The biggest dilemma that dark skin faces are finding its perfect foundation shade without mixing two shades to get it.
Nowadays, there are many more options because black women have been stepping up to fill the void themselves, and other companies have been following suit once they’ve seen how successful other brands have been.
Let it be a lesson that you’re bound to have a lot more success when you’re inclusive to a wide range of skin tones. Here are a few brands where you can find a foundation for dark skin.
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1) Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
First and foremost, the first brand to offer a wide range of options right off the bat was Fenty Beauty. Others offered shades for darker skin before them, but no other single brand offered forty shades upon launching.
Fenty Pro Filt’r foundation melts into your skin and looks like nothing’s there. Fenty Beauty now carries 50 shades which means that you are bound to find a shade that matches your unique skin tone.
2) Beauty Bakerie InstaBake Aqua Glass Foundation
Beauty Bakerie is a black-owned company with the sweetest products. This foundation comes in 30 shades and applies smoothly like a layer of frosting.
Their website offers the tastiest products but this foundation can only be found in Ulta Beauty.
3) Black Opal True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation
This hypoallergenic foundation is affordable and black-owned! This is BLK/OPL’s best seller. It comes in 19 dark skin shades, from Cool Nude to Ebony Brown.
It works for all skin types so there is no need to worry about it not being right for your face. The low price point also makes this an attractive option for makeup enthusiasts on a budget.
4) Skin by Mented Stick Foundation
Mented is a Black-owned business so rest assured that you can find the shade for your skin. This foundation only comes in 16 shades but there ranges from tan to dark skin tones.
This is specifically a foundation for women of color. They also offer a quiz to help you find your perfect shade.
5) Black Up Matifying Fluid Foundation
This foundation also caters specifically to women of color and only offers 20 shades. The shades are also pictures from the darkest to the lightest which is something we don’t see often. They also offer a quiz to help you find your perfect shade match.
6) Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation
Pat McGrath is a black woman who has been in the beauty and fashion industry for decades, so if there’s anyone who knows makeup, it’s her.
Her foundation is long-lasting and comes in 34 shades. It is one of the priciest options on this list but Pat McGrath is a makeup expert so you can expect that her products will always be top quality.
7) Juvia’s Place I Am Magic Foundation
This foundation is affordable and comes from a black-owned business! It comes in 38 shades and has an impressive range for darker skin tones.
For this foundation, it is also a good idea to know what your undertone is before you buy, but there is a tool that you can use to find your shade, and it’s very simple to find your undertone. This foundation is only available online and at Ulta Beauty.
8) Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
This award-winning foundation stick comes in 42 shades. It’s meant to even out and correct your complexion in one step and it’s formulated to leave your skin hydrated and beautiful.
Bobbi Brown is a makeup artist that has been in the industry for years and knows what she’s doing! To find your perfect shade, you can head to the Bobbi Brown counter at your local Nordstrom store or order one from Amazon HERE.
9) Too Faced Born This Way Foundation
The Born This Way foundation comes in 35 shades is a favorite of celebrity makeup stylists whose clients include Regina King!
This foundation is infused with Alpine Rose which gives the skin a radiant natural look. It’s also hydrating, long-wearing, and cruelty-free. There is a beautiful range of shades for darker skin tones.
10) Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup
Urban Decay only offers 26 shades in this foundation but it’s one of their best sellers and they have an excellent range for dark skin tones.
If you like being on camera often, this is a great foundation to possess as it looks almost airbrushed. It feels so natural that you will forget you’re wearing makeup!
11) L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation
This is another excellent option if you’re looking for a quality foundation at a lower price point. This foundation comes in 45 shades and is found in most drugstores, Walmart, and Amazon.
The formula is super moisturizing and is even infused with 80% moisturizing cream and Vitamin E. It’s also suitable for sensitive skin and won’t clog your pores. There is an abundant range of options for dark skin tones.
12) NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
This NARS foundation offers a wide range of shade colors with a total of 34 shades. It’s best for dry, combination, and normal skin.
NARS provides a decent range of options for darker skin which is lovely. They also provide a tool to help you find your shade if you’re unsure of which one is right for you.
13) Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation
Huda Beauty’s Faux Filter foundation comes in 30 shades and check out their site for a handy visual guide to help you find your shade! They offer a model photo for each shade which is extremely helpful as you can compare your tone to the model in the photo.
What makes this product line exciting is that all of their shades are named after sweet drinks and delicious desserts like Hot Fudge, Gingerbread, and Brown Sugar.
14) IL Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation
This foundation in a beautiful frosted bottle comes in 50 shades! The range for dark skin is immaculate.
Overwhelmed with the number of options and don’t know which one is right for you? Take their “Find Your Shade” quiz. The quiz asks very specific questions and will email you your results once you complete them.
15) e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation
e.l.f. is one of the most affordable cosmetics companies and their foundation is definitely wallet-friendly. This foundation comes in 26 shades and is generous with shades for dark skin tones. It works for all skin types and has a matte finish.
16) Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear 24H Longwear Foundation
This 24-hour wear foundation comes in 50 shades! There are great options for darker skin tones within that range. It’s also a natural matte foundation that is suitable for all skin types.
It’s best to know your undertone to find what your shade is with this foundation.
17) Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation
This formula covers imperfections using light diffusing beads and is a best-seller on Amazon. The best thing about this foundation is, it lasts for 15 hours and you don’t need to apply a large amount cause a little goes a long way! It’s also hydrating and comes in 40 shades with many options for darker skin tones
18) Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
This foundation comes in 56 shades, and there are many great options for dark skin. It lasts 24 hours and is waterproof.
Not only is the shade range for this foundation impressive, but it also has many benefits such as sweat and humidity-resistant, transfer-resistant, and it won’t clog pores.
19) Dermablend Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation for Dry Skin with SPF 25
Multi-tasking liquid foundation makeup provides buildable coverage with sunscreen & all-day hydration. Applies smoothly with a creamy texture for seamless coverage with an even, natural finish.
Smooth Liquid Camo Hydrating Foundation for dry skin provides full coverage for skin conditions including dark spots, redness, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and more.
This foundation is formulated for dry, sensitive skin and provides 24hr hydration with SPF 25 sun protection. Smoothing foundation with a flexible texture that’s never cakey or masky. For best results, set with Dermablend Loose Setting Powder.
Setting with Dermablend powder locks in makeup for up to 16 hours of smudge and transfer-resistant wear. A dermatologist created brand with high safety standards: fragrance-free, allergy-tested, sensitive skin tested, non-comedogenic. 15 shades to choose from.
20) Clinique Even Better Refresh Hydrating and Repairing Makeup Full-Coverage Foundation
This is a full-coverage foundation that can last up to 24 hours. It’s ideal for all skin types, be it dry, dry combination and oily combination skin types.
It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, which plumps fine dry lines. It also helps to keep the skin smooth and looking flawless.
Should foundation be lighter or darker than your skin?
How do you pick a foundation color for dark skin? for your skin tone, how to match foundation to your skin type
african american skin tones chart
Which one of these foundations have you tried? Which one are you going to try next? Do you have other brands you’d like to add to this list? I’d love to know on my Instagram page.