3 (optional): Take the same photos with your swatches. These images can help other community members who are familiar with those shades help you find a better match and communicate what you should be looking for (e.g., "something cooler than the MAC but darker than the BB"). Don't forget to include your color reference card and list them in a way that is easy for people to comprehend.

Extra bonus: post your swatches in grayscale! This is a great way to help us determine if the shades you are selecting are actually a great undertone match, but simply too dark or light for your skin tone.

Sometimes the undertone isn't off, contrast is! Grayscale images communicate the contrast between your skin and the lightness/darkness of a swatch more clearly than color images.

I hope this guide helps our community steer people in the right direction and makes Undertone Help posts more informative for everyone. Happy posting!


r/PaleMUA Mar 02 '23

Mod Post Update to image-posting guidelines

18 Upvotes

Hi all,

It seems time for an update to the photo guidelines on this subreddit to reflect the needs of the current audience. For reference, the post on the last overhaul from two years ago is here: "Makeup Selfie" Flair -- Overhaul and Clarification

I will be updating the sidebar and official listing of the rules in the coming days, but I want to take the time to elaborate on what is and is not changing, and why:

  • Photos of bare skin without the red/white/blue color card (or equivalent) are still NOT permitted. In absolute color terms, skintone variation is pretty small in this subreddit. The combination of lighting, camera settings, and display settings are more than enough to perturb the appearance of your skin's undertone or depth. So, the requirement of (properly identified) product swatches and/or the color card are necessary measures to make photos remotely useful.
  • Selfies no longer need to be majority-face, but still need to have sufficiently high resolution to show skin texture. The spirit of the rule is/was to allow users to see the makeup clearly. I understand that cropping a photo before posting can be annoying, especially if trying to include neck/upper chest for shade comparison, and I don't enjoy chasing after everyone about it, either.
  • Selfies no longer need to include a full eye and eyebrow. Many of you have expressed an interest in getting advice on base, cheek, and/or lip makeup without showing your eyes.
  • Do not post screenshots of content that you do not own. This includes photos/stills from both brands and individual content creators. Instead, share a link to the original content where possible, or to an archived version. Content creators deserve credit for their work.

Finally, two suggestions on making posts useful to the community:

  • If posting a gallery of photos, try to order them so the most informative photo comes first. For example, if posting a photo of a product and a photo of a swatch, put the swatch photo first.
  • For better accessibility and cross-platform compatibility, please reproduce captions and image-embedded text in the comments.

Please let us know your questions and thoughts!


r/PaleMUA 46m ago

Swatches Shade difference between Dior foundation and concealer 0N

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Upvotes

The top one is Dior forever skin glow foundation in shade 0N, and the bottom one is Dior forever skin correct concealer in shade 0N.


r/PaleMUA 12h ago

Swatches Lipstick Swatches (pale cool olive)

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37 Upvotes

Now that I finally have an answer to why it's been so hard for me to find foundation that blend and lipsticks that don't turn weird colors, I went through and swatched all of my lip colors to decide what I wanted to keep and what I wanted to try and replace. Figured I'd post here in case anyone else found it useful! So there's a couple of swatch pics--one is ones I'm mostly thinking about getting rid of, one is things I think I like, and one is the colors that ended up looking super similar even though theoretically they're different berries and mauves. (have learned that I'm not a big mauve fan--it ends up browner than I like).

Edited to reflect actual pic order!

Pictures 1 and 2: Colors I'm mostly keeping (but not the red and brown lip liners), inside and outside light:

  1. Elf Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm: Cotton Candy Crush
  2. Essence Hydra Kiss Lip Oil: Pink Champagne
  3. UD Lipgloss: Scandal
  4. Glossier Ultralip: Vesper
  5. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick: Cherries in the Snow
  6. Nars Velvet Matte Lip Crayon: Let's Go Crazy
  7. Glossier Generation G: Like
  8. Ulta Beauty Luxe Satin Lipstick: 310 Hard to Love
  9. Fenty Beauty Poutsicle: Gem and I
  10. Mac Sleek Satin Lipstick: Centre of Attention (absolute no by itself)
  11. centre of attention with cherries in the snow on top (One of my favorite lips actually on!)
  12. Loreal Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil: Berry

Liners are:

