Tips for Perfecting Makeup on Darker Skin Tones
Makeup is a wonderful thing... it allows women to express themselves, feel confident, and embrace their natural beauty. However, makeup doesn’t follow a one size fits all approach. Women with darker skin tones face a unique challenge when it comes to makeup, as it can be difficult to find makeup that is the right shade, has flattering undertones and gives that radiant and flawless finish that everybody wants. Everyone deserves quality cosmetics and to feel beautiful, so if you’re struggling to find the right makeup for you, we’ve got some tips for you from all the industry pros so you can take control of your beauty routine. From finding the right foundation to bringing out the beauty of your eyes, learn the best makeup tips for dark skin tones. With tailored advice and the right products, you can enhance your natural beauty and confidence in no time.
Foundation
Foundation is a key element in any makeup look, so it is important that you find the shade that will compliment your complexion the most. Creating a base with the right foundation can be the difference between a stunning look and one that is not so flattering.
To find the perfect foundation shade for your skin tone, start by determining your undertone; warm, cool, or neutral. Professional makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran recommends checking any visible veins to figure out what undertone you have. “If they run on the green side, you are warmer — if they look bluer, you are on the cooler side. Those with warmer undertones tend to have traces of gold and red in their skin. With neutral undertones, you'll have an equal mix of cool and warm tones. For cool undertones, you'll find shades of pink and blue in their skin.”, states the New York City based creative.
For warm undertones, look for shades with yellow and peachy undertones; for cool undertones, choose shades with pink and blue undertones; and for neutral undertones, you can pick from a range of shades. Once you’ve determined your undertone, you can easily choose the perfect foundation shade for your makeup look by colour matching.
When choosing a foundation shade, it's essential to match the colour to your skin properly. Makeup artist Lakeisha Dale, who specialises in makeup for black women, suggests swatching at least 3 shades on your chest and jawline. Wait a few seconds for the product to dry and see which matches your skin the best. This is essential as your face and neck may have different shades, and matching your foundation to your face alone can result in an unnatural look. You want your foundation to melt seamlessly into your skin.
Bronzer, Blush & Highlighter
Finding the perfect makeup look for darker skin tones can be a daunting task. But fear not! With the right bronzer, blush, and highlighter, you can easily compliment your stunning complexion and bring out your natural beauty.
There is a big misconception that bronzers aren’t made for women with darker skin tones, however, this is because old-school bronzers didn’t tend to cater to women of colour and would often look orange or chalky on deeper complexions. However, today this couldn’t be further from the truth. With the wide range of products on the market, bronzer is for everyone. A tip for women with deeper skin is to pick a bronzer that matches your undertone, but is a few shades darker to add some depth, contour and warmth to your face. A little shimmer also never hurts. Use a buildable formula to create the desired effect.
When it comes to blush, choosing the right colour that will give you a radiant glow is key. For women with deeper skin tones, there are several blush tones that will complement your skin beautifully. Firstly, deep berry tones such as cranberry, raspberry and plum can add a pop of colour to your cheeks and create a fun and youthful look. Warm peach and coral tones can also work well on women with darker skin by adding a natural-looking warmth to the face. If you want a more brown toned blush, terracotta and bronze tones can be the move for a sophisticated look. Another shade range to reach for if you have darker skin is shades of deep rose. These can look beautiful on deeper skin tones, giving a soft feminine look and complementing the natural undertones of the skin.
In terms of highlighter, using a warm shimmery product tends to be the best option for women with darker skin.. Highlighters that are a deep bronze, copper or gold can be incredibly flattering and give you a goddess like glow. If you have drier skin, cream highlighters may be best, and if you have more oily skin, opt for a powder formula.
Lips
Nailing your lip makeup can be the key to creating a head turning look. They can be the difference between full glam, edgy editorial or a subtle girl next door look. For brown skinned beauties, there are many options when it comes to lip products. Selecting a suitable colour is an important first step. Similarly to blush, berry tones are very flattering and best pulled off by darker skin tones. Moreover, rich reds with both warm or cool undertones can make the perfect statement. If you are wanting to find the perfect nude to compliment your shade, swatch a few and determine what suits you best. You want to find a shade that is warm, and has enough depth to be on balance with the depth of your skin tone. Pinks with brown undertones, praline and caramel shades, and deep browns are all options that can flatter women with dark skin tones. Remember, finding a lip tone that complements your skin best can be a matter of experimenting with a variety of colours and products, so don’t be afraid to go through a process of trial and error to find the perfect shade for you. If you are wanting a more subtle look, try going for a gloss. Glossy browns, mauves, pinks, and clear glosses with shimmer can give you a confidence boost and add a flirty vibe to your makeup look.
When it comes to makeup for darker skin, it's important to consider your skin tone, undertones, and the occasion. Experiment with different shades, finishes, and techniques to find the ones that work best for you. Remember that makeup is all about having fun and expressing yourself, and it's important to embrace your natural beauty. With the right makeup products and techniques, you can enhance your features and create a look that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Whether you're going for a natural or bold look, there are endless possibilities when it comes to makeup for darker skin tones.
