Why Makeup Brands Love the Term (and What It Really Means)
Makeup companies classify foundations as “neutral” to address the broad and diverse spectrum of skin tones and make it easier for consumers to find a match. However, the term can sometimes be misleading because it simplifies the complex interplay of undertones in skin. Here’s why they use this classification:
1. Bridging Warm and Cool Undertones
Many people struggle to identify their undertone, or their skin may appear to sit “between” warm and cool. By offering “neutral” shades, makeup brands cater to individuals who find both warm and cool-toned products unflattering or too extreme.
Neutral foundations aim to strike a balance, often by blending warm (yellow, golden) and cool (pink, blue) pigments in equal or near-equal proportions.
2. Marketing Simplicity
Classifying foundations as warm, cool, or neutral simplifies the selection process for customers. A person unsure of their undertone is likely to gravitate toward a “neutral” shade, perceiving it as a safer, more adaptable option.
It also reduces confusion caused by the technicalities of undertones, especially when customers might not understand terms like “olive” or “peach.”
3. Adaptability of Neutral Tones
Neutral-toned foundations are often more forgiving and blendable, as they avoid overly emphasizing either warm or cool tones. This versatility can make them work for a wider range of skin tones, especially if the undertone isn’t strongly pronounced.
4. Consumer Confusion About Undertones
Many people misinterpret their undertone or focus on surface tones (e.g., redness or sallowness) instead of the skin’s true undertone. As a result, offering “neutral” shades simplifies the choice, catering to those who don’t fit neatly into warm or cool categories.
5. Neutral in Makeup ≠Neutral in Colour Analysis
Makeup companies use “neutral” more flexibly than colour analysis does:
A foundation labelled “neutral” might still lean slightly warm or cool, but it’s designed to be subtle enough to work for a broader range of undertones.
In personal colour analysis, “neutral” refers to palettes with balanced temperature influences, but they still have a slight tilt toward warm or cool (e.g., Soft Summer leans cool, Soft Autumn leans warm).
6. Practical Example ~ Neutral Skin Tones
A person with olive skin often has a mix of yellow and green undertones, making their tone complex. A “neutral” foundation might help balance the undertone’s mix, while strictly warm or cool products might clash.
In essence, makeup companies use “neutral” as a practical and marketing term to make foundation matching easier for a wide audience, even though most skin tones aren’t truly neutral. For the best match, testing products on your jawline and in natural light is still the gold standard!
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Last Updated on 25th November 2024 by Helen Tobias
