For far too long, the quest for the perfect foundation shade has been frustrating for women with darker skin tones. Imagine walking into a store brimming with endless rows of makeup products, only to find a glaring absence of colors that truly reflect your skin. This was the reality for many dark-skinned women. It wasn’t just a minor inconvenience; it was a message, loud and clear, that the beauty industry hadn’t quite grasped the true meaning of inclusion.
Thankfully, the tide is turning. In the makeup world, a new wave of beauty brands is rising, championing a wider spectrum of foundation shades tailored to the beautiful diversity of melanin-rich skin. This isn’t just about adding a token “dark” shade at the end of the spectrum. It’s about acknowledging the incredible range of undertones, depths, and variations that exist within darker complexions. Here, we’ll delve deeper into five of the best foundations for dark skin and what we love about them.
Check out five of the best foundations for dark skin to consider…
#1. Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint: A Pioneering Force for Inclusivity
Fenty Beauty needs no introduction. When Rihanna launched her brand in 2017 with a groundbreaking 40-shade (expanded to 50 now) foundation range, it was a seismic shift in the beauty industry. The “Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation” became a cult favorite, but for those looking for a lightweight option, “The Easy Drop Blurring Tint” offers a fantastic alternative. Available in 25 shades, this buildable foundation gives a natural, dewy finish perfect for everyday wear.
Why we love it:
- Pioneering inclusivity: Fenty Beauty shattered barriers with its diverse shade range upon launch, forcing the industry to re-evaluate its offerings.
- Lightweight and buildable: Offers a natural, dewy finish perfect for everyday wear, ideal for those who prefer lighter coverage.
- Wide range of uses: Can be worn alone for a natural look or layered for more coverage, depending on your desired level of makeup intensity.
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#2. R.E.M. Beauty Sweetener Foundation: A Symphony of Shades and Undertones
At first glance, Ariana Grande’s R.E.M. Beauty might seem like just another celebrity brand, but its “Sweetener Foundation” line goes far beyond the typical star-powered association. This foundation offers 60 true-to-you shades, catering to a vast spectrum of skin tones. But what truly sets it apart is the meticulous attention to undertones. Unlike brands that offer a limited selection of “deep” with a generic warm undertone, R.E.M. Beauty understands the nuance of melanin-rich skin. Their “Sweetener Foundation” features cool, warm, and neutral undertones throughout the shade range, ensuring a perfect match for every woman.
Why we love it:
- Extensive shade selection: Sixty shades cater to a wide variety of complexions, offering a true spectrum of choice.
- Focus on undertones: Cool, warm, and neutral undertones are represented throughout the range, ensuring a natural, flawless match.
- Lightweight and buildable: The formula offers buildable coverage without feeling heavy on the skin, perfect for a variety of desired finishes.
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#3. Made By Mitchell Truth Tint: Understanding the Needs from Within
Mitchell B., a highly respected makeup artist, knows the struggle to find the perfect foundation shade all too well. This experience fueled his passion to create Made By Mitchell, a brand focused on inclusivity and high-performance makeup. The “Truth Tint” is a testament to this philosophy. Available in 20 unique shades and undertones, it offers a diverse range of deep complexions with both cool and warm undertones. The formula itself is lightweight and buildable, providing a natural, radiant finish that flatters deeper skin tones.
Why we love it:
- Made by a makeup artist: Created by a makeup artist and formulated especially for melanin-rich skin, with a deep understanding of its particular needs and challenges.
- Diverse shade range: Twenty shades cater to a variety of skin tones and undertones, ensuring a wider range of options for deep complexions.
- Lightweight and radiant: Provides natural, buildable coverage with a radiant finish, perfect for everyday wear.
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#4. Urban Decay Stay Naked Face Bond Foundation: A Modern Take on Full Coverage
Urban Decay is known for its bold and innovative makeup, and its “Stay Naked Face Bond Foundation” is no exception. This foundation is all about full coverage, ensuring flawless results while staying lightweight and comfortable on the skin. But where it truly shines is in its shade range–a diverse selection of 50 shades catering to a wide spectrum of deeper skin tones. Urban Decay understands the importance of undertones, and this foundation features cool, warm, and neutral undertones.
Why we love it:
- Full coverage formula: Delivers a flawless finish with complete coverage that feels lightweight.
- Extensive shade range: Fifty shades cater to a wide variety of skin tones and undertones.
- Long-wearing: Offers long-lasting coverage throughout the day.
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#5. About Face Beauty Foundation: The Newcomer with Staying Power
Launched in 2024, About Face Beauty is a sustainable brand that’s quickly making waves in the beauty world. Their foundation is specifically formulated for melanin-rich skin, offering a unique blend of ingredients that cater to the specific needs of deeper complexions. The shade range itself is impressive, with 45 shades encompassing a plethora of darkness levels and undertones. But what truly sets About Face Beauty apart is the focus on hydration and long wear. This foundation provides a comfortable, dewy finish that stays put all day and is perfect for dry skin.
Why we love it:
- Formulated for melanin-rich skin: The unique ingredients in this product target the specific concerns of darker skin complexions.
- Hydrating and long-wearing: Offers a comfortable, dewy finish with long-lasting wear, and is perfect for dry skin.
- Impressive shade range: Forty-five shades cater to a wide variety of skin tones and undertones.
- Sustainable: The brand prioritizes sustainable and clean beauty practices, with a lineup of vegan-friendly products.
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What Makes These Brands Different?
These brands, and their impressive lineup of foundations for dark skin, are doing something fundamentally different. Here’s why they’re getting it right:
- Diversity in development: Many brands are starting to understand that true inclusion goes beyond the final product. Diverse teams, including makeup artists and product developers who understand the needs of darker skin tones, are essential for creating shades that accurately represent reality.
- Understanding the nuance: Melanin-rich skin isn’t just about pigment; it’s about a complex interplay of undertones and variations. These brands are acknowledging this by offering a wider range of shades with cool, warm, and neutral undertones.
- Shifting the narrative: It’s about more than just foundation. These brands are sending a powerful message: women with deeper skin tones are valued, their beauty is celebrated, and their needs matter.
Moving Forward: A Call for True Inclusivity
The beauty industry has come a long way, but the journey is far from over. Here’s what we need to see for true inclusion to become the norm:
- Industry-wide standard: A baseline standard for shade ranges needs to be established, ensuring that inclusivity isn’t just a marketing buzzword but a genuine commitment.
- Accessibility and education: Deeper shades should be readily available across all stores and online retailers. In-store staff should also be educated on shade matching for darker skin tones.
- Shifting perception: The narrative of beauty needs to evolve beyond Eurocentric standards. Let’s celebrate the beauty of all skin tones and empower women to embrace their unique complexions.
The frustration of the past is slowly fading. Now, with these new champions leading the way, women with darker skin tones can finally walk into a store and confidently find their perfect foundation match. It’s a beautiful step towards a more inclusive and empowering beauty landscape, one where every woman can see herself reflected in the spectrum of beauty. Let’s continue to celebrate this progress and hold the industry accountable for ensuring that true inclusion becomes the norm, not the exception.
Featured image: @anokyai/Instagram
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