Of the 120+ Foundations I've Tried, These 17 Look Stunning on Deep Skin Tones Like Mine

Struggling to find your perfect match? This one's for you.

Best Foundation For Dark Skin
(Image credit: @rayan.xasan; @daniellejinadu)
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Finding the right skin tones for melanin-rich skin can pose a challenge without knowing what types of products are out there. Finding the right shade for your complexion is just as important as using the right formula for your skin type, and getting a good amount of wear out of them. While many brands have followed the footsteps of Black-owned beauty brands like Fenty, Pat McGrath, and Danessa Myricks through the expansion of their shade offerings, deep skin tones like mine have a wide range of undertones that can make it tough to find the perfect match.

As a beauty editor who's tested hundreds of foundations, I can provide a good amount of insight as to which products look the best on skin of color. To give you a better understanding of the canvas I'm working with, I have deep, neutral-toned skin that looks best with foundations that boost brightness levels and leave a dewy finish. When I can, I like to avoid having to buy and mix two foundation shades. Throughout my career, I've been given countless opportunities to discover new foundations with impressive shade offerings, but it's always helpful to get a few pointers from experts who know a thing or two about the best foundations for deep skin tones.

To make the process easier for you, I'm sharing the gush-worthy foundations I reach for day after day, I can't help but recommend to anyone seeking a product that will complement their dark skin tones beautifully. Plus, I'm sharing everything a professional makeup artist has told me about the best foundations for skin of color and her favorites currently on the market.

Rayan Xasan poses with glowy skin and glossy lips

(Image credit: @rayan.xasan)

Shopping for the Best Foundation Match

When shopping for a foundation that will look as stunning on your skin as it will in its bottle or compact, professional makeup artist T. Cooper recommends focusing on true undertone and investing in products with consistent payoff. "A lot of warm foundations translate too orange and start giving jack-o’-lantern T’s, and that’s never good. I look for formulas that stay true once they hit the skin and don’t oxidize," she explains. Cooper prefers using rich shades with balanced undertones that hold up well in real life and under studio lights. She also favors creamy formulas that are blendable and buildable.

Lastly, she looks for foundation formulas enriched with ingredients that will help protect and support the health of your skin long after the foundation is removed from its surface. "If the formula has hydrating ingredients like coconut water, hyaluronic acid, or vitamin E, that’s a definite plus," she says. "Melanin looks its best when it’s radiant; drying formulas can make it look chalky." Now that you know what ingredients to look for, it's time to focus on what many would describe as the bigger challenge: identifying a shade that smooths, brightens, and enhances your natural complexion.

Choosing the Best Shade

Cooper's biggest tip for landing on the best foundation shade is to depend on a natural source of light for the most realistic look. "Step towards the nearest source of sunlight and match your foundation to your chest—not your face or your hand. If it matches your chest, it’ll flow seamlessly with the rest of your body. Faces can be lighter or darker than the rest of the body," she explains. Cooper warns against using a shade that is too light, or you'll risk looking what she describes as, "casket ready." Alternately, if you use a foundation shade that's too dark, Cooper says you'll be left with the, "floating head" effect.

As for the best foundations in her makeup kit for dark skin tones, Cooper swears by rom NARS, Black Opal, Danessa Myricks, Too Faced, and Make Up For Ever. "Nars is illuminating, I love how Hydrating Too Faced is, and [they] both have great, neutral undertones," she adds. "Danessa Myricks is lightweight, but pigmented, and Black Opal is full coverage with the most diverse skin tones. Make Up For Ever also gets the jobs done!" Cooper also tells us that the latter has a good range of skin tones and undertones (plus, it offers long-lasting wear).

Now that you know which foundations a professional makeup artist swears by and how to shop for one without landing on the wrong shade, scroll on to see the foundations that this makeup-loving beauty editor keeps in her collection.

The Best Foundations for Dark Skin, Listed

Emmanuelle Koffi with glowy skin and berry-toned blush

(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

Associate Beauty Editor Maya Thomas with the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation in shade 510 Deep Warm

Associate Beauty Editor Maya Thomas with the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation in shade 510 Deep Warm

(Image credit: @itsmayalala)

Danielle Jinadu with a dewy, tanned complexion

(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)

Thomas with the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation

Thomas with the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation in shade 13.25 Very Deep, Golden

(Image credit: @itsmayalala)

How We Tested

As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To identify the best foundations for dark skin tones on the market, we leaned on guidance and recommendations from celebrity makeup artist T. Cooper, as well as my knowledge and first-hand testing experience as a beauty expert. As part of my research, I considered several factors, including the ingredients used to enhance each formula, a foundation's wear-time without requiring touchups, and ease of use. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.

Why Trust Who What Wear

At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.

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Maya Thomas
Maya Thomas
Associate Beauty Editor

Maya Thomas is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.

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