Fun fact: The world isn't comprised of only light-to-medium skin tones. Also, nude is way more then just a one-color-fits-all, blush, or tan tone. And though makeup brands are starting to expand their shades to suit a wider range of ethnicities, it doesn't mean they were made with all the hues and pigments needed to match the richness of deep skin tones. The carelessness and disregard for dark skin tones when formulating makeup products inherently leads to a chalky, ashy-looking mess for consumers. It's 2020—shopping for beauty products shouldn't be a dreadful process for anyone. It's about time we normalize leaving the beauty counter satisfied with makeup purchases, no matter our skin tone.
So to cut through the noise, we're here to highlight brands that are housing the best of the best beauty products made with dark skin tones in mind. From the perfect red lipstick to a wide range of foundation shades, these brown-girl friendly products need to be acknowledged. The best part about it? They're here to stay. Ahead, 14 makeup staples to add to your arsenal.
The Lip Bar Matte Liquid Lipstick
The Lip Bar
Since the brand's inception in 2012, The Lip Bar has sworn to serve the underserved beauty community. Unlike most red lipsticks, which can look milky against dark skin, this true-red hue is hyper-pigmented to pop against the deepest of skin tones.
Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick
Black Radiance
Black Radiance comes in a wide range of sheer to full coverage and an array of foundation shades. Its products are specifically formulated to enhance deep skin tones.
Iman Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder
Iman Cosmetics
Supermodel Iman founded her beauty line to fill a gap for women of color in the beauty industry. Finding a bronzing powder that doesn't show up chalky on deep complexions can be a bit of challenge. Fortunately, this sheer finishing powder adds a prominent glow for medium to deep tones.
Mented Cosmetics Gloss For Grown Ups Collection
Mented Cosmetics
What started as a conversation about finding the perfect nude lipstick to complement dark skin tones flourished into a full-on cosmetics company known as Mented Cosmetics. The products provided by this black-owned brand range from inclusive lip products to the perfectly pigmented blushes. For gorgeous nudes and deep brown lip glosses, try the Gloss for Grown Ups Collection.
FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Fenty Beauty
Founded in 2017, Fenty Beauty is known for shaking up the beauty industry and catering to all skin tones with a 40-shade foundation range. The widely celebrated Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation provides full coverage and seamlessly smoothes the appearance of pores.
Black Opal Soft Velvet Finishing Powder
Black Opal
Since its launch back in 1994, Black Opal has been a drugstore staple that suits an array of deep skin tones. For a lightweight finishing powder that won't leave behind a ghostly residue, reach for this gem.
UOMA Beauty Magic Carnival Face & Body Bronzing Highlighter
UOMA Beauty
UOMA Beauty is the first Afropolitan cosmetics company, and with every product launch the brand continues to hold inclusivity at the forefront. The gold flecks in this chocolate brown bronzer gives the skin a lit-from-within vibe, rather than an after-party-at-the-disco effect—pick your poison.
MAC Cosmentics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
MAC Cosmetics
MAC Cosmetics is known and loved for its brown-girl friendly shades and bold pigments. Just about every product on the company's shelf caters to deep skin tones. Looking for a full coverage powder foundation? Try one of the brand's most remarkable products, Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation
Make Up For Ever
With a 50-foundation shade offering that come with a silky smooth texture and a 24-hour wear, Make Up Forever's Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation is guaranteed to pass the test for every skin tone.
PAT McGRATH LABS Sublime Perfection Setting Powder
Pat McGrath Labs
It's safe to say that Pat McGrath is in a league of her own when it comes to her luxurious line. If you're on the market for a highly pigmented lipstick or second skin-like foundations and concealers, the Mother of Makeup has it all. Finish off your flawless beat with the silky smooth Sublime Perfection Setting Powder.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
NARS
NARS nails it in both the shade range and formulation category—and have for decades. The brand offers both soft matte and satin finishes in an extensive color range for every complexion. This lightweight concealer glides on smoothly and never, ever creases.
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
Bobbi Brown
The beauty in this product is that it caters to the skin's undertones. Scribble this lightweight foundation (yes, it really is lightweight, despite its stick form) over your skin, then blend it out with a damp sponge for a sheer, natural-looking finish.
COVER FX Custom Cover Drops
Cover FX
In need of a complexion customizing product? Check this out: One drop of this ultra-concentrated pigment (and we mean ultra-concentrated) can turn any cream concealer, foundation, tinted moisturizer, or highlighter into a custom shade that completely matches your skin tone.
COVERGIRL Queen Collection CC Cream
CoverGirl
CoverGirl is another drugstore hero that never misses the mark when it comes to dark skin tones. This lightweight CC cream covers like a foundation, but feels like a tinted moisturizer, and it won't settle into fine lines by the end of the day.
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