Foundation Shade & Undertone Calculator
Identify your skin undertone — cool, warm or neutral — from the vein, jewelry and sun-reaction tests, and get the matching foundation shade code.
How it works
Score cool (blue veins, silver, burns) vs warm (green veins, gold, tans) cues · 2+ one-sided → Cool or Warm · mixed or split → Neutral
Foundation looks natural when it matches your undertone, not just your depth. Three classic tests read undertone: veins that look blue or purple, skin that suits silver jewelry, and skin that burns easily all signal a cool undertone; green veins, flattering gold, and easy tanning signal warm. When the signals split or you answer "both", you are likely neutral, which is why so many brands code shades C, W and N alongside a depth number.
Worked example
Blue veins, silver jewelry and skin that burns give three cool cues and zero warm, so the undertone reads Cool. At a light depth you would look for a shade labelled something like "Light C" or a cool-family number, rather than a golden warm shade that can look sallow.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between undertone and depth?
Depth is how light or dark your skin is; undertone is the subtle hue beneath it — cool (pink/blue), warm (yellow/golden) or neutral. Two people at the same depth can need different foundations because their undertones differ.
How reliable is the vein test?
It is a helpful clue, not a verdict. Lighting affects how veins look, so combine it with the jewelry and sun-reaction tests. When the signals disagree, you are probably neutral and can wear a wider range of shades.
How do I use the shade code when shopping?
Many brands print a letter with the number: C for cool, W (or sometimes G for golden) for warm, N for neutral. Match the letter to your undertone and the number to your depth, then test on your jaw in daylight.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.