How to Choose the Right Loose Mineral Foundation Shade
Quick answer: Work out your undertone first, test on your jawline in natural light and pick the shade that disappears into your skin. If you're between two shades, go lighter and warm it up with bronzer, or mix the two. Our Colour Match chart and Colour Swap Guarantee make ordering Loose Mineral Foundation online easier.
Your foundation can look perfect under the bathroom light, then a different colour from your neck the moment you step outside. Finding the right loose mineral foundation shade is simpler than it looks. Here's how to do it in five steps.
1. Understand Your Undertone First
No shade will look right if the undertone is off.
- Warm: skin leans golden, peachy or yellow. You tan easily and gold jewellery suits you.
- Cool: skin has hints of pink, red or blue. You may burn faster and silver jewellery looks better.
- Neutral: somewhere in the middle. Both gold and silver suit you.
Quick test: look at the veins on your wrist in daylight. Greenish veins usually mean warm, bluish mean cool, and a mix means neutral.
2. Test on Your Jawline, Not Your Hand
Your hand is usually a different colour from your face. Swatch a little powder along your jawline so you can see how it blends into both your face and your neck. The right shade almost disappears.
3. Think About Your Skin Type
Mineral powder suits oily and combination skin well. If your skin is dry, moisturise first and use a light layer so the powder looks smooth. A shade that matches but sits badly will still look wrong, so finish and texture matter too.
4. Check in Natural Light
Store and bathroom lighting can be misleading. Check your shade by a window or outside. Shopping online? Look at customer photos and reviews, and use our Colour Match chart.
5. Adjust for the Seasons
Most people are a little more golden in summer and lighter in winter. Many of our customers keep two shades and mix them as their skin changes through the year.
Our Pick
Loose Mineral Foundation
Best for: buildable, natural-looking coverage in a range of shades.
A finely milled mineral powder made from a handful of simple ingredients, with no perfumes, preservatives or parabens. It buffs on seamlessly for coverage you can build from light to full, and it's forgiving if you're slightly between shades.
- Buildable coverage
- Soft, luminous finish
- Colour Swap Guarantee if you pick the wrong shade
New to mineral foundation? Start with our loose mineral foundation guide for what it is and how to apply it.
What Customers Say
"I prefer Mineral Foundation than Liquid Foundation. The coverage it gives is great, my skin always feels light."
Deidre W., verified customer
"Great to wear and layer up if you don't want to wear foundation. Feels light and breathable."
Tam H., verified customer
Read all Loose Mineral Foundation reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my undertone?
Check the veins on your wrist in natural light: greenish usually means warm, bluish means cool and a mix means neutral. Gold versus silver jewellery is another easy clue.
What if I'm between two shades?
Choose the lighter one and add warmth with bronzer, or mix both shades together.
Should I change my shade with the seasons?
Many people do. Your skin is usually a little darker in summer and lighter in winter, so mixing two shades keeps your match year-round.
What if I order the wrong shade?
See our Colour Swap Guarantee for how to swap it.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy mineral foundation in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Priceline, TerryWhite Chemmart and Wizard Pharmacy stores across Australia. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
You don't need to get it perfect first time. Check your undertone, test on your jawline in daylight and adjust with the seasons, and you'll find a shade that looks like your own skin.
