15 Best Foundations For Dark Skin, According To Reviews (2023)
Enhance your dusky complexion by framing your face with products just for you.
Tim QuinnBeauty Expert & Makeup Artist
Expertise: Makeup
Experience: 20+ years
Tim Quinn is a celebrated beauty expert and makeup artist with over two decades of professional experience. His extensive expertise spans various mediums, including television, print, and film. He has received numerous awards and recognitio... more
Baishali Bhattacharya Certified Image Consultant, Certified In Makeup Artistry
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior ... more
Srijani Roy ChowdhuryCertified In Makeup Artistry, Certified Style & Image Consultant
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Experience: 3 years
Srijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a ce... more
Srijita DeCertified Style & Image Consultant
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Experience: 2 years
Srijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in ... more
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If you were looking for the best foundations for dark skin that have good reviews, you are at the right place. When choosing the proper foundation, darker skin shades are often difficult to attend to. If you are not precise with the shade, you will be left with a cake-like texture. We present 16 high-rated foundations that match your skin tone and give you a statement-making, high-definition, radiant glow to ensure there are no mistakes.
In This Article
15 Best Foundations For Dark Skin Tones
1. Best For Acne-Prone And Sensitive Skin:Dermablend Flawless Creator – For Deeper Tan Skin
Image: Dermablend The expertly crafted Dermablend Flawless Creator is an oil and water-free liquid makeup foundation. This skin-perfecting foundation is formulated with 10 ingredients and concentrated pigments that provide customizable coverage, leading to exceptional results. This hypoallergenic, lightweight, non-comedogenic foundation is ideal for acne-prone and sensitive skin. It does not contain fragrances, parabens, or animal-derived ingredients and by-products. You may check more about this product in this video showcasing the reviewer’s experience.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Fragrance-free
- Allergy-tested
- Blendable
- Transfer-resistant
- Conceals discoloration and spots
- Provides full coverage
- Suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin
Cons
- Oxidizes
- Does not set without powder
- Might cause breakouts
Quick Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 1,059 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.
2. Best For All Skin Types:Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Image: Giorgio Armani The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is made with micro-fil technology. This celebrity-favorite product is oil-free, weightless, and offers an all-day sheer with buildable coverage. Its silky texture glides on the skin seamlessly and works well with all skin types. This micro-blurring foundation also acts as a hydrating fluid for the skin. Tim Quinn, a beauty expert & makeup artist, opines, “The PINNACLE! This is truly an award winning foundation. It has 40 shades that cater to many skin tones.” Check out this video detailing the reviewer’s experience with the product to learn more.
Pros
- Provides moderate coverage
- Buildable
- Lightweight
- Glides smoothly
- Long-lasting
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- Might get heavy and cakey
3. Best For Sensitive Skin:Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation
Image: Lancôme The expertly crafted Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation is makeup artist-approved and is a lightweight, velvety liquid foundation with full coverage. It assures 24-hour long-lasting, breathable coverage with the airwear technology. The oil-free foundation is safe for sensitive skin. Tim Quinn, a beauty expert & makeup artist, says, “This is a model-favorite product. The foundation is long-wearing, comfortable on the skin, and provides buildable coverage. When used with a damp beauty blender, it imparts imperceptible coverage.” Check out this video to learn more about the product.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Breathable formula
- Non-comedogenic
- Long-lasting
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has received 130 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.
Dermablend Flawless Creator – For Deeper Tan Skin Best For Acne-Prone And Sensitive Skin | Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation Best For All Skin Types | Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation Best For Sensitive Skin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Type | Combination, Oily Sensitive, NormalColor | AllColor | - |
| Dimensions | 1.31 x 1.31 x 4.38 inches | 19.69 x 19.69 x 11.02 inches | 1.3 x 1.55 x 5.2 inches |
| Weight | 1 Ounces. | 4.32 Ounces. | 4.66 Ounces. |
| Color | - | - | 552 Suede C |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,059 | 111 | 130 |
| Price | $42 | $55.78 | $57 |
4. Best Lightweight Formula:Glo Skin Beauty Luminous Liquid Foundation
Image: Glo Skin Beauty The Glo Skin Beauty Luminous Liquid Foundation comes with a lightweight mineral formula that offers great coverage and offers you enhanced features. The efficient light-diffusing diamond powder in the formula gives exceptional results as it creates a luminous even complexion, while the sun protection of SPF 15 keeps your skin covered from harmful UV rays. The radiance-boosting formula also contains a rich blend of vitamins A, C, E, and green tea extract that keeps your skin healthy and highly rejuvenated. It delivers a dewy finish with a soft-focus effect.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Oil-free
- Long-lasting
- Offers sun protection
- Dewy finish
- Soft-focus effect
- Cruelty-free
- Suitable for dry and normal skin types
Cons
None
5. Best Full Coverage: Wunder2 Last & Foundation – Porcelain