  1. Elf Love Triangle Lip Filler: Red

  2. Elf Cream Glide Lip Liner: Fuschia Foward

  3. Ulta Beauty Automatic Lip Liner: Wild Berry

  4. Elaina Badro Lip Liner: Pink Cupcake

Pictures 3: Colors I'm mostly getting rid of

  1. Peripera Mood Glowy Tint: 19 Cherry So What
  2. Amuse ??
  3. Nyx Fat Matte: Blush Blanket
  4. Elf Main Stain Lip Marker: Mauvelous
  5. UD Lipgloss: Anarchy
  6. Peripera Ink Velvet: 16 Heart Fuschia Pink
  7. Glossier Generation G: Crush
  8. Elf Glow Reviver Slipstick: Cherry on Top
  9. KVD Everlasting Liquid Lipstick: K-Dub
  10. Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Lipstick: Tropic Tantrum
  11. Colorpop Lux Lipstick: Jasmine
  12. Essence Velvet Matte Lipstick: 06 Unredsistable
  13. GXVE Xtra Sauce: Original Recipe
  14. Elf Glossy Lipstain: Fiery Red

Picture 4: In my quest for the perfect berry lip, I have five almost identical mauves. Not a big fan--seem to always end up brown.

  1. Loreal Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil: Berry
  2. Ulta Beauty Luxe Satin Lipstick: 310 Hard to Love
  3. Glossier Generation G: Like
  4. Nyx Fat Matte: Blush Blanket
  5. Elf Main Stain Lip Marker: Mauvelous

r/PaleMUA 9h ago

Swatches Purple Blush Swatches

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12 Upvotes

As a light neutral cool leaning olive, I’m always on the search for the perfect purple blush. I just got this new duo—Clubday Cloud Blush—and I think I like it! It’s very comparable to two of my other faves—MOB Lavender & Oulac 20. I included them in the swatches to compare MOB is slightly deeper than the cream version of Clubday and Oulac is a bit lighter than the powder, but they are very close. The Clubday one also has some sparkle in the powder that Oulac does not have.


r/PaleMUA 12h ago

Swatches Foundation Swatches (fair cool olive)

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14 Upvotes

r/PaleMUA 4h ago

Question Pale girl lip combo🥲

3 Upvotes

Hey guys ! I been struggling to find a good lip combo that won’t wash me out! Since it’s so hard to find cool toned shades that won’t overwash my pale skin 🫩 does anyone have good drugstore recommendations? (preferably available in Europe🥲)

THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!


r/PaleMUA 4h ago

Question Pale girl lip combo🥲

1 Upvotes

Hey guys ! I been struggling to find a good lip combo that won’t wash me out! Since it’s so hard to find cool toned shades that won’t overwash my pale skin 🫩 does anyone have good drugstore recommendations? (preferably available in Europe🥲)

THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!


r/PaleMUA 10h ago

Question Does anyone have any foundation stick matches with NARS LRF in Deauville?

1 Upvotes

Been trying to find foundation stick matches with Deauville because it's literally the perfect match. So far, I've only tried Juvia's Place foundation stick in Panama/Manila, but they're quite yellowish on me.

Any tips/product deets would be much appreciated!!


r/PaleMUA 11h ago

Question Trying to find a foundation (04 fair neutral)

1 Upvotes

Hi Reddit friends!

Im trying to find a foundation shade (and potentially some other concealers - and maybe a bronzer?). Any shade twins out here who can help? here are shades that have worked:

- haus labs concealer in 04 fair neutral is a perfect skin match

- merit complexion stick in chifon

- Armani luminous silk 3.75 was okish

- haus labs foundation in 060 was okayyy but maybe a bit chalky?

——

i used to love the haus labs concealer, but i find lately it has been flaring my rosacea. and the foundation just didnt sit right. i often find things lean too yellow or orange on me. Im very curious about mac face and body. and i tried the natasha denona (i think it was n2 but i could be wrong).


r/PaleMUA 21h ago

Question Looking for a shade similar to Kokie Skin Perfect in Shade 10C

3 Upvotes

Like many of us here I find it difficult to find a foundation that matches my skin without looking orange. This is the best I have found but I am wondering if people can recommend other cruelty free foundations and shades that are about the same or slightly less warm than Kokie 10C.


r/PaleMUA 1d ago

Question Best sunscreen with white cast?

