Why dose my Foundation turn white?

Mar 12, 2017

Tammy S.

I have this problem where some foundations not all turn a sickly gray white on me. I am very fair and cool toned the colour IQ at Sephora match's me with the Kat Von D in Light 42 and the Marc Jacob's in Light Ivory Light 10. I was matched in store with both shades both were 100% identical on my skin I am not picking really neutral or yellowish shades I like to wear my very pink skin. The Kat Von D turned grayish/white after about 30 minutes but the concealer in Light 1 stayed the same ultra light brightening under eye shade but the Nars Chantilly turned that same sickly gray/white. At the moment I have to use a foundation shade 4 shades too dark and put like 8 drops on the whitening drops in it since ever colour I try goes weird on me. The Kat Von D in Light 42 turns white but the Urban Decay in.5 turns orange but when they first go on they are my perfect colour. Why is this happening with foundations that are seemingly the exact same colour and all match me perfectly for about an hour?

Mar 13, 2017

Emily W.

What products are you using under/over your foundation?

Mar 13, 2017

Aleena P.

Oxidization occurs because of a product reacting with your skin or skincare products. of it's happening with every single foundation I would evaluate your skincare and also reevaluate what may be a good match. it may be that you are seeing it in different lighting and realizing the undertones are off, you may not need something neutral just something a little less blue or pink or whatever color it is off by.

Mar 15, 2017

Aurora S.

Interesting. I find there could be multiple factors as to why this could be happening.

1. Lighting: despite matching in store the lights are hardly ever "daylight" bulbs and can skew the colors. For me, I end up being matched too dark.

2. Dry down; I've come across some products, as they dry down they actually lighten up about half a shade compared to how they look initially out of the tube or bottle.

3. Undertone; the problem could also be that the product itself isn't pink enough, as such may look more neutral compared to your skin making it look grey.
I've had this problem before a couple of times with foundations that were marketed as "yellow" but weren't nearly yellow enough for me.

When it comes to color matching, even at the store, swatch a few shades on your neck or jawline and let it set for about 15 minutes and step outside in natural light to see which matches best.

As far as dry down and undertone, you could try adding a more powder that's a shade up or add blush.

Also, if you have naturally rosy cheeks and use a full coverage foundation you may look lighter because you're not used to having the rosiness completely covered and it can make your complexion look a bit different which is why a lot of women seem to find blush as a staple