Check your undertone: cool, warm, or neutral
Look at the veins on your wrist: blue or purple suggests cool, green suggests warm, mixed suggests neutral
Test foundation on your jawline, not your hand
Choose shades in natural daylight
Pick the shade that disappears into your skin
Compare multiple shades side by side
Match your neck and face for a seamless look
Test how the shade looks after a few minutes
Consider your skin type and how foundation oxidizes
Use sample sizes or swatches before buying full size