How to Choose the Best Makeup for Black Skin Tones

Because so many makeup companies cater to white women, it can be difficult to find colors and products that work well with your black skin tone. However, choosing the best makeup if you’re black is not as difficult as you may think. Make sure you pick products that work for your individual look.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Foundation
• Eyeliner
• Mascara
• Eyebrow pencil
• Lipstick or gloss
• Blush
• Concealer
• Powder
• Eye shadow

Choosing Makeup for Black Skin

1. Choose a foundation, concealer and powder that work for you. If you're black, you may need a slightly darker shade for the summertime than for the winter. Avoid getting a color that is too light.

2. Look for bold pink and red blushes that match nicely with the naturally flushed color of your dark skin.

3. Play up your heritage with your eyes. Use brown or black eyeliners for definition and mascaras and eye shadows that will complement your brown eyes. Plums, browns and burgundies work best for you. Avoid light shadow colors.

4. Choose plums, mauves and browns for lip colors. Avoid pinks, light colors and oranges, as they will not complement your skin tone in most cases.

5. Stay away from lip pencils in most cases, as you'll tend to have fuller lips already.

6. Define and darken your eyebrows with a brown pencil matching your natural hair color.

7. Test all products at a makeup counter before purchase.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of resisting your heritage, use it to your advantage. Colors that complement your skin tones are always more effective than simply going for whatever is currently in fashion.
• Test all new products on a patch of your skin before using on your face to make sure they do not cause an allergic reaction.