Hello, Hex Squad! Today I’m sharing fair complexion swatches with you. As a makeup enthusiast, nothing excites me more than experimenting with new looks, comparing products, and sharing tips to enhance your beauty routine. Makeup makes me happy!
Everything featured purchased by me except where marked PR or Gifted. Two items in this article were gifted to me by friends for swatching purposes. Another was a birthday gift. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Episode 2 of We’re Going to be Friends
Episode 2 of our podcast We’re Going to be Friends is out now! Listen on Spotify.
If you love talking about makeup, life, and mental health, you’ll love our podcast.
What I want in a Foundation
Primarily, I want a foundation to be a perfect shade match for me. It needs to blur my pores, texture, and imperfections, as well as add some coverage to even out my skintone. It doesn’t have to be full coverage, but it absolutely should make my skin look flawless.
A Plea to Beauty Brands
Please stop using excessively long product names packed with keywords that no one can remember. We consumers much prefer shorter, memorable names over a string of random buzzwords.
Additionally, please consider introducing cool-toned shades in your products. Many lines consist solely of various warm and warm neutral shades, completely omitting cool tones. Some consumers exclusively purchase cool-toned products.
About my Skin Tone
I am a Bright Winter in color analysis, characterized by high contrast, very fair skin, cyan eyes, and dark/bright hair. My skin tone is fair, neutral-cool with muted yellow olive undertones. Neutral to muted yellow olive undertone complexion products suit me best, as many products tend to pull too orange or pink on my skin. Grey-toned products often work well for me.
My current best matches include: Monika Blunder Blunder Cover All in One Foundation in 1 Eins, Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer in 02 Fair Golden, Beautyblender Bounce Skin Tint in Light 1 (love this so much but despise the packaging), Salt New York Sneaky Balm in N13, and Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Moisturizer in Shade 10.
See other foundation features.
Fair Complexion Swatches
Below are my fair complexion swatches. I took photos outdoors in direct, albeit cloudy, sunlight and indoors in indirect natural light.
Fair Complexion Swatches of products for concealing, skin enhancing, blurring pores, and adding some radiance from my foundation, concealers, skin enhancers and luminizers.
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick in 1 Fair (fairest with neutral undertones)
Monika Blunder Blunder Cover All in One Foundation in 1 Eins (very fair neutral)
Auric Glow Lust Radiant Luminizer in Morganite (light cool beige)
Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer in 02 Fair Golden (fair with yellow or olive undertones)
Iconic London Radiance Complexion Booster in Pearl Glow (iridescent beige)
Rare Beauty Positive Light Under Eye Brightener in Light (neutral)
Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum in 010 (fair cool pink undertone)
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint in 1 Light (very light with pink to golden/olive undertones)
(Birthday Gift) Sadoer SPF 50+ Sunscreen Concealer Cream Three-Color (pink, green, beige)
Purito Cica Clearing BB Cream in #13 Neutral Ivory
Silk Naturals HD Cream Foundation in N10 (very fair neutral)(use code CORDELIA to save)
L.A. Girl Instant Finish Tinted Primer in Light (light beige)
Nyx Pro Fix Color Correcting Concealer in Pale (pale with neutral undertone)
(Gift) MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick in NW13 (fair beige with neutral undertone)
Sadoer SPF 50+ Sunscreen Concealer Cream
The Sadoer SPF 50+ Sunscreen Concealer Cream Three-Color is a fantastic base product that I’ve enjoyed including in my fair complexion swatches. I value its SPF 50 protection, but I still layer my Kinship Self Reflect Sport Sunscreen SPF 60 underneath, as part of my skincare routine before makeup. I’m cautious about relying solely on the SPF claims of makeup products. If a foundation claims SPF 50, I assume its actual protection might be more like SPF 15-20 if applied sparingly. Therefore, I always apply a separate SPF first.
After applying a thin layer of Sadoer SPF 50+ Sunscreen Concealer Cream Three-Color, I use Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer for spot treatment. These products together make my skin feel light and look radiant. I’m thankful to my friend E for gifting me this product—I wouldn’t have tried it otherwise, but I absolutely love it. Asian Beauty products often feature the most innovative ingredients for SPF; I hope the USA starts approving newer ingredients soon.
Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer
The Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer has quickly become my go-to for its effortless application and blending, perfect for using just my fingertips! It’s excellent for spot concealing, seamlessly matching my fair complexion and feeling light on my skin.
MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick in NW13
I believe the MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick in NW13 is no longer available, but due to the popularity of MAC’s foundation numbering system, a friend gave me this stick for fair complexion swatches comparison. I choose not to buy from MAC because they test on animals. Unfortunately, this shade doesn’t match my skin tone at all.
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick
I’m thrilled to try out the Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick in Light! Although past experiences with Charlotte Tilbury products often resulted in them turning orange on my skin, the initial swatches of this one look promising. This foundation boasts a super-natural finish that smooths, blurs, and provides a soft-focus effect. For application, it’s suggested to glide it onto the center of the face and blend outwards, using a brush for more coverage or fingers for a lighter touch. I’m eager to see how it performs since I prefer light coverage.
What to Do When a Product Pulls Orange
If you love the formula of your fair foundation or concealer but find the color too orange, consider using a blue complexion mixer to adjust the shade. The LA Girl Pro Matte Mixing Pigment in Blue is a budget-friendly option from the drugstore that can help neutralize orange tones effectively.
Fair Complexion Blush Swatches
These photos were taken outdoors in direct sunlight and indoors in indirect natural light for my fair complexion swatches roundup.
Buxom Plump Shot Collagen Peptides Advanced Plumping Cream Blush in Blissfull Buff (natural nude flush)
CoverGirl Clean Fresh All Over Dewy Tint in Toasty Nude (neutral beige tan)
Persona DreamStick Cream Blush in Bubble (cool, bubblegum pink)
Persona DreamStick Cream Blush in Kiss (cool, cherry red)
(PR) Black Moon Recently Deceased Duo in Ghoulie (purple with arctic blue shift)
Danessa Myricks Vision Flush in Cherry Bomb
(PR) Silk Naturals Highlighting Cream Blush in Butterfly (light lavender with purple/blue highlights)
(PR) Black Moon Dead But Delectable Duo in Undead (black to deep wine-based crimson)
(PR) Silk Naturals Highlighting Cream Blush in Lark (light pink with silvery white highlights)
(PR) Silk Naturals Highlighting Cream Blush in Mimosa (light peach with gold)
(PR) Silk Naturals Highlighting Cream Blush in Bahama Mama (bronze with gold)
Silk Naturals Highlighting Cream Blush in Phaedra (light warm purple with blue shift)
Silk Naturals Highlighting Cream Blushes
I’m truly thankful to Silk Naturals for sending me several of their new highlighting cream blushes! The shades Butterfly and Lark are stunning, and I would have bought them even if I hadn’t received them as PR samples. These blushes blend effortlessly and have excellent staying power. At just $5.95 each, they’re incredibly affordable. I also included Phaedra, a color inspired by my beloved standard poodle who has passed away, reflecting her beautiful spirit in this makeup line.
Use my code CORDELIA to save at Silk Naturals.
Black Moon Blushes
Huge thanks to Black Moon Cosmetics for sending me Undead and Ghoulie! I would have definitely purchased these if they hadn’t been provided. Undead is an incredible black makeup item that transforms into a deep blackened crimson on the skin, rather than just a typical pH cream blush. Ghoulie pairs beautifully with Silk Naturals Phaedra, making them the perfect soft purple duo for my cheeks!
CoverGirl Clean Fresh All Over Dewy Tint
I wasn’t sure what to think of CoverGirl Clean Fresh All Over Dewy Tint in Toasty Nude initially. It’s a very watery formula. Toasty Nude is a nice tan beige shade that doesn’t pull orange when applied in a thin layer on my lips or cheeks.
Buxom Plump Shot Collagen Peptides Advanced Plumping Cream Blush
I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect nude blush to replace theBalm Balm Beach, and I’ve found my match in Buxom Plump Shot Collagen Peptides Advanced Plumping Cream Blush in Blissful Buff. This peachy brown shade complements my fair complexion beautifully without turning orange, unlike many others I’ve tried. Although it has a longer name than necessary, its performance makes up for it. I’d prefer a simpler name like Buxom Plumping Cream Blush or Buxom Cream Blush, but the product itself is fantastic.
Persona DreamStick Cream Blush
The Persona DreamStick Cream Blushes are so lovely to work with! Remember to keep the interior plastic cap to help prevent the product from drying out. I love that Bubble is actually a true cool toned pink. Kiss is a stunning red, definitely on the neutral cool side. I put Jam (the cool toned berry) on my wish list.
