Searching for the right foundation is hard. Finding one that sits on top of your skin perfectly is actually easy, but looking for the one that blends well with your skin tone is like a quest for the Holy Grail. Relying on the labels “almond beige” or “golden tan” won’t ace it. You really have to try the product. Before you hit the makeup counters, check out our clever guide to scoring that correct foundation match.

Never match it with your wrist or neck.
Your wrist and your neck are not parts of your face. Apart from swatching it on the jawline, dab the product on the center of the face where you need the most coverage.

Follow the five-minute rule.
Allow your foundation to rest on your skin first for five minutes. This way, you get to see if it will change its color, get too shiny, or cause rashes to appear.

Leave the store.
The lights in the store may trick you into buying the wrong shade. The harsh lighting may downplay your skin and the foundation’s real undertones, thus altering its true color on your face. Leave the store first and check the shade under natural lighting.

(PHOTO: Instagram @abtkurniawan)