Black Girl Makeup Ideas For Different Occasions

Gone are the days when black girl makeup was a tricky business as women of color had to settle for products that were not suitable for their skin color and tone, given the limited production of cosmetic products. With the world making headway on all fronts and embracing diversity and all-inclusiveness, the idea of ‘unity in diversity’ has become the focal point for all major and minor industries, including the beauty and makeup industry. From Black industry pioneers developing cosmetics for people of color to models of different ethnicities, breaking their shackles and experimenting with fashion and makeup, we are fast moving towards a world that acknowledges all skin tones and types. As a result, you are spoilt for choice in cosmetics and makeup products, no matter your complexion or preference. That said, the growing demand for tips on doing black girl makeup is still largely unmet.

As every skin tone has different needs, we have curated some essential and exclusive makeup tips for all the black beauties in this article. Now, you do not have to struggle while choosing the appropriate makeup look, products, and techniques for yourself. Keep scrolling!

Keep In Mind

• Makeup Inspiration: Makeup Inspiration You can always follow black celebrities and influencers on social media, such as Kylie Jenner, Zendaya, Jaleesa Jaikaran, and Isabelle Ikpeme, for the latest makeup trends and beauty inspiration.
• Makeup Looks: Makeup Inspiration Muted appearances and minimalist makeup styles like nude, monochromatic, and soft-glam are top looks sported by black women.
• Eyebrow Style: Makeup Inspiration African American women look the most confident with high-arched or S-shaped brows.

The Ultimate African American Women Or Black Girl Makeup Guide For Beginners

Although skin types and facial features vary from person to person, certain fundamental elements remain the same for all. Knowing how to apply makeup properly can elevate any look. To this end, follow the tips listed below that will always come in handy while doing your makeup just the correct way:

The Right Foundation… Always

Creating your own canvas is the alpha and omega for doing makeup of any kind. And this is where you fetch the foundation. But before you purchase one, you must learn about your skin complexion in order to avoid applying the wrong foundation that will only make your face appear unnatural. Remember, your goal is to enhance your skin color, not cover it up, for you are beautiful just the way you are. So, for the same, all you need to acquaint yourself with is the undertone that defines the primary shade of the complexion. Is it warm, cool, or neutral? You may take an expert’s help to identify the right undertone of your face here if you want, as it will enable you to find the right foundation shade widely available for African American women. You can check out brands like Fenty Beauty, LYS Beauty, UOMA Beauty, and NARS for the widest shade ranges.

A Good Brush For A Good Blend

Once you have accomplished the task of identifying the suitable foundation, apply it gently on your face to blur out any flaws if you want in order to achieve a smooth-looking face. But….with a good brush that can help you blend the product properly and easily. Make sure to choose a foundation brush that is quite dense or opt for a kabuki brush. This will make foundation application easy and ensure a flawless finish. Now, blending in itself is an art. Once you apply the product in wider strokes on the face, pick a foundation brush, sweep it from the center of your face, and lead it outwards. With circular motions, give full coverage to the face in order to enhance your natural skin color. And make sure you do it till the product blends in perfectly because foundation done right is what will give you a natural-looking face and keep the makeup in place throughout the day.

Mask’em With Concealer

We all are well-versed with the fact that our skin changes with the passage of time and the fluctuation of various environmental conditions. We cannot always have a flawless face for which we are blessed with concealers. Grab one of them that is a bit lighter than your skin color and run it through all the blemishes you would wish to cover. Doing so will allow you to hide the rigid blemishes and age spots on the face, especially those under your eyes and around the bridge of your nose. Just like the foundation, buff the concealer too until it blends properly into the skin. You can use a small blending brush or damp beauty sponge for smooth and seamless blending.

Contour To Frame Your Face

To add the right dimension to the face, it is of utmost importance to do some contouring too. Use a contouring color that is one tone darker than the base foundation you have applied. This will allow you to intensify the required areas, such as the hollow of your cheeks, and soften the portions that need the spotlight. And the key to perfect contouring is blending till your face looks natural and not made up at all. Also, while contouring, you can go for either soft looks or overly dramatic ones— whatever makes you happy!

Don’t Forget The Blush

A hint of pink or peachy hues on the apple of your cheeks is a must. This will make you look fresh as a daisy! Pick the color of your choice, but of course, one that suits your skin again; tap the brush on it and sweep it around the cheeks for that instant rosy look. Dab a little bit of it on the tip of your nose, too….really a little, because you don’t want Rudolf’s cherry red nose after all. Anyway, so now, you can also thrust the blush brush onto the chin a bit to slightly highlight the pink vibes on your face.

StyleCraze Says

You can use bronze or peach shades as these will go well with dark skin tones. Also, consider your undertone when purchasing a blush to ensure you pick the right shade.

Highlight For That Extra Drama

Just like framing your face and smoothening it, giving the right amount of light to your facial features is essential for black girl makeup.

And no other than your highlighter does this job the best because the transformation from a basic-looking face to a sassy, feisty one is a blessing you achieve through your highlighter. Applying highlighter to the elevated portions of your face, such as the bridge of the nose and the apple of your cheeks, will completely give the necessary lift to the face. It will not only enhance your complexion but will also make you glow and stand out in the crowd.

