My friends with darker complexions often complain that their make-up constantly looks the same. They say that when they try to do it differently, it doesn’t show up on their skin and they end up resorting back to their usual shades.
I like a challenge and I also like to prove people wrong (especially my friends) so there was no way I was going to let their complaints go unnoticed. Sure, I may not have dark skin myself, but I know of plenty of beautiful celebrities who do and so I’ve collated three of my favourite (and very different) make-up looks that are perfect for darker complexions.
KELLY ROWLAND- BOLD & BEAUTIFUL
The look: have you seen the latest cover of Essence magazine with Kelly Rowland on the cover? AH-MAZ-ING. Her eyes are a smouldering mix of dark purple hues that sweep up and beyond her eyelids, with a base of gold shadow that draws attention straight to her thick, dark and slightly winged lashes. Combine this with her bold dark berry lips and her entire face is a masterpiece.
The lesson: when trying to make a statement with eyes, a lighter, brighter base colour paired with deeper shades for contouring is best for darker skin tones. Always go for a yellow-based gold over a bronze as it will stand out against your complexion.
The star product list: CK ONE COLOR Dark Matter Collection – Pure Color Lipstick in Velvet, AVON 24K True Color Gold Eyeshadow Quad, and WASP Hair DL6 – Volume and Length.
JENNIFER HUDSON- STUNNING & SUBTLE
The look: Jennifer Hudson nails this effortlessly glamorous look using a combination of subtle eye shadows and a pop of orange lip. Bronze and nude colour eye shadows are the perfect partner in crime for a statement lip, complementing the eyes without taking away too much attention from your peepers.
The lesson: when using this technique on the eyes, aim for one colour that is two shades lighter than your skin tone and one that is two shades darker. Use the lighter tone as your base colour and the darker tone to contour and blend. Orange lipstick is the perfect pick-me-up day time shade as it will stand out against your skin tone without being as bold as a dark berry or plum.
The star product list: Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Coral, and MAX FACTOR Earth Spirit Eye Shadow Pots in Pale Pebble, Terra Firma, and Burnt Bark.
ZOE SALDANA- RADIANT & RED
The look: so simple, yet so damn effective, Zoe Saldana pulls off a classic beauty look with impeccably groomed brows, subtle cat eyes and a crimson lip.
The lesson: to enhance your eyebrows, apply a highlighter from the top of your eyelid to the inner arch of your eyebrow, sweeping it along the underside of your brow. Change up your usual flicked and winged eyeliner for subtle cat eyes by applying your eyeliner all the way to the inner corner of your eyes and then flicking it back towards your bottom lid. Red lipsticks with blue undertones are also best for complementing darker complexions.
The star product list: Benefit Sun Beam, Maybelline New York Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner, and MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo.
Which celebrity look is your favourite? Do you find it difficult to pull off different make-up looks?
