Discover the difference between concealer and foundation, and learn how each works to create a flawless, radiant, and natural-looking base.
Learn More
You know that moment when a foundation looks perfect under store lighting, but once you step outside, it’s suddenly too yellow, too pink, or just off? We’ve all been there. Finding your foundation shade isn’t just about guessing the closest colour, but also about how the product interacts with your skin tone and undertone in everyday light.
The easiest way to tell if you’ve met your match is to test it along your jawline and wear it out for a few hours. Watch how it settles, shifts, and blends throughout the day to determine if it's a true match. To achieve this, the secret lies in understanding both your skin tone and undertone because when they’re in harmony, the foundation should look like skin.
Tip 1: Determining Your Surface Skin Tone
Your surface tone is the first clue in finding your true foundation match and usually falls into one of four families: fair, light, medium, or deep.
When testing, go straight for the jawline for the most balanced read of your skin, bridging the tone of your face and neck for a seamless match.
The main tone categories to know:
- Fair: Porcelain to light ivory tones that may lean pink or peach.
- Light: Slightly warmer and golden, often tanning subtly under the sun.
- Medium: Naturally balanced with olive, caramel, or beige undertones.
- Deep: Rich and multidimensional, glowing from mocha to espresso.
Tip 2: Matching Foundation Colour to Your Undertone
Once you’ve figured out your surface tone, the next layer to master is your undertone, which is the hue beneath your skin that never changes, even when your complexion deepens or lightens. This is what decides whether a foundation blends with your skin, looks smooth, balanced, and believable or stands out awkwardly under natural light.
To identify your undertone:
- Cool Undertone: Skin leans pink, red, or slightly bluish. Veins appear blue or purple, the skin tends to burn before it tans, and silver jewellery complements it best.
- Warm Undertone: Golden, peach, or yellow tones are more dominant. Veins look green in natural light, skin tans easily, and gold jewellery enhances the glow.
- Neutral Undertone: A mix of both warm and cool tones with a balanced, olive-like tint. Veins appear blue-green, both gold and silver jewellery suit you, and your complexion usually adapts easily to different shades.
Tip 3: Selecting Your Formula and Shade
Once you’ve identified your undertone, the next step is choosing a foundation that complements your skin type and preferred finish. The goal is coverage that enhances your features. For this, a well-matched formula should blend seamlessly, feel lightweight, and stay true under different lighting throughout the day.
So, when choosing your formula,consider:
- Matte: Ideal for oily or combination skin. It delivers medium to full coverage and a shine-free, long-lasting finish.
- Semi-Matte or Velvety: A versatile option for most skin types, offering soft coverage that looks smooth yet natural.
- Radiant or Luminous: Perfect for normal to dry skin. It adds a healthy glow and gives the complexion a fresh, hydrated appearance.
If you’re in between, pair a luminous base with a light dusting of matte powder to give you a natural glow and control in equal measure.
Tip 4: Testing Foundation Against Bare Skin
Before any foundation can truly prove itself, it needs a fair test. Always swatch on bare skin with no primer and no moisturiser to see how the formula behaves on its own. This gives you the clearest sense of the tone, texture, and how the shade settles and adapts on your skin throughout the day. Apply a small streak and give it a few minutes to settle; the shade that disappears without blending is your best match.
If you self-tan often, test after applying it. Your base should complement your tanned tone, not your natural one, for a seamless finish that carries from face to décolletage.
Tip 5: Swatching Shades in Natural Light
As mentioned, lighting can completely change how your foundation shows up on your skin. This means that those store mirrors under harsh bulbs won’t give you the full picture, so take the time to step outside. Apply three shades side by side along your jawline and let them blend slightly into your neck.
Check the swatches in natural daylight, and not under fluorescent or bathroom lighting. The right shade will create one continuous tone between your face and neck.
Tip 6: Testing on the Right Body Part
What most people get wrong is that your hand is not the place to test the foundation. It’s usually lighter (or darker) than your face, so what looks perfect in-store might turn out patchy during daily wear. Instead, swipe a few shades along your jawline and blend slightly into your neck for the most accurate read of how your foundation blends with both your face and body.
If your face and chest are slightly different tones, test near the centre of your upper chest. You’ll get a more realistic match that ties your look together without any harsh foundation lines.
Our Best Foundations for Every Skin Tone
Ever wondered why some foundations look flawless in the store but off once you’re outside? The secret lies in finding the right formula.
JUNGSAEMMOOL’s foundations are designed with a makeup artist’s eye for balance, merging skincare benefits, seamless coverage, and precise tone harmony. Whether you’re after a sheer glow or a long-wear satin finish, every cushion and powder foundation enhances your natural skin.
1. Essential Skin Nuder Cushion
A K-beauty favourite for good reason, the Essential Skin Nuder Cushion delivers the soft, radiant finish that defines Korean makeup artistry. Its moisture-fit texture creates a luminous veil that brightens your natural tone while keeping skin hydrated and smooth. Natural to medium coverage allows your complexion to shine through.