Eye Makeup, The Key To Ace A Flawless Black Girl Makeup

Bring to life your creativity and let your eyes do the talk. But before that, make sure you have shaped your brows right because they play a crucial role in accentuating the eyes. You do not have to color them way too much; you can simply fill in the sparse areas of your brows and shape them well. Once done, do your eyes the way you wish to (winged eyes, intense black eyes, soft tones, are some you can pick) and add life to the eyelashes by applying a significant amount of mascara on them. Wear fake lashes for a more dramatic look.

Do The Lips Like A Pro

As someone who is new to makeup, you will need to first determine your undertone before doing your lips too. This is because today, there’s an extensive array of lip colors specially made for African American women; you don’t want to go dizzy choosing what is best for you. With the undertone identified, pick the suitable colors of your choice and paint them lips. You can outline your lips with a lip liner for neat and easy application. It will also hold your lip color longer. But make sure to blend in the lip liner well too.

Must-Try Black Girl Makeup Tutorial

Once you have memorized the basic elements required, you can go ahead and play with a multitude of makeup ideas and styles for the same.

We have gathered a few sassy looks for you. Find them below:

• Metallic Eyes

Metallic eyeshadow is like a holy grail. Especially hues like cobalt blue and bright green in the metallic eyeshadow palette instantly make black eyes pop the best. You can also go with any shades from the gray color family for a wintry look. Apply some on the eyelids and work your way towards the under-eye for a more flattering effect.

• Glossy Lips

You will never go wrong with glossy lips, especially when you want to give out that trendy soft girl vibe. Apply a lip color of your preference and cover your lips with the lip gloss without a second thought. This will also make your lips look fuller and softer.

• Smokey Eyes

Do not hold back from further enhancing those bright eyes that you are born with. You can go with matte smokey eyes or even add a bit of shimmer if you wish to. Once done with all the smudging for the perfect smokey vibe, add mascara to your lashes to finish the look. Your eyes will do the magic right after.

• Siren Eyes

This extremely popular TikTok trend is perfect for creating a sultry look. Siren eyes create an illusion of elongated eyes. The eyeliner is a bit darker at the rims and flicked upward at the outer corner. It gives off mysterious yet sexy vibes. On top of that, there are many different ways to rock this look!

Dark Skin Girl Makeup Ideas For Different Occasions

You might want to have different looks for different occasions. After all, it helps kill the monotony big time, doesn’t it? So if you want to go glam for your parties or look calm for your work and fun for a holiday, below are some steps that you can follow to make every day a wonder:

Everyday Natural Looking Makeup

If you do not want to go over the top for your everyday look, we got your back. Leave your eyes just the way they are. However, you can add a hint of mascara on your lashes to brighten the eyes. Next, apply lip gloss on those lips. You can grab a gloss that has a hint of pink or maroon shade in it. Also, any nude color does the job too. This easy-to-do makeup permits you to look natural as well as chic, and it can be worn every day to work or college. Opting for natural makeup looks can enhance your features subtly and is perfect for daily wear.

StyleCraze Says

You may also draw a line with cream eye pencil on the inner part of the lower eyelids to ensure they look more rested and larger.

Wedding Makeup For Guests

While getting ready for your best friend’s D-day, you know the drill. You want to look absolutely stunning but make sure to never overshadow the bride for the obvious reasons at the same time. Don’t worry. You can get the desired look with a few simple ideas in mind. Fresh face, matte looks, a bit of shimmer, and bronzer are some of the things that can go into your makeup kit for the event. If your lip color matches the color of your outfit, you’re good to go. Pink and red are always the go-to hues.

Holiday Makeup

Fun is what we think of the second we plan that much-needed vacation. This implies you can choose to have fun with your holiday makeup too. Feel free to wear creamy orange lip colors to the beach and glitter eyeliners and shadows for clubbing. You can also try fun face stickers that come in cute little heart and star shapes. They carry the magic that can add an instant boost to your holiday!

Infographic: Makeup Tips For Black Girls

Makeup is more than just a tool for enhancing one’s appearance. It is art, a form of self-expression, and Black women have been denied this right for a really long time.

However, the world is changing and the introduction of all-inclusive skincare, haircare, makeup, and fashion is significantly contributing to the empowerment of Black women. That being said, those who are just taking their first steps into the world of makeup can find themselves at a loss. We have detailed some Black girl makeup basics and tips in the infographic below. Check it out.

Check out the infographic below to know more.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How do black girls apply bronzer?

You should be aware if your natural undertone is cool or warm and choose a bronzer that is one or two shades darker. The right bronzer shade can help you sculpt your face highlighting your best features.

Which setting powder is best for dark skin?

You should select a setting powder the same shade as that of your foundation. Anything lighter would make you ghostly while anything darker may form streaks over your foundation.

Should black girls use translucent powder?

Yes, black girls can use translucent powder. However, ensure to get a tinted product and use it sparingly to avoid an ashy finish.

Illustration: Black Girl Makeup Ideas For Different Occasions

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Let us witness the incredible transformation of a Black girl trying out the soft girl makeup trend. From radiant pastels to delicate touches, this video offers ideas that black girls can experiment with!

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