Beauty, Makeup, Review, Swatches

It’s no secret I love makeup and all things beauty. It’s just who I am! But the biggest reason behind Fancieland was to be a reference for women who looked like me. There are millions of beauty bloggers all over the world but there are so little who really understand the needs of women of color. Especially those of us with a little bit more pigment. It’s like we get overlooked in the beauty world. Not anymore! When I first started wearing makeup I struggled picking out foundations so I hope my foundation collection will help ladies like me find that perfect shade.

The biggest thing I learned while testing foundations is that it’s not just about the color! It’s about the undertone too! I started out trying foundations that were way too yellow which would result in the dreaded ashy gray cast. It took quite a lot of trial and error for me to realize my skin is extremely warm with strong red undertones. We’re all different so I can’t guarantee these shades will work for you too but I can offer some tips to help narrow your search.

1. Try it on all over. A lot of guides will suggest that you test foundations on your jawline or just one part of your face but I find this to be problematic for women of color. Often, we have dark spots (discoloration) that are a completely different undertone than the rest of our face. For instance, the inner parts of my face (T-zone and under eyes) have a strong yellow tone while the contours of my face run a little more red. So while some yellow based shades worked well for the inner parts the rest of my face looked ashy. It’s best to apply it all over to get a better idea of how it’ll work for you.
2. Test your foundation in different lighting. This is probably the most important! Have you ever bought something that looked good in the store but once you got home it looked completely different? This happens a lot with foundations! I highly recommend trying samples first or shopping at a store with a good return policy. Indoor lighting, natural light and flash photography all give off different effects. You’ll know you nailed your foundation shade when it looks seamless in any type of lighting. Especially flash photography!
3. Do a little research. There are quite a few brown gal bloggers out there so don’t be afraid to search YouTube for someone who looks like you. It’s a really big help when you’re not sure where to look or start. You could find out what shades they wear and use it as a reference to guide you. Never be afraid to ask questions!
4. Don’t get discouraged. Makeup companies have come a long way in accommodating women of color but some lines are still pretty limited so trial and error is natural. Whether it takes you one try or five, it’s okay! Makeup is all about experimenting and finding what works best for YOU.

Revlon Nearly Naked in Cappucino, Maybelline Fit Me #355, IMAN Stick Foundation in Earth 1, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Polynesia Dark 1, DiorSkin Nude #060, NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Trinidad Dark 3, Makeup Forever #177, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk in 11.5

Makeup Forever Pro Finish Foundation Powder in 178, MAC Studio Fix Powder in NW48, MAC Sun Power Mineralize Skinfinish