For far too long, women of color have struggled to find makeup that matches their skin tone. Time and time again, we have left makeup stores thinking we may have found a suitable shade for our needs, just to get home and see that the shade we chose actually leaves us looking ashy or pale. Seemingly, the beauty industry has historically dismissed women of color and the beautiful, complex variety of shades this community includes. But thankfully, the beauty industry is slowly, but surely, changing.
I have compiled a list of ten wonderful products for women of color. The specific products that you see listed here are based on what my Twitter followers felt they had the hardest time finding. However, every company and brand that is included in this list offer multiple products that are beneficial for and wearable by women of color. Keep in mind that there are plenty of other great brands out there that are not shown here. It should also be noted that while I aimed to include products with high ratings and reviews, no two faces are the same. Everyone is unique and facial needs and makeup desires may not be the same across the board. Please think about your face and skin when researching makeup products, and take care when trying products on your face.
1. Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation - $43
Boasting over 40 different shades of foundation, this liquid foundation is a definite winner for providing a variety of hues and shades for a variety of tones that are found within the Women of Color Community. This is a welcome change from their former liquid foundation line, HD Invisible Cover Foundation, which failed to have nearly as many shades available. Sephora’s customer reviews give this product 3.7 out of five stars overall, and it is available at Sephora stores and Make Up For Ever’s website. In addition, most of Make Up For Ever’s line is professional and high definition, leaving skin flawless.
2. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick - $46
Bobbi Brown offers an array of shades for foundations. This particular foundation made the list because it has a very diverse range of colors of women of color. The line offers slight variations to base shades (Almond, Warm Almond, and Golden Almond, for example), allowing for an even better match for different skin tones. There are almost 30 shades to choose from, making the product very accommodating for the spectrum of shades that Women of Color embody. The product’s customer reviews give it four out of five stars. Great things have also been said at Bobbi Brown’s highlighters for women of color, which offers many shades of highlighter and aims to provide women of color with a highlighter that looks more natural and isn’t too pale against their skin. See more products here!
3. Even True Flawless Skin Liquid Makeup by Black Opal - $11.95
This brand was created with the intent of providing matchable foundation colors to women with complexions that are not catered to by larger makeup brands. As this was their mission, there are fewer shades for women with lighter complexions, but the reason it made this list is due to their variety of shades for darker women of color. Customers have given this product an overall rating of five stars, praising how little product is needed per application, the quality of color match to skin tone, as well as its lasting coverage. All their products are hypoallergenic and paraben-free. Check the brand out here.
4. Ben Nye Luxury Powder - $18 for 1.5 ounces
Ben Nye’s Luxury Powder became widely popular to casual makeup wearers thanks to various YouTube Makeup Gurus. Originally used by professionals in theater and show business, the product is now claimed to be the best setting powder for highlighting and contouring. The powder comes in only five shades, but the great thing about setting powder is that it doesn’t have to match your skin exactly. The few shades have not seemed to lessen the product's popularity and many women of color with deeper complexions expressed full satisfaction with the two deeper tones (Banana and Beige Suede). The other three lighter shades are also very versatile on women of color with lighter complexions. This powder works well with almost every undertone imaginable, making it a great potential addition to any makeup collection!
5. BlackUp Cosmetics Lipstick - $23
BlackUp is a cosmetics line that was specifically created with women of color in mind. They claim to be the “Makeup Expert For Women of Colour” on their website, and their products make their claim hard to disagree with. The company offers 18 satin finish lipsticks and 12 matte finish lipsticks in a large variety of highly pigmented shades, making it easy to find a shade and finish for practically anyone. Other products of theirs to check out includeCream to Powder Foundation, CC Cream, Two Way Cake powder, Contouring Stick, and Blushes. A lot of great things to check out here!
6. Covergirl Queen Collection All Day Flawless Foundation - prices vary
Created by Queen Latifah, Covergirl’s Queen Collection was created with women of deeper complexions in mind. The All Day Flawless Foundation has fourteen different colors in shades that are rarely available from drugstore beauty lines. It has garnered a 4.5 out of five stars review from customers. There are also other products in this collection that cater to more hues, as well as different skin types and needs. Check here for retail locations to purchase this product or collection.
7. Weightless Shea Serum Foundation by SheaMoisture - $14.99
For many women of color, SheaMoisture is better known for their hair and skincare products. Little did we know they offer a great line of cosmetics as well! This product has 20 different shades for women of color, catering to various undertones that can be found in the women of color skin spectrum. This foundation is perfectly aligned with the shades of other cosmetics that the brand offers, such as powders and concealers. This foundation, in particular, is also oil based, making it a great product for women with dry skin or those desiring more of a glow from their skin product. Coming in at $14.99 on their website, SheaMoisture has given Women of Color yet another great collection to add to our dresser tops.
8. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation - $47
With Lupita Nyong'o’s endorsement of the brand, Lancôme, and their face makeup products, have been receiving way more looks from women of color than normal. This newly added liquid foundation boasts whopping 35 shades for women of any complexion. Reviewers have given it 4.4 out of five stars, citing its natural appearance, lasting coverage, and smooth application as reasons why they love the product. Though it comes in on the pricier side, the new devotion that Lancôme has shown to providing great products for women of color and their many complexions allowed it to stay on the list. Check it out here.
9. Iman Cosmetics Eyeshadow - $8
The supermodel Iman created Iman Cosmetics, and she has tons of fabulous makeup products for women of color. Not only are her eyeshadows highly pigmented, but they also come in a range of colors, from nudes to bright colors like purple and green. Some come in single pots, but the line does offer duos as well. Many of the eyeshadows look great when paired with each other and blend incredibly well without losing pigmentation. Other great products to check out from Iman Cosmetics are Luxury Moisturizing Lipstick, BB Crème, and the Second To None Luxury Radiance Liquid Makeup.
10. Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation - $36
Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation offers 40 shades for women of all complexions. The same amount of shades is available in every foundation that the company offers. So if powder doesn't provide your favorite type of coverage, Cover FX most likely still has a product for you. The company prides itself on making paraben and sulfate free products, adding to the appeal of the product. The Pressed Mineral Foundation was given an overall rating of four stars by customers for its beautiful finish, full coverage, and multiple undertones that the shades cater to. Check out this great product here.
