How To Fix Orange Foundation

Have you ever tried a foundation and felt like it looked a little orange? Chile, me too. The NARS Soft Matte Complete foundation is my ALL TIME FAVORITE. It looks flawless in person, in photos (especially when mixed with the Pat McGrath foundation), and it’s super long-lasting. I’ve yet to try a foundation that tops it. My only bit of constructive criticism is that there needs to be a shade between Macao and Marquises.

While colorwise Macao is a better shade match for me, the undertone is a bit too warm. So while it looks good in person, under certain lighting it’s very much giving sweet potato (ORANGE!). And I don’t have time for flash photos to betray me LOL. So that left me with two options: try another shade, or figure out how to adjust this shade.

For the longest time my solution was just to wear the next shade up: Marquises. While this shade looks good too, it’s a tiny bit dark for me. Overall, it looks better on its own than Macao since it’s not as warm. Also, since I like to do the bright under eye look with my makeup, I’ve found it easy to make Marquises work once my makeup is all done.

NARS Macao vs. Marquises

@flyfiercefab The NARS soft matte complete foundation is my ALL TIME favorite, but in a flash photo ms. macao had me looking like a sweet potato😂😂. I think Marquises is a better match for me. #blackgirltiktok #narsfoundation #narsfoundation #makeupforblackwomen ♬ original sound – Ebashay

However, in the back of my mind I remembered how much closer Macao was shade wise. So I wanted to see if there was a way to make it work better for me. That’s where this $9 blue foundation mixing pigment by LA Girl comes in to save the day.

Check out my TikTok tutorial below to see how I mix it into my foundation!

Foundation Mixing Pigment

I picked up this blue foundation mixing pigment by LA Girl for $9 at Ulta. It’s also available on Amazon. They make the foundation mixing pigments in a few different shades. The reason I’m using the blue shade is that it works to neutralize the warmth of Macao, making it look less orange.

I pump a little bit of this blue pigment into my foundation on the back of my hand, and mix it into my foundation. Before applying it to my face, I swatch a bit on my cheek to check the color/undertone match. Once I see if I need to add more pigment or foundation, and get the best mix, I apply it all over my face.

How To Fix Orange Foundation Tutorial

@flyfiercefab Is your foundation looking a lil orange? 👀 Here’s how to fix it. I love the NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation DOWNNN, and bounced back and forth between Macao (great color match, but too warm) and Marquises (darker, feels slightly more neutral). I tried a blue foundation mixing pigment by @L.A. Girl Cosmetics to help neutralize the warmth of Macao, and I really like how it looks. I also added a lil of the Pat McGrath foundation to for a more satin finish. Would you try this foundation mixing pigment too? Check out my LTK for the links! #blackgirlmakeup #makeupforblackwomen #narscosmetics #makeuptutorial #baddiemakeup #makeuptips ♬ NOKIA – Drake

Do you have a perfect foundation match? Or do you find that you need to adjust your foundation of choice? If so, what do you use? Let me know in the comments below!

Stylishly Yours,

Theresa Seyi