Makeup

African-American Beauty Myths -- Busted!

'Black don't crack' isn't the only African-American beauty myth that's stood the test of time. From black hair care to makeup, we suss out fact from fiction

June 5, 2012 | by Cinya Burton | 24 COMMENTS

Neon makeup is a no-no Statement looks can be scary. Swiping on a hot pink shadow on a darker complexion will surely create a bolder effect than on a paler-skinned woman. This instant wow-effect can be intimating -- but only if it isn't properly balanced. Women with dark skin can pull off neon makeup colors really well because the contrast of the makeup against the skin tone intensifies the pigment, says Sheriff. "However, moderation is key when it comes to bold makeup, no matter what shade your complexion is." To tone down the contrast, Sheriff suggests focusing on one feature at a time and keeping the rest of the face neutral. And remember, just because it's loud doesn't mean you can't wear it well.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Dreadlocks are dirty

5 of 7

leave a comment

View old comments

love this amazing article we rock

by janelistrue Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 02:26PM Report as inappropriate

nice article. Love the nude part. We can do nude!

by smiley412 Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 09:00AM Report as inappropriate

I liked the one about black women and going blonde...I actually have Black family members with natural sandy, blonde hair and light blue eyes!

by MizzPink Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 05:16AM Report as inappropriate

Beautiful girl!

by yestfl Friday, January 25, 2013 at 09:55AM Report as inappropriate

Informative

by EricaF123 Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 01:18PM Report as inappropriate

Beauty knows no color, and I'm not referring to a cosmetic palette.

by robyne00 Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:59PM Report as inappropriate

In 3rd grade, we were having field day. My teacher was putting sun-screen on everyone in the class, she then skipped me and I told her "You forgot to put sun-screen on me." she then told me "You are already dark enough, you don't need any." Now mind you, I'm but not dark. It's crazy what you get told as a chid being black.

by Charmaine2013 Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at 01:39AM Report as inappropriate

Good idea for an article but maybe they should speak to some women of color first.

by AmandaAmanda Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 01:00AM Report as inappropriate

Good points but still leaves more questions than answers!

by teema Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 08:08AM Report as inappropriate

This was a really good read, and make great points !

by applepiealamode Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 03:26AM Report as inappropriate

It does mean that we age well. I'm not buying ths bougeious version. Black women shoud ask their families directly. We do communicate like some other cultures and need to stop looking outside our families for answers that are generated by filtered opinions that are not supported by cultural truths. Thats why doctors still don't understand our histories. Yes, we need sunscreen and many of us already know about Shea butter, argan oil and coconut oil from our ancestors used to more sun prominent climates. because our lifestyles have taken on the more white American rather than Southern, Native American or African standards, we buy into the beauty plans but my grandma and mother and aunties have lived to tell. We keep buying commercial standards and white beauty standards and need to learn from Europeans over Americans who just promote for the sake of buying. Like Mid-eastern women, there are more standards than US commercial ones Ponds Cold Cream and simple products like Dove or Ivory soap kept my grandma looking 50 at 90. But these are the only white products I would invest in Don't believe the hype. Go to the source,the natural black or Latin skin care sources and ask them directly.

by carol_wyatt Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 08:39PM Report as inappropriate

It does mean that we age well. I'm not buying ths bougeious version. Back women shoud ask their families directly. We do communicate like some other cultures and need to stop looking outside our families for answers that are generated by filtered opinions that are not supported by cultural truths. Thats why doctors still don't understand our histories. Yes, we need sunscreen and many of us already know about Shea butter, argan oil and coconut oil from our ancestors used to more sun prominent climates. because our lifestyles have taken on the more white Amercan rather than Southern, Native American or African standards, we buy into ther beauty plans but my grandma and mother and aunties have lived to tell. We keep buying commercial standards and white beauty standards and need to learn from Europeans over Americans who just promote for the sake of buying. Ponds Cold Cream and simple products like Dove or Ivory soap kept my grandma looking 50 at 90. But these are the only white products I would invest in Don't believe the hype. Go to the source,the natural black or Latin skin care sources and ask them directly.

by carol_wyatt Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 08:34PM Report as inappropriate

I always thought "black don't crack" just meant that we age well.. I didn't know it meant we were excused from the sunscreen rule. I never thought that! In fact, I thought we has to put on MORE sunscreen than other complexions! .. And I hate the stigma that black women can ONLY have "golden" and almost orange highlights or else it won't look good. If you mix in actual colors of blondes and balance it out, it look fabulous and has definition. That's what I did and I'll never change it.. in fact, it gets even blonder in the sun.

by asifsys23 Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 04:20PM Report as inappropriate

loved the blonde hair pic!

by ladyboarder9669 Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 12:08PM Report as inappropriate

Nice!

by shell1375 Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 11:07AM Report as inappropriate

There are some black women born with blonde hair...NOT bleached blonde but extremely light hair closer to yellowish tents

by MzWayne Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 07:13AM Report as inappropriate

the tips on blonde hair we're really interesting, I didn't think it could work on African American women

by sportimonki13 Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 07:52PM Report as inappropriate

I love nude lippies. The funny thing is I tend to always pick peachy colors. I guess I have been doing it right all along.

by GetGlamoured Friday, June 8, 2012 at 08:07AM Report as inappropriate

I think the blonde would only work with lighter skinned African Americans...hints, the model they used for the article is VERY light skinned and Beyonce is too. If they were going to say this, they should have used a darker skin toned woman. Pretty good article though

by krystalmarie_dickinson Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 08:09PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the variety of content.

by Dishon Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 05:38PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting article.

by VV001 Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 04:39PM Report as inappropriate

I don't like blond hair on african-american women. I just don't think it looks natural at all; I'm not saying it always looks BAD...just not natural. Some people who have the money to get it done right are fortunate but not everyone is. Oh well.

by msbrown822 Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 07:11AM Report as inappropriate

this didn't tell me much

by porsha_coleman_mcdaniels Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 04:09PM Report as inappropriate

cool pic, specially the neon lips!

by yestfl Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 07:05PM Report as inappropriate

Home » Beauty Tips » Makeup » African American Hairstyles » African-American Beauty Myths -- Busted!