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| Photo courtesy of flickr user Philippe Put |
If you’re a dark-skinned woman, do you spend countless hours
scouring the makeup aisles in a vain attempt to find makeup that matches your
skin? Are you sick of dull makeup colors that barely show up, or worse, leave
your skin looking chalky? We understand your pain, and we have answers! Keep
reading to find out how to avoid these annoyances and apply flawless makeup to
your beautiful dark skin.
Face
Primer
First, cleanse and tone your skin. Then, if you have oily skin,
apply a matte primer. If your skin tends to be drier, look for an allover
moisturizing primer that will give you a good base to apply your make up
seamlessly.
Foundation, Blush and
Bronzer
Choosing the right shade of foundation can make or break your
look. Picking a foundation that is too light is the main cause of the “chalky”
look that so many dark-skinned women experience. We know finding the perfect
shade is difficult, and sometimes it seems impossible, but trust us – going too
dark is better than going too light (and don’t forget you can always mix the
two). Keep in mind that yellow-based foundations mix best with dark skin tones.
Remember: The goal is for foundation to basically disappear after application,
so always test shades in natural light before you buy them. That way, they will
match as closely as possible. After applying your foundation with a yellow
base, you should move to a blush and bronzer that will accentuate your natural
color. Brown or copper bronzer is best for naturally dark skin.
Lips
For the lips, think natural.
Browns, golds, neutrals and earth tones look best for daytime wear, while pinks
and dark burgundy shades add glam for your nighttime look. If you want to catch
some eyes but not grab too much attention, opt for a dab of lip gloss. This is
great for a casual evening or some daytime fun! Although often misunderstood, using
a dark liner is actually NOT the best way to accentuate your lips. You should
highlight this area by adding a little pop with a liner that’s close to the
same color as your gloss or lipstick.
Eyes
The eyes are often the most overlooked part of the makeup
routine.
Eye Shadow
Although it’s the easiest to skip, a great eye shadow can
complete your look if done properly. Shimmery, metallic eye shadows are best
for dark skin. For a more dramatic look, try two complementary colors like gold
and purple. Keep in mind that the darker your skin, the brighter the colors you
can pull off. Contrast is everything when it comes to the eyes!
Eyeliner
For your liner, stick with a basic brown or black with black
mascara. If you’re going for that bold look, try some false eyelashes and go
crazy with colorful shadows!
To recap: Err on the dark side for your foundation, go
natural on the lips and bright for the eyes. Have fun with your makeup and
embrace your beautiful skin!