Image: Wunder2 The Wunder2 Last & Foundation is formulated with hyaluronic acid that provides long-lasting hydration to the skin like a tinted moisturizer. The foundation offers full coverage with a natural-looking glow, resulting in enhanced features of the user. This lightweight foundation is waterproof, smudge-proof, and adheres well to other makeup products. Moreover, it is easily blendable with either a brush or your fingers, and covers your imperfections well for a flawless glow.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Breathable formula
- Waterproof
- Smudge-proof
- Crease-proof
- Transfer-proof
- Moisturizes the skin
Cons
- Sheer coverage
6. Best For Dry Skin: L.A. Girl Pro Coverage – Dark Chocolate
Image: L.a. Girl The L.A. Girl Pro Coverage provides medium to full coverage. It makes the skin flawless, luminous, and even-toned. This lightweight formula keeps the skin tone fresh, stays on all day long, and imparts a light dewy finish. It has added antioxidants that hydrate the skin and improve its appearance.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Lightweight
- Full coverage
- Blends easily
- Ideal for dry and normal skin
- Satin-hydrated finish
- Provides medium-high coverage
- Buildable
- Long-lasting
- Affordable
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Might be cakey and greasy
- Might cause breakouts
- Unpleasant smell
Quick Tip7. Best Fragrance-Free: bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Liquid Foundation
This light natural shade from bareMinerals has a lightweight formula ideal for normal, combination, and oily skin types. The blurring concealer provides full coverage and a matte finish that lasts 24 hours long with its mineral lock technology. It is formulated with papaya extracts that blur imperfections, and improves skin texture for a flawless appearance. Moreover the bamboo extracts even-tones your skin for a smooth wear.
Pros
- Suitable for oily, combination, and normal skin types
- Lightweight
- Blends easily
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Vegan
- Talc-free
- SLS-free
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- May feel drying
8. Best Non-Drying: Black Opal True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation – Suede Mocha
Image: Black Opal True Color The expertly crafted Black Opal True Color Foundation has great reviwes online and is a unique pore-perfecting formula that minimizes pores and refines the skin for a flawless, dewy look. It employs the Shade ID technology that balances multi-colored chromatic pigments to neutralize imperfections. It contains shea butter and vitamins C and E that hydrate the skin, while antioxidants protect it from free radicals.
Pros
- Non-drying
- Lightweight
- Oil-free
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Might get cakey
9. Best For Tatoos: Dermablend Cover Creme – Dark Chocolate
Image: Dermablend The Dermablend Cover Creme offers full coverage and covers skin imperfections, including dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and scars. It blends seamlessly and hydrates the skin with SPF 30 that lasts up to 16 hours. This lightweight creme is made with high purity pigments and is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and dermatologist, sensitive-skin, and allergy-tested.
Pros
- Absorbed easily
- Covers tattoos and acne scars
- Long-lasting
- Hydrates the skin
- Provides full coverage
- Contains SPF 30
- Fragrance-free
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Might feel sticky
- Might get cakey
- Might cause skin irritations
- Contains mineral oil
10. Best For Freckles: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation – Deep Bronze
Image: Maybelline The Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation provides medium, buildable coverage and is ideal for normal to oily skin types. It refines pores and imparts a natural-looking matte finish to the skin. This celebrity-endorsed brand’s oil-free foundation is made with clay and can be removed by micellar water. It remains all day long and can be blended either with the fingers or an applicator, giving you a statement-making appearance.
Pros
- Provides medium coverage
- Matte finish
- Buildable
- Long-lasting
- Conceals freckles
- Softens the skin
- Oil-free
- Long-lasting
- Dermatologist-tested
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Might emphasize fine lines and pores
- Might not suit all skin types
- Oxidizes
11. Best Sweat-Resistant: Revlon ColorStay Makeup – Honey Beige
Image: Revlon The Revlon ColorStay Makeup is a liquid foundation and is ideal for normal and dry skin types. It creates a smooth base for applying makeup, concealing blemishes, and imperfections for flawless skin. It becomes a base makeup for deep skin tones, and gives medium to buildable coverage to impart a natural look. This oil-free formula contains SPF 20 and hyaluronic acid that hydrates the skin and lasts up to 24 hours.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Sweat-resistant
- Transfer-resistant
- Blends easily
- Contains SPF 20
Cons
- Might get cakey
- Oxidizes
- Might feel heavy and sticky
12. Best Transfer-Resistant: NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil – Deep Mocha
Image: Nyx The NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil is a combination of concealer and moisturizer. It imparts a creamy, satin finish and natural glow to the skin. This weightless formula provides breathable coverage and hydration up to eight hours. Its skin tinting shades help even out the skin tone. It is best applied with a dual-fiber brush.
Pros
- Cruelty-free (PETA certified)
- Long-lasting
- Vegan
- Buildable
- Affordable
- Transfer-resistant
Cons
- Might be oily
- Might give a cakey appearance
- Might cause irritations
13. Best Moisturizing Formula:it COSMETICS Bye Bye Foundation
Image: It Cosmetics IT COSMETICS Bye Bye Foundation provides full coverage. The formula comes with a 3D skin flex technology, and the color pigments efficiently wrap over fine lines and wrinkles to give a natural-looking satin finish to the skin. It provides weightless coverage over skin issues like redness, dark spots, acne, and open pores.
