Quick answer
To choose the right Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation shade, start by identifying your undertone and matching it to the shade's undertone, then verify with a jawline swatch in natural light.
Understand Your Undertone First
The Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation is known for its wide range of 50 shades, but the key to a seamless match is understanding your undertone—whether your skin has warm, cool, or neutral undertones. This foundation's shade names often include hints like 'warm', 'cool', or 'neutral' to help you narrow down the options.
A quick way to determine your undertone is to look at the veins on your wrist: if they appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones; if they look green, you may have warm undertones; if you can't decide, you might be neutral. This is a helpful starting point, but always confirm with a swatch.
Consider Your Skin's Depth and Overtone
Beyond undertone, your skin's depth (how light or deep it is) and overtone (the surface tone) matter. The Pro Filt'r range is designed to cover a wide spectrum, so you can find a shade that matches your depth and undertone simultaneously. For deeper skin tones, shades like #420 are part of the boundary-breaking range that offers true representation.
Remember that your face may be a different depth than your neck or chest. Always match to your jawline to avoid a visible line, and consider that your skin tone can change with seasons or tanning.
Test in Natural Light and on the Right Area
Artificial lighting can distort how a foundation looks. To get an accurate match, apply a few swatches on your jawline and step outside to check in natural daylight. The Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation dries down quickly, so blend it out to see the true finish.
Avoid testing on your hand or wrist, as those areas often have different tones than your face. Instead, test on your jawline or cheek, and let the foundation set for a few minutes to see if it oxidizes or changes color.
Decision rules for finding your shade
- Identify your undertone: Determine if your undertone is warm, cool, or neutral using the vein test or by noting how your skin reacts to jewelry (gold vs. silver). Write down your undertone to narrow down shade options.
- Match depth and undertone together: Look for a shade that matches both your skin's depth and undertone. For example, #420 is designed for deeper skin with a specific undertone—check the shade description. If unsure between two shades, choose the one that matches your undertone more closely.
- Swatch on your jawline in natural light: Apply a small amount of foundation on your jawline and check in natural daylight. The right shade should disappear into your skin without a visible line. Take a mirror outside to verify the match before purchasing.
Product spotlight
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Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation — #420: Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation — #420 offers a soft matte, longwear finish with buildable, medium to full coverage. This shade is a great option for deeper skin tones seeking a natural matte look that lasts throughout the day.
Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation — #420
Who is this guide for?
Best for
- People with deeper skin tones looking for a specific shade like #420
- Anyone who wants a soft matte, longwear foundation with medium to full coverage
Not for
- Those who prefer a dewy or radiant finish, as this foundation is matte
- People who want a very light coverage, since this foundation is buildable to full coverage
