Fashion & Beauty

Makeup has always been something I’ve been interested in. I remember in my college years watching makeup tutorial videos on YouTube and being in awe of the colors and techniques used by these makeup artists. Over the years, how I use makeup has evolved from bold colored eyeshadows to enhancing the features I already have with a more natural look.The one thing that was a source of frustration for me was the lack of makeup products on the market specifically for Black women. I remember, on several occasions, having to mix and blend a few different shades to get one that matched my skin tone. As a young adult in college, I don’t know if I truly grasped the reality of what was happening when I walked into the beauty section of a store and couldn’t find products that worked for my skin type or color. Now that I’m older, thankfully I have more options to choose from—and newer brands are launching products that are inclusive of more skin types and shades.
If you’re a Black woman interested in makeup, below are a few favorites that you might want to try. 

1. Glossier
If you’re into more cream-based products, Glossier may be your new best friend. Cream-based products are best for drier skin types or for women who may want a touch of that dewy look to their skin. These product types absorb into your skin better than powder which can often sit on top of your skin.
Another reason I really like Glossier is how inclusive they are on their website. When looking at different lipstick colors, they show women with different skin tones wearing the product, so that you can better imagine how the lip color will look on you. That’s huge in my book, especially when we’re doing most of our shopping online.

Perfecting Skin Tint Concealer

Best review: “So as many have said this has no coverage, but I love it. It really brings something to the skin that is hard to describe. But I love using it every day.”

2. Tarte Cosmetics
I was introduced to Tarte when I was making the switch to cruelty-free makeup. For the last five years or so, Tarte has been a tried and true favorite makeup brand for me—I love their powder, concealer, lip gloss, and blush, I really stand by Tarte and their products. 
Even just browsing their products while writing this article made my heart go pitter-patter and my debit card run away screaming.

Shape Tape Concealer

Best review: “I love that this comes in so many color options that match foundation shades. It gives great coverage, and you get a ton of product for the cost.”

3. Fenty Beauty
Rihanna as a person and an artist is fantastic, bold, unapologetic, and downright gorgeous, so that seems like enough reason to try her makeup brand Fenty. But her products really stand out amongst the others because of how inclusive the share range is. 
The Fenty Soft Matte Foundation is a favorite of mine because I have oily skin, and by the end of the day, my face can look quite shiny. Using this foundation takes care of that problem, yet it’s still lightweight enough that I don’t feel as though I’m wearing a lot of makeup or a heavy product. All hail Fenty by Rihanna!

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

Best review: “This is my ALL-TIME favorite foundation. Does not need a primer or powder to look flawless. Everyone always asks me what kind of foundation that I use because it just looks THAT GOOD. 10/10 recommend.”

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer

Best review: “This bronzer is AMAZING for people with dry skin. Usually bronzer dries my face even more and does not blend well, but this is amazing! So creamy, light, and buildable.”

4. IT Cosmetics
One of the best-selling IT Cosmetics products is their Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer. Since it is a full-coverage concealer, it might feel a little thicker than the other concealers you use—but it is still worth checking this one out. 
Just like Glossier, IT Cosmetics is another brand that has great cream-based products, so that if you’re looking for a product that not only covers up or enhances but also moisturizes, IT Cosmetics may be one you one to look into. 

IT Cosmetics
Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer

Best review: “One of the best beauty products I’ve ever purchased. It blends seamlessly and is highly moisturizing for the drier skin around my eyes (I’m in my mid 40s). You barely need any—it’s CRAZY how little you need.”

IT Cosmetics
Pillow Lips Collagen-Infused Lipstick

Best review: “This feels incredible! Within five minutes of opening my box and trying this on, I was back here on the website ordering two more colors!”

This article originally ran on The Everymom More

I’ll be honest: I have tried a lot of products in the last few months. My taxes were slightly less than I expected, and I stopped ordering a $14 cocktail multiple nights a week. But not everything was created equal. Some of the products I tried were absolute garbage (a new foundation I tried made my face break out in the worst break out I’ve ever had… no thanks), but some have officially made it to holy grail status. Below, I’m sharing the products that have totally made their way into my everyday makeup basket, whether for daily wear, just taking some selfies, or the first time I got to see my friends again (socially distant, but oh so glorious regardless). They’re perfect for mask-wear, but also just lounging around the house.

