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THE ULTIMATE SHADE GUIDE FOR THE ORDINARY’S COVERAGE AND SERUM FOUNDATION

Last Updated: 20/04/2022

Yet to try {The Ordinary‘s} {foundation} and {concealer} range and want to make sure you get the perfect match? Then you’ve come to the right place. Our handy shade guide below will help you pick the perfect shade from the brand’s {Coverage} or {Serum} foundations, and the right shade of their concealer too.

There are 21 The Ordinary foundation shades to choose from, and {The Ordinary concealer} comes in 36 different options! Read on to discover how to choose the perfect shade depending on your skin tone and undertone and get ready to look flawless. You’re welcome beauties…

a selection of The Ordinary Foundations in different shades

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT THE ORDINARY SHADE

To select the perfect match, you’ll need to know your skin tone and undertone. First up, would you describe your skin tone as fair, light, medium, dark, deep, or somewhere between two of these? Once you’ve decided that, here’s a quick recap on how to figure out your undertone:

You have a cool/pink undertone if:

  • Your veins look blue in natural light
  • Silver jewellery looks best on you
  • Your skin has a slight pink or blue tint

If this is you, look for The Ordinary shades marked P (pink) or R (red).

You have a warm/yellow undertone if:

  • Your veins look green in natural light
  • Gold jewellery looks best on you
  • Your skin has a slight yellow tint

If this is you, look for The Ordinary shades marked Y (yellow) or YG (yellow gold).

You have a neutral undertone if:

  • Your veins look a combination of blue and green in natural light
  • Both silver and gold jewellery looks good on you
  • Your skin has an equal balance of pink/blue and yellow

If this is you, look for The Ordinary shades marked N for neutral.

Now that’s sorted, it’s time to pick your shade…

THE ORDINARY FOUNDATION SHADES

The Ordinary Foundation shade guide

The Ordinary foundation shades for very fair skin

  • 0P
  • 0N
  • 0NS (neutral with silver highlights)

The Ordinary foundation shades for fair skin

  • 1P
  • 1N

The Ordinary foundation shades for light skin

  • 2P
  • 2Y
  • 2YG
  • 2N

The Ordinary foundation shades for light medium skin

  • 0P
  • 0YG
  • 0N

The Ordinary foundation shades for medium skin

  • 1P
  • 2P (concealer only)
  • 3P (concealer only)
  • 1Y
  • 2Y (concealer only)
  • 3Y (concealer only)
  • 3N (concealer only)

The Ordinary foundation shades for medium dark skin

  • 0R
  • 0P (concealer only)
  • 0Y
  • 0N (concealer only)

The Ordinary foundation shades for dark skin

  • 1R
  • 1Y

The Ordinary foundation shades for deep skin

  • 2R
  • 3R (concealer only)
  • 4R (concealer only)
  • 2Y (concealer only)
  • 3Y (concealer only)
  • 4Y (concealer only)
  • 2N

The Ordinary foundation shades for very deep skin

  • 0R (concealer only)
  • 1R (concealer only)
  • 0Y (concealer only)
  • 3N
  • 1N

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ORDINARY SERUM AND COVERAGE FOUNDATION?

The Ordinary’s Serum Foundation is a medium-coverage option, whereas their Coverage Foundation is a full-coverage formula. Both guarantee a lightweight, natural, smooth and semi-matte finish that lasts all day without settling into fine lines, and both come in 21 versatile hues, so all you need to do is decide what level of coverage you’re after.

HOW DO YOU USE THE ORDINARY FOUNDATION?

After cleansing your face and applying your {serums} and {moisturiser}, dispense a small amount of foundation into the palm or on to the back of your hand. Smooth on and blend throughout the face, ideally in an outward motion from the midpoint of the face.

DOES THE ORDINARY FOUNDATION HAVE SPF?

Yes, both the Serum and Coverage foundation have SPF 15. For extra protection against the sun’s harmful rays, apply {The Ordinary’s Mineral UV Filters SPF 30} under your foundation.

 

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Emmie Thornhill

Emmie Thornhill

Deputy Content Editor

Emmie is Cult Beauty’s Deputy Content Editor. Her love of skin care began in primary school when she first learned the term “hormonal acne” and has been in a love-hate relationship with tea tree oil ever since. She lives in East London – where you can normally find her baking, tending to her plant jungle or planning her next tattoo or hair cut/colour appointment – and is known to start DMCs with you about your birth chart placements, the importance of wearing SPF every day and the difference between a vagina and vulva.