Question 1

What is an olive undertone?

Accepted Answer

Olive undertone is a unique skin quality where green, yellow, and sometimes gray pigments combine beneath the surface. It's distinct from warm (golden/peachy), cool (pink/rosy), or neutral undertones. Olive skin is common across Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, South Asian, Latin American, and some East Asian backgroundsbut it's dramatically underrepresented in beauty products. Most foundations are formulated for warm or cool undertones only, which is why olive-toned people often find that even "inclusive" 40-shade ranges don't actually work for them.

Question 2

How is Vela different from other inclusive foundation ranges?

Accepted Answer

Most brands expand shade ranges by adding more depthsmore fair shades, more deep shadeswithout addressing the undertone problem. Olive undertone has a green-gray dimension that simply doesn't exist in standard warm or cool formulas. Vela uses Pigment-Logic™a formulation approach that specifically addresses the green-gold complexity of olive skinso the foundation blends seamlessly instead of pulling ashy, orange, or yellow.

Question 3

How does the Shade Match AI tool work?

Accepted Answer

The Shade Match tool ("The Diagnosis") uses AI to analyze a selfie and detect your skin undertone from color and pixel data. For olive-toned users, it matches you to the closest shade in the Vela O1–O6 range. For warm, cool, and neutral undertones, it provides curated foundation recommendations from brands already available. The AI works best in natural light with no heavy filters. Your photo is processed in real time and is not stored unless you opt in to help train the model.

Question 4

Is my photo stored when I use the Shade Match tool?

Accepted Answer

Not by default. Your photo is sent to our AI model for real-time analysis and is not saved. If you check the optional box to "help train Vela's AI," your anonymized photo is stored securely to improve future accuracy. You can opt out at any time. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Question 5

When does Vela launch?

Accepted Answer

We're in the pre-launch phase. Join the waitlist to be the first to knowwaitlist members get exclusive early access before the public release. We'll email you directly when your shade is ready.

Question 6

What is the price?

Accepted Answer

The Vela Complexion Match Foundation is estimated at $42 at launch. No payment is collected when you reserve your shadeyou're simply getting in line. Final pricing will be confirmed when we launch.

Question 7

How do I know which shade is right for me?

Accepted Answer

The best way is to use the Shade Match AI tool on our homepageupload a selfie in natural light and it will match you to the right Vela shade. You can also browse the six shades (O1–O6) on the shop page, which includes depth descriptors (Fair to Deep) and undertone notes for each. If you're unsure, join the waitlist and we'll help you personally when we launch.

Question 8

What is Pigment-Logic™?

Accepted Answer

Pigment-Logic™ is Vela's proprietary formulation conceptthe specific combination of pigment ratios and base chemistry that addresses the green-gray complexity of olive undertones. Standard foundations use a warm-yellow or cool-pink pigment base. Olive skin needs a balanced ratio that neutralizes the gray cast from cool bases and the orange shift from warm bases, while enhancing the natural green-gold quality that makes olive skin beautiful. That balance is what Pigment-Logic™ achieves.

Question 9

Do you ship internationally?

Accepted Answer

Shipping details will be confirmed closer to launch. We're initially focusing on North America (US and Canada) and select European markets (UK, France, Germany). Join the waitlist and let us know where you're locatedit helps us prioritize shipping regions.

Question 10

How do I join the waitlist?

Accepted Answer

Scroll to the bottom of any page and enter your emailit takes 10 seconds. If you use the Shade Match tool and get a result, you can join the waitlist directly from there with your specific shade pre-selected.

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