Pale Blush Swatches
I took this set of fair complexion swatches photos outdoors in direct sunlight and indoors in indirect natural light.
REM Beauty Yours Truly Highlighter in Honeymoon High (soft iridescent pink)
RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush in Crystal Slipper (sheer sunkissed buff)
REM Beauty Hypernova Satin Matte Blush in Pinking of U (soft cool toned pink)
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush in Cheer (Selena’s custom light warm pink)
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed in IT Girl (poppy cool pink)
Too Faced Cloud Crush Blurring Blush in Candy Clouds (cool pink satin matte)
rom&nd Better Than Cheek in Vine Nude (cool toned pastel wine pink)
Too Faced Cloud Crush Blurring Blush in Watermelon Rain (muted fuchsia satin matte)
rom&nd Better Than Cheek in Nutty Nude (pastel beige peach)
Too Faced Cloud Crush Blurring Blush in Velvet Crush (peachy pink satin matte)
Etude Lovely Cookie Blusher in Ginger Honey Cookie (warm beige tan)
KVD Everlasting Refillable Blush in Rosebud (cool toned mauve nude)(discontinued, still searching for a dupe)
Half-Magic Beauty Cheek Fluff Soft Blur Cream Blush in Pink Mushroom (pearlescent rosy beige)
Half-Magic Beauty Cheek Fluff Soft Blur Cream Blush in Only Drama (magenta plum)
Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion in Ginger (matte pale nude)
Half-Magic Beauty Cheek Fluff Soft Blur Cream Blush in Sexual Flustration (coral hot pink)
Too Faced Cloud Crush Blurring Blush, Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed, Buxom Plump Shot Collagen Peptides Advanced Plumping Cream Blush and Half-Magic Beauty Cheek Fluff Soft Blur Cream Blush are all blurring blushes. From my experience that means that they are easier to blend out and merge with your skin instead of sitting on top of it. They minimize the appearance of texture on my cheeks.
REM Beauty Yours Truly Highlighter in Honeymoon High
It’s no secret I love the REM Beauty Yours Highlighter in Honeymoon High. This iridescent pink is beautiful for adding color back to my complexion without overdoing it. RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush in Crystal Slipper is very similar, but more pigmented.
See my REM Beauty Yours Truly Set Review and Demo.
rom&nd Better Than Cheek
I love to use the rom&nd Better Than Cheek blushes as transition blush shades. I use them to blend out the edges of other colors. They’re white-based pastel shades, so very sheer.
Half-Magic Beauty Cheek Fluff Soft Blur Cream Blush
The Half-Magic Beauty Cheek Fluff Soft Blur Cream Blush is a putty-like formula that turns into a powder and is easy to blend out. I love the three shades that I have but desperately wish they had a light cool-toned pink or a dupe for KVD Rosebud.
KVD Everlasting Refillable Blushes
I love the KVD Everlasting Refillable Blush packaging and bought 2 shades when they launched – Honeysuckle (beige tan) and Rosebud (cool toned muted mauve nude). I love Rosebud and it’s one of the most flattering, natural looking blushes I’ve ever found, and of course it’s been discontinued. I’m looking for a dupe for it, so please feel free to make recommendations. I do love refillable cute packaging, but I hate it when the brand discontinues my shade.
Fair Complexion Highlighters
Danessa Myricks Vision Flush Glow in Femme (lilac pink opalescent glow)
Danessa Myricks Vision Flush Glow in Tiara (champagne glow)
LA Girl Glow Envy Skin Illuminator in Holo Glow (iridescent pink glow)
Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight in Enlighten (cool toned champagne)
About Face Light Lock Highlight Fluid in Shaken Or Stirred (shimmering pale gold)
Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter in Enlighten (cool champagne)
KimChi Chic Beauty BFF4evr Kimchi x Trixie WTHighlight in Double Diamonds (the pink to gold side)
Kaleidos Space Age Highlighter in Star Surfer (rosy champagne with silver)
KimChi Chic Beauty BFF4evr Kimchi x Trixie WTHighlight in Double Diamonds (iridescent blue side)
Kaleidos Space Age Highlighter in Moon Cruiser (neon lilac with cool moonlit cobalt blue shift)
Black Moon Moonlighter in Catshark (iridescent lilac)
Black Moon Moonlighter in Jellyfish (iridescent blue)
Black Moon Moonlighter in Squid (iridescent shimmery white)
Black Moon Moonlighter in Glow Worm (iridescent lime green)
Black Moon Moonlighter in Shroom (iridescent gold to pink)
Jason Wu Opal Highlighter Stick (iridescent blue)
KimChi Chic Beauty BFF4evr Kimchi x Trixie WTHighlight in Double Diamonds
If you’re looking for one highlighter to get the most bang for your buck, you should consider KimChi Chic Beauty BFF4evr Kimchi x Trixie WTHighlight in Double Diamonds. The split pan is beautiful and both colors work well as eyeshadow toppers, lipstick toppers, and highlighters.
