Makeup For Chocolate Skin Tones

Dear Melissa,

I have chocolate colored skin. What makeup should I use?

With beautiful dark skin, you want to bring out the rich tones in your complexion instead of covering them up. This means finding the colors that work for you while avoiding white setting powders or using too much foundation. These tips will also work for caramel-colored skin.

FACE

If you want the coverage of a foundation, choosing the perfect shade is always a hit or miss. Remember to choose a matte finish if you have oily skin, and a dewy finish if you have dry skin. Be sure to avoid any foundation with ashy undertones -- they'll make you look washed out.

If you don't like the idea of foundation, use a tinted moisturizer or BB cream to quickly smooth your skin and blur imperfections. Be sure to get a dark shade -- even light tinted moisturizers have some color payoff. As always, try to find one that has SPF.

For blush, choose a bronze, apricot, or berry pigment. Smile, then sweep over the fullest part of your cheeks, blending toward your temples.

EYES

For your eyes, don't be afraid to experiment! Try plums, navy blues, dark browns, bitter browns, baby pinks, and golds. Add shimmer to the inner corners of your eyes and just below your brow to brighten your eyes. Your mascara should be the darkest, inkiest you can find. For bolder looks, try winged cat-eye liner on the upper lash line.

LIPS

Glossy lipsticks look great on you! Forget matte lip color -- it won't accentuate the fullness of your lips in the same way. Choose nudes for a natural look. When you want to play up your lips instead of your eyes, try a pretty plum or muted rose lip color.

If you are still wary of all your makeup options, go to a makeup counter in the mall and request a consultation. It's customary for you to buy a recommended product afterward, but the advice they'll give you -- from skin care, face, eyes, and lips -- will really help you be sure of looks good and what doesn't.


As always, remember less is more. If you choose to focus on your lips, keep your eyes and cheeks muted. If you want to highlight your eyes, go easy on your lip color. Makeup is a balancing act, and by trial and error, you'll discover how to make it work for you.

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