Glowy Makeup Serum

I snagged this in Sephora’s Spring Beauty Event in May the second it went back in stock. I’ve loved every single thing I’ve tried from Laneige, and I was intrigued by the idea of their first foray into a skincare/makeup hybrid product. I was not disappointed. I use this as a makeup primer, but I’ve even used it on days that I’m not wearing makeup just to look glowy without any coverage. The glow comes from the texture of the product (a light, liquid/serum that comes out of a dropper) rather than a bunch of glitter or shimmers all over your face. It does have a hint of a pearl, but I can’t see them at all on my face once it’s blended in. Oh, and as a primer it works wonders. I’ve worn this on days I know I’ll be wearing my mask for a long time in the heat, and my makeup doesn’t budge.
I have combination skin, but I can get away with using this all over my face, so I honestly think it would work on all skin types.

Elysium Naturals Co.
Whipped Shea Body Butter

I raved about this on Instagram the second it came in the mail. I was looking for a thick body butter to rub all over my legs after shaving, but nothing has ever been the right consistency for me. I love the look of a body oil, but I hate the process of putting it on; and a body butter moisturizes, but it rarely gives me the glow I want. This product is the perfect medium between an ultra-moisturizing body cream and a body oil. I put it all over (arms, shoulders, chest, legs, butt, feet—legit, this goes everywhere), and I get compliments every time that my skin looks glowy and hydrated. I purchased the “sweet mango” scent, and it’s great for summer. The scent lingers, but I don’t notice it inferring with my perfume either. I am dying to try the orangesicle and the lavender vanilla too!

Tower 28 Beauty
BeachPlease Tinted Lip + Cheek Balm

Next to eyeshadow, blush is one of the most fun products out there. It’s an easy way to have a little extra fun with color without going full blue eyeshadow. And of course, I’m opting for more cream cheek products than ever to keep my skin looking glowy and natural. These ones from Tower 28 are some of the best I’ve tried. I have the shade “Golden Hour,” a terracotta orange that blends out to look like a light orange on the skin. If the idea of orange blush scares you, don’t let it; it actually looks really natural on my warm skin tone—like I’m actually blushing. But it’s also available in two other shades that I absolutely am dying to get my hands on: a neutral pink/mauve and a bright, summer coral-pink.

Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Matte Bronzer

Charlotte Tilbury just gets me sometimes, IDEK. I’ve tried a few new bronzers this summer, but this one… Y’all, this bronzer is one of the best powder products I’ve ever tried on my face. I spent all of last summer absolutely raving about the Fenty Beauty bronzers. And trust me: I still love that bronzer with my whole heart. But when I wasn’t wearing foundation or was just wearing a concealer, it didn’t blend as easily. I love the look of nothing but bronzer on the skin in the summer—your skin looks even and flat without any coverage. And CT’s new bronzer is perfect for that. I like to think this is because it’s the exact same formula as Charlotte’s iconic Airbrush Flawless Finish setting powder, so it’s made to be worn on bare skin and reapplied throughout the day.
If the price of this bronzer is holding you back, I feel you. I ultimately decided to try it because I love that this is a refillable pan. Once I hit pan (or want a lighter shade in the winter), I can just replace the pan without buying a whole new package. It’s less wasteful and cost-effective, which I absolutely love. This pan is also absolutely massive (see image above next to my Fenty bronzer). I have used this every single day since I got it, and I cannot imagine going through it in my entire lifetime. I’ve only had this just over a month, and I think I’ve already used it 55 times. For reference, I got the third shade, “Tan,” and I am currently a Fenty 330 and use the “I$land Ting” bronzer!

JD Glow Cosmetics
Galaxy Shadows

I considered adding these as an honorable mention because some of the shades I have are sold out, but these actually might be #1 right now, so I gotta tell it like it is. I’m an eyeshadow fiend, but as my collection grows, I am strategic about finding shades and textures that are really unique. These Galaxy shadows are basically as unique as it gets. First of all, the price is absolutely right. These pans are huge, so you’ll never run out while getting a great deal per gram. But what really stands out about these are the texture. These are all duochromes. I have “Peachy Keen,” which at first glance looks like a light peach shimmer, but it shifts to a gorgeous green. I recently used this to recreate this gorgeous picture of Gigi Hadid, and it was basically the exact tone. I also have “Prismatic,” a green-blue duochrome, which I’m wearing in this picture (shoutout to my hairstylist for my hair looking as good as it ever will in this picture).
Obviously, I have brighter shades, but I’m excited to try some more neutral ones. I genuinely don’t want to wear any other shadows right now! JD Glow is a Black-owned indie beauty line by two BFFs in Baton Rouge, L.A., which only makes me more excited to buy more of their incredible products. More

