Beauty brands have definitely upped their game when it comes to supplying a full spectrum of foundation shades, as well as considering different undertones (although undoubtedly there is still further to go).
But it’s not always been this way. While some brands (honourable mentions go to MAC, Bobbi Brown) have long created extensive and inclusive shade ranges which always challenged claims that darker tones are harder and more expensive to produce. These claims have plagued the industry for years and, some brands proclaiming to provide for all, have fallen short of proffering up shades people would actually want to wear.
Why is there a lack of good dark skin foundations?
Brands have often hidden under the guise of monetary value when questioned about their colour range choices. We searched high and low for information as to what goes into making a deeper foundation, and if making darker hues is in fact more expensive than its fairer counterpart? The short answer to the latter question is no. All foundations are made up of varying amounts of the same four colours: white, black, yellow, and red, the final shade just depends on how much of each is blended in.
Ensuring the undertone aren’t ashy just takes formulators understanding deeper skin tones – the same way pink and yellow undertones are catered to for fairer shades – and blending the formulas accordingly.
10 brands that actually understand undertones for everybody10 Photos
By Gloria Edokpolo and Sheilla Mamona
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Then there is that good old excuse that brands like to use, implying that their consumer is not predominantly dark-skinned, and it goes without saying that consumers will only spend on brands that actually cater to their needs. Luckily for us, there are brands out there that really do understand undertones and have mastered the art of creating products suitable for dark skin.
The phenomenal global success of Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty (whose 50-strong shade range that launched in 2017, made it one of the best-selling beauty brands in the world) has pushed brands with limited shades into making a comprehensive colour range a key focus. Afterall, Black shades do sell.
How to find the best foundation match?
To find the best foundation shade match for you, start with finding your undertone, “you’ll either have a warm, cool or neutral undertone,” says makeup artist and beauty influencer, Letitia Sophia. Then, pay attention to the shade name. “Some foundations have names that reflect their undertone such as ‘cool sand’ or ‘warm sand’ which makes it easier when picking a shade,” says Letitia. “However if this isn’t the case, in a nutshell, cool tones are associated with blue, pink, or red undertones. Warm is usually for yellow, peachy, or golden undertones and neutral is either a mixture of the two.” A quick way to work out which is best for you is to look at your veins. If they appear bluer, you’re likely to be cool, if they appear more green, you’re likely to be warm and if they’re a blend of both, you’re likely to be neutral.
We pulled together a definitive list of our 15 brands that are nailing dark-skinned foundation formulas. Start shopping…
For more from Glamour UK Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona
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Best for custom coverage
Uoma Say What?! Foundation, £14.75, Look Fantastic
Not only does this foundation come in 51 shades ranging from very fair to very deep, it also is available in six different formulas to cover a number of skin concerns (nicknamed ‘Skin Kins’) which are specific to different skin tones. Black Pearl is the Skin Kin which covers six of the darkest shades, and contains tomato extract to boost radiance and counteract any dullness. Brown Sugar is the Skin Kin for brown skin and contains woolly thistle extract to help control pigment production to safeguard against hyperpigmentation.
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Best for skin-like finish
Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch, £51, John Lewis
It’s no wonder the beauty corner of TikTok was all over this foundation. It’s unique formula is infused with ultra-concentrated micro-droplet pigments, which leave your skin with a very lightweight and hydrating sheen, with skin-like medium coverage. The shades of this Chanel foundation also have our hearts as they complement even the darkest of skin complexions.
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Best budget buy
NYX Professional Makeup Born to Glow Naturally Radiant foundation, £8, Cult Beauty
Don’t let the price for this foundation scare you off. This 45-shade range features a featherweight buildable glowy coverage which we can confirm is a strong competitor to foundations from higher price points. The texture is flexible, it won’t cake or migrate throughout the day, leaving you with long-lasting luminous skin.
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Best for breaking boundaries
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, £24, Boots
This foundation has by far been the most loved product in Rihanna’s epic beauty range, Fenty Beauty. The formula has been praised for not only its flawless finish and coverage, but its impressive 50 option shade range and since launch as been a fan favourite. Rihanna has created plenty of colour options for darker skin tones as well as light shades and fans and beauty experts alike have not stopped raving about it since.
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Best for dry skin
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF15, £31.38, Boots
Bobbi Brown has always had a wide selection of shades, but this formula has really rivalled the competition. Extremely long-wear with the added bonus of SPF, it’s an excellent everyday choice. Best for those with skin on the drier-side.
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Best for buildable coverage
Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Foundation, £36, Il Makiage
With 50 shades, Il Makiage’s buildable formula is infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate as well as optically-correcting powders that deliver a matte finish, meaning it’s a great choice for combination skin. Plus, the heralded online shade finder has an impressive track record for selecting the perfect shade to match every skin tone and undertone.
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Best for all day wear
NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, £31.20, Boots
This lightweight NARS All Day Luminous foundation is a fan favourite for people of all skin tones due to it’s mattifying and full coverage. It’s long wear and it stays colour true all day. No oxidising in sight.
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Best for epic glow
Pat Mcgrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation, £60, Selfridges
Pat Mcgrath has studied dark skin since its launch and always had undertones in mind when creating products to suit all. While their eyeshadow palettes are iconic for their epic pigment and out-of-this-world colour payoff, the foundation really complements every skin tone, amping up that natural glow and shine you get with dark skin.
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Best for non-comedogenic formulation
Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation, £26, Space NK
Rare Beauty has really led the beauty world by storm. A hero product for Selena’s beauty range is the Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation which offers smoother looking pores straight upon application. The serum like formula is hydrating, and evens out tone with its medium coverage and is non-comedogenic.
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Best for buildable coverage
MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 Foundation, £25.50, Boots
From 67 inclusive shades to choose from this MAC Studio Fix foundation is popular amongst MUAs everywhere and with good reason. It’s lightweight, buildable, controls oil and shine for a matte finish without leaving you look cakey.
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Best for matte finish
bareMinerals Barepro 16hr Skin-perfecting Powder Foundation, £31, Bareminerals
We love the lasting finish that this powder gives. Wear on its own, as a contour powder, or to set your cream foundation; there’s no right or wrong way. This bareMinerals powder foundation carries a wide range of dark hues with varying undertones, no ash in sight.
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Best to even out skin tone
Beauty Bakerie InstaBake Aqua Glass Foundation, £24, Look Fantastic
This creamy, full coverage formula works hard to conceal the appearance of blemishes and an uneven skin tone, while delivering a no-filter-needed glass skin effect. There is a large range of dark shades to choose from that cover varying undertones.
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Best for dewy finish
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £31, Cult Beauty
Charlotte Tilbury has been championing complexion products for a while and this foundation comes as a fan favourite due to its wide shade range that covers an even range of dark hues; long-wearing full coverage that still feels like skin and its soft filter finish.
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Best for all ages
Jones Road What the Foundation, £42, Liberty
This Jones Road foundation is the real deal. It’s the perfect pick me up buildable foundation that works perfectly to complement dryer skin types, mature skin, or for all dewy skin lovers. It’s packed with nourishing ingredients including sodium hyaluronate and jojoba oil, bringing that inner youthful glow right to the surface.
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Best for a smooth finish
Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, £29, Boots
This buildable foundation works hard to create a dolphin like smooth canvas, that lets your skin still look like skin. It’s packed with coconut water alpine rose and hyaluronic acid to brighten the skin’s appearance, promote elasticity and skin-balancing hydration.
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