Finding the best foundation for cool undertones can be a complicated task. You will need to spend hours searching for one that matches your skin color. Although your selected pick may align with your natural skin tone, you may have observed that the result you get is not up to your expectations. That's because the foundation doesn’t match your skin undertone. While knowing your skin tone is considered the first step in finding the closest shade of foundation, the undertone plays a significant role too. 

The skin undertone is the color beneath the surface of your skin that controls the overall skin hue. Your skin tone might fluctuate temporarily due to reasons like excessive sun exposure but your undertone will always remain the same. Undertones have 3 categories – warm, cool, and neutral. If you fall into the second category, we've got the best picks for you that will help you to level up your look. 

After extensive research and testing the products ourselves, we have come up with an amazing list of foundations for cool tones that will accentuate your beauty.

Red, blue, and pink undertones usually indicate cool tones beneath the skin. Cool undertone foundations appear slightly pinkish in the bottle. According to Navreet Josan, a certified makeup artist, colors that have pink and blue in them are apt for cool undertones, such as cool blues, purples, greens, rosy-pink, and blue-based reds.

• 1
  Best for Day Wear

  Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation Serum Broad Spectrum

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Perricone's No Makeup foundation is perfect for those who are trying to achieve the perfect no makeup look. Suitable for all skin types, this foundation serum has a sheer finish that gives you a natural glow. Rich in pigmentation, you can be rest assured that it covers your acne scars, pigmentation, and blemishes. With buildable coverage, this foundation comes with SPF 20 that shields your skin from harmful rays of the sun. 

2

Best for Blemishes

Dermablend Cover Crème Full Coverage Foundation

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Conceal your dark circles, blemishes, and uneven skin tone with Dermablend's foundation. It comes with mineral sunscreen that offers complete coverage with SPF 30. Ideal for cool undertones, this foundation is suitable for all skin types. The fragrance-free formula also covers up tattoos, scars, bruises, vitiligo, and birthmarks. Enjoy a natural finish with this non-comedogenic formula. 

3

Best Overall

L'OREAL PARIS True Match Liquid Foundation

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The True Match foundation from L'Oreal Paris is a firm favorite among beauty enthusiasts. It is a lightweight powder foundation that offers ultimate blendability to cover your skin imperfections. It also provides medium coverage with a natural finish to ensure a smooth look. Formulated with patented shade-matching technology and a true-to-skin foundation color payoff advantage, the product will be a perfect match to your undertone and skin tone. Further, the foundation contains SPF 19 to protect your skin against sun exposure while keeping it nourished and hydrated.

4

Best Long-lasting Formula

bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Liquid Foundation

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You will never regret investing in a liquid foundation that stays on for this long. This bareMinerals makeup product comes with a 24-hour staying power feature that will soothe your skin all through the day. The long-lasting formula has a matte finish that provides full coverage to blur any of your skin's imperfections. Plus, this cool-tone foundation is made with advanced mineral lock technology that will lock in color and avoid moving around or smudging. What's more is that the formula features SPF-20 benefits that are meant to protect your skin against harmful UV radiation.

5

Best Anti-aging Formula

No7 Lift & Luminate TRIPLE ACTION Serum Foundation

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This foundation is ideal for anyone who wants a natural and youthful-looking glow. Infused with anti-aging ingredients, the serum foundation works like magic to conceal the signs of aging. It increases firmness and adds a quick boost of hydration to give you a dewy and refreshed glow. You can smile and laugh confidently without worrying about creases as the formula won't settle into any of the lines, pores, or wrinkles on your face. Additionally, this cool-toned foundation is meant to deliver optimum coverage to aging skin and it will conceal your blemishes, spots, and fine lines.

6

Best for Large Pores

it COSMETICS YOUR SKIN BUT BETTER FOUNDATION + SKINCARE

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Nothing can compete with a dermatologically tested foundation that promises improved results in a few weeks. This true-to-skin foundation by IT Cosmetics instantly boosts your complexion with a natural finish. Additionally, the cool undertone makeup foundation is enriched with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, vitamins, and hepes acid that visibly refine the skin’s texture and even out the skin tone. Hyaluronic acid and aloe extract smoothen skin and increase hydration, vitamins E and B5 strengthen the skin barrier, and hepes acid (hydroxyethyl piperazine ethane sulfonic acid) works as an exfoliator and removes dead skin (1), (2). Overall, the formula helps maintain your skin health.

7

Best Hypoallergenic Blend

Almay Skin Perfecting Comfort Matte Foundation

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Don't let the signs of aging ruin your charm. Pick up this Almay foundation to achieve the perfect skin that you've always desired. The luxe formula sets well on all skin types while hiding wrinkles, fine lines, and other imperfections so smoothly like they were never there. Plus, the oil-free foundation evens your cool skin tone and gets rid of blemishes. If you're tired of regular foundations that require reapplication, this one is your go-to partner. Apply a small dollop, and your makeup looks will stay on for up to 16 hours. With this in your makeup kit, you can bid goodbye to frequent touchups.

8

Most Organic Formula

MILANI SCREEN QUEEN NATURAL FINISH FOUNDATION

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Milani’s Screen Queen foundation is a unique formula that you won't be able to resist applying. Crafted with Digital Bluelight Filter technology, this cool-toned makeup product protects your skin from digital pollution (carbon emission from electronic waste). Also, it is infused with botanical extracts of the Nasturtium Flower, which helps the formula to promote skin oxygenation and increase breathability. Plus, it strengthens the skin’s barrier and restores its ability to fight free radicals and oxidative stress (3). The product is available in 45 skin-perfecting shades so that you can choose the right one based on your preferences.