2. Essential Skin Nuder Longwear Cushion
For days that demand lasting perfection, the Essential Skin Nuder Longwear Cushion delivers an all-day, crease-free finish from the moment you apply it. Its soft matte finish smooths uneven texture, controls excess sebum, and holds its shape without settling into lines or dulling your glow. Lightweight yet durable, it adheres like a second skin, leaving you with a shine-resistant base that holds from morning to night.
And with up to 24 hours of long wear, your skin tone stays clear, even, and consistent, just like your first application.
3. Skin Nuder Cover Layer Cushion
The Skin Nuder Cover Layer Cushion perfects the balance between high coverage and an airy, skin-like finish. Its ultra-fine powder particles layer delicately, evening out texture while maintaining that signature JUNGSAEMMOOL radiance. Infused with hyaluronic acid and ceramide, it keeps the skin hydrated within while feeling velvety smooth on the outside, creating the look of naturally refined skin that lasts all day.
4. Masterclass Radiant Cushion
Inspired by the techniques of professional makeup artists, theMasterclass Radiant Cushion delivers a high-glow finish that looks polished, not greasy. Its formula is powered by 100 percent ampoule, giving you the benefits of skincare and cushion foundation in a single step. The triple-layer moisture ampoule formula also enhances luminosity and floods the skin with hydration while improving skin elasticity and tone. Complete with SPF 50 / PA+++ protection, it keeps your complexion looking fresh, dewy, and protected under any light.
5. Pro-lasting Flawless Fit Mesh Cushion
Ultra-thin, breathable, and made for all-day wear, the Pro-lasting Flawless Fit Mesh Cushion creates a smooth, semi-matte base. Filtered through a fine mesh, it delivers thin, even layers that feel breathable while still giving buildable coverage. The semi-matte finish keeps shine in check, and the hydrating formula helps the skin stay smooth without caking. With sweatproof and waterproof wear plus expanded shades including the new Snow tone, it’s a go-to cushion for a clean, long-lasting look.
Find Your True Match with JUNGSAEMMOOL
Still wondering how to find your true match foundation shade or whether your base should be lighter or darker than your skin? Take the guesswork out of it with a Shade Matching Service at our Flagship Store.
Our Beauty Advisors will assess your skin tone, undertone, and texture preferences, then guide you to your best match across our signature Korean beauty products and Korean makeup products. Discover your perfect base, from sheer radiance to longwear coverage, and experience what it means to wear a foundation that feels truly your own.
You may also like
latest release
Blurred skin is the beauty trend redefining complexion finishes—soft, diffused, and completely filter-free. Unlike glossy glass skin or heavy matte looks, this makeup style sits in the middle ground: imperfections are softened, pores look minimised, and the skin appears naturally refined without feeling masked.
Its rise isn’t surprising. The soft blur effect is modern, wearable, and perfect for humid climates where shine control is key. Heavy contouring and thick layers melt fast in the heat, but a blurred base keeps everything balanced, fresh, polished, and comfortable for all-day wear.
The best part? Pulling it off isn’t complicated. With the right prep and soft-focus essentials, anyone can achieve that smooth, cloud-like finish that has taken over K-beauty and beyond.
The Essence of Soft Blur Makeup
At its core, the blurred skin trend is about creating a soft-focus canvas that feels natural yet refined. Instead of harsh lines or heavy layering, the focus is on diffusing light so pores, fine lines, and texture quietly fade into the background. The finish is smooth, weightless, and velvety, ditching the heavy contours and full-coverage foundations.
What makes this look so relevant is how forgiving it is across skin types and climates. Unlike the “Instaglam” era of strong contouring and razor-sharp wings, this approach embraces a more wearable elegance.
While airbrushed makeup can sit on the skin and appear overly perfected, blur makeup integrates seamlessly, giving the illusion that your complexion is naturally polished. It’s less about covering every imperfection and more about amplifying what’s already there.
The Right Tools for a Blurred Look
To nail the blurred skin effect, it’s not just about primers and powders anymore. The trend now spans your entire routine, from base to finishing touches. The key is choosing formulas that diffuse rather than define, leaving your complexion soft and even.
Base: Opt for medium-coverage foundations or skin tints with a soft-focus finish. A natural matte texture keeps the skin looking smooth while staying breathable in humid weather.
Colour: Stick to diffused tones for blush, contour, and eyeshadow. Powder formulas or liquids that set down matte are ideal, keeping colour soft and skin-like without shimmer or glitter.
Finishing: Seal everything with a natural matte setting powder. A featherlight layer not only holds makeup in place but also enhances the cloud-like effect.
A Step-by-Step Application Guide
Now, how do you bring the blurred skin look from trend to reality?
Step 1: Prep Your Skin
A hydrated base is the secret to a blurred finish. Stick to lightweight, water-based skincare that plumps fine lines and evens out texture without leaving an oily film. Gel moisturisers and fluid serums are perfect here as they absorb quickly and prep the skin so makeup adheres better and lasts longer.
