When it comes to beauty trends, one of the biggest challenges for black or brown skin is finding the right foundation. Although many brands have followed in the footsteps of Fenty Beauty by dramatically expanding their shade ranges, skin of color can often have a mix of undertones that makes it tough to find a perfect match. Luckily, I can offer a bit of help in this department since I'm Brown and fall into this category. Although I mostly have warm undertones, occasionally, some warm foundations will look too orange on me, and neutral shades make me look too pale. I'm also not one to have the patience for buying and mixing two foundation shades all the time—it's just too much work.
Due to my role as a beauty editor, though, I've gotten the chance to try so many options and shade ranges. Formulas just keep getting better by the day, but the ones below are the favorites I always find myself reaching for. Keep scrolling and discover the one for you.
Top Foundation Picks For Dark Skin Tones
The best foundations for dark skin tones are ahead, and there are picks for every skin type.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation
The incredible shade range is what makes it great for darker skin tones, but it's also fantastic for combination and oilier skin types since it offers a soft matte finish and climate-adaptive technology to counteract humidity, heat, and sweat.
Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Fenty BeautyArmani Beauty Luminous Silk Oil-Free Foundation
Almost every makeup artist I've spoken to loves this foundation, especially for acne-prone skin. It's oil-free and noncomedogenic and delivers beautiful coverage. It's been a favorite of mine for years since it doesn't irritate my sensitive, acne-prone skin.
Luminous Silk Oil-Free Foundation
Armani BeautyRare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
Another one of my favorite formulas is Rare Beauty's Liquid Touch Foundation. It isn't super expensive and was one of the only foundations my sensitive skin could tolerate for a minute if I'm being honest. It's really breathable and contains a skin-calming botanical blend. My only gripe is that the formula is a bit runny at first, you have to work quickly and really blend it out before it gets everywhere.
Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
Rare BeautyGlossier Stretch Fluid Foundation
This is one of my favorite new formulas. Glossier's Stretch Concealer is a fan favorite, and I can say with confidence that the foundation is equally good. It is a bit of a lighter-coverage formula, but I think Glossier nailed the shades for tan and Black skin tones. My shade matches perfectly—a rare feat since I tend to have both warm and neutral tones.
Stretch Fluid Foundation
GlossierL'Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Foundation
This foundation is one of the best drugstore options around. It leaves a soft, natural finish; offers great shades for darker skin tones; and won't break the bank. My only complaint is that it does tend to dry you out after a while if you have dehydrated skin.
True Match Super-Blendable Foundation
L'Oréal ParisHaus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation
This Haus Labs foundation is another favorite formula of mine that stays matte all day and blends beautifully. The impressive 51-shade range is also perfect for tan, olive, Brown, and Black skin tones.
Triclone Skin Tech Foundation
Haus LabsBlk/Opl True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation
This foundation stick is beloved by editors and makeup artists alike for its creamy formula and fantastic shade range for darker skin tones. As a bonus, it also contains SPF 15.
True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation
Black Opal BeautyConclusion
There you have it, the best foundations for dark skin tones. No matter your skin type, there is a perfect match for you among these seven options.
