Foundation Question

[starlight]

I *Thought* I found my perfect match. 5 base to 1 Warm gold, even a "smidge" of Buttery matched a month ago.

Now however, I am using the 5:1 ratio WG and finding that it appears a smidge yellow some days. Any suggestions for what I would add to take away a bit of the yellow of WG? My skin tone is pretty much medium and I have no tan at all now.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[JenW]

I understand exactly what you mean. My closest base match for most of the year is Warm Gold. However, I do have days where I feel I look a little yellow in my Warm Gold. Generally, I keep a mix of Ebony base (1:7 for me) for dusting over the top on my yellow days. The slight pink in the Ebony seems to cut through the yellow a bit. Also, when I am losing my summer tan, I notice that I lose some of my Warm tone, too. In the deep of Winter, I am better matched to Ebony base.

My best suggestion is to experiment with Ebony base or even the pinker finishing powders. It might also be time to lighten your mix a little with more Ivory.

[starlight]

Thanks Jen!
I'll try lightening first, but I think what I really need is a sample of Ebony.

I have a question on the ebony...I often go on vacations in the winter or swim here in the desert during the winter and sometimes get a bit of tan (I tan very easily, even through a high SPF). Would I be more suited to the darker ebony or should I get samples of both?

[JenW]

Since you are mostly medium in tone, I am thinking the regular Ebony. It is easier to adjust than the Deep if you don't need darker than Ebony. Straight Ebony base is in the Tan range and still probably quite a bit darker than you. It does run a little lighter than the Buttery or Warm. So if you said you are a 1:5 in the WG, you won't be much lower than a 1:3 with the Ebony, the deep might be 1:6 or even more. The only time you might want the Deep Ebony is if you use the Heavy Coverage so there is less color base in your ratio. (The coverage level is determined by the Ivory component, so the more Ivory in the ratio, the truer it is to its coverage level.)

[starlight]

What about mixing in Ebony with my WG and base? Since you have a similar "problem" I was wondering if you have tried that?

[starlight]

*BUMP*

[JenW]

I have tried mixing my bases together, and I know it works incredibly well for some. I even recommend premixing bases for those who use a blend of color base. It makes easy mixing down the line.

I really am kind of fickle with my exact coloring. If I get any amount of sun, my tone warms up and definitely need Warm. Further into winter, I will be more in the Ebony range. Also on warm sunny days, I think I look better in the Warm foundation mix and on cloudy days I look better in the Ebony mix. Sometimes I do shake a bit of both into my swirly bowl. Others, I will do a dusting of both. (I know......I am a total wreck! But I kind of go on instinct.) For me it is just best to keep the colors seperate but mixed at my color depth, and mix the two as needed.

The beauty is......you can absolutely do what works best for you. And, if you need to change exactly what that is tomorrow, you can.

[lcash]

Jen, your post gave me a funny idea about a new "base" color. How about one called Chameleon that changes to suit our daily whims? Now if Karen could come up with that, we'd all be deliriously happy - but we'd have to give up this strand on the forum!!! Question: I have added a little peach base to my ebony and white as I am changing to my winter pallor. I don't think I've seen any entries talking about peach besides mine. What coloring would it match best? I'm thinking I may want to mix up a batch of warm mix to try. It seems that several other ladies who like the same es and blushes I do are using that as well. Please advise me, oh wise one.... Thanks, Lauren

[JenW]

Peach has red tones, but without as much golden color as Warm (so Warm is like Golden Peach). I'd hate to call it cool because it is not really that pink, but kind of a warm cool. I know that sounds way off, but it is how I would classify it. It probably gets cooler the fairer it goes.

I only turn golden if I get in the sun. I really could wear Peach, too. I just do have one of those strange skintones that matches most anything (I have some yellow, pink, and olive, and then add in golden when I get a tan). The only things I can't wear are a strong yellow, or a super cool pink. I almost have to pay more attention to my color depth than anything. Yes, I definitely need the Chameleon base!

[lcash]

Thanks for the quick response, Jen. When you say depth, do you mean the ratio of base color to white? Lauren