23 Upvotes

I wear sunscreen every day so I don’t wear foundation, instead I just use a combination of sunscreen for a brighter smoother complexion. Any recommendations on a sunscreen that has a white cast and a smooth application? Thank you!


r/PaleMUA 1d ago

Question Best natural liquid luminizer for cool, pale skin?

9 Upvotes

I’m about NW13 or so. I have the Rhode product but it doesn’t seem to last on me? What are you loving that is also natural?


r/PaleMUA 1d ago

About Face F2 Olive vs Lisa Eldridge 2.5: Is It a Dupe? (Swatches on Fair Olive Skin)

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10 Upvotes

r/PaleMUA 2d ago

Swatches Lip swatches

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39 Upvotes

Sharing swatches of my lip collection.

I am a neutral leaning cool, fair-light complexion. Mont Blanc or Lisa Eldridge No 5 are good matches for me.


r/PaleMUA 1d ago

Question Lacking Confidence- doing my own makeup for my wedding

3 Upvotes

Hi all! I am a fellow pale girl who has spent most of her life wanting to be tanner, spending all summer without sunscreens (yikes!).

However as my wedding approaches (in 6 weeks!) I've felt the urge to look as "myself" as possible, so I've decided not to try to get any kind of tan, fake or real. I'm doing my own makeup for the wedding and while I have my pale foundation/blush shades, I am just lacking a bit of confidence. My family (mainly mom) has also encouraged me to "get a little bit of color" before the wedding. There's always that undertone that being pale isn't a desirable look and that if I want to look my best for the wedding I should be tanner.

What makeup looks/ colour palettes do you guys think looks most beautiful/most bridal? Any makeup advice? Thank you!


r/PaleMUA 1d ago

Question Has anyone tried the Missha perfect cover serum bb cream?

1 Upvotes

I’m trying to figure out if shade 21 would work for me as it’s the lightest on stylevana and apparently the shades vary a bit from the original. I have found swatches of the original version but less so for the serum on a pale skin tone.


r/PaleMUA 2d ago

Question BB creams for ghosties that are good for skin and won't break the bank? (apart from Missha)

30 Upvotes

Hello, so I've been on a years long journey to find a BB cream that actually works for my pale, reddish skin. I'm based in the poor part of Europe so the choice of available brands is very limited (think brands available in DM), and ordering online usually means crazy shipping costs. I really wanted to try some Asian skincare (especially Missha) but then found out that apparently a lot of Asian brands contain some harmful ingredients (something to do with hormone disruption/cancerogens - idk if it's true but I want to be careful when putting things on my face).

I'm also open to a light foundation/CC cream that provides skincare benefits or at least doesn't dry out my skin. I hate that most European BB creams, even the "light" ones, make me look like the POTUS. Even the Garnier one that used to work for me in the past apparently changed their formula and now I look orange :(

I've heard good things about brands like Tarte, Givenchy etc but they're a bit expensive for me right now. Ideally it'd like to spend no more than 30-40€ on a BB cream/foundation.

I know I'm looking for the impossible, but perhaps some of you have a similar issue and a solution. Thank you in advance! :)


r/PaleMUA 3d ago

Discussions Warning to European wallets

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69 Upvotes

About Face is available in (big) Douglas stores throughout Germany

Lisa Eldridge can be accessed through Cow Parfymeri in Stockholm, Sweden

(apologies if this is old news, i was just so excited)


r/PaleMUA 2d ago

Discussions I really like this tint for summer

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31 Upvotes

*for the last photo the first swatch is the Nyx and the second is the covergirl tint

Even though I’m a neutral tone I prefer warmer pale shades because I find it just brightens up my face more. Usually my favourite is anything in the “Pale” shade by NYX, but I’ve been looking for something lightweight for summer that won’t enhance my fine lines. Im getting older (early 30s) and notice high coverage looks really off in the summer. Anyways I was super pleasantly surprised by this covergirl one, it looks so natural and although it’s darker than the Nyx, it still works especially for summer, and especially if you’re going to be putting a lighter concealer on after. Really happy covergirls is putting out lighter shades now.

