(Makeup)

Cynthia Erivo’s Makeup Artist Swears By This Foundation For Darker Skin Tones

These formulas will leave you glowing.

by Starr Savoy

Dec. 24, 2021

Arturo Holmes/MG21/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Anok Yai attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexi...

If one thing can be said for certain in regards to the beauty world, it’s finding the perfect foundation for dark skin tones can be tricky. Understanding undertones and shade ranges can make anyone’s head hurt. People who have deeper skin complexions now have various brands to choose from, but the beauty industry has not always been as diverse as it is today. Society is demanding beauty brands to produce more inclusive products for people of color — but which formulas are the best?

When I first became interested in makeup in the early 2010s, I noticed a lack of foundation shades for my chocolate skin tone. I would purchase the darkest drugstore foundation and the shade would still be too light for my complexion (as in I would walk into school with my face lighter than my neck — yikes). I became fed up until I saw Nicki Minaj's first MAC Cosmetics collaboration, after which I begged my mother to take me to the makeup brands' counter. When I arrived, I was in awe of the variety of shades to choose from and the diverse staff who pointed me in the right direction. "You have a warmer undertone," the makeup artist told me. I purchased my first MAC foundation, Studio Fix, in NW45, along with a pressed powder and concealer. The shade matched my skin tone perfectly. At that moment, I finally felt seen.

Fortunately, beauty brands that inclusively cater to brown and Black consumers are on the rise. From shade ranges to campaign and marketing casting, there is more inclusion than ever — which means more options for you.

TZR spoke to five celebrity makeup artists about their favorite foundation for dark skin tones. Scroll to read more about what they use on their melanated A-list clients.

We only include products that have been independently selected by TZR's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

Sir John

Sir John's talent is widely known throughout the beauty industry. He has a track record for being one the best makeup artists in the world (both in and outside of the industry) and working with top tier clients. His clientele includes everyone from Beyoncé and Zendaya to Cynthia Erivo and Normani, to name a few.

Ami Colé

Skin-Enhancing Tint

$32

Black-owned beauty brand Ami Colé, founded by Glossier veteran Diarrha N’Diaye, mastered the soft “no-make-up” look by creating a skin tint formula that enhances your natural glow, leaving a satin finish. Sir John, says the brand carries foundations and skin tints in “beautiful shades” that cater to women of color.

UOMA Beauty

Say What? Foundation

$39

“UOMA Beauty is a really great line for women of color. The brand has really revolutionized the way we look at foundations, too,” says Sir John.

Wendi Miyake

Wendi Miyake is a celebrity makeup artist known for working with the Kardashians. Her clientele also includes Kelly Rowland, Janet Mock, Justine Skye, and Lala Anthony.

Shiseido

Synchro Skin Lasting Liquid Foundation

$45

“One of my go-to foundations would be Shiseido Synchro Skin. Shiseido recently reformulated and expanded their foundation color ranges and Shiseido Synchro Skin foundation looks like skin. It doesn’t feel heavy on my clients and the range is perfect,” shares Miyake.

Danessa Myricks Beauty

Vision Cream Cover Adjustable Foundation & Concealer

$22

“My other go-to for darker complexion is Danessa Myricks. Her foundation range and tones are spot on, and I can trust that her foundation will perform beautifully on my clients,” says Miyake.

Tasha Reiko Brown

Tasha Reiko Brown is known for slaying the faces of many Black A-list celebs including Alicia Keys, Gabrielle Union, Lil Nas X, and Tracee Ellis Ross.

CHANEL

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation

$60

"I love the healthy glow of Les Beiges foundation — I use BD91,” says Brown. “My skin is on the drier side and I must use a very emollient moisturizer. So, I appreciate the weightless feel of the foundation. I like to let the rich tones of melanin shine through the foundation so I tend to reach for the sheer Les Beige formula that provides just enough coverage to even skin out and leave a satin finish. I tend to use two shades so it subtlety sculpts the face. I’ll use a spot-on foundation match on the edges of the face then use a 1/2 shade lighter in the center of the face for a sculpted ‘spotlight’ effect.”

Tobi Henney

Celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney is known for working with Angolan model Maria Borges, X-Men actor Alexandra Shipp, and model Duckie Thot.

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

$64.99

“Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is one of my favorite foundation bases. I love the velvet finish and how the product is buildable,” says Henney. “I always start in the center of the face and steer outwards, using a little more on areas that need more coverage.”

Bare Minerals

Complexion Rescue Hydrating SPF 25 Foundation Stick

$33

“I use this foundation on a lot of shoots and it provides beautiful coverage of any skin type — depending on how much product you use,” says Henney. “I like to apply the foundation under the eyes and buff it out with a soft concealer brush. I like the creamy texture of the product; it is very easy to work with.”

Brittany Whitfield

Brittany Whitfield is known for working with star clients Raven’s Home actor Laya Deleon Hayes, Karrueche Tran, model Adut Akech, and Gossip Girl actor Savannah Smith.

L'Oréal Paris

L'Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Foundation Makeup

$10.99

“The L'Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Foundation has an impressive range,” shares Whitfield. “Their darkest shade has proven to be so reliable for clients of mine over the years such as Anok Yai and Adut Akech. The True Match gives me a beautiful supple finish. The formula is so soft and literally blendable, making it lovely to contour with as well.”

COVERGIRL

TruBlend Matte Made Foundation

$11.49

“The Covergirl TruBlend has an array of undertones that I feel are unrivaled,” says Whitfield. “There was a time I worked with model Ugbad Abdi for a red carpet, and it was the first time EVER in my career that I found a match so close to her undertone — and I didn’t have to mix shades! I was beyond impressed. This line caters to every undertone imaginable.”