The author conducted an experiment to test the consistency of foundation shades across different brands. They purchased six foundations with the same color name ("nude" or "almond") from various brands, including high-end and drugstore options. The author then applied different foundations to each side of their face and documented the results. The experiment revealed that even with the same color name, the shades varied significantly across brands, with some being too light or too dark. The author concluded that the beauty industry's use of color names like "nude" or "almond" can be misleading and that using numbers to identify foundation shades would be more accurate and less culturally insensitive.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, each with a number:
1. The author went to Sephora to get matched for a foundation color.
2. The author found that different brands with the same foundation color name may not match.
3. The author experimented with six different foundations with the same color name but from different brands.
4. The brands used in the experiment included Milani, Maybelline, Revlon, Neutrogena, Shea Moisture, Elf, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Too Faced, and Estee Lauder.
5. The author found that even high-end foundations with the same color name may not match.
6. The author noted that some brands name their foundation colors after geographic places, such as NARS.
7. The author found that the color "almond" can be interpreted differently by different brands.
8. The author experimented with wearing two different foundations on each side of their face.
9. The author found that it was difficult to tell the difference between the two foundations on their face.
10. The author concluded that using numbers for foundation colors would be a better system than using color names.
11. The author was happy to have found a new favorite foundation through the experiment.
12. The author noted that the beauty industry's use of color names for foundations can be problematic and perpetuate stereotypes.
13. The author suggested that the use of color names for foundations can be fetishizing and reduce a person's skin tone to a stereotype.
14. The author noted that the use of numbers for foundation colors would eliminate any implications about skin tones and shades.