In 1994, supermodel Iman was inspired to launch her own cosmetics line targeted to  “women with skin of colour” to address the lack of inclusion she experienced in the beauty industry. Twenty years later, many black women unfortunately still struggle to find makeup products in shades that fit our skin tone.

I have curated this list which I will update regularly, to highlight makeup companies that develop products in shades suitable for black women. Some of the brands listed are black owned while others are companies that show product swatches on dark skin or use black models and bloggers in their advertising regularly.

If you are looking for black owned brands only, check out the  100 Black Owned Beauty Brands  list!

For cruelty-free and/or vegan brands for black women check our Cruelty Free Makeup Brands for Black women list.

A

 AJ Crimson Beauty  

Anastasia Beverly Hills 

• Melanin Must-have:  Contour Cream Kit in Deep ,  Dipbrow Pomade

B

Becca Cosmetics 

• Melanin Must-have: Shimmering Skin Perfector 

BenNye 

• Melanin Must-have: BenNye Banana Powder   

BH Cosmetics  

• Melanin Must have: Missy Lynn Palette

B.L.A.C Minerals Cosmetics 

Black Opal Beauty 

•  Melanin Must-have:  Black Opal True Colour Stick Foundation

Black Radiance 

• Melanin Must-have:  Black Radiance Color Perfect Liquid Foundation 

Black Up Cosmetics 

• Melanin Must have: Black Up Full Cream Coverage Foundation

Bobbi Brown 

• Melanin Must-have: Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick,  Bobbi Brown Longwear Even Finish 

C

ColourPop 

• Melanin Must-have: ColourPop UltraMatte Lipstick,  ColourPop Supershock Shadows

ColouredRaine 

• Melanin Must-have: Matte Lip Paint

CoverFX 

•  Melanin Must-have:   CoverFX Custom Cover Drops

CoverGirl Queen Collection 

• Melanin Must-have: CoverGirl Queen Collection CC Cream, CoverGirl Queen Collection 3 in 1 Foundation

E

E.l.f Cosmetics  

• Melanin Must Have: Blush & Contour Duo

F

 Fashion Fair 

• Melanin Must-have: Fashion Fair Oil-Free Perfect Finish Souffle

G

GoldLabel Cosmetics 

H

Hue Noir 

I

Iman Cosmetics 

• Melanin Must-have: Iman Contour Trio, Iman BB Creme

 J

Jordana 

Juvias Place 

 

K

Kevyn Aucoin 

•  Melanin Must-have:   Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer

Ka'Oir 

 

L

L.A. Girl cosmetics  

• Melanin Must- have: L.A. Girl ProConceal HD Concealer, L.A. Girl Matte Pigment Gloss

Lancôme 

•  Melanin Must-have:  Teint Idole Ultra 24H Foundation 

Laura Geller Beauty

Laura Mercier  

• Melanin Must-have: Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder

L'Oreal Infallible Pro Line 

M

M.A.C Cosmetics 

• Melanin Must-Have:  M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid, M.A.C Lipsticks

Magnolia Makeup 

Makeup Forever 

• Melanin Must-have: Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Foundation

Maybelline 

• Melanin Must-have: Maybelline Fit Me! Foundation 

MDMflow 

 

Milani Cosmetics 

• Melanin Must-have:  Milani Shadow Eyez,  Milani Blushes

Morphe Brushes

• Melanin Must-have:  350 Palette

N

NARS Cosmetics 

• Melanin Must-have: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, NARS Sheer Glow

NYX Cosmetics

P

Plain Jane Beauty

• Melanin Must-have:  Creme Minerals Foundation

S

Sacha cosmetics 

• Melanin Must-have:  Sacha Butter Cup Setting Powder

Shea Moisture Makeup 

• Melanin Must-have:   Shea Moisture Sheer Foundation

Sleek Makeup  

Smashbox Cosmetics 

• Melanin Must-have: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35

 T

Tarte Cosmetics

U

Urban Decay 

• Melanin Must-have: Naked Palette 2 and 3

 

Stay fabulous!

Have some other brands and key products flattering on women of colour not listed here?  Comment below!