How to Use Makeup to Look Amazing If You Have Dark Skin

8. Statement Lipsticks For Dark Skins

Nude lips are pretty much always on trend. To find your best nude, ignore the shade names and just pick a colour which is two shades darker than your skin tone.

Avoid bold lipsticks if you are wearing bright eyeshadow as the two will clash. Offset brighter jewel tones on your eyes with a nude lip or vice versa.

Pro Tip: Use a

Our product picks:


Now that you know about all the makeup basics, it’s time to put them altogether. If you need makeup tips for beginners,

And for when you need more inspiration and want to experiment a little, check out these

The lips are another area where you should totally play around with colour. A bold fuchsia is great for summer, berry tones will warm up your face, oranges add radiance and chocolate-tones are great for every day wear.Nude lips are pretty much always on trend. To find your best nude, ignore the shade names and just pick a colour which is two shades darker than your skin tone.Avoid bold lipsticks if you are wearing bright eyeshadow as the two will clash. Offset brighter jewel tones on your eyes with a nude lip or vice versa.Use a nude lipliner to outline your lips into a perfect shape before applying your lipstick. This will ensure you don’t have any dark lines on the edges of your lips. LA Girl Matte Lip Color and Revlon Colorstay Satin Ink Lipstick for great ranges of brighter colours, Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink Lipstick and Black Opal Color Splurge Lip Color Stick for their variety of shades.Now that you know about all the makeup basics, it’s time to put them altogether. If you need makeup tips for beginners, this video is probably one of the best you will find on You Tube.And for when you need more inspiration and want to experiment a little, check out these 23 stunning makeup ideas for black women

How to Find the Perfect Makeup Shades for Dark Skin Tones

Work With Your Undertones to Find a Foundation

“Dark skin tones can be very complex — that's why it’s important to find a brand that offers multiple dark shades/variations,” says May Cintron, makeup artist and founder of TUHLZ. “We have red undertones, golden, and neutral and range from mid- to very deep tones. Understanding your undertone and depth will ultimately determine how to choose your proper foundation shade.”

Here’s what to know: If your complexion has pink, red and blue undertones, you’re cool. If it has yellow or golden undertones, you have warm undertones. If your skin has a balance of both, you have neutral undertones. If you’re unsure what your undertone is, try one of these tests to find out.

The White vs. Cream Test

Grab two articles of clothing, one white and the other off-white. While wearing no makeup, decide which color complements your skin tone best. If it’s the pure-white shade, your undertones are cool. If the cream color suits you more, you have warm undertones. If both flatter you just the same, you’re neutral.

The Vein Test

Look at the veins on your wrists. If they’re green, then you have warm undertones. If your veins are blue, you have cool undertones. If you have both colors or they appear to be blue-green, then you have neutral undertones.

The Jewelry Test

If gold jewelry enhances your complexion, you’re likely on the warmer side. If silver jewelry looks best on your skin tone, you have cool undertones.

Opt for Jewel-Toned Eyeshadow and Liner

Jewel tones like purple, bright blue, emerald green or a deep burgundy will stand out against your complexion. “Black eyeliner can disappear,” celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose previously told Makeup.com. “I love using navy as it reads black from a distance, but it pops against dark skin to define your eyes.” He also recommends golden and bronze shades on the lids to add a touch of shimmer. 

Find a Brown Lip Liner You Love

Dark skin looks gorgeous in a wide variety of lip colors, but to make even more shades work for your complexion, make sure to have a brown lip liner you love in your makeup bag. Brown lip liner can deepen too-light or bright lip colors and create a more seamless transition between your skin tone and your lipstick of choice. In a previous Makeup.com article, celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay recommended choosing a lip liner slightly deeper than your lip color for the most natural look. 

Best Foundations For Dark Skin

Available in 40 shades and a variety of undertones, this drugstore foundation rivals our favorite luxury picks. The lightweight, non-comedogenic formula offers a matte complexion that lasts all day, thanks to oil-absorbing clay, and a breathable, non-cakey finish. If you’re having trouble picking the right shade, you can use the Maybelline New York Foundation Finder for a customized suggestion.