Everyone is quick to offer their tips and tricks when it comes to make up. For the most part, we’re professional make up artists whether we’ve always known what to do or learned through YouTube. But if you’re a dark skin girl like myself, the greatest struggle has been finding dark skin makeup artist that look like us. It can be disastrous trying to replicate looks created on fair skin with products that only dull glowing dark skin. So here I am to the rescue.  Not because I want to be another self-proclaimed guru but to empower my dark skin sista to take full advantage of being in the skin they are in.

Focus On Highlighting When Contouring

Contouring is not a new concept but a lot of dark skin women aren’t using it. If you‘re only applying one color of foundation on your face, then you’re one of those unfortunate people. You need a color that is lighter than your skin complexion and one that blends with the darker shades in your body. It can be a challenge to find darker shades of foundation. I use Sephora’s 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation in deep dark ebony.

Have Fun With Your Lips Not Your Eyes

I used to wear eyeshadow using every color in the rainbow. While it was applied well, it took the focus from my face and put it straight on my eyelids. There is nothing sexy about my eyelid that I would want to draw attention to it. I suggest sticking with fun colors on your lips and keeping your eyes natural/ neutral.

Wearing Lashes Is A Must

Too many dark skin women shy away from wearing lashes. Even if you have long lashes there is not enough contrast between dark brown and black to go without a little more assistance. Adding layers of mascara will only make them clumpy and since you’re going neutral on the eyes, lashes will give your eyes an extra flirty look.

Dark Skin People Do Blush

Blush is very important in sealing the line where the lighter and darker shades of your face meet. You might think its useless because you’re dark but it truly softens your look. Blush with a tinted gold shimmer is ideal to give you a nice blushy glow. I love Laura Mercier’s Second Skin Cheek Colour in spiced cider.

Always Bloat, Always  Bring Your Powder

Most dark skin women have oil skin or at least in the T-zone area. Looking greasy is never a good idea so always have powder, blush or beauty blender handy. Please do not use a napkin as muddy napkins are a turn off.

A tutorial may be nice to accompany this post. If that’s something you want, please request it. Otherwise, please share this article with another dark skin sista, and lets share tips and tricks with each other.