Sorry, for bumping up an old topic, but it is still an issue and with so many new products having come out since, I thought we might have even more useful info.
I am very fair, naturally rosy cheeked, combination skinned with green eyes and naturally black hair. Since I am at opposite ends of the spectrum, using the brand's websites to find shade matches is pretty much impossible.
My complexion is lighter than MAC NW15/NC15 (in Studiofix) and I would consider myself to have a more of a blue undertone overall than pink or yellow, but since we're not taught that way and the industry doesn't use that term for foundations, finding the perfect product is really tricky. I think foundations considered "neutral" are the best match for me (when they run light enough); they neutralize redness without darkening my skin too much or leaving a white cast.
My fave powder formulas: LilyLoLo [Porcelain for Winter and China Doll for Summer] and Jane Iredale [ivory for Winter and Bisque for Summer] have been the best matches for me in terms of color, texture, coverage and non-irritating. (I also ordered some Meow samples, but haven't tried them yet. They look really promising though!)
My fave liquid formulas: Honestly, I haven't found an exact match, which I suppose is ok since I prefer powder anyway. I do like the texture and coverage of Revlon Colorstay, but I mix Ivory (which is slightly too pink) & Buff (which is slightly too yellow) to get the right shade for me. (It's a pain to do that and keeping it in a plastic travel bottle might somehow effect product stability, but barring any problems, that's what I do when I want to wear liquid foundation.) L'oreal True Match Lumi in W1 was their fairest shade on me (C1 was very ruddy), but it is just so-so... slightly too dark and makes me look "glowy," which most people would probably like, but I do not
/emoticons/
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My fave BB Creams: Mizon Snail Repair is the best color match year round I have found and it is kindest to my skin. Missha in #13 is a good match color wise, but if I wear to it too often, I will start to get some blemishes. Skin 79 Orange Vita is also a good color match and easier on my skin than Missha. It offers the most coverage of any BB I have tried, but it is thick and some people don't care for that texture. I apply with a slightly damp sponge. There's some super helpful swatches of Asian BB Creams for pale girls here:
http://snowwhiteandthepear.blogspot.com/2013/02/pale-girl-friendly-bb-cream-swatches-on.html. I am excited about Dr Jart, but not the price. I have not found a drugstore BB that I like yet.
Other: Sometimes, I just use setting powders instead of any foundation. Luckily, I have good skin most of the time, so that works when I just want a more finished/polished look and to avoid the possibility to shine. I'm not picky about those as long as they have little to no tint, don't cake and don't break me out. My fave is probably Revlon Colorstay Aqua Finishing Powder in Translucent/Light, though it has shimmer. :\