I’m an all-or-nothing kind of gal.Why drink two glasses of wine when you can drink the whole bottle? Why order a four-piece chicken nugget meal when you can get six more for just an additional two bucks? Why give 50 percent when you can give 100? I’m either as dehydrated as a dry sponge, or I am carrying 10 pounds in water weight, peeing pristinely clear urine every 16 minutes, hydrated as hell. There is no in-between. Others (i.e., my mom and my lovely therapist) may suggest that I need to seek some consistency. To that, I say: go big or go home, baby.
So when I woke up hungover on a Sunday morning and had a fuzzy flashback to ordering $102.81 of products from The Ordinary on Ulta.com, I wasn’t the least bit surprised. I had already owned their Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum (if you know it, you love it) and knew that, at some point, I’d cave and expand my collection to fit my skincare needs. After reviewing the receipt of my adventurous late-night purchase, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my $100 purchase scored me 11 products (most of the products in their line are under $10, which is music to my ears), and I simply couldn’t decide on any products worth canceling. Naturally, at that time, I was motivated to finally have a comprehensive skincare routine outside of my traditional five go-to products which included a micellar cleanser, witch hazel toner, vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid, and moisturizer. 
While I have the occasional need to blot my face by the end of the day, I’ve noticed that, over the past few years, my skin has mainly been dry and dull. So, in addition to staying nice and hydrated (or at least trying to), I always reach for products that will help hydrate my skin and leave me feeling restored and radiant. I find that when I put my skincare energy into moisturizing, I tend to have less breakouts.
Name a better feeling than forgetting you ordered a package and being surprised by it a week later… I’ll wait. When my package arrived I was, again, stunned at how many products $100 allotted me. I purchased the AHA/BHA Peeling Solution, the Niacinamide + Zinc, Glycolic Acid Toning Solution, “Buffet” Serum, Moisturizer, Caffeine Solution, Rosehip Seed Oil, Alpha Arbutin Serum, Salicylic Acid Masque, Vitamin C Suspension, and Lactic Acid Serum.  I pulled out each of the 11 products, reoriented myself on how/when to use them, and got to work. 
A month has passed since my tipsy skincare purchase and to no one’s surprise, I gravitate to some of the products more than I do others. Do I hate any of them? Absolutely not. Let’s just call it “playing favorites.” Note: I’ve heard the squalane cleanser is incredible, but unfortunately, it was sold out at the time of my purchase. Additionally, I already have their hyaluronic acid serum and use it daily!
Out of the 11 products that I ordered, these are the five I actually use:

The Ordinary
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

I heard SO many great things about this at-home chemical peel before buying, and I must say… I was not disappointed. I use it once a week in the evening after cleansing, let it sit for 10 minutes, rinse off, and continue with the rest of my skincare routine. This product targets irregularities, exfoliates my pores, fights signs of aging, leaves my skin glowy as hell, and makes my skin the perfect canvas for makeup. It’s the cheapest at-home chemical peel on the market, works impressively well, and is by far my favorite product in the entire line. I only use this peeling solution once a week as recommended (part of the reason why I don’t dread Mondays so much anymore), but when I do, I feel like I can do anything. Finally address the 56 unread emails in my mailbox? Done. Taxes? No problem. Conquer the world? Absolutely.

The Ordinary
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

After I cleanse/use the occasional chemical peel, I reach for my toner. The second I used this toner is the same second I decided that I’ll never to back to using a scented witch hazel as a toner ever again (please don’t tell my dermatologist that I even used that, please and thank you). I use this morning and night after cleansing to restore my skin’s pH, and it leaves me feeling moisturized even before I go in with serums/moisturizers. Pulling out my foam finger for this one because I am a TRUE FAN.

The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

After using toner, I go in with my serums. I’m happy to report that this Niacinamide+Zinc Serum has secured a forever spot in my routine. This little guy is great for balancing sebum activity, reducing facial congestion, and helping to brighten my complexion. Since I started using this morning and night, I’ve noticed that my skin texture is much more even and I break out less. Boom and boom.

The Ordinary
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Are her eyes chronically puffy due to her affinity for crying, lack of sleep, or the fact that she had salt with a side of fries last night? We’ll never know. I’ve always struggled with under eye bags in the AM, and this is the first serum I’ve used that actually provides results in minutes. After I use my serums in the morning, I massage a small amount of this solution into my eye contour. It’s nice and gentle and helps my under eyes to appear tighter and more moisturized which results in me using less concealer come makeup time. So when I eat an entire large fry, cry over the series finale of “The Office” for the eleventh time, and stay up too late watching TikToks, no one will suspect a thing.

The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

My skin is like my humor: dry AF. And though I don’t see a need to switch up my personality (not today, anyways), dry skin is just not something I strive for. Luckily, this moisturizer has my back and keeps me feeling/appearing well-hydrated without being greasy, which makes me oh, so happy. I use this bad boy last to lock all of my products in and to help restore my skin’s barrier. It’s like the perfect mic drop at the end of my skincare routine and I am absolutely in love with it.

What are your favorite products from The Ordinary?!  More