It shouldn't be hard to find makeup for any skin tone, but unfortunately, it often can be. Whether the undertones are slightly off, the pigment isn't saturated enough, or there just simply isn't an inclusive range of shades available to begin with, not all cosmetics products are conducive to Brown or Black skin. Still, that's not to say there aren't some amazing brands out there like Danessa Myricks Beauty, Fenty, and NARS (to name just a few) that are doing it right. So, the question becomes: how do you know which ones are worth buying?
That's where the professionals come in. Nobody knows their way around the aisles of Sephora or a makeup bag quite like a makeup artist [1]. That's why we asked a handful of them to share their favourite makeup products that flatter deep complexions. From the best foundations that come in 30-plus shade ranges to rich eyeshadow palettes [2] with impressive colour payoff and the best lipsticks [3] that should be in every makeup kit, the market is filled with products that will make you look and feel your best.
Ahead, check out the best makeup for dark skin, according to the pros, and get ready to shop. Your makeup bag is about to be overflowing.
Best Makeup Primer For Dark Skin:
Danessa Myricks Beauty Prism FX Hydrating Lotion in "Golden FX" [4] (£26)
"I love the Danessa Myricks Beauty Prism FX Hydrating Lotion in Golden FX for its ability to add the perfect radiance and bounce to all melanated skin tones." — Deja Smith [5], celebrity makeup artist
Best Full-Coverage Foundation For Dark Skin:
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation [6] (£32)
"When it comes to working on darker skin, I'm always mindful to have complexion products that are inclusive of all undertones. The last thing we want is to have a client looking grey or dusty because the foundation is off. One of my favourites is the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation They nail it with shade range and they offer an array of undertones for deeper skin." — Jonet Williamson [7], makeup artist
Best Blush For Dark Skin:
NARS Liquid Blush in Dolce Vita [8] (£29)
"I love my NARS Liquid Blush in Dolce Vita; I use it on Marsai Martin [9] all the time. That is the best blush, especially for darker tones. It gives such a beautiful, fresh, flushed look to the skin — it took me a while to find that colour." — Shannon Pezzetta [10], celebrity makeup artist
Best Contour Stick For Dark Skin:
Uoma Beauty Double Take Contour Sticks [11] (£35)
"Darker skin tones generally fall on the cooler side of the spectrum with more red or even blue undertones. Therefore, I personally love using highly pigmented warmer foundations to balance out deeper skin tones, giving them the radiance needed for that healthy glow. Right now, I'm crushing on Uoma Beauty's Double Take Contour Sticks. They are perfectly pigmented to complement deep skin tones leaving the skin velvety smooth." — Yolonda Frederick [12], celebrity makeup artist
Best Lipstick For Dark Skin:
MAC Lipstick Matte Finish in Ruby Woo [13] (£22)
"The MAC Lipstick Matte Finish in Ruby Woo is the best true red on deep complexions." — Brittany Whitfield [14], makeup artist
Best Eyeshadow Palette For Dark Skin:
Urban Decay Naked Wild West Eyeshadow Palette [15] (£49)
"[Eyeshadow is] an artist's playground, Urban Decay knows how to deliver amazing colour payoff in rich textures that work beautifully on deeper skin." — Jonet Williamson [16], makeup artist
Best Tinted Moisturiser For Dark Skin:
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation [17] (£51)
"I've been loving the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation since the brand expanded the shades. The Skin Tint is now carried in 30 shades and is a fusion of coverage, SPF, and skin care. It adjusts to the skin tone and can be used for light to medium buildable coverage." — Jaleesa Jaikaran [18], makeup artist
Best Multipurpose Makeup For Dark Skin:
Danessa Myricks Colorfix Foils [19] (£18)
"Danessa Myricks as an overall brand [is my favourite] because it has great pigments and a range of shades that allow you to create beautiful dewy and colourful looks on darker skin tones. This multipurpose product is a great representation of that." — Amber Amos [20], makeup artist
Best Foundation Stick For Dark Skin:
Blk/Opl True Colour Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15 [21] (£16)
This affordable pigment stick is long-wearing, full-coverage, and also contains sun protection in the form of SPF 15. It's made with shade ID technology that adjusts to your skin tone and comes in a wide range of shades for dark skin.
Best Concealer For Dark Skin:
Keys Soulcare It's Like Skin 2-in-1 Concealer Skin Tint [22] (£28)
If you're looking for a concealer for dark skin with a wide shade range, look no further than the Keys Soulcare It's Like Skin 2-in-1 Concealer Skin Tint. The brand now carries 40 different shades, and the formula doesn't crease or sink into pores. Read a full review [23] of it here.