My top three favorite highlighters right now are Kaleidos Space Age Highlighter in Moon Cruiser (neon lilac with cool moonlit cobalt blue shift), Black Moon Moonlighter in Catshark (ethereal lilac), and Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter in Enlighten (cool toned champagne). I need to replace my Black Moon Catshark soon as it’s pan is almost empty.
I’m enjoying generously applying About Face Light Lock Highlight Fluid in Shaken Or Stirred on my collarbone, shoulders, and décolleté. It blends out with ease.
bareMinerals GEN NUDE Highlighting Blushes & Blonzer Swatches
bareMinerals GEN NUDE Highlighting Blush in Opal Glow (golden pink shimmer)
bareMinerals GEN NUDE Highlighting Blush in Rose Glow (dirty rose shimmer)
bareMinerals GEN NUDE Highlighting Blush in Mauve Glow (delicate petal pink shimmer)
bareMinerals GEN NUDE BLONZER Blush + Bronzer in Kiss of Pink (warm pink)
I find I enjoy the bareMinerals GEN NUDE Highlighting Blush formula, using it sheerly as blush and highlight. I need to remember to try layering bareMinerals GEN NUDE Highlighting Blush in Mauve Glow on top of Half-Magic Beauty Cheek Fluff Soft Blur Cream Blush in Only Drama to bring out more of the purple hues.
Fair Eyeshadow Primer Swatches
I thought it would be fun to include fair eyeshadow primer swatches in my roundup of fair complexion swatches.
Melt Cosmetics Melt-It Liquid Shadows in Vanilla (warm peach beige tan)
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden (beige nude matte)
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin (pale nude champagne shimmer)
P.Louise Skin Tone Cosmetic Paint in Shade 1 (light creamy beige)
Danessa Myricks Colorfix Nudes in Nude 2 (golden porcelain)
Moira Lasting Priming Cream Shadow in Beige (yellow beige)
(Gifted) MAC Bare Study (beige with gold pearl)
Mickey swears by using the Danessa Myricks Colorfix Nudes as primer for all his eye makeup looks and he chooses the nude closest to your skin tone to use.
I still love the Urban Decay Primer Potions in Eden and Sin, partially because their tint evens out my eyelids, and also because they are excellent primers. Eden works as a my skin but better for my eyes. I wish the Primer Potions would be reformulated without talc though. That’s partially why I don’t wear them much anymore.
I love the formula of the P.Louise Cosmetic Paints and find them to be some of the easiest cream eyeshadows to work with. Shade 1 is a great base color for my skin tone.
Melt Cosmetics Melt-It Liquid Shadows
Despite Melt Cosmetics Melt-It Liquid Shadows in Vanilla looking so dark and warm when in an opaque stripe on my arm, it blends out to a soft peach shade on the lid. I’ve been doing all my recent eyeshadow looks with it and loving the results as well as the all day wear. I’ve got the black shade Nightswim on my wish list. I will say that my Melt Vanilla looks more like Melt Fresh according to the Melt-It Liquid Shadow swatches.
MAC Bare Study
I used MAC Bare Study for years as my eyeshadow primer or as a sheer wash of eyeshadow. The golden shift would bring out my cyan eyes. MAC is not currently a cruelty-free brand and this was gifted to me by a friend for swatching purposes as I don’t currently shop with MAC. The best cruelty-free dupe I’ve found for MAC Bare Study is Supergoop! First Light SPF 30 Cream shadow.
Final Thoughts
I made a quick little Instagram reel of all the fair complexion swatches so you can see every product in movement in direct sun outdoors and indirect sun indoors.
I’ve been blogging for 16 years and it makes me sad that Google not only stole my content and trained its AI on it without my consent, they’re also continuing to do everything they can to kill off little personal websites like mine and not show you our content. I love sharing my thoughts and experiences with makeup products with you and I hope you find my fair complexion swatches feature helpful! If you love my content and find it helpful, please share!
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