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How to Choose Barely-There Makeup for Dark Brown Skin

Nov 6, 2011 / By Tom Ryan

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Even out your varying skin tones for a natural look.

Photo: Ralf Nau/Lifesize/Getty Images

With dark brown skin, you have the perfect complexion for wearing naturalistic, barely-there makeup. The only real challenge you have to face is balancing out your skin tone. African-American skin is often uneven in tone, with the forehead and cheeks appearing to be different shades. As long as you even out your facial tones, though, you'll be left with a face that is balanced and beautiful -- in fact, you'll look like you don't have any makeup on at all.

Choose three -- yes, three -- shades of foundation. Because the skin tone on your face can vary so much, it's a good idea to keep a light, medium and dark on hand so you can blend as needed. Since your skin is dark, a foundation that has slightly blue undertones .

Don't forget the powder. A dusting of powder keeps your foundation in place, and helps hold off shine. Look for a powder in a warm, deep tone to use all over your face, as the best fit for your complexion. For your eyelids, however, choose a yellow powder to even out the tone with the rest of your face.

Skip the blush. It doesn't suit your skin tone when you want an au naturale look. Save your blusher for a day when you want to look more made up -- for now, stick with something simple, like a deep bronzer.

Instead of a deep or dark lip color, go with a sheer lip gloss that is only a few shades off of your natural skin tone. Anything further away on the spectrum doesn't look as natural.

While skipping eye shadow gives you the most natural look, if you want a tiny bit of color, stick to a color that matches your eyes for subtlety. For example, if you have brown eyes, try something in sable or bark for just a hint of color. Keep mascara light as well, just enough to define your lash line.