When the average women of color wants to accentuate her best with makeup, a lipstick or eye shadow usually takes the leading role, often leaving other features bare or forgotten. Here, I’ll share my tips and tricks to encourage everyone to try something new and fresh!

#1: FLAWLESS SKIN!

In creating a great canvas (skin), a great skincare regimen reigns supreme. Cleansing, moisturizing (with a moisturizer and drinking water) and toning for your skin type will yield results of beautiful, glowing skin. Try a system by Neutrogena or iQ Derma .

shown: Neutrogena

To enhance your gorgeous skin by evening out the tone, a tinted moisturizer or a finely milled powder will give you the light touch of coverage you need. Try ” Bobbi Brown’s Tinted Moisturizer or CoverGirl’s Queen Collection Natural Hue Mineral Pressed powder . Add a dime size of illuminating lotion to foundation such as Benefit’s Moon Beam or Smashbox’s Artificial Light. Or try MAC’s Hyperreal Foundation . Sometimes, the NW shades can have an obnoxious glow that’s great for runway, so use sparingly. If your skin is more problematic, skip the illuminators as they only draw more attention to problems.

shown: / Smashbox / Cover Girl / Benefit

#2: LASHES!

Tone down the eye shadow this go round and center in on your lashes. Have fabulously long lashes? Create more drama by first spending more than 5 minutes applying mascara. Give your lashes a coating of lash primer. Try Clinique Lash Building Primer. Add a coat (or two) of black mascara, whatever your preference. Then, carefully comb lashes to define. I like to use this handy little metal lash comb by Tweezerman .

shown: Clinique / Tweezerman

Or go with falsies for instant glam! Try Ardell Wispies.

shown: Ardell

#3: BLUSHING CHEEKS!

Blush adds a colorful glow to your face and livens up your tone. Remember, keep the rest of your makeup minimal, but play up those cheeks. During the cooler temps, try different textures - stains, creams and powders! Try: MAC’s Sweet as Cocoa blush , Rule eye shadow (yes, I said an eye shadow) or Tarte’s Blushing Bride cheek stain . Layer your blushes for even more pop!

shown: Mac Cocoa Blush

shown: Tarte

Kia Darby is the writer of Yummy411... get it here!, shares her makeup faces-of-the-day, thoughts on cosmetics, and life with her readers on her beauty blog. A native of Washington, DC, she's a freelance makeup artist. She loves lipgloss and L'Oreal Voluminous, but it has to be Carbon Black!
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