Real World Beauty Tips for Women of Color
Here at Busbee Style, we’re striving to make our content all-inclusive. That said, many of you have asked specifically for beauty advice related to women of color. Black women have some of the most gorgeous skin tones ranging from light to deep. Regardless of skin color, it goes without saying that the foundation for a beautiful complexion is consistently taking care of your skin. As women, we all need a solid routine to help elevate our skincare game. The key to glowing from within is to stay hydrated, moisturize, wear SPF, and sleep. But when it comes to skincare, Black women have their own set of unique obstacles. We’re talking hyperpigmentation, melasma, and acne to name a few.
Finding the right shade of foundation for darker skin, or getting an eyeshadow that will pop, are also important skills to have. Add to that skin changes for women over 40 and it’s no wonder developing a beauty regimen can get overwhelming. But don’t worry—we’ve got you! I’ve recruited a few expert beauty influencers and makeup artists for help. Sharing real world beauty tips for women of color from 3 beautiful women.
For some favorite makeup finds for women of color, be sure to check out this post!
Introducing – Angela Mashelle
My philosophy regarding my skin health mimics how I feel about many other facets of my life: If I take care of it, it will take care of me. Thus, skincare is a part of my daily “self-love” routine that I meet with a two-pronged approach. I believe if I nourish my skin from the inside and pamper it on the outside, it will continue to not only serve me well, but it will also give me a beautiful glow. To nourish my skin from the inside, I drink a lot of water throughout the day and take a women’s multivitamin. This helps to hydrate my skin while supporting its homeostasis and elasticity. To maximize the nutrients I take in, and to nourish and protect my skin on the outside, I have a very stringent morning routine.
The products I’m currently using in the morning, in order of application, include: Dr. Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence, Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Toner, Medicube Triple Collagen Serum, Medicube Vitamin C 6.5%, Medicube Triple Deep Erasing Cream, and Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30. As a woman of color, with deeply melanated skin, I can’t stress enough the importance of using sunscreen. Yes, the extra melanin in my skin provides an additional barrier of protection, but the sun’s UVA and UVB rays penetrate into the epidermis of our skin causing premature wrinkling and aging. Like most deeply melanated people of color, my skin is prone to hyperpigmentation due to excessive sun exposure, so sunscreen is crucial! At night after I’ve cleansed my skin thoroughly, I apply an Adapalene gel 1%. This regimen keeps my skin hydrated, healthy and young.
Here are some of Angela’s must-haves…
Instagram: @angelamashelle
YouTube: Angela Mashelle
Introducing – Brittany Jones
As a lover of all things beauty, I’ll say that everything starts with skincare. A great skincare routine is truly essential for me. Whether you’re wearing no makeup, or you’re full out glam, investing in quality skincare products is a game-changer for your skin over time. One of my faves is the Innisfree Daily UV sunscreen. It provides amazing protection and has no white cast, making it brown girl friendly. I also never start my day without Purlisse Blue Lotus Balancing Moisturizer which also contains SPF. This is a great moisturizer to wear on its own but also works well under your makeup. I’ve found that my skin still looks and feels hydrated after hours of wear.
For makeup, I can’t live without Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Pore Primer; Makeup Forever Matte Velvet Skin Concealer; Patrick Ta Major Beauty Headlines Blush; Artist Couture Silky Lip Oil; and Laura Mercier Caviar Volume Mascara.
These are some of Brittany’s faves…
Instagram: @thebrand_beline
YouTube: TheBeLine
Introducing – Mercedes Roth
The makeup industry has come a long way when it comes to beauty needs for Black women but there’s room for improvement. Many of my clients that are mature and of deeper skin tones are concerned about looking too “ashy” or too red. To address these concerns, I’ve got 5 different tips:
(1) Skincare is vital! Even with the best genes, you must use sunscreen daily. One of my favorites is Black Girl Sunscreen because they have options for both oily and normal skin, with no white cast.
(2) Try Black-owned makeup companies because they have an amazing range of different undertone foundations. Some great quality brands are Pat McGrath Labs, Mented Cosmetics, The Lip Bar and Danessa Myricks.
(3) Use Earth-toned eyeshadow. Don’t be afraid of looking ashy. The right shade can bring out your natural undertones and complements your skin beautifully. Additional flattering colors include shades of dark green, warm gray, browns and gold hues.
(4) Learn to mix your foundation. Being a makeup artist for over 10 years, I’ve learned that it’s okay to play around with foundation until you get something that matches your skin tone.
(5) Don’t be afraid to wear a pop of color! Bold shades look fabulous against our deep, rich skin tones. Make a statement with a bold lip or gold shadow to enhance your look. There’s no age limit when it comes to playing with makeup.
Here are Mercedes’ top picks…
Instagram: @_mercibeauty_
Please share with us your beauty tips in the comments below! Don’t forget you can sign up for the newsletter to take advantage of some amazing resources here including a PDF with 20+ beauty tips to look younger! Thanks for reading!
So happy to see Angela Mashelle over here! She’s one of the warmest and funniest Youtubers, and I find her styling advice so on-point.
She’s just amazing! SO glad you enjoyed this post! ~Team Busbee
Thanks so much for this article. I am a Black woman who has followed Erin for years. Bravo on creating more inclusive content!
Thank you so much for your note, Donna. Erin truly appreciates your support! Please let us know if there are any other subjects you’d like to see in the future. ~Amit
Thank you Busbee team. As a woman of color I truly appreciate the inclusive content. Bookmarking this right now so I can come back for more tips.
Thank you so much, Lola. We’re happy you like this story! Please let us know if there are any topics you’d like to see covered in the future. ~Amit
This was right on time! Even though I’m aging gracefully it’s good to know what’s out there for Women of Color! Thanks
Hi Dr. Peggy! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this story. Thank you for the feedback! ~Amit