Pros
- Offers sun protection
- Anti-aging benefits
- Reduces redness
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
None
14. Best For Covering Spots: Covergirl TruBlend Matte Made – Deep Bronze
Image: Covergirl The Covergirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation is formulated with mattifying powders that help in oil control. It minimizes enlarged pores, imparting a smooth and polished appearance to the skin. The flexi-hold technology creates a strong yet flexible film on the skin. This pore-minimizing transfer-resistant foundation stays up to 12 hours with a matte finish. The product has garnered positive reviews for its smooth finish and great coverage. The formula has not been tested on animals which gives you one more reason to buy this product.
Pros
- Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified)
- Provides full coverage
- Matte finish
- Covers spots
- Adds shine
- Transfer-resistant
Cons
- Might be flaky
- Might cause breakouts
15. Best Sun Protection: L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup – Deep Golden
Image: L’oreal Paris The L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup contains SPF protection with SPF 19 and provides medium coverage with a natural finish. It blends easily and makes the skin smooth and even-toned. The patented color technology adjusts the shade to match exact skin tones. It contains vitamins A and C, wheat germ, and grapefruit extract that nourish and protect the skin, making it healthy.
Pros
- Provides full coverage
- Blends easily
- Buildable
- Contains SPF 19
- Oil-free
- Fragrance-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Long-lasting
- Lightweight
Cons
- Might get patchy
- Might cause rashes or breakouts
That was our round-up of the 15 best foundations for dark skin tones. Scroll down for the factors to consider while picking the right one for your skin.
Things To Consider While Buying A Foundation
Skin Type: If you have dry skin, opt for a lightweight liquid foundation with buildable coverage. Or you can opt for a cream-based moisturizing foundation as well. Using a regular foundation on dry skin can dehydrate it or make it sweat. Similarly, choose an oil-free powder-based foundation for oily skin to absorb the excess oil.
Coverage: Pick a foundation that provides the required coverage. Some skin tones and types require medium coverage, but the darker tones require full coverage. The best option is a foundation with buildable coverage so that you can customize it.
Finish: Choose a foundation based on how you want your skin to look – matte, dewy, or shiny. Also, remember the makeup products you will be using along with a foundation. If you want a natural glow, opt for a dewy finish foundation. But if you are building your look and adding more makeup, see what works best. Remember, dark skin reflects light, so going only with foundation and no other makeup can be tricky. Opt for a semi-matte formula that will impart a natural shine without looking extra.
Shade: It is imperative to try your makeup before buying. Do a patch test on your face along the jawline. Swatch a few shades and let them sit for a moment. This way it is easy to determine, which shade matches your skin tone and whether the formula is blendable. You can also determine if the foundation looks ashy on your skin tone. You can also swatch the shades on the underside of your forearm or on your chest.
Oxidation: Oxidation changes the color of your makeup. It is caused due to the reaction of the skin, natural oils, dirt, or ingredients with oxygen. The consistency of the foundation changes and separates the skin. Opt for a water-based foundation or apply a primer to prevent this. Not all foundations oxidize, so keep checking foundations until you find the best one for you.
The Bottom Line
There are many foundations available in the market that cater to darker skin tones only. These foundations provide a flawless finish while offering full coverage. Lightweight and non-comedogenic, these foundations successfully conceal acne, dark spots, and discoloration. The Dermablend Flawless Creator offers full coverage with an oil-free and non-comedogenic formula, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation provides a radiant, natural-looking finish and the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation has a lightweight and breathable composition. However, while purchasing the foundations, choose the ones that cater to your skin type and wouldn’t cause breakouts after use. Moreover, it is recommended to choose foundations that are easier to apply, glide smoothly, and offer an all-day sheer.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Baishali Bhattacharya, is a certified makeup expert. She reviews beauty-related products for StyleCraze based on her extensive research and a thorough analysis of feedback gathered from different trusted online platforms. This list of the best foundations for dark skin tones has been compiled considering their easy-blending and smudge-proof formula. Moreover, these foundations are transfer-proof and offer full coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the right makeup for dark skin?
Check out stores that keep makeup with a wide range of shades. Match the shades with your skin tone. For example, use a foundation similar to your skin tone, but a concealer shade lighter than your skin tone. For contouring, go for one or two shades darker than your skin tone.
Is it better to use a darker or lighter foundation?
Use an illuminating foundation of the same shade as your skin tone.
How do you pick the right color foundation?
Pick the right color foundation as per your skin tone and ensure undertone matching. For example, if you have yellow undertones, your skin tone is warm, and if you have pink undertones, your tone is cool.
How do you know if your foundation is too dark?
If your foundation is too dark, your skin will appear muddy. The right foundation shade will disappear into your skin.
How do I stop my foundation from oxidizing?
Use a silicone-based primer that creates a good barrier between your skin and the foundation to reduce the chances of oxidation.
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