No7 is a popular drugstore makeup brand carried at stores like Walgreens, Target, and Ulta. They make foundations in a range of shades and undertones to match different skin types. One of their lightest foundations is called Porcelain, which comes in three undertones: neutral, cool, and warm. Choosing the right undertone is important for finding a seamless foundation match. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at No7’s Porcelain foundation to help you determine which undertone option is best for fair skin.
What is Undertone?
Undertone refers to the subtle tones underneath the surface of your skin that affect the overall color. While many people focus on skin tone (light, medium, dark) when choosing foundations, undertone is just as important for finding your perfect match. There are three main undertones:
| Undertone | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Warm | Golden, peachy, yellow hints |
| Cool | Pink, red, blue hints |
| Neutral | Balanced mix without strong warm or cool tones |
The most flattering foundation will have an undertone that matches and balances the natural tones of your skin. Otherwise, makeup can look slightly off.
No7 Porcelain Foundation Undertones
No7 makes their Porcelain shade in neutral, cool, and warm versions to suit fair skin with different undertones:
| Porcelain Undertone | Best For |
|---|---|
| Neutral Porcelain | Fair skin with balanced, muted tones |
| Cool Porcelain | Fair skin with pink or red undertones |
| Warm Porcelain | Fair skin with peach or golden undertones |
Below, we’ll explore how to determine which Porcelain shade is right for your specific undertone.
Choosing Between Neutral, Cool, and Warm
When trying to choose between neutral, cool, and warm Porcelain foundations, here are some tips:
Look at your veins – Are the veins on your wrists more blue/purple (cool) or green (warm)? Neutral veins will be a mix.
Examine your skin in natural light – Does your bare face seem to have pink (cool), yellow/peach (warm), or neutral hints? The tones are often more noticeable along the jawline and neck.
Think about jewelry metals – Do you look best in silver (cool) or gold (warm)? Neutral skin won’t show a strong preference.
Consider your natural hair color – Those with warm undertones often have peachier hair, while cool undertones skew ashy. Neutral hair is more of a mix.
Know your seasons – What color palettes flatter you most? Cool winter? Warm spring? If you’re a winter, you’re likely cooler-toned.
Recognizing Mismatched Undertones
When a foundation undertone doesn’t match your natural skin tone, it can create some undesirable effects like:
- Orange-looking skin (wearing a too-warm foundation)
- Washed out, pink-hued skin (wearing a too-cool foundation)
- Dull, lifeless looking skin (wearing the wrong neutral)
- Obvious demarcation along the jawline where foundation doesn’t blend
Getting color matched in natural lighting can prevent you from walking around with the dreaded orange foundation mask or ghostly mismatched makeup.
Best Undertone for Fair/Porcelain Skin
Those with very fair or porcelain skin will typically look best in a neutral, cool, or slightly warm but not orange foundation. Here’s a breakdown:
Neutral Porcelain
Neutral foundations offer the most flexibility for fair skin since they avoid overly warm peach/golden tones or cool pink ones. Neutral Porcelain from No7 is a safe option if you aren’t strongly warm or cool. Signs you’re neutral include:
- Veins are a mix of blue, green, and purple
- Silver and gold jewelry both look nice
- Your skin doesn’t show obvious warm or cool hints
- You look good in both warm autumnal colors and cool winter ones
Cool Porcelain
Those with strongly pink or red undertones will look best in a cool toned foundation like No7’s Cool Porcelain. Signs you’re cool include:
- Veins appear purple/blue
- Silver jewelry is more flattering than gold
- Your skin has pink or red hints, especially around cheeks and eyes
- You’re a Winter or Summer color palette
Muted cool tones may suit those with fair neutral-cool skin. Rosy pink tones work best for those with very cool, porcelain skin.
Warm Porcelain
While less common with very fair skin, warm undertones are possible too. No7’s Warm Porcelain adds golden tones without pulling orange on light skin. Signs you’re warm-toned include:
- Veins are more green
- Gold jewelry flatters you
- You have yellow around your hairline and chest
- You’re an Autumn or Spring palette
Stay away from foundations with overt peach and orange. Opt for muted golden warm tones instead.
No7 Porcelain Swatches
Here are some swatches of No7’s Porcelain foundations showing the undertone differences:
| Porcelain Swatch | Undertone |
|---|---|
 |
Neutral Porcelain |
 |
Cool Porcelain |
 |
Warm Porcelain |
As you can see, the neutral shade lacks strong warm or cool tones. Cool Porcelain adds pinkness, while Warm Porcelain injects subtle goldenness without looking orange.
How to Apply No7 Porcelain Foundation
To ensure your No7 Porcelain foundation looks flawless, follow these application tips:
Prep skin – Start with clean, moisturized skin. Primer can help smooth texture.
Dot foundation around the face – Use a makeup sponge, brush, or fingers to dot and blend.
Blend jawline down – Blend foundation into your neck to avoid visible lines.
Even out tone – Use concealer to perfect discoloration and evenness.
Set makeup – Dust a translucent powder to set foundation and reduce transfer.
Check in natural lighting – Go outside to ensure your foundation shade and undertone look natural.
No7 Porcelain Foundation Pros & Cons
Here is a quick overview of the positives and potential negatives of No7’s Porcelain foundation range:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good shade range for fair skin | Formula can oxidize and darken over time |
| Neutral, warm, and cool undertones | Matte formula may cling dry patches |
| Affordable drugstore price | Limited shade options for deeper skin |
| Buildable medium coverage | Cool tone can pull pink |
| Works for sensitive skin | Warm tone may oxidize orange |
| Smooth, blendable texture | Strong fragrance may irritate |
Overall, it’s a great budget-friendly foundation line with diverse undertones for fair skin. Just be mindful of potential oxidation over time.
FAQs
Is No7 Porcelain cool or neutral?
No7 makes Porcelain foundations in neutral, cool, and warm undertones. Choose cool if you have strong pink/red undertones. Neutral works well for those with a mix of tones.
Does No7 oxidize?
Some reviewers note that the No7 Porcelain shades can oxidize or darken over the course of the day as ingredients react with the air. Checking the color match outside in natural light helps prevent this.
Is No7 Porcelain too dark?
Those with very fair skin may find the Porcelain shades too dark or too warm. No7 does make a lighter Alabaster shade in neutral and cool tones for albinos and gingers.
Is No7 cruelty free?
No7 is owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance which does not test on animals unless required by law. So while not 100% cruelty-free, No7 avoids animal testing when possible.
Does No7 break out skin?
No7 foundations are non-comedogenic and generally suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin. However, individuals may react to certain ingredients like fragrance. Do a patch test first.
Conclusion
No7’s Porcelain foundation offers cool, neutral, and warm undertones to suit the needs of different fair complexions. Choosing the undertone that matches your skin’s natural tones will help you achieve a flawless, even finish. Be mindful of potential oxidation over time and try the lighter Alabaster if Porcelain pulls too dark or warm. With the right undertone match, No7 can be a budget-friendly foundation find for porcelain-toned skin.