Choosing the right makeup is often confusing when it comes to eye color and hair color, but what about our skin tone? No skin tone is created equally and at times we tend to forget that. Thankfully, manufacturers have improved dramatically over the years, when it comes to makeup and specific needs for darker skin tones. Still, a question that is often asked by African American women of today is, “How do I choose the right makeup for my skin tone?”

Foundation

The first thing you want to look for in a good foundation is one that will work with your skin type. If you have dry skin, look for a foundation with added moisturizer. If you skin tends to have breakouts, look for a foundation that is oil-free. Once you’ve found a foundation that will work for your skin, look for a foundation that matches as close as possible to your skin tone color.

If your skin tone is dark in some areas and lighter in others, you can try using a lighter shade of foundation on the forehead and nose and a darker shade of color for the rest of the face. Keep in mind that darker skin tends to highlight makeup layers, so it’s always best to blend makeup carefully.

Eye Shadow

When choosing an eye shadow make sure the makeup is hypoallergenic since darker skin can be very sensitive. When choosing an eye shadow color, look for earth tone or jewel colors and avoid anything that is white or very light in color.

If you prefer a natural look: Brown, warm gold, soft orange, rust, honey, caramel, cinnamon and terracotta eye shadows are all wonderful choices.

For a night out on the town: Deep purple, blue and green eye shadows look fabulous on dark skin. For a little pizzazz, try dark metallic colors or shimmery eye shadows.

Blush

Blush in shades of pink, mauve, wine and plum are always lovely on dark skin. Coral, rose and deep orange or bronze also looks wonderful as a blush color on dark skin. Avoid shades of brown and peach for a blush color. If you want an all over glow, try using a bronzer instead of blush over the cheekbones and temples.

Lipstick

Caramel, toffee, peach, terracotta, berry, pinkish-brown, and purple are all beautiful choices in lipstick colors. Don’t forget that lip-gloss can look exceptional on dark skin as well. Look for a lip-gloss with just a hint of pink or neutral shade for a natural look.

Sunscreen

While sunscreen isn’t really a makeup, it can be found in many makeup products. Even though darker skin does provide a little protection against the harmful rays of the sun, it doesn’t prevent you from getting skin cancer. While it’s true that skin cancer is less common in African American people, it can be more deadly.

Please remember to begin each day with a sunscreen or moisturizer of at least an SPF 15. If you wear foundation everyday, look for one that contains sunscreen. Protect yourself and your beautiful skin.

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