Choosing a Cushion Shade: 21 vs. 23, How to Avoid Getting It Wrong in Store
You know that experience of trying it on the back of your hand under store lighting, buying it, then seeing it look too light and stark at home? The rule of thumb for choosing a cushion is to test it on your jawline, not the back of your hand.
Cushion Shade Testing Checklist
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What to Say in Store
- 테스트해 봐도 돼요?teseuteu-hae bwado dwaeyo?
Can I try it?
- 한 톤 밝은 거 있어요?han ton balgeun geo isseoyo?
Is there one shade lighter?
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What cushion shade do you wear?
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It's true that the jawline is better than the back of your hand, but if you judge by the middle of your jaw alone, it may not match your neck. Apply a thin stripe of each shade, 21 and 23, from the jawline toward the neck, and see which one looks most natural where your face meets your neck. Check in natural light by a window or outside the store, not under store lighting.
If possible, wait 10–15 minutes and check again. Depending on the product, a cushion may get a little darker or look more yellow over time. When testing, tell the staff, “I’d like to compare shades 21 and 23 along my jawline,” and ask them to apply one on each side to make comparing easier. If you often wear a mask or spend a long time outdoors, check the color again after a few hours.
Shade numbers vary by brand, so it’s hard to say, “It’s shade 21, so it must be lighter.” It’s easier to choose if you first decide whether you want your face to look one shade lighter than your neck or want a natural match without a visible boundary. It’s also important to test with a thin layer, using the amount you normally wear.
If I have a yellow undertone, should I choose shade 21 or 23? How can I tell?
Don’t choose 21 or 23 based only on having a “yellow undertone”: undertone refers to the base color, while shade numbers mostly indicate lightness, and standards vary between brands. I recommend applying a thin stripe of each shade, 21 and 23, from your jawline down to your neck, then checking in natural light to see which one looks more harmonious with your neck and the boundary between your face and neck. If both look like “the color is right, but it’s too pink/gray,” the undertone may be wrong, not necessarily the shade number; you can ask the staff if they have a shade with a yellow or neutral undertone. Wait 10–15 minutes and check again; some cushions can look darker or more yellow after oxidizing. If you want a natural, skin-like match, choose the one with the less noticeable boundary; if you want to brighten your complexion, you can choose a slightly lighter shade, but don’t judge only under store lighting.