How to Find Your Skin Depth
(Think: how light or deep your skin is, not your undertone)
If undertone is the temperature, skin depth is the level. Light, medium, tan, deep. This is the step that helps you land in the right shade range before fine-tuning undertone.
1. Look at your bare skin in natural light
Start with clean skin, no makeup, near a window or outside.
Ask yourself where you land overall, not on redness, freckles, or sun spots.
Most brands use these general depth categories:
Light – very fair to fair
Light–Medium – fair with a little warmth or color
Medium – a true middle ground
Medium–Tan – noticeable depth but not deep
Tan – rich color, often deepens easily in sun
Deep – deep, rich skin tones
If you’re between two, that’s normal. Most of us live between shades.
2. Use your neck and chest, not your face
Faces can be red from workouts, weather, or life.
Your neck and upper chest give a better read on your true depth. The goal is for your foundation to disappear into that area, not stop at your jawline.
3. Think about your “winter vs. summer” range
You don’t need to overthink this, just notice patterns.
If you’re always the lightest shade year-round → lighter depth
If you tan easily and change shades seasonally → medium to tan depth
If you stay rich and deep even without sun → deep depth
Pro tip: many runners & active outside people keep multiple depths and rotate through the year. Totally normal. I often mix my foundations to match the range I am currently in.
4. Shade family clues on bottles
Once you know your depth, undertone becomes easier.
Words like light, fair, porcelain = lighter depth
Medium, beige, sand = mid range
Tan, caramel, bronze = deeper
Deep, rich, espresso = deepest range
You’re narrowing the lane before picking the exact shade.
5. The “disappears test”
When you swatch (or sample), the right depth:
Blends into your skin within a few seconds
Doesn’t look white, gray, orange, or muddy
Looks boring at first glance (boring is good!)
If it pops or announces itself, it’s probably the wrong depth.
Run. Glow. Repeat. reminder
This is not about perfection. It’s about confidence and ease. Knowing your skin depth saves time, money, and frustration so you can spend less time shade-guessing and more time doing things that make you feel strong and glowing.
Once you know your depth, choosing foundation becomes a lot less intimidating and a lot more fun.
Remember to complete all the steps
Know your undertone
Find your skin depth
Test the shade on your skin in natural light
Put together your makeup bag for class
Apply properly for the best finish — you will learn this at retreat!