Darker skinned ladies sometimes feel that cosmetics to suit their skin tone can be difficult to find. Gloria Ozumba, Director of Amaka Beauty shares some tips to bring out your beautiful dark skin…

What are the differences between Caucasian skin and brown skin?
Caucasian skin has approximately 8 – 10 different skin colours whereas for people of African descent there are at least 39 recognised colours. This does not even include the skin colour variations of brown-skinned people of Southeast Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Latin America and Polynesia! So you can easily see why the 3 – 4 shades of brown that most mainstream cosmetic companies produce never quite match.

As you probably know, skin colour is determined by three factors – Carotene, Melanin and Haemoglobin. Carotene gives a yellowish tinge to the skin, Melanin gives the brown colour and Haemoglobin gives the reddish tinge. These all contribute to the skin tone and under tone. Often mainstream cosmetic companies will produce make up with too much pink or brown in the undertone (even if the foundation is brown) and this can result in a foundation that appears greyish on the skin.

How do I know what my skin tone is?
The easiest way for people to check the undertone of their skin is to look at the inside of their wrist in natural light. There will be either a yellowish, reddish, greenish or bluish hue. This is the natural undertone. When choosing a foundation, women of colour need to find a base undertone that matches their natural undertone.

Classification of Darker Skin
Caucasian skin can be classified according to seasons, but for darker skin tones there needs to be a completely different classification system. Brown-skin can be classified according to skin undertone.

What colours look best on Dark Skin?
Dark complexions with grey or red undertones look good with the following colours:
•Red violet / fuchsia
•Deep black
•Burgundy
•Green
•Lavender
•Blue / Blue Violet
•Tan
•Hunter Green

Complimentary accent colours are: Yellow, Orange, Deep Gold, Black and Chartreuse

Medium-brown / dark complexions look good with the following colours
•Pink
•Lavender
•Royal Blue
•Warm Grey
•Black
•Blue-Green
•Peach
•Blue Violet
•Grey

Complementary accent colours are: Brilliant Red, Teal

Fair, light skin with yellow or olive colouring look best with shades that have an earthy yellow tone.
•Coral
•Vivid Orange Red
•Yellow Green
•Pastel Cream
•Eggshell Yellow.

Complimentary accent colours are: Violet, Brown, Terra Cotta, Amber and Greenish Blue.

What about cosmetic colours for Brown Skinned women?

Brown Skinned women can also match their cosmetic colours with their eye colour.

The Best Colours for Brown Eyes:
Blue-Black, Black Gold, Mocha, Saffron, Deep Burgundy, Black, Gold, Frosted Tan, Black Plum, Silver, Forest Green, Cinnamon

The Best Colours for Hazel Eyes
Terra Cotta, Shades of Amber, Brown, Copper, Sand, Green, Dark Beige, Gold, Blue

The Best Colours of Green Eyes
Dark Shades of Green, Shades of Gray, Coral, Searing Brown, Blue-Green, Yellow-Red

The Best Colours for Blue Eyes
Gray Hues, Blue, Greenish Blue

What do the celebrities use?
Famous women of colour love the variety and colour from Black Opal, which is a skincare and cosmetics colour line made specifically for Brown Skinned women. It’s cost effective, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic – which means it won’t clog your pores. Here are some of the celebrity fans that we know of:

MICHELLE OBAMA – America’s First Lady. Black Opal Total Coverage Concealing Foundation in HAZELNUT was used on her by a Top American Makeup artist called VALENTE FRAZIER

TYRA BANKS – America’s Next Top Model Presenter used Black Opal Total Coverage Concealing Foundation in HEAVENLY HONEY

ALICIA KEYS – An American Hit Artist (Musician) prefers to use Award winning Black Opal OIL BLOCKING POWDER. The title ‘BEST IN BEAUTY’ was awarded by ALLURE MAGAZINE for this great product.

To view these products and their true shades, please click on Black Opal Colour Guide Link on our web site: www.amakabeauty.co.nz