
Makeup guide
How to Apply Makeup on Dark Skin
Aayushi Mehra
Dark skin denotes a melanin-rich complexion that usually boasts of a mixture of different shades of brown. If you want natural makeup looks on dark skin, you have to be extra picky while selecting makeup products. The concealer, foundation, blush, lipstick, and other products that you use must suit your skin colour.
The shades that people use on a brighter skin tone might look dull on your complexion. So, it’s essential you buy makeup products for dark skin—they are crafted only for you! For your ease, we have done the homework. This blog has some fantastic tips and products to give you the best makeup look for dark skin.
The ultimate guide for a flawless makeup look for dark skin
Applying makeup is not rocket science, but if you want that extra oomph for your complexion, you must learn to do it the right way. And, what’s that?
Step 1: Moisturise your skin well
If you want your makeup to blend perfectly with your skin tone, you must moisturise your face properly. Make it a habit to moisturise your skin daily when you step out of the shower.
- A cream, especially liquid-based, is suitable if you have dry skin. You can also use BB cream for a radiant look.
- Similarly, a drying moisturiser does wonders for oily skin. A small tip: apply a primer to the oily spots on your face, and don't miss the T-zone.
Recommended Products:
a. Pond’s Super Light Gel Moisturiser

Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5
Net Volume: 147g
Pond’s Super Light Gel keeps your skin moisturised for 24 hours. And the best part is — it is suitable for both dry and oily skin types.
- It is non-sticky and lightweight.
- It Combines the goodness of Vitamin E and glycerine to give your skin the glow it needs all day.
- It’s ideal for all seasons.
- It makes your skin soft, smooth, and bouncy.
Explore: Ponds Face cream
Step 2: Apply foundation that matches your skin tone
You can’t pick just any shade of foundation for you; it has to match your skin tone. Now, most of you might think of swatching the colours on the back of your palm. Ditch that thought and try the shades on your jawline because the complexion of your face may be lighter than that of your hands.
Also, if you have discolouration on your face, you should go for two shades: one lighter and one darker than your skin tone. It will help you get the perfect blend.
Recommended Products:
b. NY Bae Dewy Drops Liquid Foundation

Customer Rating: 4 / 5
Net Volume: 30ml
NY Bae Dewy Drops Liquid Foundation-Freddo 4 is an excellent pick. It is a full-coverage foundation.
- The cappuccino colour is easily blendable with different shades of brown skin.
- It acts as a perfect base for flawless makeup.
- It is smooth, so people with dry skin can also use this.
- It is lightweight.
- It also effectively covers blemishes on the face.
There are many other products to choose from if you don’t want a liquid foundation.
Maybelline New York Fit Me has some excellent powder-based foundation options, like 310 sun beige that goes well with the dark skin tone.
Explore: NY Bae Foundation
Step 3: Conceal the dark circles
Dark circles are a common problem for most of us due to our lifestyle and our fondness for scrolling through our phones until late at night.
Getting a concealer with the right shade can make dark circles disappear and give you a youthful and flawless look. You can go for an orange colour corrector, followed by a concealer. For better results, just blend it thoroughly on the edges under your eyes.
Recommended Products:
c. Swiss Beauty Liquid Concealer Orange

Customer Rating: 4.3 / 5
Net Volume: 6gm
If you don’t want your face makeup to look all cakey, the Swiss Beauty concealer is a good pick for you. It is highly pigmented and doesn’t wear off quickly.
- The orange undertone acts as a colour corrector for pigmented skin.
- It is lightweight.
- It has an easy blending and building capacity.
- It offers a demi-matte finish and full coverage.
Explore: Swiss Beauty colour corrector
Step 4: Apply a bright-shaded blush
Blushes of colours such as rose, wine, plum, and bronze go very well with the dark skin tone. It is best to opt for a dark shade of blush for your cheeks. Don't mind putting a little on your nose and chin. Complete the look by highlighting your cheeks and nose.
Recommended Products:
d. Purplle Luminous Glaze Ultra Complete Face Palette

Customer Rating: 4 / 5
Net Volume: 12g
Purplle Luminous Glaze Ultra Complete Face Palette that acts as both a concealer and a blush. The cheek tint is a pretty colour and works well with most outfits.
- It offers buildable coverage and is perfect for a highly pigmented skin tone.
- It is long-lasting and removes dullness.
- The product has advanced optical technology that covers blemishes and pigmentation.
- It gives a natural glow to your face.
Explore: Purplle Blush
Step 5: Colour rush on the lips
Your makeup is incomplete without a dash of colour on your lips. From creamy mixtures to velvet mattes, lipsticks are most preferred in colours like red, pink, and magenta. These shades sure look lovely on dark skin.
Besides, if you apply some foundation to your lips, it will help brighten up the shade of your lipstick.
Recommended Products:
e. Faces Canada Weightless Creme Lipstick

Customer Rating: 4.1 / 5
Net Volume: 4g
The Sunset 11 shade by Faces Canada is an intense lip colour ideal for dark skin. This excellent velvet matte lipstick is packed with the goodness of vitamin E and gives a soft matte finish.
- It keeps the lips hydrated for 24 hours.
- It has pure rose extracts.
- The product does not feel heavy at all.
- It is also paraben-free.
Explore: Faces Canada lipstick
Step 6: Set your makeup
It's all about using the right products and techniques to achieve the best makeup look for dark skin. A setting spray prevents the makeup from melting after a few hours.
The best part is if you use a setting powder, it covers the extra shine on your face created due to oily skin.
Recommended Products:
f. Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Chrome

Customer Rating: 4.3 / 5
Net Volume: 6.7g
Maybelline's metallic highlighter, the Molten Gold shade, is a bestseller. It gives a soft shine to the brown skin, making it look brighter.
- The chrome effect of this product complements the dark skin tone.
- The high colour payoff delivers an excellent shine on the face.
- It has a consistent shade and is easily blendable.
- It is long-lasting.
Explore: Maybelline Highlighters & Illuminators
It’s time to flaunt your skin.
As a beginner, applying makeup might seem tricky to you, but with some practice, you’ll soon get the hang of it. All you need is correct information about the best makeup for dark skin.
Change is the new constant, as they say. So, do not shy from trying different products; just keep in mind the properties of your skin.
Read More:
- The Ultimate Makeup Guide for Beginners!
- Learn How To Get A Quick And Easy Makeup Look Step By Step
- A Guide on How to Apply Blush Correctly
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About Aayushi Mehra
Aayushi is a writer at Purplle.com. A beauty, lifestyle and fashion enthusiast, she also loves to watch K drama and listen to KPop music, and travel through the holidays. She is always reading makeup blogs or watching makeup tutorials to up her game & reflects the same in her expert makeup blogs. Besides this, she has a nose for elegant & sophisticated perfumes for every occasion and she should be the go-to person for all your fragrance needs. Aayushi is free spirited and enjoys sharing her experiences with the readers.









