9 Simple Ways To Fix A Foundation That Is Too Dark For You

The right foundation is key to nailing that flawless finish. You cannot afford to go wrong with your foundation shade. But what if you bought a shade darker than you need? How to fix a too-dark foundation? Not everyone can afford to buy another one when this brand-new product sits inside your vanity without any use. Understanding how to fix a too-dark foundation can save your makeup look and also help you avoid unnecessary spending. So, let us find out how to fix this and understand the tricks for a quick shade adjustment. Keep reading to know how to solve this problem. The solution is not as tough as you think!

How To Lighten A Dark Foundation When In A Hurry

There are actually many ways in which you can do this. There are on the spot fixes and also fixes that will allow you to lighten the shade of the entire bottle too. And we categorize these solutions in a similar manner, so you use the quick fix right away and save the bottle after you get back home!

First let’s go with quick fixes. After all, you could be stuck with the wrong foundation right now!

Quick Fix Tricks

1. With A Moisturizer:

We always carry a moisturizer with us. Women never leave home without a small portable bottle or tub in their bag. That’s all you need to fix your foundation!

Take a little of the foundation on the back of your hand and add a few drops of moisturizer to it. Mix it up well. Check to see if the shade is fine. You can add more moisturizer if needed.

The moisturizer will reduce the pigmentation of the foundation. The shade is now perfect for you.

Quick Tip

Take care to use two different moisturizers if you have combination skin – a water-based one for your oily T-zoneⁱ  The middle part of a person's face comprising the forehead, nose, and chin which is oilier than the rest of the face. and another oil-based one for the dry areas on your face and neck. Alternatively, use a moisturizer formulated especially for your skin type as you may end up using quite a bit to dilute the foundation to get the perfect shade.

2. With A Finishing Powder:

Almost everyone has a light shade of this product that they use for highlighting their makeup look. If you have got one, you don’t need anything else.

Once you have applied you foundation, just apply the finishing powder evenly all over your face. This will lighten out the pigmentation of the foundation. But remember to only use the powder that you use for highlighting, not the one you have set aside for contouring or bronzingⁱ  A technique that involves applying cream or powder to your face to make your skin look brown from sun exposure. !

3. With A Wet Sponge:

When you use your fingers to blend in your foundation, especially a liquid foundation, it will seem darker than when you use an applicator or a brush. When you have a foundation that is darker, avoid using your fingers. A sponge is the perfect solution that supports easy, quick application.

Before you use the sponge, dampen it a little. Do not show it under running water. The idea is for it to be a little damp, not soaking wet. Once you dampen the sponge, take very little of the foundation and spread it onto your skin. Ensure that you use a light hand. You do not want the foundation to settle into the crease and give out a darker shade a few hours down the line.

4. With A Concealer:

First things first, this demands a light hand and the use of the product in smaller quantities.

Apply a concealer wherever required and hide the blemishes. Then take very little of the product and blend it around the concealer. Make sure that you blend in a triangle instead of circles if you have dark circles. That is to dot the foundation around the eyes, and then begin at the ends of the eye and move downwards towards the cheek. In this way, if you have dark circles, it doesn’t get highlighted!

Piece of cake.

Smitha Deepak, a beauty vlogger, demonstrates how to use a concealer to fix a foundation that is too dark for you. She uses concealers lighter than her skin tone to tone down or balance out the dark shade. She also shows you how to finish the look with a mascara, blush, and lipstick. In her video, she says, “I absolutely loved the way it turned out. This is so me, simple, and not over the top (i)”.

5. Use it sparingly:

Buying a darker foundation is not always a bad thing. It can spare you the expenditure of buying a new concealer.

Now all you have to do is not use this every day and all over your face. Just use it on the blemishes or marks you wish to hide. Just like you would a concealer!

6. As a bronzer:

It can also dub as a bronzer if you don’t already have one.

Apply a powder foundation all over the face and use the darker foundation only on your cheeks and jaw line to make it more prominent.

How To Save The Entire Bottle

7. With A Moisturizer:

All you have to do is to add some moisturizer to the entire bottle of the foundation.

But go about this carefully. Don’t just dump it all it. Remove the foundation from the bottle and transfer it into a bowl. Now slowly keep adding moisturizer and testing it until the right shade is achieved. Now you can transfer the contents back into the bottle.

8. With A Lighter Foundation:

Let me tell you a little secret. Just before I got this foundation that is too dark, I ended up buying a foundation that was too light for my complexion! The good thing that happened is that I now have a foundation that is too dark and too light for me.

How is that good? Because I can now mix these two in the right proportion to end up with the right shade of foundation! Again over here, do not just dump it all in together. Take one of the foundations in a bowl and slowly keep adding the other until you end up with the right color and proper shade matching your skin tone.

9. Save It For The Summers:

If you feel like none of the above methods, then remember every product you buy has a shelf life of at least a year. And that means, that there will be at the very least one summer that will arrive before the product expires. With summer comes tan. This foundation will be perfect to use then. So don’t throw the bottle out in a rush. Patience pays!

Quick Tip

You can safely store away the foundation in a clean, cool, and dry place, which means definitely not in a bathroom cupboard or shelf. Another great alternative is to store it in the refrigerator as it will stay fresh and not become melty or cakey.

Infographic: 5 Quick Fixes For Dark Foundations

See! You do not have to trash that dark foundation you accidentally purchased. In the art of makeup, everything is possible.
In case you need to look up these tips real quick, here is an infographic for easy reference.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know if your foundation is too dark?

If you use the wrong foundation shade, your face will appear tanned, but the rest of your body will not, and your skin will appear as if it has an additional layer. If you have a foundation that’s too dark, you can easily fix it. Here’s a complete guide on ways to fix your foundation for situations where you have accidentally bought a deeper shade product that you can’t return and don’t want to waste.

Why does foundation turn dark?

An acidic pH level on your skin can cause oxidationⁱ  A chemical reaction that occurs when a substance comes in touch with oxygen or another oxidizing component. , making your foundation darken throughout the day. Diluted ACV can be used as a toner on your face to balance its pH before applying foundation.

How do I make my foundation look natural?

• Follow a proper skincare routine with hydrating products.
• Begin by exfoliating to smoothen your skin.
• Moisturize your skin before applying makeup.
• Use facial oil below foundation for a natural shine.
• Choose liquid foundations over powder foundations for a more natural look.
• Apply a liquid foundation using a damp sponge.
• Begin by applying a thin layer and then build it up.

Is it better to get a lighter or darker foundation?

When confused, go for a shade somewhat lighter than your skin tone instead of a darker shade. This will keep your skin from appearing darker than the rest of your body.

Illustration: Simple Ways To Fix A Foundation That Is Too Dark For You

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover a simple trick to lighten a too-dark foundation in this must-watch video. Check it out and say goodbye to mismatched shades and hello to a flawless complexion that perfectly matches your skin tone.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Suchana MarahattaMBBS, MD (Dermatology)

     

Dr. Suchana Marahatta is an associate professor and permanent faculty in the Department of Dermatology in B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan, Nepal. She has 10 years of experience, and her special interest areas are dermatosurgery, hair restoration, aesthetics, and tropical dermatology.

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Jyotsana RaoBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Jyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She is passionate about writing about everything related to beauty - makeup, fashion, hairstyles, skin care, or hair care and has 4 years of experience on writing in these genres.

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