The shade file
Glossier, beyond the shade name.
Compare the brand’s descriptions with readings from published swatch images.
What do the numbers mean?
L* describes lightness; a* and b* describe color axes. ITA° is calculated from lightness and the yellow–blue axis to group the swatch into a depth band. None of these readings measures coverage, wear or how a formula will look on your skin.
Glossier names an undertone for 36 of these shades. Read off the brand’s own swatch under D65, 23 of them — 64% — land in a different undertone than the name claims. That is not an accusation of bad faith: undertone is a word, and a word is not a measurement. It is why the house publishes the number beside it.
Perfecting Skin Tint for Dewy Sheer Coverage12 shades
| Shade | Brand says | L* | a* | b* | ITA° | Depth band | Swatch reads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G12 | — | 91.29 | 5.56 | 7.47 | 79.75 | very_light | cool |
| G10 | — · light | 90.12 | 3.21 | 9.91 | 76.13 | very_light | warm |
| G11 | neutral · light | 89.85 | 3.57 | 10.05 | 75.85 | very_light | warm |
| G9 | warm · medium | 85.11 | 6.58 | 22.82 | 56.98 | very_light | warm |
| G7 | — · medium | 82.31 | 8.75 | 19.92 | 58.35 | very_light | warm |
| G8 | neutral · medium | 81.31 | 10.46 | 21.73 | 55.24 | very_light | neutral |
| G6 | — · deep | 79.53 | 12.96 | 29.95 | 44.6 | light | warm |
| G4 | cool · deep | 72.97 | 19.58 | 43.85 | 27.65 | tan | warm |
| G5 | warm · deep | 71.82 | 20.72 | 46.49 | 25.14 | tan | warm |
| G3 | — · deep | 49.77 | 28.84 | 41.34 | -0.32 | brown | cool |
| G2 | warm · deep | 23.87 | 22.88 | 26.6 | -44.49 | dark | cool |
| G1 | — | 19.25 | 15.58 | 16.05 | -62.44 | dark | cool |
Stretch Fluid Foundation for Buildable Coverage32 shades
| Shade | Brand says | L* | a* | b* | ITA° | Depth band | Swatch reads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very Light 2 | cool · light | 90.68 | 6.5 | 17.65 | 66.55 | very_light | warm |
| Very Light 3 | — · light | 86.32 | 6.59 | 29.25 | 51.15 | light | warm |
| Very Light 4 | warm · light | 83.57 | 8.57 | 30.71 | 47.55 | light | warm |
| Light 3 | olive · light | 82.94 | 10.13 | 35.64 | 42.75 | light | warm |
| Very Light 1 | neutral · light | 82.4 | 9.13 | 20.06 | 58.24 | very_light | neutral |
| Light 4 | cool · light | 81 | 12.93 | 31.48 | 44.56 | light | warm |
| Light 2 | neutral · light | 79.41 | 9.18 | 33.37 | 41.39 | light | warm |
| Medium 2 | warm · medium | 78.97 | 11.95 | 32.85 | 41.41 | light | warm |
| Light 5 | — · light | 77.23 | 9.86 | 47.44 | 29.86 | intermediate | warm |
| Light 1 | warm · light | 74.09 | 12.71 | 38.35 | 32.14 | intermediate | warm |
| Medium 3 | warm · medium | 72.97 | 12.39 | 43.58 | 27.79 | tan | warm |
| Medium 4 | cool · medium | 69.71 | 11.98 | 32.96 | 30.88 | intermediate | warm |
| Medium 1 | neutral · medium | 69.2 | 12.71 | 36.56 | 27.71 | tan | warm |
| Medium 5 | olive · medium | 66.69 | 11.5 | 40.04 | 22.63 | tan | warm |
| Medium Tan 1 | olive · medium | 64.04 | 10.31 | 35.47 | 21.6 | tan | warm |
| Medium Tan 2 | neutral · medium | 63.34 | 12.33 | 32.46 | 22.34 | tan | warm |
| Medium Tan 4 | warm · medium | 61.13 | 18.31 | 37.29 | 16.62 | tan | neutral |
| Medium Tan 3 | warm · medium | 57.08 | 16.13 | 40.44 | 9.93 | brown | warm |
| Medium Tan 5 | warm · medium | 52.98 | 20.25 | 33.22 | 5.13 | brown | neutral |
| Medium Deep 3 | neutral · medium | 43.01 | 13.85 | 28.34 | -13.86 | brown | neutral |
| Medium Deep 4 | warm · medium | 42.49 | 17.9 | 28.4 | -14.81 | brown | cool |
| Medium Deep 2 | warm · medium | 41 | 14.05 | 29.16 | -17.15 | brown | neutral |
| Deep 1 | warm · deep | 38.69 | 14.72 | 30.76 | -20.19 | brown | neutral |
| Deep 2 | olive · deep | 38.6 | 9.74 | 29.87 | -20.89 | brown | warm |
| Deep 3 | warm · deep | 38.46 | 15.46 | 29.38 | -21.44 | brown | neutral |
| Medium Deep 1 | warm · medium | 38.18 | 13.23 | 24.28 | -25.96 | brown | neutral |
| Very Deep 1 | warm · deep | 33.01 | 8.19 | 25.01 | -34.19 | dark | warm |
| Very Deep 2 | olive · deep | 29.19 | 4.95 | 29.12 | -35.55 | dark | warm |
| Deep 4 | neutral · deep | 27.38 | 10.52 | 18.95 | -50.05 | dark | neutral |
| Deep 5 | warm · deep | 23.61 | 11.84 | 14.53 | -61.16 | dark | cool |
| Very Deep 4 | neutral · deep | 22.38 | 11.87 | 23.04 | -50.17 | dark | neutral |
| Very Deep 3 | warm · deep | 21.95 | 13.78 | 17.6 | -57.89 | dark | cool |
Match a shade you already wear
Colours are read from each shade’s own swatch image published by the retailer, not from a drawdown measured by the house — a screen swatch and a colorimeter are not the same instrument, and the house does not pretend otherwise. ITA° is the open dermatological standard, computed from the reading; no licensed colour library is used. A shade listed without a reading is one the house holds but has not yet seen.
Shop by fit concern
Start with what never quite works.
Choose the detail that matters to you. We’ll point you to useful guides and the measurements available to compare.
There’s more to the house
Follow the detail that matters to you.
Boots & shoes
Start with your calf, not a “wide” label.
Foundation shades
Look beyond the shade name.
Pants
Shorter or longer: find your inseam.
Tops
Choose your length and sleeve room.
Shoes by comfort & width
Toe room, width options and heels you choose.
Search sizes & measurementsSwim
Torso options, cuts and coverage you choose.
Search sizes & stylesPress-on nails
Shape, size and room for every nail.
Search sizes & measurementsDresses & skirts
Waist placement, coverage and a hem you choose.
Search sizes & measurementsCoats & jackets
Room for your arms. Room for your sweater.
Search sizes & measurementsBras & foundations
Support, coverage and compatibility with your clothes.
Search sizes & measurementsJewelry
Rings, bracelets and necklaces in your proportions.
Search sizes & measurementsGlasses & sunglasses
Frame width, bridge fit and room for your cheeks.
Search sizes & measurements