Tuesday, 09 December 2008

  • My Makeup Epiphany- There's Help For the Dark-Skinned Girls!

    Guest blog submitted by bn_cognizant

    My Makeup Epiphany

    I love experimenting with different makeup products. But it wasn't always like that. As an African-American female, it was really difficult to find a foundation for my skin color, especially at drugstores.

    It seemed as though there was a conspiracy against dark-skinned girls. There were products out there specifically made for African-Americans that fell short every time. It started to get really frustrating: "Foundation, makeup, blush for the dark-skinned sistah in Aisle 5! Help needed!"   

    It wasn't until the day I found a MAC counter that I experienced makeup heaven. Now, I'm addicted. MAC has various foundations, eye colors, and makeup accessories that compliment my skin color. I love MAC lip gloss too. The colors are always so fun, especially around holiday season. Even though I love makeup, sometimes I don't take the necessary time to apply it. Basically, I wear makeup when there's a really special occasion, but lately that has been changing.

    One product I've found that fits perfectly with my developing beauty regimen is Laura Mercier's Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer in Walnut. The moisturizer has two qualities I appreciate. It is lightweight when I apply it to the skin and it also contains SPF 20, which is essential for black skin. Sun screen should be a mandatory point in every woman's beauty schedule to prevent skin cancer or any other skin diseases.

    Now that I have more products in my makeup army, I think it's about time I wake up earlier and devote some time to highlighting the things I love about myself. If nothing else, I love eyeshadow and lip gloss. They complete me. Maybe there is hope for us girls who like makeup but don't really wear it all the time. Things can change.


    What does your beauty regimen include? Do you wear makeup all the time, or just for special occasions? Are there any products that made you fall in love with makeup?

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Comments (13)

  • youngvan@xanga

    Yay ! I'm happy for you!

    As a makeup artist, I hate it when I run into other artist at shows who can't work on models with darker skins because they don't have the makeup for it. What the heck?!
  • Random_Goldfish@xanga

    Hey, I'm glad! I have a similar problem but on the otherside of the spectrum. I'm a redhead with very pale skin. Most makeup looks dreadful. Eye shadows, mascara, the whole nine yards was hard for me to find. I found this line called Just for Redheads and it's been heaven! I was amazed how well the foundation blended and it also helped hide the redness in my skin. It was even light enough that it didn't hide my freckles which I actually love having! That, and it has sunscreen in it too which is so crucial to me. I love everything I've bought from them.
  • xobeautyrushox@xanga

    Thanks so much! I love you =) <3
  • xcntrychicka@xanga

    For work, I generally just wear foundation and mascara...I have a very hard time finding makeup that works on my pale-yet-olive skin. Anything dark around my eyes tends to enhance my dark circles, even when I'm getting plenty of sleep, and many eyeshadows on the market don't compliment me.

    For a night out, I just add eyeliner, maybe some bronzer, and lipstick.
  • CrissySomedays

    I've noticed that in drug stores. I went through each brand of makeup and about 2 only had darker skin tone foundation.  Barely. There wasn't much to choose from for pale skin either. It's usually just 'ivory'  I know there's MAC. I've heard of some brands online but that's where you can only get it.

    I'm still trying to find a foundation that actually matches my skin tone but there's still not many options for 'in between' shades.
  • imsum1special2@xanga

    MAC is the only makeup brand that has foundation for my complexion.  I have a shade for the summer (I work outdoors) and another for the rest of the year. 

    The only thing about MAC is that it's expensive.  so sometimes I sit in the drugstore for an hour and two debating which is the closest to my complexion, then go home and pray to the foundation gods that it doesn't come out hideous!
  • ironic_vertigo@xanga

    I love Mac too... I don't use foundation because my skin usually behaves itself, but I do have dark circles under my eyes. So they introduced me to the perfect concealer/cover up... It matches my skin, is waterproof, and works great! (I love playing around with their lipglosses and eye shadows too!)
  • TheOriginalImperial@xanga

    I've never really tried MAC.  I'm a fan of Clinique and Mary Kay.  But I'm not a huge make up wearer.
  • RandomSobriety@xanga

    I can't find makeup in my shade either, but it's because I'm too pale for almost any brands.


    There's one I've found where the foundation matches and one where the powder matches. Now, if I could only find both foundation and powder from the same brand so I didn't have to shop around so much...
  • Lizzie_Bordenx@xanga

    I am white, but I have always been confused at the lack of darker colors of foundation/concealer. Do they figure darker skin just doesn't need it?
  • queenofdesi@xanga

    Being Indian, it's hard to find foundation too because my skin doesn't fit into the "light" category or the "dark" category; it's kind of a light caramel-mocha-whatever? But I found that by blending a lighter powder and whatever foundation is closest to my skin tone I can get a pretty natural look.
    My daily makeup routine is usually just foundation and eyeliner for class, and then going out makeup is more of adding on mascara and shimmery eyeshadow with some lip gloss. I'm a very low maintenance makeup person :]
  • LadyLioness1973@xanga

    I don't wear makeup all the time.I never really have been that into make-up, although I do have a HUGE hanging bag on my bathroom door filled with the stuff,lol. I use makeup when I go out or when I meeting clients for business. I must say that that there are some things I will not go without. And those things are "


    1. My moisturizer . It is what keeps your face happy !


    2. Lip gloss/Balm. My lips are a nice natural pink, so shine is enough for me .I use a little liner sometimes,too.


    3. Mascara. It makes my eyes pop and that's a good thing.
  • missyou

    Mac is definatly a good line, though honestly I feel the red undertones in it are more flattering to white women,( and I only know there are undertones because someone at MAC told me) but I have used it and it is great.  But given the economy its too expensive so sometimes you find urself in the drug stores. As an African American woman the new Covergirl "Queen" Collection is absolutly great.  And I'm not just saying that. I am a woman of combination skin(oily and dry), uneven tone, and acne. I use foundation every day of my life but it usually goes no furthur than that because I'm not a make-up guru and have the slightest idea of what colors work best for me, lips, eye, blush, its all a mystery.  But my ultimate goal every day is to leave home comfortable in knowing that my skin tone is even and very natural looking. and for me the "Queen"collection honestly and effectively does the job without breaking the bank and leaving me money for lunch.hahahah try it. I promise you won't regret it

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