The 17 Best Foundations for Dark Skin Tones
In 2017, when Rihanna's Fenty Beauty launched in Sephora, it sparked what folks are calling the "Fenty Effect," which pushed many brands to expand their foundation shade ranges to be more inclusive of people with darker skin tones. While there are household name brands that have been creating these deeper shades for decades (MAC and Bobbi Brown come to mind), as more cosmetics companies have stepped their game up, the foundation options for darker skin have thankfully increased.
Some of these brands may have the options, but figuring out the perfect foundation shade is another challenge. So, we asked makeup artists for the 411 on how to make the foundation-shopping process as smooth as possible.
First things first: Start with what you know. "When shopping online for foundation, always use the foundation you currently use, or like most, as a point of reference for color when selecting shades," says makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff. Luckily, these days, technology is on your side, as many brands offer shade-matching quizzes to help you narrow down your options based on the products you currently use.
If AI isn't your thing (or you simply prefer in-person shopping), makeup artist Delina Medhin recommends buying multiple shades of foundation — if you can. "Especially in the pandemic, go with brands that offer samples or virtual consultations," she says.
Consultations and quizzes aside, another shade-matching trick to keep in mind is to use your undertone as a guide. You've probably noticed how brands describe their foundations as cool or warm, maybe even olive, pink, or peach, to indicate the shade's undertone. To figure out your own, Medhin offers a simple tip: look to your chest.
"If you see a yellow tone, then you are cool-toned," she explains. "If you see more red, then you are warm-toned." If you can't figure it out based on the color of your chest, flip your arm over and zoom in. The back of your arm, according to Sherriff, is an obvious place to spot yellow or reddish undertones.
All of this being said, no matter what you're searching for — whether you want a matte finish, a dewy look, or something in between — we've rounded up the best foundations for dark skin. Now, your foundation can be as personalized as your coffee order.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Danessa Myricks Vision Cream Cover
1/17Danessa Myricks
Danessa Myricks Vision Cream Cover
Medhin recommends the Danessa Myricks Vision Cream Cover because of its full-coverage finish available in a wide range of shades. The creamy formula leaves a luminous finish on the skin, thanks to squalane and vitamin E. "It also has adjusters that work well for color correcting or deepening an undertone in a foundation," she explains.
TLB Fast Face Skin Serum Foundation
2/17TLB
TLB Fast Face Skin Serum Foundation
"I love this light-to-medium, buildable [coverage] serum-foundation that makes skin feel and look good," Sheriff explains. Powerhouse skin-care ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and Irish Sea Moss extract, are infused into the dewy TLB Fast Face Skin Serum Foundation formula. It comes with a built-in brush for quick on-the-go application — just twist the knob to dispense, swipe across your face, and you're done.
Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Liquid Foundation
3/17Sephora Collection
Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Liquid Foundation
Sephora may really be on to something with its Best Skin Ever Liquid Foundation. "Once you've been wearing it for a few minutes, you kind of forget you're wearing foundation," staff writer Nicola Dall'Asen shares. The velvety liquid is infused with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerin.
Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
4/17Rare Beauty
Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
When Selena Gomez announced she was launching Rare Beauty, fans waited with anticipation to get their hands on the products — and the brand definitely delivered. Its Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation blends out beautifully, setting into a gorgeous natural finish on the face. The buildable, medium coverage is packed into a minimalist bottle with a doe-foot applicator.
Nars Soft Matte Complete Foundation
5/17Nars
Nars Soft Matte Complete Foundation
Nars practically created the perfect foundation with its Soft Matte Complete Foundation. Inside a squeezable tube — an upgrade from the usual bottle and pump — lies the silky liquid foundation. Its medium-to-full coverage formula sinks flawlessly into the skin for a beat that will last through a busy day.
Milani Cosmetics Screen Queen Foundation
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Make Up For Ever Reboot Active Care Revitalizing Foundation
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7/17Make Up For Ever
Make Up For Ever Reboot Active Care Revitalizing Foundation
We only give prestigious Best of Beauty Awards to the crème de la crème, so we stand behind the Make Up For Ever's Reboot Active Care Revitalizing Foundation for a few reasons. First, the liquid formula dries down to a luminous, satin finish. Second, it's light coverage, so it still looks like skin. Lastly, it's infused with skin-care ingredients — ginseng, mondo grass, and camellia japonica — which help brighten and hydrate the skin.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Hydrating Foundation
8/17Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Hydrating Foundation
Rihanna shook the makeup industry when she launched Fenty Beauty with 40 shades of the Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation. Then, two years later, she gave the beauty gurus with normal to dry skin exactly what they wanted: a dewy liquid foundation called Pro Filt'r Hydrating Foundation. Sheriff loves the "buildable, hydrating, and luminous" coverage this creamy formula provides. Thanks again, Riri!
AJ Crimson Beauty Dual Skin Creme Foundation
9/17AJ Crimson
AJ Crimson Beauty Dual Skin Creme Foundation
Medhin loves using AJ Crimson's Beauty Dual Skin Creme Foundation because of its rich, intense, and creamy colors. This multipurpose, buildable coverage product can be used as foundation, concealer, or contour — choose your own adventure.
Iman Cosmetics Luxury Concealing Foundation
10/17Iman Cosmetics
Iman Cosmetics Luxury Concealing Foundation
This concealer-foundation hybrid from Iman Cosmetics has a skin-like finish that looks marvelous. The Luxury Concealing Foundation's buildable coverage can be adjusted to your liking, whether you're going for full glam or just want to blur out some blemishes and scars. "One of the best in my opinion," Medhin shares.
Maybelline New York Super Stay Foundation
11/17Maybelline New York
Maybelline New York Super Stay Foundation
Easily one of the best drugstore foundations, the Maybelline New York Super Stay Foundation is a great matte option with long-lasting coverage. Seriously, this stuff will last through even the sweatiest party — not that you'll be going to one anytime soon. It's definitely full coverage, so a little will go a long way.
Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation
12/17UOMA Beauty
Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation
Indie beauty brands have really changed the game in the last couple of years. One such brand is Uoma Beauty — its very ethos is centered on inclusivity, and the line includes a 40-plus shade range with three different undertones: cool, neutral, and warm. It also has six custom formulations to suit different skin concerns.
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15
13/17Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15
What's a gallery about foundations without including this iconic Bobbi Brown formula? It's the perfect moisturizing-but-matte long-wearing foundation. The extensive shade range comes in three different undertones, so almost everyone can truly find the right one for them.
CoverGirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All Day Foundation
14/17CoverGirl
CoverGirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All Day Foundation
Made with women of color in mind, the CoverGirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All Day Foundation comes in three different undertones to help make finding the perfect match for your skin easier. Though it's full coverage, it doesn't feel heavy on your skin and leaves you with a natural dewy glow — and the price is right, for sure.
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
Black Opal True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15
16/17Black Opal
Black Opal True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15
If you're looking for a creamy foundation stick, add the Black Opal True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15 to your cart immediately. Glide on this foundation and blend out with your brush or beauty sponge to reveal a naturally radiant finish. It's a full-coverage foundation that will last throughout the day, and you won't even have to worry about touch-ups.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup
17/17Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup
For a foundation with a matte finish, the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup is the one for you. Estée Lauder is a household name for a reason, and the brand delivers with this quality foundation. Though it's matte, it isn't drying, and it comes in three different undertones, which is great for finding the best shade match.
