Wash your face and remove makeup
Use natural daylight
Look at the skin on your jawline, inner arm, or chest
Check whether your skin appears fair, light, medium, tan, deep, or dark
Compare your skin to a shade chart or foundation range
Observe how your skin reacts to the sun
Note whether you burn easily, tan gradually, or tan deeply
Check your undertone by looking at the veins on your wrist
Identify blue or purple veins as cool undertones
Identify green veins as warm undertones
Identify a mix of blue and green veins as neutral undertones
Hold white paper next to your face to compare color cast
Compare gold and silver jewelry against your skin
Notice which metal looks more flattering
Check if your skin has pink, red, yellow, olive, or neutral tones
Test foundation shades on your jawline in daylight
Choose the shade that blends most naturally with your skin
Repeat the check in different lighting if needed