My Perfect Shade: Ethnic Skin Makeup

Published Jul 08, 2011

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Counter Confidential

"Finding Your True Match" by Undercover Beauty Agent

Being a person of color, I understand that finding a foundation or concealer for darker complexions can be a tricky task. There are different undertones in the skin that can make a foundation look ashy or dull. And in some cases, brands just don't make your shade. I think I watched about fifty videos about Laura Mercier’s Silk Crème foundation before I decided that I had to have it. It didn’t occur to me that the girls in tutorials were much paler than me until I went shopping. I spent a good twenty minutes at the counter looking for a darker shade in the foundation until I realized there wasn’t one. Laura Mercier didn't make it!

This sort of thing happens daily at my counter. There are so many women out there that want to try specific brands, but can’t find their shade in that brand's range of makeup. Recently, a lady with deep, chocolate skin asked me to color-match her using a really popular brand's foundation. I could tell that the makeup would be too light, but she insisted anyway. I was beyond embarrassed when she yelled at me for turning into "Casper the Friendly Ghost.” She stormed off before I could recommend a foundation more suited for her darker skin.

Beauties, don’t be afraid to trust your artist if he or she suggests something new—there are some great brands out there for darker skin tones. Here's are my picks for flawless face makeup that works on darker complexions:

1 Cargo One Base

This concealer plus foundation all-in-one comes in a nice range of colors. I also love how it has an applicator wand for precision. The formula blends nicely into the skin, especially under the eyes, and automatically brightens and conceals problem areas.

Also Try: Eve Pearl Dual Salmon Concealer & Treatment

2 Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation

This liquid foundation delivers medium to full coverage and is perfect for any type of event because it's long-wearing and the formula blends so well into the skin that it's almost invisible. The color selection is awesome—there are so many shades to choose from!

Also Try: L'oreal True Match Foundation

3 Sue Devitt Triple C-Weed Pressed Powder

Not only is this powder infused with vitamin C, green tea, and other healthy skin goodies, the finished look is smooth and flawless. The powder looks great alone or over foundation because it has a buildable coverage.

Also Try: Covergirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Pressed Powder

Image courtesy of weheartit

Undercover Beauty Agent is just an average makeup artist at your local beauty counter who's reporting true stories exclusively for Beautylish: "I love what I do because I get to make people feel beautiful on a daily basis. Working with so many different people in New York City has definitely been interesting. I've learned a lot and not all of it is very pretty. I'm a beauty advisor by day and a secret beauty agent by night, totally ready to share all my insider secrets and gossip."

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Comments

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Aug 31, 2011

Nadia B.

I used to work at the Smashbox counter so trust me, I understand what it is like to not be able to match a client. At the time, there was not a shade that matched my golden undertone. However there are brands that are really stepping up to the plate. Bobbi Brown, the Cover Girl Queen Collection and even Revlon. It is just trial and error. One thing a lot of ethnic women have to do is mix two foundation shades together. We shouldn't have to do that, but unfortunately that is just the way it is. There is something to keep in mind. A lot of ethnic women have two different shades on their face. For instance, they may be darker on the forehead and chin and then lighter on their cheeks and jawline. If you match it to the darkest shade it can come out looking muddy on the cheeks. A solution to this would be to simply not apply foundation on the darkest part and find a shade that meets in the middle to add warmth.

Jul 11, 2011

Taylor H.

I didn't read the article (hehe) but the one thing I looked at for like 5 minutes was how AMAZING the girls in the pictures looked! From their color-blocked outfits, to the bold lips, I wish I looked like that! <3 xoxo

Jul 09, 2011

Sophia H.

I think Tamara R. makes a great suggestion. Articles like this can (and should) include pics of women from different/varied ethnic groups. It's important to see women whose shades run the gamut. It's not enough to say that there aren't any dark-skinned models. There are plenty (I know a few), but they may not be famous for a myriad of reasons that aren't appropriate to discuss in this forum. Also, the credit for this article states that the pic is from weheartit, which I know has tons of pictures of darker-skinned women.

Jul 09, 2011

Miss N.

none of the models are "darker-skinned" though. If anything their all light-medium skinned.

Elite

Jul 09, 2011

Wafi A.

I think, in general, it's super hard just finding deep skinned models who are mainstream. There are a few who are really dark (Grace Jones), but look at people in popular mainstream media like Chanel Iman, or even Beyonce. Truth be told, they're both relatively light, but still women of color.

And even with darker, deeper complexions there's a lot of photoshop, lighting, and editing to make girls appear lighter than they really are. Perfect example, Gabourey Sidibe. Her cover shoot for Elle Magazine was completely altered to make her appear lighter.

Just pointing this out, it's actually just as hard to find foundations for people who are in between shades, including Hispanic, East Asian, and Indian. I think these suggestions apply to them as well because they are of a darker complexion, too. Being "ethnic" or a "dark" skin tone does not mean you have to have a deep color either.

Jul 09, 2011

Miss N.

Well said!

Elite

Jul 09, 2011

Amanda K.

i love that purple lipstick!!

Elite

Jul 09, 2011

Tamara R.

Great recommendations. :] I think there are a number of ladies on Beautylish who would find the actual article relevant, despite the photo being a bit misleading.

Just a bit of constructive criticsm; when you're posting about dark skin, consider making sure that at least one of the faces in any photos is actually dark (relative to the group in question).

I've seen similar topics get derailed entirely, as some would take offense.

Jul 09, 2011

Miss N.

I agree with what you said Domi J. NONE of those models are of a dark/ deep skintone at all. The media has everything so confused...just because you have curly hair that doesn't make you "dark skinned" This article needs to be re-done.

Jul 08, 2011

Domi J.

i love this besides that there are not deeper complexion models on the picture! this is normal in the media though.. shame but thats why i think its hard to find colors for us darker skin complexions

Elite

Jul 09, 2011