The Best Makeup for Black Women | Ultimate 2022 Guide

lifestyle Nov 08, 2024

The beauty industry has seen a dramatic shift in the past five years, with consumers moving from wanting a vast array of products to preferring a more minimalist approach.

Today, many are focused on a few essential, high-quality products that can be used in their everyday makeup routines, especially during the warmer months when durability is key.

This shift in consumer behavior has impacted trends across all beauty categories, including makeup for Black women.

When it comes to makeup for Black women, there is a growing demand for products that not only cater to a wide range of skin tones but also deliver lasting, reliable results.

Despite making up a significant portion of the beauty market, with studies showing that 11.1% of the total U.S. beauty market spent $6.61 billion on beauty, makeup for Black women brands still represent only 2.5% of the total revenue.

This highlights the gap in the market and the untapped potential for more inclusive, high-quality makeup for Black women that speaks to their unique beauty needs.

As the demand for personalized, long-lasting products increases, makeup for Black women has the opportunity to dominate the market by offering diverse shades and formulas that meet the expectations of modern beauty consumers.

In a market that only recently expanded the spectrum of shades, black women are constantly on the hunt for products that not only match their skin, but are versatile and durable.

Taking advantage of this, here’s just some of the best makeup for black women.

Best Foundation for Black Women

The last thing you want to worry about when the weather heats up is your foundation melting while you’re out at brunch. For makeup for Black women, finding a foundation that stays put all day is essential, especially as the warmer months approach.

As the cornerstone of almost every makeup routine, a strong foundation is crucial to creating a flawless look.

When it comes to makeup for Black women, it's not just about the right shade; it’s about long-lasting formulas that offer full coverage, a smooth finish, and durability to withstand both heat and humidity.

Starting your routine with the perfect foundation can make all the difference in achieving a fresh, confident look throughout the day.

Elf's Flawless Satin Foundation | 4.0 Stars on Ulta Beauty

Elf's Flawless Satin Foundation has been compared by some to a tinted moisturizer, while others appreciate its buildability for medium-coverage.

Given a rating of 4 by Ulta Beauty, it’s known for being neither matte or dewy in finish, which is perfect for the summer months. As a more affordable option for young black women, this product is beginner friendly, and an oldie but a goodie to most.

Fenty's Pro Filt'r Hydrating Foundation | 4.0 Stars on Sephora

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna’s Pro Filt'r Hydrating Foundation is known for its wide range of shades. Many consumers have chosen this product to be a part of their daily staples.

Receiving a rating of 4 from Sephora, reviews show that it works well for combination to oily skin types, which to be honest is all of us during the summer. If you’re in the market for your skin in a bottle, look for this in your nearest beauty store.

Nars' Sheer Glow Foundation | 4.0 Stars on Ulta

Another favorite is Nars Sheer Glow Foundation, with 4 stars from Sephora many influencers recommend this foundation because of its dewy, natural finish with buildable coverage which is easier to control in the summertime.

The line carries up to 40 different shades where you can mix and match shades as well, which makes sense considering that Nars was the go-to for many black beauty consumers for many years.

Best Blush for Black Women

For many Black women, blush is the highlight of their makeup for Black women routines, adding a touch of personality and vibrancy that brings their makeup to life.

The best makeup for Black women is designed to enhance their natural beauty, ensuring that every product, from blush to foundation, offers rich, visible color that stands out.

When it comes to makeup for Black women, finding shades that truly pop and complement darker skin tones is key to achieving a flawless, radiant look.

The right blush can take your makeup for Black women to the next level, adding depth and warmth while ensuring your makeup stays bold and beautiful all day long.

Covergirl Trublend High Pigment Blush | 4.5 Stars on Ulta

Covergirl Trublend High Pigment Blush is one that comes with a generous amount of pigment, in a good range of shades for black women.

Given 4.5 stars from Ulta Beauty, using the glow from the sun with colors like Hot Frenzy is a great way to spice up even the most basic look. Plus, you’re able to build up this product to get the perfect coverage while lasting all day long.

Lys Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Bush | 4.8 Stars on Sephora

Lys Cream Blush touches on a type of product that is on the rise when it comes to everyday makeup, which is a cream-based formula.

Some women prefer its application over traditional powder formulas, and as we recommend the Lys Cream Blush as one of the best makeup products for black women it's a favorite due to the color variety, comfortability, and coverage, amongst a few points.

The Saharan Vol. 1 Blush Palette | 4.9 Stars on Ulta Beauty

The Saharan Vol. I Blush Palette is good for an everyday makeup routine, with 6 shades catered to darker skin tones. Ranking at 4.9 at Ulta Beauty it also emphasizes facial structures throughout long wear time.

Many reviews state that the palette is very beginner friendly as the colors aren’t too pigmented, so consumers continue to praise it and go back to it time and time again.

Best Highlight for Black Women

Highlight is a main step in a makeup routine during the summer because women like that glowy finish, emphasizing your natural beauty to match the weather.

And for black women using highlighters that have those deep bronze and gold undertones to match their skin in mind definitely allows for that.

Becca Cosmetics is definitely not the first brand that comes to mind for some black women as they don’t specifically cater to women with darker skin tones, but their products including highlighters have shown to cover the whole spectrum from light to dark shades.

Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Highlighter | 4.0 Stars on Sephora

Their Shimmering Skin Perfector Highlighter is a subtle formula using fine particles in their shimmer, and the finish is semi-dewy to add a moisturizing effect on the skin. Being rated as 4 by Sephora, it's a clear favorite for black women to use for a healthy glow that lasts all day, especially in the summer.

Fenty Beauty's Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter | 4.6 Stars on Sephora

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna’s Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter is highly reviewed on Sephora (4.6) for its far range of original colors, and the way they shimmer and shine where you can use it for both extravagant looks and for your everyday styles.

The Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter also comes in a duo palette where you can mix and match on the color wheel with a variety of highlight shades. This palette is amongst the best highlighters for black women because of its deep undertones, making them more customized to dark-skinned women.

Bobby Brown Highlighting Powder | 4.6 Stars on Sephora

Another bestseller is the Bobby Brown Highlighting Powder, which Sephora gave 4.6 stars. It is known for a subtle highlight, with a long wearability in any weather so consumers can wear it year round and still get the same fun glow in all of their favorite looks.

As makeup styles and trends change just like the seasons, many women find new reasons to try out different products but almost always end up going back to their favorites throughout the years.

While the brands and products mentioned are not all that is available out there for black women in beauty today, it is clear that these brands provide some of the best makeup for black women as they are evolving to cater to them in their everyday lives.

✍️ Written by Jalissa Robinson