Finding a good liquid foundation can be a nightmare when you have a darker skin tone. Historically, few brands offered a wide range of shades that could accommodate darker complexions. Many foundations designed for black women were too gray, too orange, or just not a match – and that’s if you were lucky enough to even find a brand that had anything other than 50 shades of beige.
Fortunately, things are changing – slowly but surely.
More and more beauty brands are starting to expand their makeup lines to include more than just two to three darker shades, making the search for the right foundation match easier than it has been in the past.
If you’re tired of trying to mix several foundations together to find an adequate color match, check out the following brands that have seriously expanded their foundation palette.
1. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r
No talk of foundations for black women would be complete without mentioning the brand that started it all – Fenty Beauty. Rihanna’s brand offered no less than 40 unique foundation shades at launch, setting the bar high for the rest of the beauty industry.
Today, Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r comes in 50 shades, making it one of the most inclusive foundations available on the market.
Pro Filt’r has medium to full coverage and will give you a soft matte look that you’ll fall in love with. It has a silky, creamy texture and does a wonderful job of covering larger pores and giving you a smooth look. It’s resistant to sweat and humidity, so you can wear it without problems throughout the summer.
2. Make Up For Ever Ultra HD
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD is one of the best foundations you can go for regardless of your skin type. It comes in 50 shades that’ll match you perfectly. You just have to keep your undertones in mind when selecting the shade.
It has medium coverage that you can easily build up, and its blurring capabilities will give you a smooth, Instagram-ready texture that eliminates the need for any filter. It’s transfer-proof and long-lasting, so you can just set it and forget it.
3. Danessa Myricks Beauty Vision Cream Cover
Danessa Myricks Beauty Vision Cream Cover doesn’t have as many shade varieties as Fenty Beauty or Make Up For Ever. Still, it covers its bases and offers a good variety of options.
As a concealer/foundation hybrid, it gives you full coverage that will quickly get rid of any blemishes or imperfections, and you’ll enjoy the radiant, luminous finish that’ll have you glowing without looking greasy. However, if you have oily skin, you might want to look for more or a matte finish.
4. Beauty Bakerie InstaBake Aqua Glass
If you want a fantastic foundation for black women that simultaneously helps you support black women, Beauty Bakerie InstaBake Aqua Glass is just the thing for you.
A black-owned brand, Beauty Bakerie certainly understands the struggles of finding the perfect foundation when you have darker skin.
You’ll enjoy the soft vegan formula that simply glides on your skin, providing full coverage while keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
InstaBake Aqua Glass has a soft, dewy finish that’s best suited for dry and normal skin.
5. Il Makiage Woke Up Like This
Woke Up Like This by Il Makiage is a top matte finish foundation that’s ideal for natural, combination, and oily skin. Coming in 50 shades, it gives you an effortless poreless appearance. It’s soft, lightweight, making you feel like you’re completely bare-faced while keeping you looking flawless.
You can blend it to perfection with any run-of-the-mill beauty blender without worrying about streaks or patches.
6. Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever
Best Skin Ever liquid foundation comes in 40 shades and has a natural finish that’ll make you forget you have a trace of makeup on. It’s smooth, velvety, goes on easily, and stays on for over 12 hours.
It has excellent hydrating properties that’ll keep you looking and feeling fantastic. With hyaluronic acid, glycerin, red and brown algae extracts, your skin will stay nourished and protected from pollutants and free radicals.
Best Skin Ever gives you medium coverage, and due to its hydrating properties, it’s best for dry and natural skin types.
7. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Although it’s more of an investment than some of the other foundations mentioned so far, the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation is well worth it. It has 56 amazing shades that’ll suit virtually anyone.
It doesn’t settle in your pores and fine lines, it doesn’t streak, and it doesn’t transform into a cakey mess after a few hours. It’s picture-perfect for hours on end and goes on flawlessly, giving you a natural matte finish that’ll make you feel like a million bucks. As a bonus, it has SPF 10 to keep your skin healthy and protected whatever you’re doing.
Final Thoughts
Fortunately, offering dozens of unique foundation shades is no longer the exception. It’s becoming a long-expected norm in the beauty industry. So, go out and get yourself a high-quality foundation that matches your skin to perfection!
