Dear Budget Fashionista,
I am African-American and I have very dark skinned with purple undertones and I have the hardest time finding foundation and concealers for my skin tone on a budget. Can you recommend a good, budget friendly, make-up company for me?
Best Foundation for Black Women on a Budget
Until recently, women of color didn’t have a lot of options when it came to foundation. Many companies offered products that were either too pink or orange. Plus, they didn’t offer a wide enough variety of shades to encompass the broad range of skin tones found among African Americans and other women of color. Today, many of the most popular cosmetics companies have expanded their lines to include shades that are flattering on all women of color.
For those on a budget, try Black Opal, Cover Girl’s Queen Collection, and/or Lo’real’s High Pigmentation collection, which makes foundations with stronger pigmentation that work well for darker skin tones. Brands like Black Radiance, Revlon and Milani are also good options, but tend to have less of a range of colors as the ones mentioned above.
In terms of type of foundation for darker skin tones, look for concealers, foundations, and powders that are yellow-based, which will help neutralize bluish or purple undertones. If you need a color-correcting concealer, Physician’s Formula has a yellow-toned corrector that works wonders on under eye circles. For foundations and powders, Bobbi Brown offers a wide range of yellow-based products that cover naturally and beautifully. You might also want to check out Real Cosmetics a makeup line developed specifically for women of color.
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Other brands that carry foundations for darker skin tones are: Make-Up Forever Laura Mercier Vincent Longo Cover FX Clinique Clarins
All can be found at Sephora. The on in South Beach Miami has a woman of color who can match anyone. I have acne scars and she found a combination of foundation, concealer and powder that make me look like model.
I swear by Bobbi Brown’s foundation stick (Almond #7). I was introduced to it by a makeup artist in a Nordstrom store seven years ago and I wear nothing else. Moreover, I get lots of compliments re: how nice/clear my skin is when I know better! It is definitely the BB product….not inexpensive but worth every penny.
Wow this is great advice. Before I went to nursing schl a few years ago, I was a volunteer for Dress for Success. We always had trouble finding makeup shades for our clients if they were women of color. I’ll pass this on to the DFS staffers I still know over there. Margaret
Oh my goodness…how on EARTH could anyone have left out MAC?! This has GOT to be the most reasonably priced “high end” makeup line with quality that is unsurpassed to boot. Their color range is incredible and quality impeccable. Especially the darker colors…very natural looking foundations. They get it right.
If you are in the LA area, check out HIP at the Loreal store at the Beverly Center. All of the makeup from foundation to eye shadows are amazing on dark skin. I love it!
Beauty Advice: Foundation for African American Women on a Budget – via @twitoaster http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/arch...
Another brand that carry foundations for darker skin tones is Orissa Cosmetics; their shades are at http://www.orissacosmetics.co.uk/foundation-for-dark-skin.html
Faces Cosmetics is a great skincare and cosmetic company is a Canadian based company that offers a wide range of color that compliments the unique complexions of African Americans and most women of color. I am currently using their concealer Profix to cover any blemishes or dark spots. Not only does the concealer long lasting with great coverage, it is only 12.00!!! A little goes a long way and the end results are amazingly smooth and natural. I promise you wont regret it!!