Why is finding an olive foundation with the correct undertones so hard?

[RachTriedMakeup]

I have been on a long journey getting closer to finding my foundation match but YouTube and Reddit gave me a breakthrough last week! 

Olive skin is already difficult but once I realized you have to find the correct undertone to go with it, I was so confused! I got matched at Lancome for Tient Idol last May but it was slightly off and too pale in 305. 

I got the IQ color match and spent time in Sephora last week and grabbed some warm undertone samples but it wasn’t a perfect match. I had mentioned I liked FENTY Pro Filter Soft Matte Foundation in 290 and we never went to look at it. I think that is why the match was off. I guess a lot of olives use this shade from FENTY and I still like it but I wanted a liquid also. 

 

 
I watched some YouTube videos and realized it’s common to focus on warm undertones when you are olive, but many people are cool olives and are not realizing it. So, Reddit had a great thread on shades to try and Sephora was over an hour away, so I went to swatch colors elsewhere.

I found a good match with Lancome 355N for my tan skin and I think I can lighten it with the 305N as my tan fades. 

I am turning 38 this year and glad to feel less confused about buying foundation! What a journey! Has anyone else found this to be as difficult as I did? 

 

 

 

[danielledanielle]

@RachTriedMakeup, medium neutral olive here 👋🏽

(Also, the light is hitting you up in all the best possible ways in that selfie)

Yeah, most foundations don't account for the olive overtone (yeah,  I used to think it was an undertone too, but then us olives usually say I am neutral, warm, cool and medium olive 🤦🏽‍♀️) because green and blue pigments are probably more expensive.  I remember @heartsmyface pointing that out, and it makes so much sense and kind of stinks.  But, yes, you try enough foundations and start to realize that overtone is actually pretty prominent.  Thankfully more olive choices are popping up.

You have Pat McGrath, Range Beauty, Armani, some options in Dior, Ami Colé, About Face, Lys, and Fenty now. Gucci has some, too, I think.

[RachTriedMakeup]

@danielledanielle Thank you so much for the compliment and advice! My hubby was not understanding my dilemma and I needed to talk to someone about this! I want to find a Sephora that has someone who “gets me” and can help crack the olive code. The pigments being more expensive makes a lot of sense. I would love to have more options so, I’ll go back in and try to find a natural or satin finish foundation soon. I think I’ll be okay for the spring and summer now.