Most women of color, not just African American women, love having flawless looking skin. Now there are more, inexpensive foundation options to achieve that perfect look.
Black women used to have very limited options for liquid, cream, and powder foundations. For many years there have been trusted cosmetic brands such as M.A.C. and Stila, but spending more than $15 is not a requirement when it comes to finding a comparable foundation. Today, local drugstores, beauty supply stores and supermarkets are carrying darker shades in favor of women with deeper complexions.
The following brands have greatly expanded their cosmetics for Black women with foundation lines to consider the African American population.
Milani and Maybelline Cosmetics for African American Women
- Milani Even Tone Powder Foundation: The golden compact includes a mirror and sponge applicator. Milani calls this a light velvet formula that’s also oil free. Two of the deepest colors are Creamy Cocoa and Warm Toffee.
- Milani Minerals Mousse Foundation: This mousse is mineral and silicone based and enriched with vitamins A and E. It is free of oil, talc, paraben, and FD&C dyes. Warm Mocha and Rich Coffee are two shades suited for brown skin tones.
- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Foundation: It includes caffeine, micro pearls, and SPF 18. This also comes in a Cream, avocado infused formula for drier skin. There are three Dark shades including Cocoa Dark 3.
- Maybelline SuperStay 24HR Makeup: The company claims that not only is it oil and fragrance free, but it will not transfer from the face for 24 hours. Cocoa 120 is the complementary shade for darker skin.
- Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Makeup: It has a whipped liquid mousse texture. The formula is oil and fragrance free as well as non-comedogenic. Caramel Dark 2 and Cocoa Dark 3 are the best options for deeply colored complexions.
African American Cosmetics from Revlon, L’Oreal Paris, and CoverGirl
- Revlon Custom Creations: This fairly new addition to Revlon is unique because one bottle offers five shades. Turn the dial to make the Deep shade lighter or darker as needed during the year.
- Revlon ColorStay Makeup with SoftFlex: There are two options; one is for combination/oily skin and the other is for normal/dry skin. The darkest “oily skin” shades are from Golden Caramel to Mocha and do not contain SPF. Toast, Caramel and Cappuccino are the deep colors for the “dry skin” formula and they contain SPF 12. This makeup is said to last 16 hours.
- Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mousse Makeup: Also lasting 16 hours, this boasts a soft matte finish. Deeper and Deepest are appropriate shades in this line.
- L’Oréal Paris True Match Super Blendable: SPF 17 is included in this oil and fragrance free foundation. Three undertones are available and they’re cool, neutral and warm. Shades labeled cool are the deepest browns in the line. The Compact form of the foundation has the color Soft Sable C6 and the Makeup formula has the colors Cocoa C8 and Nut Brown C7.
- L’Oréal Paris Infallible Advanced Never Fail Makeup: With medium coverage and a natural finish, this foundation also includes SPF 18. One of the most flattering shades is Cocoa.
- CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Liquid Makeup: Queen Latifah is the spokesperson and co-designer of this African American makeup collection from CoverGirl. It’s designed specifically for women of color which is why it features only caramel and brown shades like Soft Copper Q735 and True Ebony Q755. This also comes in a compact form which is described as oil absorbing, but according to the company’s website both formulas are for normal rather than oily or dry skin.
- CoverGirl CG Smoothers All Day Hydrating Makeup: Definitely designed for dry skin, it is equipped with what CoverGirl calls Aqua Current Science. This liquid foundation is oil and fragrance free and is also supposedly super moisturizing with a lasting power of 11 hours. One of the more complementary shades for dark complexions is Soft Sable 775.
NYX Cosmetics and Iman African American Products
- NYX Cosmetics Liquid Makeup: Professional, highly pigmented makeup comparable to M.A.C. is what this line boasts. Their Liquid Makeup does include mineral oil and fragrance; it also leaves a pearlescent finish on the skin. LM 16 Cappuccino is just one of the shades suitable for darker skin.
- NYX Cosmetics Twin Cake Powder: CP 18 Chocolate and CP 19 Almond are just two of the brown shades available. The powder can be used with a dry sponge, but when used wet, the formula becomes thick enough to act as a concealer or foundation. SPF 10 is included and NYX Cosmetics does not test on animals.
- NYX Cosmetics Loose Face Powder: There are shimmer and matte shades available for deeply colored complexions, but LFP 08 Transparent Dark is recommended for a sheer finish. The powder is oil free and designed to absorb oils and set makeup.
- Iman Second to None Cream to Powder Foundation: Clay and Earth are the two fitting shade groups in this line and each has a range of coloring from levels one to seven, with seven being the darkest. Iman’s foundation provides medium to full coverage and sets to a velvety powder finish. A few of the appropriate shades are Clay 5 and Earth 1-6; the stick formula of this foundation also goes up to color level Earth six.
Black Foundation for Light and Ebony
Black Opal and Black Radiance makeup were the scarcely stocked options for brown faces outside of the department and specialty stores. It was only a matter of time, though, until the Black population was able to demand a greater selection. Now there are more brands offering foundation in different formulas for the many shade variations of women of color. Each of these foundations is available in stores such as Target, Walgreens or Walmart for less than $15.
The copyright of the article Makeup for African American Women in Make-up Products is owned by Galaxia-Dawn Canada. Permission to republish Makeup for African American Women in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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