I'm sure you all know that beauty vloggers and bloggers are all the craze right now, and have been even before Michelle Phan, who basically revolutionized makeup tutorials. One thing that's always bothered me about the makeup and beauty community is the lack of popular African American beauty vloggers. I know how to do makeup for Caucasian people and others with lighter skin better than I do for my own skin tone -- and that's an issue. It takes me ages to find makeup that suits my skin tone for a good price, and sometimes I end up paying a lot of money just for one lipstick that's pigmented enough to not look three shades lighter than it's supposed to look on my skin. The products I'm going to mention are those that I have either personally tried and loved myself, or those that I've heard great reviews about from other vloggers or on reviews online. I hope these help you all out!
Black Opal
An amazing African American based makeup company. Their lipsticks are super creamy and pigmented, they come in a bunch of fierce shades that look great on dark skin, and they even have makeup made for hyper-pigmentation and dark spots, which are common with dark skin! Their lip glosses are the absolute best -- I own three -- and I love them all.
Black Radiance
my favorite African American makeup company. I use their foundation, mascara, eyeliner and concealer stick on a regular basis. Well, more like whenever I feel like going full out on makeup. Makeup takes effort, and I'm lazy.
Black Radiance's foundation is the best for me because its coverage is perfect, you can build on it and it feels light on my sensitive skin. The concealer is the best concealer I've ever used in my entire life, and I'm probably never going to use anything else. It covers everything in a snap, and you only need a little. Plus, it comes in a stick form, so you roll it on, smooth it out with your finger, and you're done. The mascara has a great amount of coverage that still looks natural while darkening lashes and making them look fuller, but not like you have sticky falsies on. I prefer a subtler look.
Their liquid eyeliner is the best. The best. It's the blackest and darkest liquid eyeliner I've ever used, which is perfect because I like my eyeliner to be intense. Nothing else compares, in my opinion. Plus, it's for an amazing price and can be found at most Walgreens or Walmarts, versus ordering it online at an overpriced store like MAC or NARS.
Covergirl Queen
is a neat company to look into. Black Radiance's products stole my soul before I could try any of these products, but I know that the products in this collection are all for African Americans and other people of color. I've seen some interesting items I've wanted to try out, but I've only used one product from this brand -- their foundation -- and I remember it only being OK, however, that was years ago. Covergirl Queen definitely catches my eye, and it deserves a spot on my list for sure. Covergirl is another drugstore brand, found at Walgreens, Walmart and Target
Colour Pop
The makeup of dreams. This brand isn't only for people of color, but I'm putting them on this list because of how diverse their makeup shades are and how much they work for really anybody of any shade; they have daring pigments, too.
Their eyeshadows feel like powder and butter at the same time, I don't know how they do it. Their retractable pencil eyeliners and lipliners are creamy and feel weightless on the eyelid, waterline or lips. Their lippies -- which can be matte or satin finish-- come in almost any shade you can think of, and are pigmented enough for anybody to wear.
On most of their icon pictures for the product, there's almost always a picture where they will swatch the product om three different people's arms -- one Caucasian, one light-skinned person and one dark-skinned person, so it's no surprise what the product will look like on you! I really appreciate that about their company.
I respect Colour Pop like no other makeup brand, honestly. I own over several of their products, and I love everything I've ever gotten from them, especially their eyeshadows and highlights. This brand is pretty new on the makeup scene, extremely affordable, and still amazing quality. Right now, the main headquarters where they make all the magic happen is in LA, but everything can be ordered online, and they'll write you a cute little post card when you order something; isn't that neat?
Milani
Another brand that knows makeup like the back of their hand. They aren't specifically for African American people, but they have foundations in many shades, and one of them is bound to fit you -- light or dark-skinned. I own a few lipsticks from Milani, and all of them are really creamy and pigmented, and usually last maybe half the day, which is fine. I've always found lipsticks that last all day to be odd; imagine all the chemicals!
My blush is also by Milani, and it's my signature blush, I never use anything else. It's perfect for the look I usually go for, but there are plenty of other shades, as well. Milani makeup is available at most Walmart and Target stores.
On top of these brands that I'm sure you all will love, some African American beauty vloggers that I really enjoy watching or hearing from on their social media accounts are Cydnee Black, Destiny Godley, Patricia Bright, Jackie Aina, Angel Zuri and Drew Disaster!
I hope this was helpful for you all! Black is beautiful!
