Make-Up For Dark Complexions

Hello Lovelies,

Just as people with lighter skin often have trouble finding a foundation that isn't too dark, the same goes for people with darker skin tones, who find it hard finding a foundation and concealer that isn't too light. So after I received a request from my gorgeous "sister from another Mr" Jade on how to find the perfect makeup products for darker skin, and I knew that she definitely wouldn't be the only woman out there having this issue

Coming from an angle where I know how frustrating it is for myself, trying to find foundation shades that match my incredibly pale skin perfectly when I'm not fake tanned is an absolute nightmare and almost impossible, so I can imagine it's just as frustrating being on the other end of the spectrum, where brands don't make shades dark enough for people's skin tones or if brands do, often shops don't stock them, which is why I have searched long and wide to bring you some suggestions on both high end and drugstore makeup to cater for all your makeup needs

L-R: CoverGirl Queen Collection All Day Flawless Foundation / NARS Sheer Glow / Revlon ColorStay Makeup / Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation / Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation / Iman Stick Foundation / L'Oréal True Match Liquid Foundation / M·A·C Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid / bareMinerals Matte Foundation

First up is of course, Foundation. Now the best way to test out foundation is to try some out on your jaw line and see which one perfectly disappears into your skin and that's she shade you want. The only problem is that it can sometimes feel a bit odd doing that in the middle of a store, plus you may not want to try out products that countless other people have been touching. The best thing to do for drugstore makeup is to buy the shade that you think best matches your skin tone and just hope for the best, if it doesn't match at least you're only wasting $20-$30. Or better yet, if you can afford it, buy two different shades, then if you come into trouble and the original shade doesn't match, you can always mix a little bit of the second shade in to even it out. The plus side to buying high end, is that you can be specifically matched to your skin tone in the brands products, which - if they're good at their job - means you'll find the perfect shade for your skin and not have to worry about it being too light or too dark.

A no fail product for face powder is translucent powder, as the name states, there's no colour to it, which means you don't have to worry about it distorting/disturbing your foundation shade. Or if you wanted slightly more coverage, you could go with a pressed or loose powder in the same shade as your foundation. If you needed your make-up slightly darker you could powder with the next shade darker, or if you needed it a little lighter go for the shade before your foundation.

L-R: MAC Blush Powder in Raizin / Sleek Face Contour Kit in Dark / e.l.f. Mineral Blush in Coral / NARS Blush in Orgasm / Maybelline Dream Sun Glow / NARS Bronzer in Laguna / Maybelline New York Dream Touch Blush in 02
Next up is blush and bronzer. I think, when it comes to blush and bronzer it's all about your personal choice. I know there are all the different rules and application and colours, but I think if you think you look gorgeous, then who cares what other people think or say. An often no fail combination for blush and bronzer, is go for a bronzer which is 1-2 shades darker than your skin tone and a peachy blush - Nars "Laguna" Bronzer and "Orgasm" blush, look gorgeous together. Similar with the golden eyeshadow below, a bronzer with a slight shimmer to it will look most flattering on the face and bring some warmth and glow to it - just dust it across the areas the sun would naturally hit: top of the cheeks, down the center of the nose, front of the chin and across the forehead. Always apply sparingly and build up the colour, as it will then be easier to blend

L-R: Rimmel Glam Eyes Eyeshadow Quad in State of Grace / Rimmel Traffic Stopping Eyeshadow in #1 / Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadow in Seductive / Bourjois Contour Clubbing Waterproof Eye Pencil in 45 Blue Remix / Maybelline Color Sensational Bold Matte in Matte 1, Peach/Pink / Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm in Whimsical / Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Solstice / Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede in Backstage

The incredibly lucky thing, when it comes to having a darker skin tone is that you're able to pull off so many different colours when it comes to eyeshadow. Any gold tone eyeshadows will bring a gorgeous warmth and glow to the skin, but then you are also able to go with a gorgeous pop of colour, such an purples, blues and green. So definitely don't be shy to give some colour a go, you can always started with a subtle coloured eyeliner and wear it around the house, until you're comfortable enough to wear it out in public. Same goes for lip products. A nude colour on the lips can look gorgeous, as well as a statement red, pink or even purple lip. I'd recommend not pairing the statement colours together, so keep the eyes soft if you're going for a bold lip and vice versa... or if you're confident and comfortable enough to rock both, then I say go for it !


Below I've listed some cosmetic companies, who either specialise in darker make-up or carry darker shades through out their ranges*:

► Covergirl - Queen Collection

► Revlon
► Iman Cosmetics - Designed for women of colour
► Maybelline "Fit Me" Range
►MAC Cosmetics
► Bobbi Brown
► NARS
► Bare Minerals

* The frustrating thing when it comes to drugstore - Priceline, chemists, Target, etc - make-up and their colour ranges, is they won't always stock the entire colour range, as it costs them more money and they may not have people of all colours shopping at their store, so to get around this I'd recommend purchasing online, often it works out cheaper - so if it doesn't match you're not wasting a tonne of money - plus, you are then able to find the shade you are after, instead of going from store to store and not finding what you're after.

I've also put the links to some gorgeous women below - who I watch on YouTube - that have various shades of darker complexions. Definitely go check them out, they're incredible ! :)

► BeautyByJJ
► BeautyCrush
► LizLizLive
► Makeup Game On Point
► TymeTheInfamous

I hope you all enjoyed this post, I know it won't be for everyone, but you might know a friend/colleague/sister in law, etc who is having the same issues and problems when it comes to finding the right make-up. I'd also like to give a MASSIVE thank-you to Jade for letting me use her gorgeous face for the picture.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend and I will see you all next week for a Haul/Review on a recent cheeky online purchase I made

Veroniieecar :) xx