Finding the perfect foundation shade is truly an art. When you finally discover a formula that perfectly suits your skin type and addresses all its concerns, you want to hold on to it tightly. But maintaining a flawless complexion year-round isn’t always easy: in the summer, your skin may tan, while in winter it can lighten due to the lack of sun, and your skin tone changes with the seasons.
The good news: this is no reason to part with your favorite foundation. In this article, you’ll learn how to adjust your foundation shade according to the season so that it always perfectly matches the color of your neck.
Read on to discover simple ways to make your foundation lighter or darker and maintain a flawless complexion all year long.
1. To lighten your shade, mix with a moisturizer
Mixing a small amount of moisturizer with liquid foundation is one of the easiest ways to create a lighter, more natural-looking makeup. This technique makes the coverage more sheer, enhances your natural skin tone, and gives your skin a healthy glow—especially important when your skin looks slightly dry or dull.
In the summer, it’s helpful to use products with SPF for sun protection, while in the winter, focus on extra hydration to keep your skin soft and nourished. Everything starts with proper skincare: protection in the summer, nourishment and hydration in the winter.
2. Darkening effect: a bronzed shade
The simplest way to adjust foundation in the summer is to use a bronzer slightly darker than your skin tone to match your tan. The key is not to overdo it.
Experts advise against mixing bronzer with foundation and applying it all over your face, as this can look unnatural. Instead, apply bronzer in specific areas that naturally catch the sun. This creates the most believable effect.
Sometimes, it’s best to skip foundation altogether and enhance your summer glow with just bronzer. In this case, the tan looks especially fresh and natural.
3. Lightening: try applying foundation differently
One downside of mixing moisturizer with foundation is that you’re essentially layering another product onto your skin. Experts recommend avoiding this: the more layers and products on your face, the higher the risk that your makeup will shift during the day, especially in heat or high humidity.
Instead, try a more reliable way to achieve a lighter, more transparent coverage. Use a dual-fiber brush—a versatile tool with two types of bristles, ideal for cream and liquid foundations—or a slightly damp makeup sponge. This allows you to sheer out the foundation and achieve natural coverage without adding extra products to your skin.
4. Lightening or darkening: combining shades
Switching to a lighter or darker shade of your favorite foundation may seem simple, but in practice, it’s a bit more complicated. It’s important to remember that shades can vary significantly between brands—you can’t just pick the next shade in the line.
Experts suggest first identifying your perfect base shade that suits your skin best, then acquiring one or two slightly darker shades. This allows you to mix them when needed and maintain the correct undertone.
The optimal approach is to start with a shade as close as possible to your natural skin tone, in its lighter version. Then keep two darker options on hand. This way, you can adjust your foundation tone depending on the season or your skin’s condition—sometimes you’ll need to add a lighter shade, sometimes a darker one, to achieve the perfect result.
Once you find a formula that perfectly suits your skin, get two additional shades and enjoy the ability to create a flawless complexion all year round.
Once you find a formula that perfectly suits your skin, get two additional shades and enjoy the ability to create a flawless complexion all year round.
5. To lighten your tone, try using a primer
Many experts note that CC creams are particularly convenient. They naturally adapt to your skin tone, so with regular use of sunscreen, differences in shade are hardly noticeable, and there’s no need to frequently switch products.
If you prefer fuller-coverage foundations or often experiment with shades, there’s another approach. A regular moisturizer can overly dilute your foundation, so it’s better to use a hydrating primer. Just one drop is enough—it slightly softens the foundation, improves its staying power, and helps your makeup look fresh and well-groomed for longer.
6. Lightening or darkening: using mixing pigments
One of the most exciting aspects of the beauty industry is the constant stream of innovations. One true breakthrough is mixing pigments, which allow you to perfectly customize your foundation shade in any situation. With them, you can easily make your foundation lighter or darker, and even adjust your undertone—warmer or cooler. These pigments let you adapt your makeup for any season, mood, or look, creating a perfect result every time.