9

Best Water-resistant Formula

ESTEE LAUDER Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup

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Get your hands on Estee Lauder's foundation and prepare ready to sway with confidence. The 24-hour long wear lets you shine all day and requires no multiple touchups. It sits so comfortably on your skin, making you feel like it’s your second skin. Furthermore, it unifies your uneven skin tone and covers imperfections with utmost precision. You'd be surprised to know that the matte foundation stays true to its color and doesn't appear gray on dark skin tones. Based on our observations, the formula is sheer and stays on for a long time even in hot and humid climates.

10

Best for Humidity

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation

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By bringing out your natural beauty, the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP foundation will become your go-to ally. The matte liquid formula is intensely pigmented, assisting you to create your favorite looks. It offers full coverage and comes in a plethora of flattering, transfer-resistant tones. The creamy liquid consistency goes on smooth like butter without leaving any residue. Also, it offers 24-hour long wear that mattifies your complexion and manages shine all day. Plus, the vegan formula is made from a vitamin E blend that always stays true to color. Give this undertone makeup foundation a try and get ready for picture-worthy moments.

11

Beauty Deals Mineral Liquid Powder Foundation

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If you’re somebody who has sensitive skin, you don’t need to feel like you can’t find the perfect cool undertone foundation – this one has been specially formulated for your skin type. The mineral-rich formula gives medium to full coverage and preps your skin to hold makeup. It's an exclusive blend of essential minerals, including magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, and chloride that protects the skin against damage and ensures a silky, velvety appearance (4). Also, it's rich in vitamins like A, C, and E, which are popular for their antioxidant properties. Available in a brown, cool neutral undertone, the concoction works great on skin with large pores and an oily T-zone.

12

Juvia's Place I Am Magic Velvety Matte Liquid Foundation

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Inspired by African beauty rituals, Juvia's Place I Am Magic Foundation is your on-the-go makeup staple. This mystical formula is all you need to have Nefertiti-like beautiful skin. Offering a full coverage matte finish, the beauty elixir ensures a professional-like look 24X7. Also, it's a no-mess formula you can apply with a wet sponge or a synthetic makeup brush. If you're struggling to find your undertone, the brand lets you exchange the product within 60 days so you can find the perfect cool shade for your skin.

Now that you've gone through our list of the best foundations for cool undertones. It's time to understand how you can find out your undertone before buying a foundation.

This question has been nagging a lot of folks when they want to purchase a foundation. You don’t have to worry anymore because here we've decoded the phenomenon and have listed some super easy measures you can try at home to discover your undertone.  

Know Your Vein Colors 

The easiest thing you can do to find your undertone is to inspect your vein colors. Take a look at your wrist – if you have green veins, you're likely to have warmer undertones, whereas blue veins imply cooler undertones. If you see a combination of both colors, you may have neutral undertones. 

Check Your Eye Colors 

Your eye colors are also a true indicator of your undertones. Gray, blue, and deep brown colors are features of cool undertones, while those with warm tones usually have amber, hazel, and green eye color. 

Identify Your Skin's Response to Sun Exposure 

Those with cool undertone skin tend to have frequent sunburns which indicate lesser melanin. Contrastingly, if your skin tans even in underexposure, this shows a higher presence of melanin which is a characteristic of warm undertones. 

Notice Which Jewelry Color Looks Best on You 

Gold jewelry colors look great on warm undertone skin, while silver jewelry suits cool tones. If you feel you look good in both, you probably have a neutral tone. 

If you have a cool undertone, here's what you need to look for in your foundations. 

Shade 

Foundations with beige, shell, red, or pink hues are apt for cool tones. Also, some foundations are generally marked as cool or C as they may contain shades of pink that compliment cool undertones. 

Ingredients 

Botanicals and organic acids are well-known for their skin-hydrating, moisturizing, and antioxidant properties. Foundations made with vitamins, flower extracts, hyaluronic acid, essential oils, etc., pamper your skin while fighting aging signs and imperfections. It's better to avoid ingredients like parabens, SLS, phthalates, and other harsh chemicals. 

Skin Type 

Knowing your skin type is essential to pick an ideal cool-tone foundation. Those with dry skin can search for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamins, etc., that combat dryness and boosts hydration. Non-comedogenic options are best for oily skin as they prevent breakouts, while hypoallergenic formulas are perfect for sensitive skin. 

Coverage 

While choosing a cool undertone skin foundation, find the type of coverage it offers. Light to medium coverage foundations even out the skin tone and boost radiance. On the other hand, full-coverage foundations cover dark spots, hyperpigmentation, scars, and blemishes. 

Foundations are makeup essentials you can't ignore adding to your beauty kit. Not only do they hold your makeup, but they work as nourishing agents too. When it comes to picking the best foundation for cool undertones, it's important to opt for the nearest matching shade. If you have a cool undertone, your skin looks pinkish, bluish, or reddish under natural lighting. Hence, you need a foundation that compliments your skin. These formulas are loaded with skin-friendly ingredients that give you flawless skin with no irritation. They moisturize your skin and prep it to tackle any damage. Therefore adding them to your beauty arsenal would be the right decision.