Finding the right foundation shade can be a high pressure, sweat inducing, nail biting task. Almost like house hunting (but not really). And, like a house, your foundation has to be perfect – PERIODT. Aside from the basics such as the shade, there are many other factors to take into consideration: level of coverage, finish, formulation and wearability. All of these factors determine if a particular foundation is right for someone.

For deeper skin tones (especially those darker than a brown paper bag) just being included in the beauty conversation has been and still is an opportunity. This opportunity often translates into other areas like marketing, advertising, branding, funding and even the products themselves. In times past, deeper skin tones were not even included in the shade range line up of many popular, mainstream brands. The solve was to mix/create a shade on the spot to accommodate the wearer. As time progressed, some mainstream brands made attempts to create shades for deeper skin tones with questionable success. Then there were brands such as Flori Roberts, Fashion Fair, Iman, Posner and Black Radiance who created lines that included deeper skin tones with images to reflect those who again were intentionally left out of the beauty conversation. With these brands came more shade options, validation and affirmation.

Fast forward to today where there are more brands than ever creating foundations for deeper skin tones. Technology, research and development is lending itself to better formulas, as well as more shades and undertones for product that looks and wears flawlessly on multiple ranges of complexions.

Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Foundation. When I say that Urban Decay is probably one of the few brands that have several intensities as well and has nailed top- and undertones almost perfectly and beautifully it would be an understatement. Stay Naked is a lightweight medium buildable foundation that melts and blends seamlessly into the skin. The shade matching system is made of three parts – a number and two letters. The number indicates the shade range 10-92 with 10 being the lightest and 92 being the deepest. The first letter indicates the top tone (surface). The second letter indicates undertone. Perfect for dry, combination and oily skin types.

Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation. “What is it? Velvet?” That is the question you will ask when you apply this foundation powder. It gives beautiful full, flawless coverage without looking cakey and dry. It blends and blurs easily and seamlessly and moves with the skin. Matte Velvet comes with a double sided sponge applicator – the white side for sheer to medium coverage and the black side for fuller coverage. 12 hour full coverage matte wear. Great for normal, dry, combination and oily skin.

Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25. Believe it or not, Clinique is that brand. As popular as it is, particularly with it’s skincare, I do think this brand gets overlooked when it comes to makeup. The shades and the coverage are actually very good. This particular foundation is medium/full coverage with a natural finish. It is oil free, long wearing and contains hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and vitamin c for skin that looks good even when your makeup is not on.

Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Foundation. This foundation literally melts in the skin. It is a lightweight medium coverage liquid foundation that leaves no trace or texture on the skin. Sublime Perfection Foundation contains several great ingredients for the skin including a vita serum complex that ensures the skin is hydrated and helps to minimize the appearance of wrinkles. A diamond core powder helps to enhance luminosity and to deflect away from other skin imperfections. Great for all skin types including oily.

Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation. Nars has long been a favorite when it comes to deeper shades and formulations. Longwear Radiant goes on smoothly, blends seamlessly and is medium to full coverage. It leaves a natural finish that isn’t overly radiant but leaves the skin looking healthy. Key ingredients include fruit extracts (raspberry, apple and watermelon) to help smooth skin texture for radiance. Best for normal dry and combination skin.

Fenty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation. When Fenty dropped a few years ago with 50 all inclusive shades, it caused many brands to scramble frantically, pondering their purpose in life and the non-existent shades in their lineup. This particular foundation is, as the name suggests, a soft lightweight matte foundation with buildable medium to full coverage. This formula is more suitable for normal, oily and combo skin. For best results, be sure to moisturize your skin, prime and apply with a sponge or brush.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation. There are so many amazing makeup brands online, on social and in our favorite makeup specialty stores that it is easy to forget the gems at the local drug store. Maybelline Fit Me is one of those foundations. It has medium coverage and deeper shades that actually look nice. It is also pore minimizing and contains micro powders to blur and control shine. Perfect for normal to oily skin.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation. Too Faced usually does not miss when it comes to complexion products and this particular foundation is no different. Born This Way is an oil free foundation with coconut water and hyaluronic acid to soothe and hydrate the skin. Provides medium natural coverage and is great for all skin types including dry.

Fashion Fair Skinflex Stick Foundation. This is literally one of the smoothest foundation sticks on the market. I was blown away with how effortlessly it goes on. And the high coverage and superb blendability is A1. I love the inclusive range of shades for even the deepest of skin tones. Key ingredients include aloe leaf extract to help hydrate and soften the skin. Antioxidant rich rice bran wax moistures without blocking pores. Full coverage with a semi matte finish. Great for all skin types.

Lancôme Teint Idol Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation. In addition to deeper shades in the line up, there is the inclusion of undertones for those who may be more neutral. Although it is a matte finish, it still allows the skin to breath and appear life-like. Full coverage foundation best for normal oily and combo skin.

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