"Choosing The Right Makeup
For Women Of Color"
By Marta Bota
I’ve been in the beauty industry as a makeup artist for 30 years with a diverse array of clientelle. Cosmetic products have come a very long way through the years. I get so excited to see that there are so many more options for women of color than ever before!
What do I mean by “women of color?" Any woman who has deeper pigments in their skin. This could include Asian, Native American, Latin, African American, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian ethnicities. There are unique undertones in these ethnicities, making it really important to choose the right products for the most natural effect. Olive, golden, and reddish undertones are common and are beautifully complimented with the right makeup! The beauty industry still has a way to go, but here are some of my top picks of makeup product lines that have a great selection of color choices!
I had the pleasure of meeting celebrity makeup artist AJ Crimson last year! He developed his own line of cosmetic products that are geared towards women of color. The textures and tones of his foundations and powders are so beautiful and his product line has vibrant shades of eye, cheek, and lip colors that truly compliment darker skin tones! An added benefit is how long wearing these products are! Go to www.ajcrimsonbeauty.com to see his full product line and/or to find out where his products are available!
MAC Cosmetics is not only one of my favorite product lines because of the quality of their products, but they are known for their array of color choices and rich pigments in their shades! MAC cosmetics is carried in some department stores, online, and in MAC stores across the nation! www.maccosmetics.com
Makeup Forever is a product line that many pro makeup artists in the film and television industry use because of the high definition products available, creating a flawless finish! This line of cosmetics is known for innovative products that are complimentary to any and every skin tone! Makeup Forever is a top pick because of the color options, as well as how user friendly it is! They also have an AMAZING selection of makeup brushes! You don’t have to be a makeup artist to create a beautiful flawless makeup with these products! Makeup Forever is available at their boutique stores, Sephora, and other retailers. www.makeupforever.com
Iman Cosmetics is a beauty line that was started by supermodel Iman and is created for women of color. It’s a high quality and affordable skin care and makeup line and is carried in Target, Walgreens, and online! www.imancosmetics.com
One of my very favorite brands of cosmetics is Bobbi Brown! Not only is our artistry technique very similar ( naturally accenting a woman’s beauty ) but my pro kit is filled with Bobbi Brown cosmetics! Every skin tone shade is available in her foundation selection. I carry her pro palette of foundations and correctors in my kit for this very reason! You can find a matching shade from the palest to darkest skin tone with cool, warm, or neutral undertones, and find setting powders to matchOne of my very favorite brands of cosmetics is Bobbi Brown! Not only is our artistry technique very similar ( naturally accenting a woman’s beauty ) but my pro kit is filled with Bobbi Brown cosmetics! Every skin tone shade is available in her foundation selection. I carry her pro palette of foundations and correctors in my kit for this very reason! You can find a matching shade from the palest to darkest skin tone with cool, warm, or neutral undertones, and find setting powders to match
"I absolutely LOVE Motives Cosmetics line of makeup because I can custom blend the foundations and powders! Not only can I match your skin tone but I can take it a step further, by customizing treatment for your skin type. For example, if you have dry, oily, aging skin or a combination there of. To make a custom consultation appointment go to my website at www.mbfacedesign.com"
One rule of thumb, when finding the perfect foundation is by testing it along your jawline. It should disappear, matching perfectly. Remember to keep in mind the type of coverage you would like, sheer to full, as well as the TYPE of skin that you have ( dry, normal, combination, oily ). This will help you determine which formula is best for you. Try before you buy a foundation, wearing it for a few minutes to see just how well it wears and to be sure that the color doesn’t alter with wear.
Keep in mind that, not only must you consider finding the right foundation color, your eye, lip, and cheek colors must be richer in pigment as well, in order to “pop”!
www.mbfacedesign.com
~Copa
