This Is Why Your Foundation Turns Orange

Sporting a beautiful complexion is the ultimate goal for many makeup lovers. You make it a point to apply your foundation to perfection in the morning. But if your makeup looks orange by mid-day, you may feel as though your efforts are for naught. There are various reasons why this beauty faux pas can occur, but the good news is, it’s avoidable. Ahead, we’re explaining why your foundation looks orange, plus offering up five tips on how to prevent an orange-looking visage.

WHY DOES YOUR FOUNDATION TURN ORANGE?

As we mentioned, there are a few reasons why your foundation can turn orange. And one of the most common culprits for an orange-looking face is none other than oxidation. The oxidation process is caused by your foundation getting exposed to air. As a result, it causes your foundation to darken to an orange hue. This can happen post-application or while the formula is in the bottle. Your foundation can also oxidize because of your skin texture.

Other factors that can cause makeup to look orange are wearing a foundation that’s too dark for your skin tone or applying one with the wrong undertone. If you have a cool or neutral undertone, using a foundation with a warm tone can cause your makeup to look orange. Always make sure to match your foundation to your skin tone and undertone to stay in the clear. Excess oils are also another culprit that can lead to makeup that looks orange, since they can mix with and adjust the formula of your foundation.

5 TIPS TO AVOID ORANGE-LOOKING FOUNDATION

Now that you have the intel on why foundation looks orange, let’s talk about what you can do about it. Consider the five tips below to help prevent your makeup from changing its color.

TIP #1: CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHADE OF FOUNDATION

As we mentioned, one of the most important ways to prevent an orange-looking visage is to reach for a foundation that matches your skin. To start, you’ll need to determine your skin tone (the natural color of your complexion) and undertone (the pigments that come through your skin). Once you know both, you’ll be able to find the right foundation shade for you.

For a complete guide, click through to our article, How To Find Your Foundation Color Match.

TIP #2: APPLY YOUR FOUNDATION ON OIL-FREE SKIN

If your foundation looks orange, it could be a clear indicator that you’re dealing with excess oils. You already know that an oily complexion can offset the formula of your foundation. So, it’s important to start your face makeup routine on the right note, and that means smoothing on a mattifying primer that can keep oils at bay. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Makeup Primer, which blurs imperfections and locks in a matte finish that lasts all day.

TIP #3: USE A CORRESPONDING SETTING POWDER

Using a setting powder is another smart way to prevent orange face makeup. This makeup essential works to keep your foundation in place and absorb excess oils. It can also help neutralize your foundation as it oxidizes to prevent an orange appearance. Using a setting powder from the same brand of your foundation can also prevent an orange-hued face. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Sweep Lock & Loose Setting Powder works to give your skin a smooth finish and offers shine control to keep oils at bay.

TIP #4: BLOT YOUR FACE

There’s no denying that excess oils can wreak havoc on your makeup look and cause your makeup to look orange. This is where blotting your face can work in your favor. A quick blotting session can help remove oil and sweat from your complexion without taking your makeup off.

TIP #5: CHECK YOUR FOUNDATION FOR OXIDATION

Since it can be hard to fix orange face makeup while you’re out and about, it’s wise to check if your foundation oxidizes before applying it. All you have to do is swatch your foundation shade on your wrist or arm and wait a few hours to see if it takes on an orangeish hue. If not, you’re in the clear. On the other hand, if it does start to oxidize, it’s time to consider swapping your foundation for a different formula.

Next: Now that you know why foundation looks orange, you can focus on which order to apply this essential in your makeup routine. Check out our article, How To Apply Makeup: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide, for more information.