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Gone are the days when makeup for black girls was a tricky business as women of color had to settle for products that did not suit their skin color and tone given the limited production of cosmetic products. As the world progresses on all fronts and embraces diversity and inclusivity, the idea of “unity in diversity” has become the centerpiece of all industries big and small, including the beauty and makeup industry. From black industry pioneers developing cosmetics for people of color to models of different ethnicities breaking their shackles and experimenting with fashion and makeup, we are fast moving towards a world that recognizes all skin tones and types. Therefore, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to cosmetic and makeup products, regardless of your complexion or preferences. Yet, the growing demand for black girls makeup tips is still largely unmet.
Creating your own canvas is the key to makeup of any kind. And that’s where you get the foundation. But before you buy one, you need to know about your skin tone to avoid applying the wrong foundation that will only make your face look unnatural. Remember, your goal is to enhance your skin color, not cover it up, because you are beautiful just the way you are. So, for that, all you need to do is get familiar with the undertone that defines the basic tone of the complexion. Is it warm, cool or neutral? You can take the help of an expert here to determine the right undertone of your face if you want, as this will help you find the right foundation tone that is widely available for African American women. You can check out brands like Fenty Beauty, LYS Beauty, UOMA Beauty and NARS to find the widest range of shades.
Once you have done the task of finding the appropriate foundation, apply it gently on your face to blur any flaws if you want to get a smooth looking face. But… with a good brush that can help you blend the product properly and easily. Make sure to choose a foundation brush with a relatively dense layer or opt for a kabuki brush. This makes the foundation easy to apply and gives you a flawless finish. Blending is an art in itself. After applying the product on the face in broader strokes, take a foundation brush and drag it from the center of the face outwards. Cover the face completely using circular movements to accentuate your natural skin color. And keep doing this until the product is perfectly blended because the right foundation gives your face a natural-looking look and keeps the makeup in place all day long.
We all know that our skin changes with the passage of time and with the fluctuations of various environmental conditions. We cannot always have a flawless face, for which we are blessed with concealers. Take one that is a little lighter than your skin tone and apply it on all the blemishes that you want to cover. This way, you can hide stubborn blemishes and age spots on the face, especially those under the eyes and around the bridge of the nose. Just like the foundation, you also need to apply the concealer until it blends properly with the skin. You can use a small blending brush or a damp cosmetic sponge to blend it smoothly and seamlessly.
To give the face the right dimension, it is extremely important to do some contouring too. Use a contouring color that is a shade darker than the foundation you have applied. This way, you can intensify the necessary areas, such as the hollow of your cheeks, and soften the parts that you want to be in the spotlight. And the key to perfect contouring is blending until your face looks natural and not made up at all. Also, when contouring, you can opt for soft or overly dramatic looks – whatever you want!
A touch of pink or peachy tones on your cheeks is a must. It will make you look fresh as a daisy! Choose the color of your choice, but of course one that matches your skin; tap it with the brush and sweep it around the cheeks for an instant rosy look. Dab a little of it on the tip of your nose too…really a little, because you don’t want Rudolph’s cherry red nose after all. Anyway, now you can also press the blush brush a little on the chin to slightly bring out the pink vibes in your face.
Just like framing and smoothing your face, giving your features the right amount of light is important for black girl makeup. And none other than your highlighter does this job best, because transforming from a plain looking face to a sassy, sultry face is a blessing you get from your highlighter. Applying highlighter on the raised parts of your face, like the bridge of your nose and apple cheeks, will completely enhance the face. It will not only enhance your complexion, but it will also make you glow and make you stand out from the crowd.
Bring your creativity to life and let your eyes do the talking. But before that, make sure you have shaped your brows properly because they play a crucial role in accentuating the eyes. You don’t have to color them too much; you can just fill in the sparse areas of your brows and shape them well. Once you’re done, make up your eyes however you like (wing eyes, intense black eyes, soft tones are some you can choose) and give life to the lashes by applying a considerable amount of mascara. Wear fake eyelashes for a more dramatic look.
As someone who is new to makeup, you need to first determine your undertone before you make up your lips too. That’s because today there is an extensive range of lip colors designed specifically for African-American women; you don’t want to get dizzy choosing what suits you best. Once you have identified your undertone, choose the colors of your choice and apply the lip color. You can line your lips with a lip liner for a clean and easy application. This will also help your lip color last longer. But also make sure to blend the lip liner well.