For a boost, JUNGSAEMMOOL’s Essential Mool Cream makes a smart pre-makeup step. With nano-sized fermented water particles, it sinks deep into the skin, flooding it with hydration. Its watery texture ensures the skin feels supple, never sticky, giving you the perfect starting point for a diffused, soft-focus look.
Step 2: Apply a Blurring Primer
Once your skin is hydrated and smooth, primer is where the blurred effect truly begins.
Choose a primer like the Pro-lasting Prep Primer or balm with a pore-blurring finish, then press it gently into the skin using circular motions. This not only minimises the look of pores but also creates an even, velvety canvas for foundation to grip onto.
Step 3: Build Your Foundation
Opt for a natural matte formula with medium coverage, one that softens texture while keeping excess shine under control. Start by applying with a brush for even distribution, then pat over the surface to lock it in. This double application method diffuses pigment into the skin, leaving a finish that’s blurred and photo-ready. For precision and ease, reach for the JUNGSAEMMOOL Masterclass Foundation Brush, designed to help your base blend seamlessly into the skin.
Step 4: Use Powdered Colour Products
Once your base is in place, keep the blurred effect consistent by choosing colour products with a soft-focus finish. Skip shimmery textures and instead reach for blush, contour, and eyeshadow that sit on the skin with a powder-like veil. Powder formulas or liquids that dry down to a powder are best for diffusing edges without harsh lines. A muted blush or contour will add depth without breaking the soft, hazy balance that defines this look.
Step 5: Set with Powder
The finishing touch is what locks the blur in place. Sweep a feather-light layer of matte setting powder, like the Pro-lasting Finish Powder Pact, across your face, letting it catch on areas that tend to shine, like the T-zone, chin, and sides of the nose. The goal is to refine the finish so it looks smooth and velvety.
The Best Soft Blur Makeup Products From JUNGSAEMMOOL
JUNGSAEMMOOL’s blur-friendly picks are all about that soft-focus finish without the filter. From featherlight cushions that melt into skin to concealers that smooth without creasing, every formula is designed to give you that chic, lived-in polish.
1. Pro-lasting Prep Primer
Every soft-focus look begins with a flawless base, and the Pro-lasting Prep Primer is built for exactly that. This lightweight formula smooths uneven texture, softens the appearance of pores, and brightens the skin without adding weight. It’s designed to control excess sebum, keeping your complexion balanced and shine-free even in humid conditions. What makes it stand out is the way it enhances adherence—your foundation grips better, blends more evenly, and lasts longer throughout the day.
2. Essential Skin Nuder Cushion
If blurred skin had a signature product, it would be this cushion. The Essential Skin Nuder Cushion is one of JUNGSAEMMOOL’s cult classics, loved for its ability to balance oil and hydration in a natural, dewy finish. Instead of masking the skin, it enhances your natural clarity with light-to-medium coverage that feels breathable and weightless. The hue-balancing pigments work to even tone and soften imperfections, while the cushion’s moisture-fit texture keeps skin looking fresh without slipping.
3. Skin Nuder Cushion Concealer
Every blurred look needs seamless coverage, and that’s where the Skin Nuder Cushion Concealer comes in. This creamy formula delivers high coverage without the heaviness, gliding over blemishes, redness, or under-eye darkness while maintaining a natural, skin-like finish. Infused with skin-caring elements, it blends smoothly and resists creasing or caking, so your makeup stays fresh all day. With its satin-soft texture, it layers beautifully over the cushion foundation, ensuring a diffused, even base that looks polished under any light.
So, for anyone chasing that flawless blurred-skin effect, this concealer is the finishing touch that ties it all together.
4. Pro-lasting Finish Powder
The Pro-Lasting Finish Powder melts into skin with a barely-there touch. It locks in makeup while blurring out pores and fine lines. The texture is soft and transparent, so it sets your look without caking or dulling your glow. Perfect for humid weather, it keeps shine under control while leaving your skin smooth, refined, and photo-ready.
5. LIP-PRESSION See-Through Tint
This lip tint brings the blurred-skin philosophy to your lips. Its velvet-matte formula cushions with over 40% moisture base, gliding on effortlessly and diffusing into a soft-focus finish. The result? Colour that looks seamless and chic, never heavy or dry. With ultra-fine powders for long wear and nourishing oils that keep lips comfortable, the LIP-PRESSION See-Through Tint gives you that “blotted lip” vibe.
Whether you’re experimenting with the cloud makeup look at home or still wondering how to do blurred makeup like a pro, JUNGSAEMMOOL’s expertise makes it easy to refine your routine. Explore Korean cosmetics online for products designed with precision, or take it further by honing your craft through a Korean makeup course in Singapore. Both paths bring you closer to mastering beauty that feels effortless yet elevated.
Learn More
Discover the viral Korean lip trend, the overlip. Learn expert tips and products to achieve fuller, natural-looking lips with a soft, modern finish.
Learn More