It’s not just the colour of your skin that’s important but the undertones too. 

An easy trick for determining whether you have cool or warm undertones is looking at the veins on the inside of your arm. 

If your veins appear blue or purple hued you’re likely to be cool toned, while if they’re green you’re probably warm toned. 

If you’re somewhere in between, this means you have a neutral undertone. 

Once you have determined your undertones you can balance your skin with foundation accordingly. 

Cool tones suit foundation formulas with pink undertones while warm tones suit shades with yellow undertones. 

No two faces are the same, and different formulations suit different skin types. 

If you have oily skin or a prone to a shiny T-zone come 4pm, choose an oil-free formula with skin calming benefits and a matte finish. 

On the other hand, if you have dry or dehydrated skin look for nourishing or hydrating formulas that provide a radiance boost or dewy finish. 

Need inspiration? Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF15 is hydrating while offering true-to-skin pigments that blend seamlessly into your skin.

Don’t trust the fluorescent light at the beauty counter.

Instead, take a compact mirror with you and assess your chosen swatch in broad daylight outside. 

Pick the hue that disappears most seamlessly into your skin and you’ll avoid a two-tone look.

Thanks to the fluctuating weather, none of us have just one base shade. 

It’s therefore likely you will need two different shades (one for summer and one for winter), that can then be mixed for the in-between seasons.

A drop of pale foundation into a darker-toned foundation can be a good blend for those in-between months.

If you regularly fake tan, take this into account and trial foundations while your skin is bronzed.

Try and shop for foundation when your skin is closest to its natural shade.

To nail the right foundation, first of all think about both your skin type and your desired overall finish. 

If you want a natural look that allows your skin to show through, opt for a light or medium coverage. 

If you’re after something long-lasting, evening appropriate, or wish to conceal redness and pigmentation, a full coverage formula is the way to go.

Tinted moisturisers, BB creams and powders tend to offer light to medium coverage while liquids or sticks offer medium to full coverage.

If you’re shopping for a daytime foundation, remember to pick a product with SPF 15 or above. 

Even though it might not feel like it when you’re in the depths of a British winter, UVA rays can still damage your skin.

If in doubt, chat to a makeup artist on counter for expert-approved advice. 

They will be able to give their professional take on what shade, coverage and finish your skin needs as well as handy hints for application too.