Estée Lauder Foundation Shades Explained
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Decode Estée Lauder's shade codes (C/N/W plus numbers) to pinpoint your perfect match and choose the right formula for oily, dry, mature or full-coverage needs. The guide explains undertones, how numeric depth works, the Global Shades note and product picks like Double Wear Maximum Cover (12-hour staying power) and Double Wear Stay in Place (24-hour staying power).
Top Insights From This Guide
- Use C, N or W to identify undertone and match the number for depth.
- For heavy coverage choose Double Wear Maximum Cover; it gives 12-hour staying power.
- Choose Double Wear Light Soft Matte Hydra for oily skin; Nude Water Fresh suits dry skin.
- Use Perfectionist Youth-Infusing to smooth fine lines, add hydration and sun protection.
This guide contains Global Shades products! These are available in a wide range of inclusive shades and undertones. Look out for the Global Shades icon or visit globalshades.org to find out more.
If you’re after an airbrushed complexion, look no further than the legendary Estée Lauder. Crafting stunning foundations that perfect your skin from morning to night, this iconic beauty brand is a master at delivering a seamless makeup base to every skin type and skin concern.
Available in a large variety of shades for all skin tones, Estée Lauder foundation colours can be a little confusing with their unique coding system.
Now, it’s time to decode the Lauder method so you can find the right shade of foundation for your skin.
Estée Lauder Foundation Shades Explained
Estée Lauder is known for its extensive shade range for its foundations, with plenty of options available for the lightest and darkest of complexions and everyone in between. Our Estée Lauder foundation colour guide helps explain the foundation-naming system so you can find the right shade for you.
Estée Lauder foundations are divided into three categories; cool (C), neutral (N), and warm (W)—dependent on your undertone.
- If you have cool undertones, your skin has a rosy pink tone and probably burns in the sun.
- If you have warm undertones, your skin has a golden, olive, or yellow tint and tans easily.
- If you have neutral undertones, your skin sits somewhere in between and is neither too pink nor noticeably golden.
Once you’ve determined your undertone, the number relates to the value of your skin, with the larger numbers representing deeper skin tones.
If you want to do an Estée Lauder foundation colour match against another foundation, you can use the Findation tool to find your perfect match.
- If you have warm skin tones and are looking for a foundation with a yellow base, have a read through our guide The 9 Best Yellow Undertone Foundations 2024
So now that you’ve got the correct shade, it’s time to discover the best Estée Lauder foundation for your skin type.
The Best Foundation for Full Coverage
If you want to effortlessly camouflage even the most noticeable imperfections, we recommend Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup. Inspired by the iconic original Double Wear foundation, this extreme version has been developed to cover tattoos, birthmarks, and surgical scars with maximum coverage on all skin tones. Providing 12-hour staying power, this long-lasting foundation applies to the skin without feeling cakey or dry throughout the day.
How to Apply Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Foundation: This highly pigmented Estée Lauder full coverage foundation cream requires a little extra attention when applying to keep it from feeling heavy on the skin.
Start with an Estée Lauder foundation primer, such as Estee Lauder Perfecting Primer The Smoother, to smooth and hydrate the skin, ensuring even coverage.
Then, simply apply a small amount directly to the area of concern and blend with a foundation brush.
Find out more about the importance of sunscreen and how SPF ratings work in our Ultimate Guide to Sunscreen
The Best Everyday Foundation
For an everyday classic, we recommend iconic Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup, a bestselling foundation known and loved for its versatility and long-wearing formula. Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation delivers a full-coverage, semi-matte finish along with impressive 24-hour staying power through even the harshest of weather conditions. This oil-free and non-comedogenic foundation has gained cult status in the beauty world, as it suits all skin types and skin tones while creating a natural, skin-like finish.
- Finish: Natural, Semi-Matte Finish with Medium buildable coverage
- Benefits: For All-Skin-types, Long wear 24-hours, Medium coverage, Oil free, Fragrance free, Won't clog pores, Transfer resistant
- Hack: Mix with a serum to create a lighter finish
Is Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Foundation waterproof?
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Foundation is thankfully a transfer-resistant, fade-resistant, smudge-proof and waterproof foundation!
Perfect for those with oily skin who tend to have their makeup slip and slide, this one will lock it in place.
Once you've matched your Estée Lauder foundation shade, complete the look with the perfect concealer and brows with tips from our Beauty IQ articles How to Find the Right Eyebrow Colour and If You Love The Double Wear Foundation, I’ve Got A Concealer For You or check out the video below!
How to Choose and Apply Concealer with a Pro Makeup Artist
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