African American Makeup Trends | The Healthy Beauty Project -by Todra Payne

Makeup for women of color has had a revolution. Magazines (bridal and fashion) are no longer showing blocks of brightly hued eye shadow (like the woefully outdated look left) slathered across the eyes of brown women. Followed by a bright lipstick and thick orange-hued foundation. Thank goodness this look is dead.

Just as you’d not wear a “dated” wedding dress with mounds of ruffles and two feet high shoulders (screaming 1980s), your makeup shouldn’t look like it’s from a bygone era, either. Makeup for brown skin can be just as subtle and beautiful as on any other skin tone. Starting with foundation, choose the least amount of coverage and drama you can get away with. There’s nothing more attractive than seeing an attractive woman, not her makeup.

Even as a makeup artist, my goal is to enhance my client’s beauty, not show off my makeup skills. There’s no better time to celebrate your full lips, your beautifully shaped eyes and your rich skin tone than on your wedding day. Don’t cover up with heavy-handed makeup. If you have areas you’d like to downplay on your face, learn how to focus on “fixing” just those areas.

For example, you have a break out on your forehead. Instead of applying thick foundation all over your face, use a Concealer Brush and a thick cream concealer (in the same color as your skin) to “brush” out the pimples, but apply a light dusting of mineral foundation on the rest of the face. Or wear bangs! The point is to keep your look fresh and natural.

If you’re not sure how to update your look, pick up Essence or Upscale and peruse the looks on the models. Most of them will reflect the subtle trend I’m talking about. You may find a few looks that are more dramatic, and if you like those, go for it. But I guarantee you, they won’t look like the makeup above. It’ll be glamorous with an current edge. This look on supermodel,  Oluchi Onweagba is a perfect example of subtle makeup bringing out one’s best features, as is this shot of Joy Bryant.

If you aren’t sure how to highlight your best features without looking like you’re wearing a lot of color, find a great makeup artist who’s experienced with black makeup and aware of the current beauty trends. Your pictures will reflect your beauty, not her work.