Being a black woman, it is hard for me to find the right product that works well with my skin tone. Whether it's a drugstore or Sephora, I am troubled by the low amount of shades for deeper skin tones. While there are some brands that do have darker skin tones, they don't go any deeper in having shades for different undertones.
There may be many shades of tan and caramel-tone but not enough of shades that are similar to Gabourey Sidibe's or Lupita Nyong'o's skin tone. Makeup brands are finally catering to people of color since Rihanna, Iman, and others decided that one can not wait around for the mainstream brands to do it for them, so they did it themselves
Here are some makeup brands that are worth every penny:
Eyeshadow: Urban Decay
$54
Out of all makeup products you would expect to be the most expensive, eyeshadow might not have been at the top of the list. Urban Decay’s Naked pallets are pricey but they work wonders with their high-pigmented colors against deep skin tones that stay on for long hours. There are endless eyeshadow styles to work with on each palette.
Concealer: NARS
$30
Nars will always be a cult favorite for people of color. If not the foundation, then it will be their concealer that has no competition. With 22 shades, Nars gives people options to contour or correct small imperfections with their Radiant Creamy Concealer. It has a buildable coverage that easily blends into your skin. The price of $30 may seem steep for concealer but it is worth it since it gets the job done.
Foundation: Fenty
$34
This list wouldn't be complete without adding the most talked about makeup brand of the year: Fenty. Rihanna blessed not only people of color but the whole spectrum of beautiful shades with her makeup brand. Fenty's foundation has 40 shades to match undertones and leave a matte finish. The foundation may not be ideal for those with naturally dry skin, so I suggest you have a moisturizing primer before applying. I must warn you that Sephora sells out quickly (especially the darker shades), so I advise you to buy Fenty on the actual website.
Customizer: Cover FX
$42-44
We have all had that problem when a foundation is either too light or too dark or makes our skin appear dull. Cover FX fixes the problem with their cover and enhancer drops. This product was not made to be worn alone. Mix in the product with your foundation or tinted moisturizer and it will give you your desired shade. There are many possibilities to choose from with either a dewy finish or mattifying finish depends on what you blend in with the drops. With the enhancing drops, they will bless you with a glowing sun-kissed skin. This product is perfect for fixing dull skin in this winter weather.
Setting Powder: Laura Mercier
$38
Laura Mercier has developed a setting powder that is worth every penny. Having setting powder is a must especially when you have full makeup on. There are two shades of setting powder that are both translucent. Long ago, there was only one shade that was great for ‘baking’ when contouring but now she blessed us with a deep shade of setting powder that blends perfectly with darker skin tones. It is perfect for use with or without makeup that blurs your pores and any other imperfections.
Lipstick: Kat Von D
$20
For people with darker skin tones, it can be hard to find a lipstick that pops, but Kat Von D made it easy for you. She created a line of 43 vibrant shades. From a simple light nude color to a vibrant purple, you can find any shade for any occasion with Kat Von D. This liquid lipstick lasts through eating and drinking with its 24-hour long-lasting color.
