Foundation color discrimination?

Aug 6, 2014

Alyssa B.

Okay I noticed this a long time ago but I'm just now speaking about it has anyone else noticed how most foundations have a wide range of light colors but like 1 or 2 shades of dark? I also noticed that some of the light shades look ALOT alike which is a shame.. Foundation companies would make more money if they widened their range more. What do you guys think about this?

Aug 6, 2014

Ashley D.

Actually I noticed companies go for more of a medium range. Nothing to dark and defiantly nothing to fair. I would know because no company will put out a proper porcelain foundation that isn't super yellow or pink.
But I have.noticed some companies trying.to bring out darker shades, but they don't look right either

Aug 6, 2014

Ashley D.

But then again my main focus is on the lighter range.of the foundation isle because that is where I look for "matches". I hardly glance at the darker shades. I grab the lightest.one and if is to dark. I leave.

Aug 6, 2014

Caitriona H.

^ yep its not just darker skin tones, us fair girls get left out too. Its not discrimination, its not that they've thought "we don't want to sell to darker/ lighter skin" its just a matter of what shades sell most and that has always been and will probably always be the 'medium' range

Aug 6, 2014

Olivia A.

Ashley I struggle with the same problem. I am pretty pale and I haven't found a foundation that isn't too pink or yellow. I need neutral. I find it so lame that there is even such a thing as foundation colour discrimination. I feel sorry for all the darker skinned ladies who don't get as many options for which foundation they want only because they don't have the right colour for them. It's a shame. 😭

Aug 6, 2014

Caitlin O.

I have noticed that too! A lot of companies don't have many dark colours that aren't a tan colour or a really light colours that aren't yellow or pink toned :/ I have trouble finding a really light colour for me, but I did find one eventually :) it's the rimmel stay matte foundation in fair ivory. It's amazing! But Companies would defiantly make more money if they had a wide range of colours.

Aug 6, 2014

Valerie C.

@ Olivia, I use the Fit me foundation in the 115! It's neutral and not pink or yellow toned! 115 is the palest one and I'm pale AF lol😂

Aug 6, 2014

Faith F.

Yea I noticed that the other day at my local walmart some brands only even went up to tan and they literally have no dark concealers. In my walmart in my fav concealer they only carry Illuminator, Fair, Light, and medium. I'm medium for gods sake!

Aug 6, 2014

Olivia A.

No...it's not discrimination. That's the wrong word to use for sure. I still don't see why these companies don't use their brains a little and think about all our lovely dark skinned ladies. I remember someone commenting on a contouring thread that they couldn't find a contour shade for them anywhere.

Aug 6, 2014

Cassidy R.

Well I'm very fair and I have trouble finding foundation light enough. It seems to me as well they mainly carry medium shades. Most foundations lightest shade is too dark for me so it's not just dark shades that have a problem :/ I agree with Ashley and Caitriona.

Aug 6, 2014

Faith F.

Agreed ^ like seriously I'm pretty tan, but just tan and my shade is almost the darkest shade you can get at places near me.

Aug 6, 2014

Faith F.

The agreed was @Olivia.

Aug 6, 2014

Olivia A.

Thanks Val!

Aug 6, 2014

Alyssa B.

Sorry @Caitriona I couldn't think of a different word but I'm sure you get the point.

Aug 6, 2014

Kendra H.

I agree with everyone saying that they don't make a lot of shades for dark OR pale girls. It's mostly those medium shades. I'm very pale so I know from experience that finding the right pale foundation is nearly impossible! I'm constantly mixing my foundation with moisturizer to get it light enough!

Aug 6, 2014

Sophie O.

I have this problem when I go to buy foundation, I ask a lady if this is the lightest shade they have and they alway said yes! The shade would be like, tan! Concealers do this too, I hate it!

Aug 6, 2014

Paula E.

Vallerie: Fit me 115 isnt the lightest shade. there is 110 too. and I have really light skin and I also can't find the perfect foundation. then again I live in a very small country in Europe so there's no point selling foundation in darker shades because well there are no dark skinned people here.

Aug 6, 2014

Rebecca J.

I have the same problem too! I can never get a perfect match to a pale foundation including high end makeup. I need a neutral based under tone. The best match I have ever found was rimmel match perfection in ivory but it broke me out so bad , such a shame :(