Abstract: An aid for matching a cosmetic to the skin of an individual has a series of alternating projections and gaps distributed circumferentially of the aid. The aid is designed so that, when it is placed on the hand of an individual, skin is visible in the gaps. The aid is used to compare different shades of a cosmetic with one another. To this end, the projections are marked with respective identifying characters for the different shades. The various shades are applied to the exposed skin in the gaps with each shade being located adjacent to the projection having the corresponding identifying character.