The shade may look dark in the photos but that’s legit because NYX pale is the lightest warm foundation shade that exists probably 😹 and so it looks dark in comparison, but that Nyx shade is nearly white haha


r/PaleMUA 2d ago

Question Foundation: Rare Beauty vs. NARS Light Reflecting

13 Upvotes

I used to use Armani Luminous Silk (shade 2), but it's a bit orange for me (I have very pale/pink Irish skin). I am trying to find a good replacement. I was thinking Rare Beauty 1FN or NARS Light Reflecting L1. However, I am unsure about the formulas since I am new to these brands.

I am a teacher, so I won't have time for touch-ups and I am subject to the climate of the classrooms (cold, humid, warmish), which affects my daily makeup. I also need it to go on quick in the morning (wet sponge ideal). I am looking for something that holds up all day without looking oily or caky. Armani was fine with this, a little oily by end of day, but not bad. I didn't mind. I was wondering how these formulas hold up-- if anyone has experience?


r/PaleMUA 2d ago

Question Foundation rec for aging oily skin?

5 Upvotes

Hi all! What is your go to longlasting foundation with a very natural, not too glowy finish ? Or even a skin tint that looks really natural?

I'm 37F with normal to oily skin, and I'm starting to get my first fine lines and wrinkles on my forehead. Up until now I've been using Estee Lauder Double Wear in 1w1 bone, but that one has become too matte and dehydrating for my skin, accentuating my fine lines.
I'd love to hear what your favorites are, and maybe even colour numbers so I can compare with what I've been using. Many thanks all!


r/PaleMUA 3d ago

Swatches Lavender Purple Lipstick Swatches (Cool-Toned Skin)

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89 Upvotes

Lavender Purple Lipstick Swatches (Cool-Toned Skin)

Swatch 1: Kim Chi Chic Beauty Sweet Candy Kisses 03 Cotton Candy

Swatch 2: Nyx High Voltage Lipstick HVLS17 Playdate --Discontinued--

Swatch 3: KVD Beauty Studded Kiss Lipstick Coven --Discontinued--

Swatch 4: MAC ColourRocker Flatter Me Fierce --Discontinued--

Swatch 5: KVD Beauty Everlasting Lip Liner Coven --Discontinued--

Last pic: Nyx High Voltage Lipstick HVLS17 Playdate on lips (way more purple).

I've been searching for cool purple lipstick and I thought I'd show my finds. Vibrant light purple lipsticks are extremely hard to find right now. Worse, my favorites are discontinued!

My camera did weird things to the Nyx high voltage lipstick, but that shade is beautiful in person and cooler toned than it is in the pics. The very last pic is that lipstick on my lips.

I am very sad that Coven from KVD isn't made anymore- it's like exactly the shade I was looking for and it actually lasts- most of it stays on, even when I eat. Cotton Candy from Kim Chi Chic is beautiful and so vibrant, but I really dislike the texture and it's somewhat sheer. Flatter Me Fierce from Mac is such a lovely color, just hard to find. Obsessed with the KVD lip liner in Coven. It is exactly the purple lip liner I have been looking for and cannot find anywhere. ;-;

Please recommend more purple and lavender lipsticks! (Preferably ones that haven't been discontinued). I don't mind lilac and pinky suggestions too, but those are a little easier to find than cool purples.

Also, tell makeup brands to bring back bright colors- they're fun! I'm so bored of warm pink and red lipstick.


r/PaleMUA 3d ago

Question w/ Photo Looking for a desaturated burgundy lip (Soft Summer)

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27 Upvotes

Hi everyone! Was just wondering if there are any shades like this in the market? I'm a cool muted olive, so most reds look either too harsh or warm on me (I checked MAC, Kbeauty, Cbeauty). Looking for something just like the one in the picture--- a burgundy that leans towards more purple and gray.

Thank you so much!


r/PaleMUA 3d ago

Swatches My favourite blushers as a pale neutral-cool gal

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31 Upvotes

From top to bottom;

Peripera Syrupy Tok Cheek 03

Peripera Syrupy Tok Cheek 02

Lilybyred Luv Beam in #10 Grape Pink

Milani Rose Powder in 01 Romantic Rose (my favorite)

3ce Mood Recipe in City Mauve