Let’s be honest, finding your perfect foundation shade online can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube in the dark. Between undertones, lighting, oxidisation, and a million different formulas, it’s no wonder so many of us have a drawer full of “almost but not quite” bottles.

The good news? Shade-matching has come a long way, and there are now tools and tricks that make it so much easier to find your true match. Whether you’re trying to find a dupe for your go-to foundation, shopping a new brand, or starting completely from scratch, here’s how to find your perfect foundation shade no guesswork needed.

Start With a Universal Shade Matcher: Findation

If you already have a foundation that works for you and you just want to explore new brands or formulas, Findation is your new best friend.

Findation Homepage

It’s an independent foundation search engine that isn’t affiliated with any brand and it’s incredibly accurate. Just enter the shade and formula you currently use, and Findation will comb through its massive database to recommend the closest shade matches in hundreds of other products.

Perfect for:

  1. Trying out new brands without starting from scratch
  2. Finding your match in both drugstore and high-end options
  3. Minimising the risk of “off” shades when shopping online

Shopping From Cult Beauty? Use Their Shade Finder

Cult Beauty has its own built-in foundation shade matcher  and it’s surprisingly good. When you’re browsing a foundation, just click on “Find My Foundation Shade”, and you’ll be prompted to select a foundation and shade you’ve used before.

The tool then recommends the closest matching shade from the brand you’re looking at  and it’ll even flag if the finish is slightly different (more matte, more dewy, etc.).

Perfect for:

  • Shopping foundations available on Cult Beauty
  • Finding your closest match with more context on finish and texture

Use Match My Makeup for A Customised Match

Match My Makeup takes things a step further by giving you two options:

  1. Plug in your existing foundation to find a match
  2. Or take a quiz to get personalised recommendations from scratch

The tool spans a wide variety of brands, price points, and finishes  so whether you’re shade-matching or just in the mood to try something new (or cheaper), Match My Makeup makes the switch seamless.

Match My Makeup Homepage

Perfect for:

  1. Finding your dupe or upgrade
  2. Budget-friendly and high-end alternatives
  3. Beginners who want quiz-based guidance

Zaron Cosmetics: Personalised Shade Matching via Photos

If you’re buying from Zaron Cosmetics and aren’t sure which shade is yours, their personalised service makes it super easy. Just send two clear, makeup-free photos of your face to their team, and they’ll handle the rest — no algorithms, just actual human eyes.

Zaron Cosmetics via Instagram

The best part? The shade matching is complimentary, and once you’re matched, you can go ahead and order online with confidence.

Perfect for:

  1. Those who prefer human-guided matching
  2. Customers shopping directly from Zaron’s online store

Fenty Beauty’s Shade Finder

We can’t talk foundation matching without mentioning Fenty Beauty. Their inclusive shade range is one of the best on the market  and their online Shade Finder tool is just as good.

You’ll be guided through a few questions about your skin tone, undertone, and preferences, and then matched with your ideal Pro Filt’r shade. It’s quick, smart, and works especially well if you’re new to the brand.

Perfect for:

  1. Beginners to the Fenty range
  2. People unsure of their undertone
  3. Finding your match from the brand that raised the standard

Final Tip: Always Test in Natural Light

Even with the best tools, it’s always good to test any new foundation in natural light if you can especially if you’re switching formulas. Apply it to your jawline and let it sit for a few minutes to check for oxidation. If it blends into your skin like a second layer? You’ve nailed it.